As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on October 5, 2018

1933 Act File No. 333-          
1940 Act File No. 811-23384

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



 

FORM N-2



 

x REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

o Pre-Effective Amendment No.   

o Post-Effective Amendment No.

and

x REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

o Amendment No.   



 

EP INCOME COMPANY LLC

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)



 

20 Horseneck Lane
Greenwich, CT 06830

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(203) 340-8500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including Area Code)

Thomas P. Majewski
20 Horseneck Lane
Greenwich, CT 06830

(Name and address of agent for service)

Copies of Communications to:

   
           Thomas J. Friedmann
Philip T. Hinkle
Dechert LLP
One International Place, 40 th Floor
100 Oliver Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
(617) 728-7120
  Anna T. Pinedo
Brian D. Hirshberg
Mayer Brown LLP
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020
(212) 506-2500


 

Approximate date of proposed public offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement

If any securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box. o

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

o when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c).

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

   
Title of Securities Being Registered   Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price (1) (2)   Amount of
Registration Fee
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share   $ 57,500,000     $ 6,969.00  

(1) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee, pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933.
(2) Includes shares that may be offered to the underwriters pursuant to an option to cover over-allotments.

The Registrant shall file an amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 


 
 

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The information in this preliminary prospectus 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 is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, OCTOBER 5, 2018

     Shares

Eagle Point Income Company Inc.

Common Stock
$20.00 per Share



 

We are a newly organized, 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 intend to 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 intend to 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.

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. Eagle Point Administration LLC, an affiliate of the Adviser, serves as our administrator.

We intend to make regular monthly distributions of all or a portion of our taxable income to the holders of our common stock. We anticipate declaring a distribution of $0.187 in the aggregate for the partial month of October and November 2018, and a distribution of $0.134 for the month of December 2018, payable to holders of our common stock, including investors in this offering. While we anticipate a portion of such initial distributions, if made, to be paid from income primarily generated by interest income earned on our investment portfolio, we also anticipate a portion of such distributions will comprise a return of capital. No assurance can be given that we will be able to declare such initial distributions or distributions in future periods, and our ability to declare and pay distributions will be subject to a number of factors, including our results of operations. See “Distribution Policy.”

This is our initial public offering and our common stock has no history of public trading. We are offering      shares of common stock. Assuming an initial public offering price of $20.00 per share of common stock, purchasers in this offering will experience immediate dilution in net asset value, or “NAV,” of approximately $0.12 per share on a pro forma basis. See “ Capitalization Table — Pro Forma Dilution.”

We have applied to list our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange, or “NYSE,” under the ticker symbol “EIC”.

Investors should consider their investment goals, time horizon and risk tolerance before investing in our common stock. An investment in our common stock is not appropriate for all investors and is not intended to be a complete investment program. Shares of common stock of closed-end management investment companies that are listed on an exchange frequently trade at a discount to their NAV. If our common stock trades at a discount to our NAV, it will likely increase the risk of loss for purchasers in this offering. In addition, investing in our common stock may be considered speculative and involves a high degree of risk, including the risk of a substantial loss of investment. Before purchasing any shares of common stock, you should read the discussion of the principal risks of investing in our common stock, which are summarized in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 20 of this prospectus.

This prospectus contains important information you should know before investing in our common stock. Please read this prospectus and retain it for future reference. Upon completion of this offering, we will 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 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 is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

   
  Per Share   Total (1)
Public offering price   $ 20.00     $       
Sales load (2)   $ 0.00     $  
Proceeds to us before expenses (3)   $ 20.00     $  

(1) We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to      additional shares of common stock at the public offering price within 30 days of the date of this prospectus solely to cover over-allotments, if any. If such option is exercised in full, the public offering price, sales load and proceeds to us before expenses will be $     , $     and $      , respectively. See “Underwriting.”
(2) The Adviser or its affiliates will pay the full amount of the sales load of $       per share of common stock issued in connection with this public offering (excluding shares sold to our board of directors, the Adviser, its affiliates, employees of the Adviser and its affiliates and certain other persons) which, assuming the issuance of        shares in connection with this offering, may be up to an aggregate amount of $       . In addition, the Adviser or its affiliates will pay, from the Adviser’s own assets or the assets of its affiliates, a structuring fee in an amount equal to     % of the total price to the public of the shares of our common stock sold in this offering (excluding shares sold to our board of directors, the Adviser, its affiliates, employees of the Adviser and its affiliates and certain other persons) pursuant to an agreement between          and the Adviser for advice relating to our structure, design and organization. Because the sales load and the structuring fee are paid solely by the Adviser or its affiliates (and not by us), the sales load is not reflected in the table above and will not reduce the NAV per share of our common stock. See “Underwriting.”
(3) The Adviser or its affiliates will pay all of our organizational expenses and offering expenses that exceed $750,000 (excluding the sales load, which is paid solely by the Adviser or its affiliates as described above). We will pay our own organizational expenses and offering expenses (excluding the sales load) up to $750,000. The aggregate organizational expenses and offering expenses (excluding the sales load) are estimated to be approximately $1,000,000. Because aggregate organizational expenses and offering expenses are expected to exceed $750,000, the aggregate organizational expenses and offering expenses (excluding the sales load) to be borne by us are estimated to be $750,000 (approximately $0.12 per share of common stock on a pro forma basis).

The underwriters expect to deliver our common stock to purchasers on or about            , 2018

   
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods
                               A Stifel Company
  RBC Capital Markets   Oppenheimer & Co.

     
BB&T Capital Markets   B. Riley FBR   Ladenburg Thalmann   National Securities Corporation
MUFG             Wedbush Securities

The date of this prospectus is           , 2018.


 
 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY     1  
SUMMARY OF OFFERING     13  
FEES AND EXPENSES     17  
RISK FACTORS     20  
USE OF PROCEEDS     50  
CAPITALIZATION     51  
BUSINESS     53  
THE ADVISER AND THE ADMINISTRATOR     67  
MANAGEMENT     74  
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE     82  
DISTRIBUTION POLICY     83  
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN     85  
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST     87  
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS     91  
DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK     101  
UNDERWRITING     108  
REGULATION AS A CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY     111  
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS AND TECHNIQUES     115  
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS     121  
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION     122  
LEGAL MATTERS     123  
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT     123  
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM     123  
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION     123  
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     F-1  
APPENDIX A: DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS     A-1  

* * * * * *

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. 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. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may have changed since the date of this prospectus. We will update these documents to reflect material changes only as required by law.

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

The following summary highlights some of the information contained in this prospectus. It is not complete and may not contain all the information that is important to a decision to invest in our securities. You should read carefully the more detailed information set forth under “Risk Factors ” and the other information included in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. Except where the context suggests otherwise, the terms:

The “Company,’ “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Eagle Point Income Company Inc., a Delaware corporation, and, prior to its 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.

Unless otherwise indicated, this prospectus assumes no exercise of the option granted to the underwriters to purchase additional shares to cover over-allotments.

Eagle Point Income Company Inc.

We are a newly organized, 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 thereafter, as a regulated investment company, or “RIC,” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the “Code.”

Our primary investment objective is to generate high current income, with a secondary objective to generate capital appreciation. We will seek to achieve our investment objectives by investing primarily in junior debt tranches of CLOs, which 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 intend to focus on CLO debt tranches rated “BB” (or its 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 intend to 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.”

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.

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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 Administration, has agreed to perform, or arrange for the performance of, our required administrative services. For a description of the fees and expenses that we will 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.”

The Adviser is applying to register as an investment adviser with the SEC. The Adviser is an affiliate of Eagle Point Credit Management LLC, or “Eagle Point Credit Management”, which, as of June 30, 2018, had approximately $2.3 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, 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. See “The Adviser and the Administrator.”

Stone Point Capital LLC, or “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 will be primarily responsible for our day-to-day investment management and the implementation of our investment strategy and process.

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;

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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 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 intend to pursue.

CLO Overview

As of October 4, 2018, our investment portfolio was comprised of investments in the 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 a CLO’s “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.

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[GRAPHIC MISSING]

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” for a more detailed description of a CLO’s typical structure and certain key terms and conditions thereof.

Since 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), CLOs generally do not face refinancing risk on the CLO debt. 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 repaid at par. See “ — Risks Related to Our Investments — We and our investments are subject to reinvestment risk.

Investment Opportunity

We will seek to achieve our investment objectives by investing primarily in junior debt tranches of CLOs and intend to 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.

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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 — We and our investments are subject to interest rate risk.”
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.”
Potential for lower credit expense:   The 20-year cumulative default rate on BB-Rated CLO Debt for the period from 1994 through 2013 is 1.66% 1 (or just 0.08% per annum) as compared to 3.0% per annum for senior secured loans (from 1998 through 2013, the period for which the data is available) and 4.6% per annum for high-yield bonds (from 1994 through 2013). 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 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 intend to 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.”

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.

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 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.

1 Standard & Poor’s, Twenty Years Strong: A Look Back At U.S. CLO Rating Performance from 1994 Through 2013.

2 Based on the Adviser’s analysis of market data over such periods.

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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 is 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 intend to convert into a Delaware corporation prior to the completion of this offering. We hold certain BB-Rated CLO Debt securities with an aggregate fair value of approximately $75.1 million as of October 4, 2018, inclusive of accrued interest of $1.4 million. Fair value is determined in good faith in accordance with our valuation policy and is approved by our board of directors. See “ Determination of Net Asset Value .” These investments were 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.

The Units held by Cavello Bay and the Adviser will convert into shares of our common stock at the time of our conversion into a corporation with the number of shares to be determined by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee thereof taking into account our NAV at or around such time and the public offering price of $20.00 per share of our common stock. Assuming a public offering price of $20.00 per share of our common stock and based on our NAV as of October 4, 2018, Cavello Bay and the Adviser will receive 3,752,582 shares, or 99.9%, and 5,000 shares, or 0.1%, of our common stock, respectively, upon our conversion to a corporation. The shares of our common stock held by Cavello Bay and the Adviser will be subject to certain lock-up restrictions. See “ Underwriting .”

The following chart reflects our organizational structure prior to our conversion to a corporation and our relationship with the Adviser and the Administrator as of the date of this prospectus:

[GRAPHIC MISSING]

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Initial Portfolio

As of October 4, 2018, our investment portfolio consisted of 30 CLO debt investments which have 17 different CLO collateral managers. As of October 4, 2018, these investments had an aggregate fair value of $75.1 million, inclusive of accrued interest of $1.4 million, a weighted average coupon of 8.05% and a weighted average price (as a percentage of par) of 97.82. Below is a description of the portfolio investments that we held as of October 4, 2018:

           
Issuer   Investment (1)   Stated
Spread (bps)
  Principal
Amount
  Cost (2)   Fair
Value (3)
  % of Total
Investments
CLO Debt (4)
                                                     
Apidos CLO XXIX, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.64% due 7/25/30)
      525     $ 5,900,000     $ 5,706,480     $ 5,706,480       7.74 %  
Atlas Senior Loan Fund X, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.04% due 1/15/31)
      570       2,000,000       1,932,800       1,932,800       2.62 %  
Babson CLO 2015-1 Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (7.85% due 1/20/31)
      550       4,100,000       3,913,040       3,913,040       5.31 %  
Barings CLO 2018-II, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.01% due 4/15/30)
      555       3,650,000       3,604,010       3,604,010       4.89 %  
Battalion CLO XI Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.32% due 10/24/29)
      598       4,600,000       4,494,200       4,494,200       6.10 %  
Battalion CLO XII Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.42% due 5/17/31)
      609       850,000       824,500       824,500       1.12 %  
Black Diamond CLO 2016-1, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D-R (7.93% due 4/26/31)
      560       1,050,000       976,500       976,500       1.33 %  
Black Diamond CLO 2017-1, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.94% due 4/24/29)
      660       3,600,000       3,590,280       3,590,280       4.87 %  
Carlyle US CLO 2018-1, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.81% due 4/20/31)
      575       550,000       548,185       548,185       0.74 %  
Carlyle US CLO 2018-2, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.39% due 10/15/31)
      525       3,750,000       3,626,250       3,626,250       4.92 %  
CIFC Funding 2015-I, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E-RR (8.35% due 1/22/31)
      600       2,600,000       2,552,160       2,552,160       3.46 %  
CIFC Funding 2015-II, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (7.64% due 4/15/27)
      530       2,800,000       2,800,000       2,800,000       3.80 %  
CIFC Funding 2018-1, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (7.16% due 4/18/31)
      500       2,675,000       2,523,863       2,523,863       3.43 %  
CIFC Funding 2018-II, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.90% due 4/20/31)
      585       650,000       645,840       645,840       0.88 %  
Cook Park CLO, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (7.75% due 4/17/30)
      540       1,000,000       980,900       980,900       1.33 %  
Dryden 37 Senior Loan Fund, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (7.49% due 1/15/31)
      515       500,000       479,950       479,950       0.65 %  
Dryden 64 CLO, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (7.82% due 4/18/31)
      560       1,300,000       1,279,460       1,279,460       1.74 %  
LCM XVIII, L.P.     CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (8.30% due 4/20/31)
      595       600,000       598,080       598,080       0.81 %  
Madison Park Funding XXVII, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.35% due 4/20/30)
      500       500,000       477,850       477,850       0.65 %  
Marathon CLO IX, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.39% due 4/15/29)
      605       4,050,000       3,987,225       3,987,225       5.41 %  
Octagon Investment Partners 37, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.76% due 7/25/30)
      540       1,200,000       1,172,400       1,172,400       1.59 %  
Octagon Investment Partners 38, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.89% due 7/20/30)
      570       3,300,000       3,224,760       3,224,760       4.38 %  
OZLM XXI, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.89% due 1/20/31)
      554       4,150,000       4,037,950       4,037,950       5.48 %  
Rockford Tower CLO 2017-3, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.10% due 10/20/30)
      575       3,750,000       3,715,500       3,715,500       5.04 %  
Rockford Tower CLO 2018-2, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.43% due 10/20/31)
      600       3,750,000       3,737,250       3,737,250       5.07 %  
Venture 31 CLO, Limited     CLO Secured Note – Class E (7.62% due 4/20/31)
      531       1,100,000       1,035,760       1,035,760       1.41 %  
Venture XV CLO, Limited     CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (9.45% due 7/15/28)
      711       3,800,000       3,801,520       3,801,520       5.16 %  
Vibrant CLO III, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.35% due 4/20/26)
      500       1,700,000       1,700,000       1,700,000       2.31 %  
Vibrant CLO VI, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.09% due 6/20/29)
      575       4,100,000       4,021,690       4,021,690       5.46 %  
Vibrant CLO VIII, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.10% due 1/20/31)
      575       1,750,000       1,691,550       1,691,550       2.30 %  
Total investments at fair value as of October 4, 2018                     $ 73,679,953     $ 73,679,953       100.00 %  

(1) All investments are categorized as structured finance securities.
(2) Cost represents the fair value of the investments contributed to us.
(3) Fair value is determined in good faith in accordance with our valuation policy and is approved by our board of directors.
(4) CLO debt positions reflect the coupon rates as of October 4, 2018. The interest income from CLO debt positions is expected to be received in cash. The amount of interest accrued as of October 4, 2018 is $1,371,697.

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Financing and Hedging Strategy

Leverage by the Company.   We may use leverage as and 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 20% of our total assets (as determined immediately after the leverage is incurred) by entering into a credit facility or through the issuance of preferred stock or issuing debt securities, soon after this offering and within the first 12 months following the completion of this offering. 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 a certain amount of leverage within the first twelve months following the completion of this offering, the actual amount of leverage we incur may be higher, and we may use leverage opportunistically or not at all or otherwise choose to increase or decrease our leverage. 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. In addition, we may borrow for temporary or other purposes as permitted under the 1940 Act, which indebtedness would be in addition to the asset coverage requirements 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, and our leverage strategy may not be successful. Any event that adversely affects the value of an investment would be magnified to the extent leverage is utilized. Accordingly, 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.”

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 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.”

Operating and Regulatory Structure

We are a newly organized, 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 will be required to meet certain regulatory tests. See “Regulation as a Closed-End Management Investment Company.” In addition, we intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.

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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.”

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.”

Conflicts of Interest

The Adviser is affiliated with other entities engaged in the financial services business. In particular, the Adviser is 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 is 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 indirectly owns a portion of the limited liability company interests in the Adviser. These relationships may cause the Adviser’s or certain of its affiliates’ interests to diverge from our interests. 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 of the Adviser, may serve as officers, directors or principals of 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. See “Conflicts of Interest.”

In order to address such conflicts of interest, we have adopted a code of ethics. Similarly, the Adviser has separately adopted a code of ethics and certain compliance policies and procedures, including investment allocation policies and procedures. The Adviser’s 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. Pursuant to the Adviser’s investment allocation policies and procedures, it seeks 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. 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. See “Conflicts of Interest — Code of Ethics and Compliance Procedures.”

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

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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.

Summary Risk Factors

The value of our assets, as well as the market price of shares of our common stock, will fluctuate. Our investments should be considered risky, and you may lose all or part of your investment in us. Investors should consider their financial situation and needs, other investments, investment goals, investment experience, time horizons, liquidity needs and risk tolerance before investing in shares of our common stock. An investment in shares of our common stock may be speculative in that it involves a high degree of risk and should not be considered a complete investment program. We are designed primarily as a long-term investment vehicle, and our securities are not an appropriate investment for a short-term trading strategy. We can offer no assurance that returns, if any, on our investments will be commensurate with the risk of investment in us, nor can we provide any assurance that enough appropriate investments that meet our investment criteria will be available.

The following is a summary of certain principal risks of an investment in us. See “Risk Factors” for a more complete discussion of the risks of investing in shares of our common stock, including certain risks not summarized below.

No Prior Operating History.    We were formed in June 2018 and are subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new business, including the risk that we will not achieve our investment objective and that the value of your investment could decline substantially.
Key Personnel Risk.   We are dependent upon the key personnel of the Adviser for our future success.
Conflicts of Interest Risk.   Our executive officers and directors, and the Adviser and its officers and employees, including the Senior Investment Team, have several conflicts of interest as a result of the other activities in which they engage. See “Conflicts of Interest.”
Interest Rate Risk.   The price of certain of our investments may be significantly affected by changes in interest rates. As of the date of this prospectus, despite recent interest rate increases from near historic lows, interest rates in the United States remain relatively low, which may increase our exposure to risks associated with rising interest rates.
Prepayment Risk.   The assets underlying the CLO securities in which we invest are subject to prepayment by the underlying corporate borrowers. In addition, the CLO securities and related investments in which we invest are subject to prepayment risk. If we or a CLO collateral manager are unable to reinvest prepaid amounts in a new investment with an expected rate of return at least equal to that of the investment repaid, our investment performance could be adversely impacted.
Liquidity Risk.   Generally, there is no public market for the CLO investments we intend to target. As such, we may not be able to sell such investments quickly, or at all. If we are able to sell such investments, the prices we receive may not reflect our assessment of their fair value or the amount paid for such investments by us.
Management Fee Risk.   Our management fee structure may incentivize the Adviser to use leverage in a manner that adversely impacts our performance.
Subordinated Securities.   CLO junior debt and equity securities that we may acquire are subordinated to more senior tranches of CLO debt. CLO junior debt and equity securities are subject to increased risks of default relative to the holders of superior priority interests in the same CLO. Though not exclusively, we will typically be in a subordinated position with respect to realized losses on the underlying assets held by the CLOs in which we are invested.

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High-Yield Investment Risk.   The CLO junior debt and equity securities that we acquire are typically rated below investment grade or, in the case of equity securities, unrated and are therefore considered “higher-yield” or “junk” securities and are considered speculative with respect to timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. The senior secured loans and other credit-related assets underlying CLOs are also typically higher-yield investments. Investing in CLO junior debt and equity securities and other high-yield investments involves greater credit and liquidity risk than investment grade obligations, which may adversely impact our performance.
Risks of Investing in CLOs and Other Structured Finance Securities.   CLOs and other structured finance securities are generally backed by a pool of credit-related assets that serve as collateral. Accordingly, CLO and structured finance securities present risks similar to those of other types of credit investments, including default (credit), interest rate and prepayment risks. In addition, CLOs and other structured finance securities are often governed by a complex series of legal documents and contracts, which increases the risk of dispute over the interpretation and enforceability of such documents relative to other types of investments. There is also a risk that the trustee of a CLO does not properly carry out its duties to the CLO, potentially resulting in loss to the CLO. CLOs are also inherently leveraged vehicles and are subject to leverage risk.
Leverage Risk.   The use of leverage, whether directly or indirectly through investments such as CLO junior debt and equity securities that inherently involve leverage, may magnify our risk of loss. CLO junior debt and equity securities are very highly leveraged (with CLO equity securities typically being leveraged nine to 13 times), and therefore the CLO securities in which we intend to invest are subject to a higher degree of loss since the use of leverage magnifies losses.
Credit Risk.   If (1) a CLO in which we invest, (2) an underlying asset of any such CLO or (3) any other type of credit investment in our portfolio declines in price or fails to pay interest or principal when due because the issuer or debtor, as the case may be, experiences a decline in its financial status, our income, NAV and/or market price may be adversely impacted.
Fair Valuation of Our Portfolio Investments.   Generally there is no public market for the CLO investments we intend to target. As a result, we value these securities at least quarterly, or more frequently as may be required from time to time, at fair value. Our determinations of the fair value of our investments have a material impact on our net earnings through the recording of unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments and may cause our NAV on a given date to understate or overstate, possibly materially, the value that we may ultimately realize on one or more of our investments.
Limited Investment Opportunities Risk.   The market for CLO securities is more limited than the market for other credit related investments. We can offer no assurances that sufficient investment opportunities for our capital will be available.
Non-Diversification Risk.   We are a non-diversified investment company under the 1940 Act and may hold a narrower range of investments than a diversified fund under the 1940 Act.
Market Risk.   A disruption or downturn in the capital markets and the credit markets could impair our ability to raise capital, reduce the availability of suitable investment opportunities for us, or adversely and materially affect the value of our investments, any of which would negatively affect our business.
Currency Risk.   Although we intend to primarily make investments denominated in U.S. dollars, we may make investments denominated in other currencies. Our investments denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars will be subject to the risk that the value of such currency will decrease in relation to the U.S. dollar.
Hedging Risk.   Hedging transactions seeking to reduce risks may result in poorer overall performance than if we had not engaged in such hedging transactions, and they may also not properly hedge our risks.

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Reinvestment Risk.   CLOs will typically generate cash from asset repayments and sales that may be reinvested in substitute assets, subject to compliance with applicable investment tests. If the CLO collateral manager purchases substitute assets at a lower yield than those initially acquired (for example, during periods of loan compression or as may be required to satisfy a CLO’s covenants) or sale proceeds are maintained temporarily in cash, it may reduce the excess interest-related cash flow, thereby having a negative effect on the fair value of our assets and the market value of our securities. In addition, the reinvestment period for a CLO may terminate early, which may cause the holders of the CLO’s securities to receive principal payments earlier than anticipated. There can be no assurance that we will be able to reinvest such amounts in an alternative investment that provides a comparable return relative to the credit risk assumed.
Refinancing Risk.   If we incur debt financing in the near term, debt capital that is available to us in the future may be at a higher cost and on less favorable terms and conditions. If we fail to extend, refinance or replace such debt financings prior to their maturity on commercially reasonable terms, our liquidity will be lower than it would have been with the benefit of such financings, which would limit our ability to grow, and holders of our common stock would not benefit from the potential for increased returns on equity that incurring leverage creates.
Tax Risk.   If we fail to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code for any reason, or become subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distributions, and the amount of such distributions, to our common stockholders and for payments to the holders of our other obligations.
Derivatives Risk.   Derivative instruments in which we may invest may be volatile and involve various risks different from, and in certain cases greater than, the risks presented by other instruments. The primary risks related to Derivative Transactions include counterparty, correlation, liquidity, leverage, volatility, and OTC trading risks. In addition, a small investment in derivatives could have a large potential impact on our performance, effecting a form of investment leverage on our portfolio. In certain types of Derivative Transactions, we could lose the entire amount of our investment; in other types of Derivative Transactions the potential loss is theoretically unlimited.
Counterparty Risk.   We may be exposed to counterparty risk, which could make it difficult for us or the CLOs in which we invest to collect on obligations, thereby resulting in potentially significant losses.

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SUMMARY OF OFFERING

Set forth below is additional information regarding offerings of our securities:

Common Stock Offered    
             shares of common stock.
    An additional          shares of common stock are issuable pursuant to an over-allotment option granted to the underwriters. As part of this offering, up to          shares of common stock will be reserved for sale to the Adviser, its affiliates and employees of the Adviser and its affiliates in exchange for an aggregate cash contribution of approximately $1 million.
Pro Forma Common Stock to be Outstanding Immediately After this Offering    
             shares of common stock assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised. See “Capitalization Table.”
             shares of common stock assuming the over-allotment option is exercised in full.
NYSE Symbol    
    We have applied to list our common stock on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “EIC.”
Use of Proceeds    
    We intend to use the proceeds from the sale of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus to acquire investments in accordance with our investment objectives and strategies described in this prospectus and for general working capital purposes. We currently anticipate being able to deploy the proceeds from this offering within three to six months after the completion of the offering, depending on the availability of appropriate investment opportunities consistent with our investment objectives and market conditions. See “Use of Proceeds.”
Distributions    
    We intend to make regular monthly 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 holders of our common stock. 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).
    We anticipate declaring a distribution of $0.187 in the aggregate for the partial month of October and November 2018, and a distribution of $0.134 for the month of December 2018, payable to holders of our common stock, including investors in this offering. While we anticipate a portion of such initial distributions, if made, to be paid from income primarily generated by interest income earned on our investment portfolio, we also anticipate a portion of such distributions will comprise a return of capital. No assurance can be given that we will be able to declare such initial distributions or distributions in future periods, and our ability to declare and pay distributions will be subject to a number of factors, including our results of operations. See “Distribution Policy.”

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    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.
Investment Advisory Agreement    
    The Adviser manages our investments, subject to the supervision of our board of directors, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, the Adviser and its related persons are entitled to indemnification from us for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses arising from the services rendered by the Adviser under the Investment Advisory Agreement or otherwise as our investment adviser.
    Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Investment Advisory Agreement will remain in effect if approved annually (after the initial two-year period) by our board of directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities, including, in either case, approval by a majority of our directors who are not “interested persons” of any party to such agreement, as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. The Investment Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. The Investment Advisory Agreement may also be terminated by us without penalty upon not less than 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser and by the Adviser upon not less than 90 days’ written notice to us. See “The Adviser and the Administrator — Investment Advisory Agreement.”
Management Fee    
    We will pay the Adviser a management fee for its services under the Investment Advisory Agreement. The management fee is calculated monthly and payable quarterly in arrears and equals an annual rate of 1.25% of our Managed Assets. See “The Adviser and the Administrator — Investment Advisory Agreement — Management Fee.”
Other Expenses    
    The investment team of the Adviser, 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 bear all other costs and expenses of our operations and transactions. See “The Adviser and the Administrator — Investment Advisory Agreement — Payment of Expenses.”
Administration Agreement    
    We have entered into an Administration Agreement pursuant to which the Administrator furnishes us with office facilities, equipment and clerical, bookkeeping and record-keeping services. Under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator has agreed to perform, or arrange for the performance of, our required administrative services. Under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator provides us with accounting services, assists us in determining and publishing our NAV, prepares our financial statements, oversees the

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    preparation and filing of our tax returns and the printing and dissemination of reports to our stockholders, generally oversees the payment of our expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to us by others and provides such other administrative services as the Company may from time to time designate. We will reimburse the Administrator, an affiliate of the Adviser, for the costs and 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 the portion of the compensation expenses of certain officers and any administrative support staff allocable to us. See “The Adviser and the Administrator — The Administrator and the Administration Agreement.”
Market Price of Common Stock and Closed-End Fund Structure    
    Closed-end funds differ from open-end management investment companies, or “mutual funds,” in that closed-end funds generally list their shares for trading on a securities exchange and do not redeem their shares at the option of the stockholder. By comparison, mutual funds issue securities that are redeemable and typically engage in a continuous offering of their shares.
    Shares of common stock of closed-end funds frequently trade at prices lower than their NAV. We cannot predict whether shares of our common stock will trade at, above or below NAV. Our NAV will be reduced immediately following this offering by the offering expenses paid by us, as noted on the cover page of this prospectus.
Dividend Reinvestment Plan    
    Each registered holder of at least one full share of our common stock will be automatically enrolled in our dividend reinvestment plan, or the “DRIP.” Under the DRIP, distributions on shares of our common stock will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock by American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC, the DRIP agent. Holders of our common stock who receive distributions in the form of additional shares of our common stock are nonetheless subject to the 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. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”
Taxation    
    We intend to elect to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a RIC.
    As a RIC, we generally will not be required to pay U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that we receive from our portfolio investments and distribute to holders of our common stock. To qualify as a RIC and maintain our RIC status, we must meet specific source-of-income and asset

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    diversification requirements and distribute in each of our taxable years at least 90% of the sum of our investment company taxable income and net tax-exempt interest, if any, to holders of our common stock. If, in any year, we fail to qualify as a RIC under U.S. federal income tax laws, we would be taxed as an ordinary corporation. In such circumstances, we could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and make substantial distributions before re-qualifying as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.”
Available Information    
    After the completion of this offering, we will be required to file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. This information will be available at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549 and 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. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into or a part of this prospectus.

Our Corporate Information

Our offices are located at 20 Horseneck Lane, Greenwich, CT 06830, and our telephone number is (844) 810-6501.

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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 assumes that we incur leverage in an amount equal to 20% of our total assets (as determined immediately after the leverage is incurred) and that we issue 2,500,000 shares of common stock in this offering. If we issue fewer shares of common stock, all other things being equal, these expenses would increase as a percentage of net assets attributable to our common stock. 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     0.00 % (1)  
Offering expenses     0.60 % (2)  
Dividend reinvestment plan expenses     0.00 % (3)  
Total stockholder transaction expenses     0.60 %  
Annual Expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common stock):
        
Management fee     1.56 % (4)  
Interest payments on borrowed funds     1.10 % (5)  
Other expenses     0.94 %  
Acquired fund fees and expenses (underlying CLO fees and expenses)     0.84 % (6)  
Total annual expenses     4.44 %  

(1) The Adviser or its affiliates will pay the full amount of the sales load of $       per share of common stock issued in connection with this offering (excluding shares sold to our board of directors, the Adviser, its affiliates, employees of the Adviser and its affiliates and certain other persons) which, assuming the issuance of 2,500,000 shares in connection with this offering, may be up to an aggregate amount of $      . In addition, the Adviser or its affiliates will pay, from the Adviser’s own assets or the assets of its affiliates, a structuring fee in an amount equal to     % of the total price to the public of the shares of our common stock sold in this offering (excluding shares sold to our board of directors, the Adviser, its affiliates, employees of the Adviser and its affiliates and certain other persons) pursuant to an agreement between          and the Adviser for advice relating to our structure, design and organization. Because the sales load and the structuring fee are paid solely by the Adviser or its affiliates (and not by us), they are not reflected in the table above and will not reduce the NAV per share of our common stock. See “Underwriting.”
(2) Amount reflects organizational and offering expenses of $750,000. The estimated organizational and offering expenses are $1,000,000. The Adviser or its affiliates will pay all of our organizational and offering expenses that exceed $750,000 (excluding sales load, which is paid solely by the Adviser or its affiliates).
(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.”
(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.”

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(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 4.40% 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 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 0.60%, (2) total annual expenses of 4.44% 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
  $ 50         $ 139         $ 229         $ 459      

* 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:

our organizational costs and offering costs incurred prior to the completion of this offering up to a maximum of $750,000;
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;

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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;
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.

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves a number of significant risks. In addition to the other information contained in this prospectus, you should consider carefully the following information before making an investment in our common stock. 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 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, our NAV and the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure

We have no prior operating history as a closed-end investment company.

We are a newly organized, externally managed, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company with no prior operating history. As a result, we do not have significant financial information on which you can evaluate an investment in us or our prior performance. We are subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new business, including the risk that we will not achieve our investment objectives and that the value of your investment could decline substantially or become worthless. We currently anticipate that it will take approximately three to six months 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.

Our investment portfolio is recorded at fair value, with our board of directors having final responsibility for overseeing, reviewing and determining, in accordance with the 1940 Act, the fair value of our investments. As a result, there will be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.

Under the 1940 Act, we are required to carry our portfolio investments at market value or, if there is no readily available market value, at fair value as determined by us in accordance with our written valuation policy, with our board of directors having final responsibility for overseeing, reviewing and determining, in accordance with the 1940 Act, the fair value of our investments. Typically, there will be no public market for the type of investments we intend to target. As a result, we will value these securities at least quarterly based on relevant information compiled by the Adviser, third-party pricing services and/or independent valuation firms, and with the oversight, review and acceptance by our board of directors.

The determination of fair value and, consequently, the amount of unrealized gains and losses in our portfolio, are to a certain degree subjective and dependent on a valuation process approved and overseen by our board of directors. Valuation of certain investments will be based on information reported to us by one or more third-party pricing services. Valuation of certain investments will also be based, in part, upon third party valuation models which take into account various market inputs. Certain factors that may also be considered in determining the fair value of our investments include non-binding indicative bids and the number of trades (and the size and timing of each trade) in an investment. Investors should be aware that the models, information and/or underlying assumptions utilized by any third-party service, us or such models will not always allow us to correctly capture the fair value of an asset. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of securities that are not publicly traded like those we intend to hold, are inherently uncertain, they may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates. Our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if an active public market for these securities existed. Our determinations of the fair value of our investments have a material impact on our net earnings through the recording of unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments and may cause our NAV on a given date to understate or overstate, possibly materially, the value that we may ultimately realize on one or more of our investments. See “Conflicts of Interest — Valuation.”

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Our financial condition and results of operations depend on the Adviser’s ability to effectively manage and deploy capital.

Our ability to achieve our investment objectives will depend on the Adviser’s ability to manage and deploy capital effectively, which will depend, in turn, on the Adviser’s ability to identify, evaluate and monitor, and our ability to acquire, investments that meet our investment criteria.

Accomplishing our investment objectives on a cost-effective basis will be largely a function of the Adviser’s handling of the investment process, its ability to provide competent, attentive and efficient services and our access to investments offering acceptable terms, either in the primary or secondary markets. Even if we are able to grow and build upon our investment operations, any failure to manage our growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. The results of our operations will depend on many factors, including the availability of opportunities for investment, readily accessible short and long-term funding alternatives in the financial markets and economic conditions. Furthermore, if we cannot successfully operate our business or implement our investment policies and strategies as described in this prospectus, it could adversely impact our ability to pay dividends. In addition, because the trading methods employed by the Adviser on our behalf are proprietary, stockholders will not be able to determine details of such methods or whether they are being followed.

We are reliant on Eagle Point Income Management continuing to serve as the Adviser.

The Adviser will manage our investments. Consequently, our success will depend, in large part, upon the services of the Adviser and the skill and expertise of the Adviser’s professional personnel, in particular, Thomas P. Majewski. Incapacity of Mr. Majewski could have a material and adverse effect on our performance. There can be no assurance that the professional personnel of the Adviser will continue to serve in their current positions or continue to be employed by the Adviser. We can offer no assurance that their services will be available for any length of time or that the Adviser will continue indefinitely as our investment adviser.

The Adviser and the Administrator each has the right to resign on 90 days’ notice, and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.

The Adviser has the right, under the Investment Advisory Agreement, and the Administrator has the right under the Administration Agreement, to resign at any time upon 90 days’ written notice, whether we have found a replacement or not. If the Adviser or the Administrator resigns, we may not be able to find a new investment adviser or hire internal management, or find a new administrator, as the case may be, with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms within 90 days, or at all. If we are unable to do so quickly, our operations are likely to experience a disruption, our financial condition, business and results of operations, as well as our ability to make distributions to our stockholders and other payments to securityholders, are likely to be adversely affected and the market price of our securities may decline. In addition, the coordination of our internal management and investment activities is likely to suffer if we are unable to identify and reach an agreement with a single institution or group of executives having the expertise possessed by the Adviser and the Administrator and their affiliates. Even if we are able to retain comparable management and administration, whether internal or external, the integration of such management and their lack of familiarity with our investment objectives and operations would likely result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.

Our success will depend on the ability of the Adviser to attract and retain qualified personnel in a competitive environment.

Our growth will require that the Adviser retain and attract new investment and administrative personnel in a competitive market. The Adviser’s ability to attract and retain personnel with the requisite credentials, experience and skills will depend on several factors including its ability to offer competitive wages, benefits and professional growth opportunities. Many of the entities, including investment funds (such as private equity funds, mezzanine funds and business development companies) and traditional financial services companies, with which the Adviser will compete for experienced personnel have greater resources than the Adviser has.

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There are significant actual and potential conflicts of interest which could impact our investment returns.

Our executive officers and directors, and the Adviser and its officers and employees, including the Senior Investment Team, have several conflicts of interest as a result of the other activities in which they engage. For example, the members of the Adviser’s investment team are and may in the future become affiliated with entities engaged in business activities similar to ours, including ECC, and may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time. Moreover, each member of the Senior Investment Team is engaged in other business activities which divert their time and attention. The professional staff of the Adviser will devote as much time to us as such professionals deem appropriate to perform their duties in accordance with the Investment Advisory Agreement. However, such persons may be committed to providing investment advisory and other services for other clients, and engage in other business ventures in which we have no interest. As a result of these separate business activities, the Adviser has conflicts of interest in allocating management time, services and functions among us, other advisory clients and other business ventures. See “Conflicts of Interest.”

Our management fee structure may create incentives for the Adviser that are not fully aligned with the interests of our stockholders.

In the course of our investing activities, we will pay a management fee to the Adviser and reimburse the Adviser for certain expenses it incurs. As a result, investors in our securities receive distributions on a “net” basis after expenses, potentially resulting in a lower rate of return than an investor might achieve through direct investments.

Since the management fee is based on our Managed Assets, which includes assets purchased using leverage, the Adviser benefits when we incur debt or use leverage. The use of leverage increases the risk of investing in us. See “— 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.”

The Adviser’s liability is limited under the Investment Advisory Agreement, and we have agreed to indemnify the Adviser against certain liabilities, which may lead the Adviser to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser does not assume any responsibility to us other than to render the services called for under the agreement, and it is not responsible for any action of our board of directors in following or declining to follow the Adviser’s advice or recommendations. The Adviser will maintain a contractual and fiduciary relationship with us. Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser, its officers, managers, members, agents, employees and other affiliates will not be liable to us for acts or omissions performed in accordance with and pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, except those resulting from acts constituting willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the Adviser’s duties under the Investment Advisory Agreement. In addition, we have agreed to indemnify the Adviser and each of its officers, managers, members, agents, employees and other affiliates from and against all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and other amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by such persons arising out of or based on performance by the Adviser of its obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement, except where attributable to willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the Adviser’s duties under the Investment Advisory Agreement. These protections may lead the Adviser to act in a riskier manner when acting on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

The Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement were not negotiated on an arm’s length basis and may not be as favorable to us as if they had been negotiated with an unaffiliated third party.

The Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement were negotiated between related parties. Consequently, their terms, including fees payable to the Adviser, may not be as favorable to us as if they had been negotiated with an unaffiliated third party.

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The Adviser may not be able to achieve the same or similar returns as those achieved by other portfolios managed by the Senior Investment Team.

Although the Senior Investment Team manages other investment portfolios, including accounts using investment objectives, investment strategies and investment policies similar to ours, we cannot assure you that we will be able to achieve the results realized by any other vehicles managed by the Senior Investment Team.

We may experience fluctuations in our NAV and quarterly operating results.

We could experience fluctuations in our NAV from month to month and in our quarterly operating results due to a number of factors, including the timing of distributions to our stockholders, fluctuations in the value of the CLO securities that we hold, our ability or inability to make investments that meet our investment criteria, the interest and other income earned on our investments, the level of our expenses (including the interest rate payable on the debt securities we may issue), variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets and general economic conditions. As a result of these factors, our NAV and results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of our NAV and results in future periods.

Our board of directors may change our operating policies and strategies without stockholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse.

Our board of directors will have the authority to modify or waive our current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies, other than those that we have deemed to be fundamental, without prior stockholder approval. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies would have on our business, NAV, operating results and value of our securities. However, the effects of any such changes could adversely impact our ability to pay dividends and cause you to lose all or part of your investment.

Our management’s initial estimates of certain metrics relating to our financial performance for a period are subject to revision based on our actual results for such period.

Our management intends to make and publish unaudited estimates of certain metrics indicative of our financial performance, including the NAV per share of our common stock and the range of NAV per share of our common stock on a monthly basis, and the range of the net investment income and realized gain/loss per share of our common stock on a quarterly basis. While any such estimate will be made in good faith based on our most recently available records as of the date of the estimate, such estimates are subject to financial closing procedures, our board of directors’ final determination of our NAV as of the end of the applicable quarter and other developments arising between the time such estimate is made and the time that we finalize our quarterly financial results and may differ materially from the results reported in the audited financial statements and/or the unaudited financial statements included filings we make with the SEC.

We will be subject to corporate-level income tax if we are unable to maintain our RIC status for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Although we intend to elect to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, and intend to qualify as a RIC in each of our succeeding tax years, we can offer no assurance that we will be able to maintain RIC status. To obtain and maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code, we must meet certain annual distribution, income source and asset diversification requirements.

The annual distribution requirement for a RIC will be satisfied if we distribute dividends to our stockholders each tax year of an amount generally at least equal to 90% of the sum of our net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. Because we use debt financing, we are subject to certain asset coverage requirements under the 1940 Act and may be subject to financial covenants that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to satisfy the distribution requirement. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we could fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.

The income source requirement will be satisfied if we obtain at least 90% of our income for each tax year from dividends, interest, gains from the sale of our securities or similar sources.

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The asset diversification requirement will be satisfied if we meet certain asset composition requirements at the end of each quarter of our tax year. Failure to meet those requirements may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of RIC status. Because most of our investments are expected to be in CLO securities for which there will likely be no active public market, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and could result in substantial losses.

If we fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment for any reason and remain or become subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of our distributions.

We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.

For federal income tax purposes, we will include in income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as original issue discount or market discount, which may arise if we acquire a debt security at a significant discount to par, or payment-in-kind interest, which represents contractual interest added to the principal amount of a debt security and due at the maturity of the debt security. We also may be required to include in income certain other amounts that we have not yet, and may not ever, receive in cash. Our investments with payment-in-kind interest may represent a higher credit risk than loans for which interest must be paid in full in cash on a regular basis. For example, even if the accounting conditions for income accrual are met, the issuer of the security could still default when our actual collection is scheduled to occur upon maturity of the obligation.

Since, in certain cases, we may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we may have difficulty meeting the annual distribution requirement necessary to maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code. Accordingly, we may have to sell some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.

Our cash distributions to stockholders may change and a portion of our distributions to stockholders may be a return of capital.

The amount of our cash distributions may increase or decrease at the discretion of our board of directors, based upon its assessment of the amount of cash available to us for this purpose and other factors. Unless we are able to generate sufficient cash through the successful implementation of our investment strategy, we may not be able to sustain a given level of distributions. Further, to the extent that the portion of the cash generated from our investments that is recorded as interest income for financial reporting purposes is less than the amount of our distributions, all or a portion of one or more of our future distributions, if declared, may comprise a return of capital. Accordingly, stockholders should not assume that the sole source of any of our distributions is net investment income. Any reduction in the amount of our distributions would reduce the amount of cash received by our stockholders and could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our shares. See “— Risks Related to Our Investments — Our investments are subject to prepayment risk” and “— Any unrealized losses we experience on our portfolio may be an indication of future realized losses, which could reduce our income available for distribution or to make payments on our other obligations.”

Our stockholders may receive shares of our common stock as distributions, which could result in adverse tax consequences to them.

In order to satisfy certain annual distribution requirements to maintain RIC tax treatment under Subchapter M of the Code, we may declare a large portion of a distribution in shares of our common stock instead of in cash. As long as at least 20% of such distribution is paid in cash and certain requirements are met, the entire distribution will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a stockholder generally would be subject to tax on 100% of the fair market value of the distribution on the date the distribution is received by the stockholder in the same manner as a cash distribution, even though most of the distribution was paid in shares of our common stock.

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We will incur significant costs as a result of being a publicly traded company.

As a publicly traded company, we will incur legal, accounting and other expenses, including costs associated with the periodic reporting requirements applicable to a company whose securities are registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the “Exchange Act,” as well as additional corporate governance requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and other rules implemented by the SEC.

Because we expect to distribute substantially all of our ordinary income and net realized capital gains to our stockholders, we may need additional capital to finance the acquisition of new investments and such capital may not be available on favorable terms, or at all.

In order to maintain our RIC status once we qualify, we will be required to distribute at least 90% of the sum of our net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. As a result, these earnings will not be available to fund new investments, and we will need additional capital to fund growth in our investment portfolio. If we fail to obtain additional capital, we could be forced to curtail or cease new investment activities, which could adversely affect our business, operations and results. Even if available, if we are not able to obtain such capital on favorable terms, it could adversely affect our net investment income.

A disruption or downturn in the capital markets and the credit markets could impair our ability to raise capital and negatively affect our business.

We may be materially affected by market, economic and political conditions globally and in the jurisdictions and sectors in which we invest or operate, including conditions affecting interest rates and the availability of credit. Unexpected volatility, illiquidity, governmental action, currency devaluation or other events in the global markets in which we directly or indirectly hold positions could impair our ability to carry out our business and could cause us to incur substantial losses. These factors are outside our control and could adversely affect the liquidity and value of our investments, and may reduce our ability to make attractive new investments.

In particular, economic and financial market conditions significantly deteriorated for a significant part of the past decade as compared to prior periods. Global financial markets experienced considerable declines in the valuations of debt and equity securities, an acute contraction in the availability of credit and the failure of a number of leading financial institutions. As a result, certain government bodies and central banks worldwide, including the U.S. Treasury Department and the U.S. Federal Reserve, undertook unprecedented intervention programs, the effects of which remain uncertain. Although certain financial markets have improved, to the extent economic conditions experienced during the past decade recur, they may adversely impact our investments. Signs of deteriorating sovereign debt conditions in Europe and elsewhere, the United Kingdom’s referendum decision to leave the European Union, or “Brexit,” which is expected to occur on March 19, 2019, and other nationalist movements and policies and uncertainty regarding the policies of the current U.S. presidential administration could lead to further disruption in the global markets. Trends and historical events do not imply, forecast or predict future events, and past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. There can be no assurance that the assumptions made or the beliefs and expectations currently held by the Adviser will prove correct, and actual events and circumstances may vary significantly.

We may be subject to risk arising from a default by one of several large institutions that are dependent on one another to meet their liquidity or operational needs, so that a default by one institution may cause a series of defaults by the other institutions. This is sometimes referred to as “systemic risk” and may adversely affect financial intermediaries with which we interact in the conduct of our business.

We may be subject to risk arising from a broad sell off or other shift in the credit markets, which may adversely impact our income and NAV. In addition, the value of our assets declines substantially, we may fail to maintain the asset coverage imposed upon us by the 1940 Act. See “— 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” and “Regulation as a Closed-End Management Investment Company.” Any such failure would affect our ability to issue preferred stock and other senior securities, including borrowings, and may affect our ability to pay distributions on our capital stock, which

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could materially impair our business operations. Our liquidity could be impaired further by an inability to access the capital markets or to obtain debt financing. For example, we cannot be certain that we would be able to obtain debt financing on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. See “If we are unable to obtain, and/or refinance debt capital, our business could be materially adversely affected.” In previous market cycles, many lenders and institutional investors have previously reduced or ceased lending to borrowers. In the event of such type of market turmoil and tightening of credit, increased market volatility and widespread reduction of business activity could occur, thereby limiting our investment opportunities.

Moreover, we are unable to predict when economic and market conditions may be favorable in future periods. Even if market conditions are broadly favorable over the long term, adverse conditions in particular sectors of the financial markets could adversely impact our business.

If we are unable to obtain and/or refinance debt capital, our business could be materially adversely affected.

We currently anticipate obtaining debt financing within 12 months of this offering in order to obtain funds to make additional investments and grow our portfolio of investments. See “— Because we expect to distribute substantially all of our ordinary income and net realized capital gains to our stockholders, we may need additional capital to finance the acquisition of new investments and such capital may not be available on favorable terms, or at all.” Such debt capital may take the form of a term credit facility with a fixed maturity date or other fixed term instruments, and we may be unable to extend, refinance or replace such debt financings prior to their maturity.

If we are unable to obtain or refinance debt capital on commercially reasonable terms, our liquidity will be lower than it would have been with the benefit of such financings, which would limit our ability to grow our business. In addition, holders of our common stock would not benefit from the potential for increased returns on equity that incurring leverage creates. Any such limitations on our ability to grow and take advantage of leverage may decrease our earnings, if any, and distributions to stockholders, which in turn may lower the trading price of our common stock. In addition, in such event, we may need to liquidate certain of our investments, which may be difficult to sell if required, meaning that we may realize significantly less than the value at which we have recorded our investments. Furthermore, to the extent we are not able to raise capital and are at or near our targeted leverage ratios, we may receive smaller allocations, if any, on new investment opportunities under the Adviser’s allocation policy.

Debt capital that is available to us in the future, if any, including upon the refinancing of then-existing debt prior to its maturity, may be at a higher cost and on less favorable terms and conditions than costs and other terms and conditions at which we can currently obtain debt capital. In addition, if we are unable to repay amounts outstanding under any such debt financings and are declared in default or are unable to renew or refinance these debt financings, we may not be able to make new investments or operate our business in the normal course. These situations may arise due to circumstances that we may be unable to control, such as lack of access to the credit markets, a severe decline in the value of the U.S. dollar, an economic downturn or an operational problem that affects third parties or us, and could materially damage our business.

We may be more susceptible than a diversified fund to being adversely affected by any single corporate, economic, political or regulatory occurrence.

We are classified as “non-diversified” under the 1940 Act. As a result, we can invest a greater portion of our assets in obligations of a single issuer than a “diversified” fund. We may therefore be more susceptible than a diversified fund to being adversely affected by any single corporate, economic, political or regulatory occurrence. In particular, because our portfolio of investments may lack diversification among CLO securities and related investments, we are susceptible to a risk of significant loss if one or more of these CLO securities and related investments experience a high level of defaults on the collateral that they hold.

Regulations governing our operation as a registered closed-end management investment company affect our ability to raise additional capital and the way in which we do so. The raising of debt capital may expose us to risks, including the typical risks associated with leverage.

Under the provisions of the 1940 Act, we are permitted, as a registered closed-end management investment company, to issue senior securities (including debt securities, preferred stock and/or borrowings

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from banks or other financial institutions); provided we meet certain asset coverage requirements ( i.e. , 300% for senior securities representing indebtedness and 200% in the case of the issuance of preferred stock under current law). See “— 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” for details concerning how asset coverage is calculated. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy this test. If that happens, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments and, depending on the nature of our leverage, repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when such sales or redemptions may be disadvantageous. Also, any amounts that we use to service or repay our indebtedness would not be available for distributions to our stockholders.

We are not generally able to issue and sell shares of our common stock at a price below the then current NAV per share (exclusive of any distributing commission or discount). We may, however, sell shares of our common stock at a price below the then current NAV per share (1) in connection with a rights offering to our existing stockholders, (2) with the consent of the majority of our common stockholders, (3) upon the conversion of a convertible security in accordance with its terms or (4) under such circumstances as the SEC may permit.

Provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse effect on the price of our securities.

The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or the “DGCL,” contains provisions that may discourage, delay or make more difficult a change in control of us or the removal of our directors. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that limit liability and provide for indemnification of our directors and officers. These provisions and others also may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management. We are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, the application of which is subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. This section generally prohibits us from engaging in mergers and other business combinations with stockholders that beneficially own 15% or more of our voting stock, or with their affiliates, unless our directors or stockholders approve the business combination in the prescribed manner. If our board of directors does not approve a business combination, Section 203 of the DGCL may discourage third parties from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating such an offer.

We have also adopted measures that may make it difficult for a third party to obtain control of us, including provisions of our certificate of incorporation classifying our board of directors in three classes serving staggered three-year terms, and provisions of our certificate of incorporation authorizing our board of directors to classify or reclassify shares of our preferred stock in one or more classes or series, to cause the issuance of additional shares of our capital stock, and to amend our certificate of incorporation, without stockholder approval, in certain instances. These provisions, as well as other provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interests of our securityholders.

Significant stockholders may control the outcome of matters submitted to our stockholders or adversely impact the market price of our securities.

To the extent any stockholder, such as Cavello Bay, individually or acting together with other stockholders, controls a significant number of our voting securities or any class of voting securities, they may have the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including the election of directors and any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, and may cause actions to be taken that you may not agree with or that are not in your interests or those of other securityholders.

This concentration of beneficial ownership also might harm the market price of our securities by:

delaying, deferring or preventing a change in corporate control;
impeding a merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination involving us; or
discouraging a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us.

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We are subject to the risk of legislative and regulatory changes impacting our business or the markets in which we invest.

Legal and regulatory changes . Legal and regulatory changes could occur and may adversely affect us and our ability to pursue our investment strategies and/or increase the costs of implementing such strategies. New or revised laws or regulations may be imposed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or the “CFTC,” the SEC, the U.S. Federal Reserve, other banking regulators, other governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that supervise the financial markets that could adversely affect us. In particular, these agencies are empowered to promulgate a variety of new rules pursuant to recently enacted financial reform legislation in the United States. We also may be adversely affected by changes in the enforcement or interpretation of existing statutes and rules by these governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations. Such changes, or uncertainty regarding any such changes, could adversely affect the strategies and plans set forth in this prospectus and may result in our investment focus shifting from the areas of expertise of the Senior Investment Team to other types of investments in which the investment team may have less expertise or little or no experience. Thus, any such changes, if they occur, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.

Derivative Investments.   The derivative investments in which we may invest are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations and margin requirements. In particular, certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the “Dodd-Frank Act,” which was signed into law in July 2010, requires certain standardized derivatives to be executed on a regulated market and cleared through a central counterparty, which may result in increased margin requirements and costs for us. The Dodd-Frank Act also established minimum margin requirements on certain uncleared derivatives which may result in us and our counterparties posting higher margin amounts for uncleared derivatives. In addition, we have claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” pursuant to CFTC No-Action Letter 12-38 issued by the staff of the CFTC Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight on November 20, 2012. For us to continue to qualify for this exclusion, (i) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish our positions in derivative instruments subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, or the “CEA,” and (other than positions entered into for hedging purposes) may not exceed five percent of our liquidation value, (ii) the net notional value of our aggregate investments in CEA-regulated derivative instruments (other than positions entered into for hedging purposes) may not exceed 100% of our liquidation value, or (iii) we must meet an alternative test appropriate for a “fund of funds” as set forth in CFTC No-Action Letter 12-38. In the event we fail to qualify for the exclusion and the Adviser is required to register as a “commodity pool operator” in connection with serving as our investment adviser and becomes subject to additional disclosure, recordkeeping and reporting requirements, our expenses may increase.

Loan Securitizations.   Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act, commonly referred to as the “Volcker Rule,” generally prohibits, subject to certain exemptions, covered banking entities from engaging in proprietary trading or sponsoring, or acquiring or retaining an ownership interest in, a hedge fund or private equity fund, or “covered funds,” (which have been broadly defined in a way which could include many CLOs). Given the limitations on banking entities investing in CLOs that are covered funds, the Volcker Rule may adversely affect the market value or liquidity of any or all of the investments held by us. Although the Volcker Rule and the implementing rules exempt “loan securitizations” from the definition of covered fund, not all CLOs will qualify for this exemption. For example, CLOs that invest in bonds as well as loans will be treated as covered funds. Accordingly, in an effort to qualify for the “loan securitization” exemption, many current CLOs have amended their transaction documents to restrict the ability of the issuer to acquire bonds and certain other securities, which may reduce the return available to holders of CLO equity securities. Furthermore, the costs associated with such amendments are typically paid out of the cash flow of the CLO, which adversely impacts the return on our investment in any CLO equity. In addition, in order to avoid covered fund status under the Volcker Rule, it is likely that many future CLOs will contain similar restrictions on the acquisition of bonds and certain other securities, which may result in lower returns on CLO equity securities than currently anticipated.

Also, in October 2014, six federal agencies (the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or the “FDIC,” the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board, the SEC, the Department of Housing and Urban

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Development and the Federal Housing Finance Agency) adopted joint final rules implementing certain credit risk retention requirements contemplated in Section 941 of the Dodd-Frank Act, or the “Final U.S. Risk Retention Rules.” These rules were published in the Federal Register on December 24, 2014. With respect to the regulation of CLOs, the Final U.S. Risk Retention Rules require that the “sponsor” (which, in many cases will likely also be the manager of a CLO) or a “majority owned affiliate” thereof (in each case as defined in the rules), will retain an “eligible vertical interest” or an “eligible horizontal interest” (in each case as defined therein) or any combination thereof in the CLO in the manner required by the Final U.S. Risk Retention Rules.

The Final U.S. Risk Retention Rules became fully effective on December 24, 2016, or the “Final U.S. Risk Retention Effective Date,” and to the extent applicable to CLOs, the Final U.S. Risk Retention Rules contain provisions that may adversely affect the return of our investments. There are a number of uncertainties surrounding the Final U.S. Risk Retention Rules, including: (i) proposed legislation designed to exclude from Final U.S. Risk Retention Rules collateral managers of certain defined “QCLOs” (qualified CLOs), (ii) the October 2017 report to the President to the United States from the United States Department of the Treasury entitled “A Financial System That Creates Economic Opportunities — Capital Markets,” which recommends that “creating a set of loan-specific requirements under which CLO managers would receive relief from being required to retain risk” and (iii) future directives and interpretations by governmental authorities with respect to the Final U.S. Risk Retention Rules. In relation to the LTSA litigation described above, on February 9, 2018, a three judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, or the “DC Circuit Court,” rendered a decision in The Loan Syndications and Trading Association v. Securities and Exchange Commission and Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System , No. 1:16-cv-0065, in which the DC Circuit Court held that open market CLO managers are not “securitizers” subject to the requirements of the Final U.S. Risk Retention Rules, or the “DC Circuit Ruling.” As of the date of hereof: (a) the time period for the federal agencies responsible for the Final U.S. Risk Retention Rules, or the “Applicable Agencies,” to petition for en banc review of the DC Circuit Ruling has expired, (b) the DC Circuit Court has issued a mandate to the lower court requiring the lower court to implement the DC Circuit Ruling, (c) in accordance with the DC Circuit Court mandate, on April 5, 2018, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, or the “DC District Court,” issued a court order that the Final U.S. Risk Retention Rules are vacated insofar as they apply to collateral managers of open-market collateralized loan obligations and (d) the Applicable Agencies have not filed a petition for certiorari requesting the case to be heard by the United States Supreme Court. Since the Applicable Agencies have not successfully challenged the DC Circuit Ruling and the DC District Court has issued the above described order implementing the DC Circuit Ruling, collateral managers of open market CLOs are no longer required to comply with the Final U.S. Risk Retention Rules at this time. As such, it is possible that some collateral managers of open market CLOs will decide to dispose of the notes (or cause their majority owned affiliates to dispose of the notes) constituting the “eligible vertical interest” or “eligible horizontal interest” they were previously required to retain, or decide take other action with respect to such notes that is not otherwise permitted by the Final U.S. Risk Retention Rules. To the extent either the underlying collateral manager or its majority-owned affiliate divests itself of such notes, this will reduce the degree to which the relevant collateral manager’s incentives are aligned with those of the noteholders of the CLO (which may include us as a CLO noteholder), and could influence the way in which the relevant collateral manager manages the CLO assets and/or makes other decisions under the transaction documents related to the CLO in a manner that is adverse to us.

There can be no assurance or representation that any of the transactions, structures or arrangements currently under consideration by or currently used by CLO market participants will comply with the Final U.S. Risk Retention Rules to the extent such rules are reinstated or otherwise become applicable to open market CLOs. The ultimate impact of the Final U.S. Risk Retention Rules on the loan securitization market and the leveraged loan market generally remains uncertain, and any negative impact on secondary market liquidity for securities comprising a CLO may be experienced due to the effects of the Final U.S. Risk Retention Rules on market expectations or uncertainty, the relative appeal of other investments not impacted by the Final U.S. Risk Retention Rules and other factors.

In the European Union, there has also been an increase in political and regulatory scrutiny of the securitization industry. This has resulted in a number of measures for increased regulation which are currently

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at various stages of implementation. In particular, investors who are credit institutions or investment firms regulated in a Member State of the European Economic Area, or the “EEA,” or consolidated affiliates thereof should be aware of Part Five (Articles 404-410) of the European Union Capital Requirements Regulation, or the “CRR,” as supplemented by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 625/2014 of March 13, 2014 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 602/2014 of June 4, 2014, or collectively, the “CRR Requirements.” Article 405 of the CRR restricts such credit institutions and investment firms, together with consolidated group affiliates thereof, each a “CRR Investor,” from investing in securitizations unless the originator, sponsor or original lender in respect of the relevant securitization has explicitly disclosed to the CRR Investor that it will retain, on an ongoing basis, a net economic interest of not less than 5% in respect of certain specified credit risk tranches or asset exposures as contemplated by Article 405 of the CRR. Article 406 of the CRR requires a CRR Investor to be able to demonstrate that it has undertaken certain due diligence in respect of, amongst other things, its investment in the securitization and the exposures underlying the securitization, and that procedures are established for monitoring the performance of the underlying exposures on an on-going basis. Failure by a CRR Investor to comply with one or more of the requirements set out in the CRR may result in the imposition of a penal capital charge on such CRR Investor’s investment.

Investors who are EEA-regulated managers of alternative investment funds should be aware of Article 17 of the European Union Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive, or the “AIFMD,” as implemented by Section 5 of Chapter III of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 231/2013, or the “AIFMR,” and together with Article 17 of the AIFMD, the “AIFM Requirements.” The provisions of Section 5 of Chapter III of the AIFMR provide for risk retention and due diligence requirements in respect of EEA-regulated alternative investment fund managers which assume exposure to the credit risk of a securitization on behalf of one or more alternative investment funds that they manage. While such requirements are similar to those which apply under Part Five of the CRR, they are not identical and, in particular, additional due diligence obligations apply to the relevant alternative investment fund managers. Risk retention and due diligence requirements similar to those in AIFMR apply to investments in securitizations by EEA insurance and reinsurance undertakings under Article 135(2) of EU Directive 2009/138/EC on the taking-up and pursuit of the business of insurance and reinsurance (Solvency II), as supplemented by Articles 254-257 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 2015/35, or the “Solvency II Regulation,” or collectively, the “Solvency II Requirements.” Similar requirements are scheduled to apply in the future to investments in securitizations by the same types and additional types of EEA institutional investors pursuant to the Securitisation Regulation referred to below. The CRR Requirements, the AIFM Requirements and the Solvency II Requirements are referred to as the “EU Securitization Retention Requirements.”

The existing EU Securitization Retention Requirements will be replaced by new requirements to apply to securitizations in respect of which the relevant securities are issued on or after January 1, 2019. The principal EU regulation to implement the new EU securitization retention requirements and establish a general framework for securitization, or the “Securitization Regulation,” was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union as Regulation (EU) 2017/2402 of December 12, 2017. On and after January 1, 2019, the EU securitization retention requirements in the Securitization Regulation will apply to the types of regulated investors covered by the existing EU Securitization Retention Requirements and also to (a) certain investment companies authorised in accordance with Directive 2009/65/EC, and managing companies as defined in that Directive, and (b) institutions for occupational retirement provision falling within the scope of Directive (EU) 2016/2341 (subject to certain exceptions), and certain investment managers and authorised entities appointed by such institutions. There will be material differences between those new EU securitization retention requirements and those in effect on the date of this prospectus, and certain aspects of the new EU securitization retention requirements are to be specified in new regulatory technical standards which have not yet been adopted or published in final form. With regard to securitizations of which the securities are issued before January 1, 2019, investors that are subject to the existing EU Securitization Retention Requirements will continue to be subject to those existing EU Securitization Retention Requirements (as in effect on December 31, 2018).

All CLOs issued in Europe are generally structured in compliance with the existing EU Securitization Retention Requirements so that prospective investors subject to the existing EU Securitization Retention Requirements can invest in compliance with such requirements. To the extent a CLO is structured in

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compliance with the EU Securitization Retention Requirements, our ability to invest in the residual tranches of such CLOs could be limited, or we could be required to hold our investment for the life of the CLO. If a CLO has not been structured to comply with the EU Securitization Retention Requirements, it will limit the ability of EEA-regulated institutional investors to purchase CLO securities, which may adversely affect the price and liquidity of the securities (including the residual tranche) in the secondary market. Additionally, the EU Securitization Retention Requirements have reduced the issuance of new CLOs and reduced the liquidity provided by CLOs to the leveraged loan market generally. Reduced liquidity in the loan market could reduce investment opportunities for collateral managers, which could negatively affect the return of our investments. Any reduction in the volume and liquidity provided by CLOs to the leveraged loan market could also reduce opportunities to redeem or refinance the securities comprising a CLO in an optional redemption or refinancing and could negatively affect the ability of obligors to refinance of their collateral obligations, either of which developments could increase defaulted obligations above historic levels.

The SEC staff could modify its position on certain non-traditional investments, including investments in CLO securities.

The staff of the SEC from time to time has undertaken a broad review of the potential risks associated with different asset management activities, focusing on, among other things, liquidity risk and leverage risk. The staff of the Division of Investment Management has, in correspondence with registered management investment companies, previously raised questions about the level of, and special risks associated with, investments in CLO securities. While it is not possible to predict what conclusions, if any, the staff may reach in these areas, or what recommendations, if any, the staff might make to the SEC, the imposition of limitations on investments by registered management investment companies in CLO securities could adversely impact our ability to implement our investment strategy and/or our ability to raise capital through public offerings, or could cause us to take certain actions that may result in an adverse impact on our stockholders, our financial condition and/or our results of operations. We are unable at this time to assess the likelihood or timing of any such regulatory development.

Terrorist actions and natural disasters may disrupt our operations.

Terrorist acts, acts of war or natural disasters may disrupt our operations, as well as the operations of the businesses in which we invest. Such acts have created, and continue to create, economic and political uncertainties and have contributed to global economic instability. Future terrorist activities, military or security operations, or natural disasters could further weaken the domestic/global economies and create additional uncertainties, which may adversely impact the businesses in which we invest either directly or indirectly and, in turn, could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition. Losses from terrorist attacks and natural disasters are generally uninsurable.

We are subject to risks related to cybersecurity and other disruptions to information systems.

We are highly dependent on the communications and information systems of the Adviser, the Administrator and their affiliates as well as certain other third-party service providers. We, and our service providers, are susceptible to operational and information security risks. While we, the Adviser and the Administrator have procedures in place with respect to information security, technologies may become the target of cyber attacks or information security breaches that could result in the unauthorized gathering, monitoring, release, misuse, loss or destruction of our and/or our stockholders’ confidential and other information, or otherwise disrupt our operations or those of our service providers. Disruptions or failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems and cyber attacks or security breaches of the networks, systems or devices that we and our service providers use to service our operations, or disruption or failures in the movement of information between service providers could disrupt and impact the service providers’ and our operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, the inability of our stockholders to transact business and of us to process transactions, inability to calculate our NAV, misstated or unreliable financial data, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, litigation costs, increased insurance premiums, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and/or additional compliance costs. Our service providers’ policies and procedures with respect to information security have been established to seek to identify and mitigate the types of risk to which we and our service providers are

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subject. As with any risk management system, there are inherent limitations to these policies and procedures as there may exist, or develop in the future, risks that have not been anticipated or identified. There can be no assurance that we or our service providers will not suffer losses relating to information security breaches (including cyber attacks) or other disruptions to information systems in the future.

Risks Related to Our Investments

Our investments in CLO securities and other structured finance securities involve certain risks.

Our investments are expected to consist primarily of CLO securities, and we may invest in other related structured finance securities. CLOs and structured finance securities are generally backed by an asset or a pool of assets (typically senior secured loans and other credit-related assets in the case of a CLO) that serve as collateral. We and other investors in CLO and related structured finance securities ultimately bear the credit risk of the underlying collateral. In the case of most CLOs, the structured finance securities are issued in multiple tranches, offering investors various maturity and credit risk characteristics, often categorized as senior, mezzanine and subordinated/equity according to their degree of risk. If there are defaults or the relevant collateral otherwise underperforms, scheduled payments to senior tranches of such securities take precedence over those of junior tranches which are the focus of our investment strategy, and scheduled payments to junior tranches have a priority in right of payment to subordinated/equity tranches.

In light of the above considerations, CLO and other structured finance securities may present risks similar to those of the other types of debt obligations and, in fact, such risks may be of greater significance in the case of CLO and other structured finance securities. For example, investments in structured vehicles, including junior debt and equity securities issued by CLOs, involve risks, including credit risk and market risk. Changes in interest rates and credit quality may cause significant price fluctuations.

In addition to the general risks associated with investing in debt securities, CLO securities carry additional risks, including: (1) the possibility that distributions from collateral assets will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (2) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; (3) our investments in CLO junior debt and equity tranches will likely be subordinate in right of payment to other senior classes of CLO debt; and (4) the complex structure of a particular security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results. Additionally, changes in the collateral held by a CLO may cause payments on the instruments we hold to be reduced, either temporarily or permanently. Structured investments, particularly the subordinated interests in which we invest, are less liquid than many other types of securities and may be more volatile than the assets underlying the CLOs we may target. In addition, CLO and other structured finance securities may be subject to prepayment risk. Further, the performance of a CLO or other structured finance security may be adversely affected by a variety of factors, including the security’s priority in the capital structure of the issuer thereof, the availability of any credit enhancement, the level and timing of payments and recoveries on and the characteristics of the underlying receivables, loans or other assets that are being securitized, remoteness of those assets from the originator or transferor, the adequacy of and ability to realize upon any related collateral and the capability of the servicer of the securitized assets. There are also the risks that the trustee of a CLO does not properly carry out its duties to the CLO, potentially resulting in loss to the CLO. In addition, the complex structure of the security may produce unexpected investment results, especially during times of market stress or volatility. Investments in structured finance securities may also be subject to liquidity risk.

Investing in senior secured loans indirectly through CLO securities involves particular risks.

We are expected to obtain exposure to underlying senior secured loans through our investments in CLOs, but may obtain such exposure directly or indirectly through other means from time to time. Such loans may become nonperforming or impaired for a variety of reasons. Nonperforming or impaired loans may require substantial workout negotiations or restructuring that may entail a substantial reduction in the interest rate and/or a substantial write-down of the principal of the loan. In addition, because of the unique and customized nature of a loan agreement and the private syndication of a loan, certain loans may not be purchased or sold as easily as publicly traded securities, and, historically, the trading volume in the loan market has been small relative to other markets. Loans may encounter trading delays due to their unique and customized nature, and transfers may require the consent of an agent bank and/or borrower. Risks associated with senior secured loans include the fact that prepayments generally may occur at any time without premium or penalty.

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In addition, the portfolios of certain CLOs in which we may invest may contain middle market loans. Loans to middle market companies may carry more inherent risks than loans to larger, publicly traded entities. These companies generally have more limited access to capital and higher funding costs, may be in a weaker financial position, may need more capital to expand or compete, and may be unable to obtain financing from public capital markets or from traditional sources, such as commercial banks. Middle market companies typically have narrower product lines and smaller market shares than large companies. Therefore, they tend to be more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns. These companies may also experience substantial variations in operating results. The success of a middle market business may also depend on the management talents and efforts of one or two persons or a small group of persons. The death, disability or resignation of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on the obligor. Accordingly, loans made to middle market companies may involve higher risks than loans made to companies that have greater financial resources or are otherwise able to access traditional credit sources. Middle market loans are less liquid and have a smaller trading market than the market for broadly syndicated loans and may have default rates or recovery rates that differ (and may be better or worse) than has been the case for broadly syndicated loans or investment grade securities. There can be no assurance as to the levels of defaults and/or recoveries that may be experienced with respect to middle market loans in any CLO in which we may invest. As a consequence of the forgoing factors, the securities issued by CLOs that primarily invest in middle market loans (or hold significant portions thereof) are generally considered to be a riskier investment than securities issued by CLOs that primarily invest in broadly syndicated loans.

Our investments in the primary CLO market involve certain additional risks.

Between the pricing date and the effective date of a CLO, the CLO collateral manager will generally expect to purchase additional collateral obligations for the CLO. During this period, the price and availability of these collateral obligations may be adversely affected by a number of market factors, including price volatility and availability of investments suitable for the CLO, which could hamper the ability of the collateral manager to acquire a portfolio of collateral obligations that will satisfy specified concentration limitations and allow the CLO to reach the target initial par amount of collateral prior to the effective date. An inability or delay in reaching the target initial par amount of collateral may adversely affect the timing and amount of interest or principal payments received by the holders of the CLO debt securities and distributions on the CLO equity securities and could result in early redemptions which may cause CLO debt and equity investors to receive less than face value of their investment.

Our portfolio of investments may lack diversification among CLO securities which may subject us to a risk of significant loss if one or more of these CLO securities experience a high level of defaults on collateral.

Our portfolio may hold investments in a limited number of CLO securities. Beyond the asset diversification requirements associated with our qualification as a RIC under the Code, we will not have fixed guidelines for diversification, we will not have any limitations on the ability to invest in any one CLO, and our investments may be concentrated in relatively few CLO securities. As our portfolio may be less diversified than the portfolios of some larger funds, we are more susceptible to failure if one or more of the CLOs in which we are invested experiences a high level of defaults on its collateral. Similarly, the aggregate returns we realize may be significantly adversely affected if a small number of investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one investment. We may also invest in multiple CLOs managed by the same CLO collateral manager, thereby increasing our risk of loss in the event the CLO collateral manager were to fail, experience the loss of key portfolio management employees or sell its business.

Our portfolio will be focused on CLO securities, and the CLO securities in which we invest may hold loans that are concentrated in a limited number of industries.

Our portfolio will be focused on securities issued by CLOs and related investments, and the CLOs in which we invest may hold loans that are concentrated in a limited number of industries. As a result, a downturn in the CLO industry or in any particular industry that the CLOs in which we invest are concentrated could significantly impact the aggregate returns we realize.

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Failure by a CLO in which we are invested to satisfy certain tests will harm our operating results.

The failure by a CLO in which we invest to satisfy financial covenants, including with respect to adequate collateralization and/or interest coverage tests, could lead to a reduction in its payments to us. In the event that a CLO fails certain tests, holders of CLO senior debt may be entitled to additional payments that would, in turn, reduce the payments we, as holder of junior debt or equity tranches, would otherwise be entitled to receive. Separately, we may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms, which may include the waiver of certain financial covenants, with a defaulting CLO or any other investment we may make. If any of these occur, it could materially and adversely affect our operating results and cash flows.

Negative loan ratings migration may also place pressure on the performance of certain of our investments.

Per the terms of a CLO’s indenture, assets rated “CCC+” or lower or their equivalent in excess of applicable limits do not receive full par credit for purposes of calculation of the CLO’s overcollateralization tests. As a result, negative rating migration could cause a CLO to be out of compliance with its overcollateralization tests. This could cause a diversion of cash flows away from the CLO junior debt and equity tranches in favor of the more senior CLO debt tranches until the relevant overcollateralization test breaches are cured. This could have a negative impact on our NAV and cash flows.

Our investments in CLOs and other investment vehicles result in additional expenses to us.

We will invest in CLO securities and may invest, to the extent permitted by law, in the securities and other instruments of other investment companies, including private funds, and, to the extent we so invest, will bear our ratable share of a CLO’s or any such investment vehicle’s expenses, including management and performance fees. In addition to the management and performance fees borne by our investments in CLOs, we will also remain obligated to pay management fees to the Adviser with respect to the assets invested in the securities and other instruments of other investment vehicles, including CLOs. With respect to each of these investments, each holder of our common stock bears his or her share of the management fee of the Adviser as well as indirectly bearing the management and performance fees charged by the underlying advisor and other expenses of any investment vehicles in which we invest.

Our investments in CLO securities may be less transparent to us and our stockholders than direct investments in the collateral.

We intend to invest primarily in junior debt tranches of CLOs and other related investments. Generally, there may be less information available to us regarding the collateral held by such CLOs than if we had invested directly in the debt of the underlying obligors. As a result, our stockholders will not know the details of the collateral of the CLOs in which we will invest or receive the reports issued with respect to such CLO. In addition, none of the information contained in certain monthly reports nor any other financial information furnished to us as a noteholder in a CLO will be audited and reported upon, nor will an opinion be expressed, by an independent public accountant. Our CLO investments will also be subject to the risk of leverage associated with the debt issued by such CLOs and the repayment priority of senior debt holders in such CLOs.

CLO investments involve complex documentation and accounting considerations.

CLOs and other structured finance securities in which we expect to invest are often governed by a complex series of legal documents and contracts. As a result, the risk of dispute over interpretation or enforceability of the documentation may be higher relative to other types of investments.

The accounting and tax implications of the CLO investments that we intend to make are complicated. In particular, reported earnings from CLO equity securities are recorded under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or “GAAP,” based upon an effective yield calculation. Current taxable earnings on certain of these investments, however, will generally not be determinable until after the end of the fiscal year of each individual CLO that ends within our fiscal year, even though the investments are generating cash flow throughout the fiscal year. The tax treatment of certain of these investments may result in higher distributable earnings in the early years and a capital loss at maturity, while for reporting purposes the totality of cash flows are reflected in a constant yield to maturity.

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We are dependent on the collateral managers of the CLOs in which we invest, and those CLOs are generally not registered under the 1940 Act.

We will rely on CLO collateral managers to administer and review the portfolios of collateral they manage. The actions of the CLO collateral managers may significantly affect the return on our investments; however, we, as investors of the CLO, typically do not have any direct contractual relationship with the collateral managers of the CLOs in which we invest. The ability of each CLO collateral manager to identify and report on issues affecting its securitization portfolio on a timely basis could also affect the return on our investments, as we may not be provided with information on a timely basis in order to take appropriate measures to manage our risks. We will also rely on CLO collateral managers to act in the best interests of a CLO it manages; however, such CLO managers are subject to fiduciary duties owed to other classes of notes besides those in which we invest; therefore, there can be no assurance that the collateral managers will always act in the best interest of the class or classes of notes in which we are invested. If any CLO collateral manager were to act in a manner that was not in the best interest of the CLOs ( e.g. , gross negligence, with reckless disregard or in bad faith), this could adversely impact the overall performance of our investments. Furthermore, since the underlying CLO issuer often provides an indemnity to its CLO manager, we may not be incentivized to pursue actions against the collateral manager since any such action, if successful, may ultimately be borne by the underlying CLO issuer and payable from its assets, which could create losses to us as investors in the CLO. In addition, to the extent we invest in CLO equity, liabilities incurred by the CLO manger to third parties may be borne by us to the extent the CLO is required to indemnify its collateral manager for such liabilities.

In addition, the CLOs in which we intend to invest are generally not registered as investment companies under the 1940 Act. As investors in these CLOs, we are not afforded the protections that stockholders in an investment company registered under the 1940 Act would have.

Our investments in CLO securities may be subject to special anti-deferral provisions that could result in us incurring tax or recognizing income prior to receiving cash distributions related to such income.

Some of the CLOs in which we will invest may constitute “passive foreign investment companies,” or “PFICs.” If 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. Certain elections may be available to mitigate or eliminate such tax on excess distributions, but such elections (if available) will generally require us to recognize our share of the PFIC’s income for each tax year regardless of whether we receive any distributions from such PFIC. We must nonetheless distribute such income to maintain our status as a RIC. Furthermore, under proposed U.S. Treasury regulations, certain income derived by us from a PFIC with respect to which we have made a qualifying electing fund, or “QEF,” election under the Code would generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of determining our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC only to the extent the PFIC makes distributions of that income to us. As such, we may be restricted in our ability to make QEF elections with respect to our holdings in issuers that could be treated as PFICs in order to ensure our continued qualification as a RIC and/or maximize our after-tax return from these investments.

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 controlled foreign corporation, or “CFC” (including equity tranche investments and certain debt tranche investments in a CLO treated as a 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). If we are required to include such deemed distributions from a CFC in our income, we will be required to distribute such income to maintain our RIC status regardless of whether or not the CFC makes an actual distribution during such tax year. Furthermore, under proposed U.S. Treasury regulations, certain income derived by us from a CFC would generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of determining our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC only to the extent the CFC makes distributions of that income to us. As such, we may limit and/or manage our holdings in issuers that could be treated as CFCs in order to ensure our continued qualification as a RIC and/or maximize our after-tax return from these investments.

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If we are required to include amounts from CLO securities in income prior to receiving the cash distributions representing such income, we may have to sell some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.

If a CLO in which we invest fails to comply with certain U.S. tax disclosure requirements, such CLO may be subject to withholding requirements that could materially and adversely affect our operating results and cash flows.

The U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act provisions of the Code, or the “FATCA,” imposes a withholding tax of 30% on U.S. source periodic payments, including interest and dividends and, after December 31, 2018, on payments of gross proceeds from the disposition of an instrument that produces U.S. source interest or dividends as well as certain dividends distributed from our net capital gains, if any, which have been designated by us, or “capital gain dividends,” 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 U.S. account holders and its U.S. owners. Most CLOs in which we will 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 amount available to distribute to junior debt and equity holders in such CLO, which could materially and adversely affect the fair value of the CLO’s securities, our operating results and cash flows.

Increased competition in the market or a decrease in new CLO issuances may result in increased price volatility or a shortage of investment opportunities.

In recent years there has been a marked increase in the number of, and flow of capital into, investment vehicles established to pursue investments in CLO securities whereas the size of this market is relatively limited. While we cannot determine the precise effect of such competition, such increase may result in greater competition for investment opportunities, which may result in an increase in the price of such investments relative to the risk taken on by holders of such investments. Such competition may also result under certain circumstances in increased price volatility or decreased liquidity with respect to certain positions.

In addition, the volume of new CLO issuances and CLO refinancings varies over time as a result of a variety of factors including new regulations, changes in interest rates, and other market forces. As a result of increased competition and uncertainty regarding the volume of new CLO issuances and CLO refinancings, we can offer no assurances that we will deploy all of our capital in a timely manner or at all. Prospective investors should understand that we may compete with other investment vehicles, as well as investment and commercial banking firms, which have substantially greater resources, in terms of financial wherewithal and research staffs, than may be available to us.

We may be subject to risks associated with any wholly-owned subsidiaries.

We may in the future invest indirectly through one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries. Any future wholly-owned subsidiary would not be separately registered under the 1940 Act and would not be subject to all the investor protections of the 1940 Act. In addition, changes in the laws of the jurisdiction of formation of any future wholly-owned subsidiary could result in the inability of such subsidiary to operate as anticipated.

We and our investments are subject to interest rate risk.

Since we may incur leverage (including through preferred stock and/or debt securities) to make investments, our net investment income depends, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest those funds.

Since the economic downturn that began in 2007, interest rates have remained low despite recent increases. Because longer-term inflationary pressure may result from the U.S. government’s fiscal policies and other challenges, because of the relatively low interest rate environment in which we now operate, interest rates could continue to rise, rather than fall, in the future. In a rising interest rate environment, any leverage

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that we incur may bear a higher interest rate that our current leverage. There may not, however, be a corresponding increase in our investment income. Any reduction in the level of rate of return on new investments relative to the rate of return on our current investments, and any reduction in the rate of return on our current investments, could adversely impact our net investment income, reducing our ability to service the interest obligations on, and to repay the principal of, our indebtedness, as well as our capacity to pay distributions to our stockholders. See “— LIBOR Floor Risk.”

The fair value of certain of our investments may be significantly affected by changes in interest rates. Although senior secured loans are generally floating rate instruments, our investments in senior secured loans through investments in junior debt and equity tranches of CLOs are sensitive to interest rate levels and volatility. Although CLOs are generally structured to mitigate the risk of interest rate mismatch, there may be some difference between the timing of interest rate resets on the assets and liabilities of a CLO. Such a mismatch in timing could have a negative effect on the amount of funds distributed to CLO equity investors. In addition, CLOs may not be able to enter into hedge agreements, even if it may otherwise be in the best interests of the CLO to hedge such interest rate risk. Furthermore, in the event of a significant rising interest rate environment and/or economic downturn, loan defaults may increase and result in credit losses that may adversely affect our cash flow, fair value of our assets and operating results. In the event that our interest expense were to increase relative to income, or sufficient financing became unavailable, our return on investments and cash available for distribution to stockholders or to make other payments on our securities would be reduced. In addition, future investments in different types of instruments may carry a greater exposure to interest rate risk.

LIBOR Floor Risk .  Because CLOs generally issue debt on a floating rate basis, an increase in LIBOR will increase the financing costs of CLOs. Many of the senior secured loans held by these CLOs have LIBOR floors such that, when LIBOR is below the stated LIBOR floor, the stated LIBOR floor (rather than LIBOR itself) is used to determine the interest payable under the loans. Therefore, if LIBOR increases but stays below the average LIBOR floor rate of the senior secured loans held by a CLO, there would not be a corresponding increase in the investment income of such CLOs. The combination of increased financing costs without a corresponding increase in investment income in such a scenario could result in the CLO not having adequate cash to make interest or other payments on the securities which we hold.

LIBOR Risk.   The CLO debt securities in which we invest earn interest at, and CLOs in which we intend to invest typically obtain financing at, a floating rate based on LIBOR. Regulators and law enforcement agencies from a number of governments, including entities in the United States, Japan, Canada and the United Kingdom, have conducted or are conducting civil and criminal investigations into whether the banks that contributed to the British Bankers’ Association, or the “BBA,” in connection with the calculation of daily LIBOR may have been under-reporting or otherwise manipulating or attempting to manipulate LIBOR. Several financial institutions have reached settlements with the CFTC, the U.S. Department of Justice and the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, or the “FCA,” in connection with investigations by such authorities into submissions made by such financial institutions to the bodies that set LIBOR and other interbank offered rates. In such settlements, such financial institutions admitted to submitting rates to the BBA that were lower than the actual rates at which such financial institutions could borrow funds from other banks. Additional investigations remain ongoing with respect to other major banks. There can be no assurance that there will not be additional admissions or findings of rate-setting manipulation or that manipulations of LIBOR or other similar interbank offered rates will not be shown to have occurred. On July 9, 2013, it was announced that the NYSE Euronext Rate Administration Limited would take over the administration of LIBOR from the BBA, subject to authorization from the FCA and following a period of transition. Accordingly, ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (formerly NYSE Euronext Rate Administration Limited) assumed this role on February 1, 2014. Any new administrator of LIBOR may make methodological changes to the way in which LIBOR is calculated or may alter, discontinue or suspend calculation or dissemination of LIBOR. Any of such actions or other effects from the ongoing investigations could adversely affect the liquidity and value of our investments. Further, additional admissions or findings of manipulation may decrease the confidence of the market in LIBOR and lead market participants to look for alternative, non-LIBOR based types of financing, such as fixed rate loans or bonds or floating rate loans based on non-LIBOR indices. An increase in alternative types of financing at the expense of LIBOR-based CLOs may

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impair the liquidity of our investments. Additionally, it may make it more difficult for CLO issuers to satisfy certain conditions set forth in a CLO’s offering documents.

On July 27, 2017, the FCA announced that it will no longer persuade or compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of the LIBOR rates after 2021, or the “FCA Announcement.” The FCA Announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR on the current basis (or at all) cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 and that planning a transition to alternative reference rates that are based firmly on transactions, such as reformed Sterling Over Night Index Average, or “SONIA,” must begin. Furthermore, in the United States, efforts to identify a set of alternative U.S. dollar reference interest rates include proposals by the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, or the “ARRC,” of the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. On June 22, 2017, the ARRC identified the Secured Overnight Financing Rate, or “SOFR,” a broad U.S. treasuries repo financing rate to be published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as the rate that, in the consensus view of the ARRC, represented best practice for use in certain new U.S. dollar derivatives and other financial contracts. The first publication of SOFR was released in April 2018. Although there have been a few issuances utilizing SONIA and SOFR, it remains in question whether or not these alternative reference rates will attain market acceptance as replacements for LIBOR.

At this time, it is not possible to predict the effect of the FCA Announcement or other regulatory changes or announcements, the establishment of SOFR, SONIA or any other alternative reference rates or any other reforms to LIBOR that may be enacted in the United Kingdom, the United States or elsewhere. As such, the potential effect of any such event on our net investment income cannot yet be determined. The CLOs we are invested in generally contemplate a scenario where LIBOR is no longer available by requiring the CLO administrator to calculate a replacement rate primarily through dealer polling on the applicable measurement date. However, there is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of the dealer polling processes, including the willingness of banks to provide such quotations, which could adversely impact our net investment income. In addition, the effect of a phase out of LIBOR on U.S. senior secured loans, the underlying assets of the CLOs in which we invest, is currently unclear. To the extent that any replacement rate utilized for senior secured loans differs from that utilized for a CLO that holds those loans, the CLO would experience an interest rate mismatch between its assets and liabilities, which could have an adverse impact on our net investment income and portfolio returns.

LIBOR Mismatch .  Many underlying corporate borrowers can elect to pay interest based on 1-month LIBOR, 3-month LIBOR and/or other rates in respect of the loans held by CLOs in which we are invested, in each case plus an applicable spread, whereas CLOs generally pay interest to holders of the CLO’s debt tranches based on 3-month LIBOR plus a spread. The 3-month LIBOR currently exceeds the 1-month LIBOR by a historically high amount, which may result in many underlying corporate borrowers electing to pay interest based on 1-month LIBOR. This mismatch in the rate at which CLOs earn interest and the rate at which they pay interest on their debt tranches negatively impacts the cash flows on a CLO’s equity tranche, which may in turn adversely affect our cash flows and results of operations. Unless spreads are adjusted to account for such increases, these negative impacts may worsen as the amount by which the 3-month LIBOR exceeds the 1-month LIBOR increases.

Low Interest Rate Environment .  As of the date of this prospectus, despite recent increases in interest rates from near historically low levels, interest rates in the United States remain relatively low, which may increase our exposure to risks associated with rising interest rates.

The senior secured loans underlying the CLOs in which we intend to invest typically have floating interest rates. A rising interest rate environment may increase loan defaults, resulting in losses for the CLOs in which we invest. In addition, increasing interest rates may lead to higher prepayment rates, as corporate borrowers look to avoid escalating interest payments or refinance floating rate loans. See “— Our investments are subject to prepayment risk.” Further, a general rise in interest rates will increase the financing costs of the CLOs. However, since many of the senior secured loans within these CLOs have LIBOR floors, if LIBOR is below the average LIBOR floor, there may not be corresponding increases in investment income which could result in the CLO not having adequate cash to make interest or other payments on the securities which we hold.

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For detailed discussions of the risks associated with a rising interest rate environment, see “— Risks Related to Our Investments — We and our investments are subject to interest rate risk,” and “— Risks Related to Our Investments — We and our investments are subject to risks associated with investing in high-yield and unrated, or “junk,” securities.”

Our investments are subject to credit risk.

If a CLO in which we invest, an underlying asset of any such CLO or any other type of credit investment in our portfolio declines in price or fails to pay interest or principal when due because the issuer or debtor, as the case may be, experiences a decline in its financial status either or both our income and NAV may be adversely impacted. Non-payment would result in a reduction of our income, a reduction in the value of the applicable CLO security or other credit investment experiencing non-payment and, potentially, a decrease in our NAV. With respect to our investments in CLO securities and credit investments that are secured, there can be no assurance that liquidation of collateral would satisfy the issuer’s obligation in the event of non-payment of scheduled dividend, interest or principal or that such collateral could be readily liquidated. In the event of bankruptcy of an issuer, we could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing a CLO security or credit investment. To the extent that the credit rating assigned to a security in our portfolio is downgraded, the market price and liquidity of such security may be adversely affected. In addition, if a CLO in which we invest triggers an event of default as a result of failing to make payments when due or for other reasons, the CLO would be subject to the possibility of liquidation, which could result in full loss of value to the CLO junior debt and equity investors. CLO equity tranches are the most likely tranche to suffer a loss of all of their value in these circumstances.

Our investments are subject to prepayment risk.

Although the Adviser’s valuations and projections take into account certain expected levels of prepayments, the collateral of a CLO may be prepaid more quickly than expected. Prepayment rates are influenced by changes in interest rates and a variety of factors beyond our control and consequently cannot be accurately predicted. Early prepayments give rise to increased reinvestment risk, as a CLO collateral manager might realize excess cash from prepayments earlier than expected. If a CLO collateral manager is unable to reinvest such cash in a new investment with an expected rate of return at least equal to that of the investment repaid, this may reduce our net income and the fair value of that asset.

In addition, in most CLO transactions, CLO debt investors, such as us, 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 such CLO’s outstanding CLO debt securities to be repaid at par. Such prepayments of CLO debt securities held by us can also give rise to reinvestment risk if we are unable to reinvest such cash in a new investment with an expected rate of return at least equal to that of the investment repaid.

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.

We may incur, directly or indirectly, through one or more special purpose vehicles, indebtedness for borrowed money, as well as leverage in the form of Derivative Transactions, preferred stock, debt securities and other structures and instruments, in significant amounts and on terms that the Adviser and our board of directors deem appropriate, subject to applicable limitations under the 1940 Act. Such leverage may be used for the acquisition and financing of our investments, to pay fees and expenses and for other purposes. Such leverage may be secured and/or unsecured. Any such leverage does not include leverage embedded or inherent in the CLO structures in which we invest or in derivative instruments in which we may invest. Accordingly, there is a layering of leverage in our overall structure.

The more leverage we employ, the more likely a substantial change will occur in our NAV. Accordingly, any event that adversely affects the value of an investment would be magnified to the extent leverage is utilized. For instance, any decrease in our income would cause net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline could also negatively affect our ability to make distributions and other payments to our securityholders. Leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique. Our ability to service any debt that we incur will depend largely on our financial performance and

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will be subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. The cumulative effect of the use of leverage with respect to any investments in a market that moves adversely to such investments could result in a substantial loss that would be greater than if our investments were not leveraged.

As a registered closed-end management investment company, we will generally be required to meet certain asset coverage requirements, as defined under the 1940 Act, with respect to any senior securities. With respect to senior securities representing indebtedness ( i.e. , borrowings or deemed borrowings), 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. If legislation were passed that modifies this section of the 1940 Act and increases the amount of senior securities that we may incur, we may increase our leverage to the extent then permitted by the 1940 Act and the risks associated with an investment in us may increase.

If our asset coverage declines below 300% (or 200%, as applicable), we would not be able to incur additional debt or issue additional preferred stock, and could be required by law to sell a portion of our investments to repay some debt or redeem shares of preferred stock when it is disadvantageous to do so, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations, and we may not be able to make certain distributions or pay dividends of an amount necessary to continue to be subject to tax as a RIC. The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on the Adviser’s and our board of directors’ assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain credit at all or on terms acceptable to us.

In addition, any debt facility into which we may enter would likely impose financial and operating covenants that restrict our business activities, including limitations that could hinder our ability to finance additional loans and investments or to make the distributions required to maintain our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.

The following table is furnished in response to the requirements of the SEC and illustrates the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock assuming various annual returns, net of expenses. The calculations in the table below are hypothetical and actual returns may be higher or lower than those appearing in the table below.

         
Assumed Return on Our Portfolio (Net of Expenses)   -10%   -5%   0%   5%   10%
Corresponding return to common stockholder (1)     -13.60 %       -7.35 %       -1.10 %       5.15 %       11.40 %  

(1) Assumes $155.5 million in pro forma total assets (which reflects (i) the contributions of the Adviser and Cavello Bay completed prior to this offering, (ii) assumed net proceeds from this offering of $49.3 million and (iii) assumed leverage of 20% of our total assets (as determined immediately after such leverage is incurred). See “Business — Our Structure and Formation Transactions.”

Based on our assumed leverage described above, our investment portfolio would have been required to experience an annual return of at least 0.88% to cover interest payments on our assumed indebtedness.

Our investments may be highly subordinated and subject to leveraged securities risk.

Our portfolio is expected to include junior debt and equity investments in CLOs, which involve a number of significant risks. CLOs are typically very highly levered (with CLO equity securities being leveraged nine to 13 times), and therefore the junior debt and equity tranches in which we intend to invest are subject to a higher degree of risk of total loss. In particular, investors in CLO securities indirectly bear risks of the collateral held by such CLOs. We will generally have the right to receive payments only from the CLOs, and will generally not have direct rights against the underlying borrowers or the entity that sponsored the CLO. While the CLOs we intend to initially target generally enable an equity investor therein to acquire interests in

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a pool of senior secured loans without the expenses associated with directly holding the same investments, we will generally pay a proportionate share of the CLOs’ administrative, management and other expenses if it makes a CLO equity investment. In addition, we may have the option in certain CLOs to contribute additional amounts to the CLO issuer for purposes of acquiring additional assets or curing coverage tests, thereby increasing our overall exposure and capital at risk to such CLO. Although it is difficult to predict whether the prices of assets underlying CLOs will rise or fall, these prices (and, therefore, the prices of the CLOs’ securities) will be influenced by the same types of political and economic events that affect issuers of securities and capital markets generally. The interests we intend to acquire in CLOs will likely be thinly traded or have only a limited trading market. CLO securities are typically privately offered and sold, even in the secondary market. As a result, investments in CLO securities are illiquid.

We and our investments are subject to risks associated with investing in high-yield and unrated, or “junk,” securities.

We intend to invest primarily in securities that are rated below investment grade or, in the case of CLO equity securities, are not rated by a national securities rating service. The primary assets underlying our CLO security investments are senior secured loans, although these transactions may allow for limited exposure to other asset classes including unsecured loans, high yield bonds, emerging market loans or bonds and structured finance securities with underlying exposure to CDO tranches, residential mortgage backed securities, commercial mortgage backed securities, trust preferred securities and other types of securitizations. CLOs generally invest in lower-rated debt securities that are typically rated below Baa/BBB by Moody’s, S&P or Fitch. In addition, we may obtain direct exposure to such financial assets/instruments. Securities that are not rated or are rated lower than Baa by Moody’s or lower than BBB by S&P or Fitch are sometimes referred to as “high yield” or “junk.” High-yield debt securities have greater credit and liquidity risk than investment grade obligations. High-yield debt securities are generally unsecured and may be subordinated to certain other obligations of the issuer thereof. The lower rating of high-yield debt securities and below investment grade loans reflects a greater possibility that adverse changes in the financial condition of an issuer or in general economic conditions or both may impair the ability of the issuer thereof to make payments of principal or interest.

Risks of high-yield debt securities may include:

(1) limited liquidity and secondary market support;
(2) substantial marketplace volatility resulting from changes in prevailing interest rates;
(3) subordination to the prior claims of banks and other senior lenders;
(4) the operation of mandatory sinking fund or call/redemption provisions during periods of declining interest rates that could cause us to reinvest premature redemption proceeds in lower-yielding debt obligations;
(5) the possibility that earnings of the high-yield debt security issuer may be insufficient to meet its debt service;
(6) the declining creditworthiness and potential for insolvency of the issuer of such high-yield debt securities during periods of rising interest rates and/or economic downturn; and
(7) greater susceptibility to losses and real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions than higher grade securities.

An economic downturn or an increase in interest rates could severely disrupt the market for high-yield debt securities and adversely affect the value of outstanding high-yield debt securities and the ability of the issuers thereof to repay principal and interest.

Issuers of high-yield debt securities may be highly leveraged and may not have available to them more traditional methods of financing. The risk associated with acquiring (directly or indirectly) the securities of such issuers generally is greater than is the case with highly rated securities. For example, during an economic downturn or a sustained period of rising interest rates, issuers of high-yield debt securities may be more likely to experience financial stress, especially if such issuers are highly leveraged. During such periods, timely

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service of debt obligations also may be adversely affected by specific issuer developments, or the issuer’s inability to meet specific projected business forecasts or the unavailability of additional financing. The risk of loss due to default by the issuer is significantly greater for the holders of high-yield debt securities because such securities may be unsecured and may be subordinated to obligations owed to other creditors of the issuer of such securities. In addition, we may incur additional expenses to the extent it (or any investment manager) is required to seek recovery upon a default on a high yield bond (or any other debt obligation) or participate in the restructuring of such obligation.

A portion of the loans held by CLOs in which we invest may consist of second lien loans. Second lien loans are secured by liens on the collateral securing the loan that are subordinated to the liens of at least one other class of obligations of the related obligor, and thus, the ability of the CLO issuer to exercise remedies after a second lien loan becomes a defaulted obligation is subordinated to, and limited by, the rights of the senior creditors holding such other classes of obligations. In many circumstances, the CLO issuer may be prevented from foreclosing on the collateral securing a second lien loan until the related first lien loan is paid in full. Moreover, any amounts that might be realized as a result of collection efforts or in connection with a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding involving a second lien loan must generally be turned over to the first lien secured lender until the first lien secured lender has realized the full value of its own claims. In addition, certain of the second lien loans contain provisions requiring the CLO issuer’s interest in the collateral to be released in certain circumstances. These lien and payment obligation subordination provisions may materially and adversely affect the ability of the CLO issuer to realize value from second lien loans and adversely affect the fair value of and income from our investment in the CLO’s securities.

We are subject to risks associated with loan assignments and participations.

We, or the CLOs in which we intend to invest, may acquire interests in loans either directly by way of assignment, or “Assignments,” or indirectly by way of participation, or “Participations.” The purchaser by an Assignment of a loan obligation typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations of the selling institution and becomes a lender under the loan or credit agreement with respect to the debt obligation. In contrast, Participations acquired by us in a portion of a debt obligation held by a selling institution, or the “Selling Institution,” typically result in a contractual relationship only with such Selling Institution, not with the obligor. We would have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled under the Participation only from the Selling Institution and only upon receipt by the Selling Institution of such payments from the obligor. In purchasing a Participation, we generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the obligor with the terms of the loan or credit agreement or other instrument evidencing such debt obligation, nor any rights of setoff against the obligor, and we may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the debt obligation in which it has purchased the Participation. As a result, we would assume the credit risk of both the obligor and the Selling Institution. In the event of the insolvency of the Selling Institution, we will be treated as a general creditor of the Selling Institution in respect of the Participation and may not benefit from any setoff between the Selling Institution and the obligor.

The holder of a Participation in a debt obligation may not have the right to vote to waive enforcement of any default by an obligor. Selling Institutions commonly reserve the right to administer the debt obligations sold by them as they see fit and to amend the documentation evidencing such debt obligations in all respects. However, most participation agreements with respect to senior secured loans provide that the Selling Institution may not vote in favor of any amendment, modification or waiver that (1) forgives principal, interest or fees, (2) reduces principal, interest or fees that are payable, (3) postpones any payment of principal (whether a scheduled payment or a mandatory prepayment), interest or fees or (4) releases any material guarantee or security without the consent of the participant (at least to the extent the participant would be affected by any such amendment, modification or waiver).

A Selling Institution voting in connection with a potential waiver of a default by an obligor may have interests different from ours, and the Selling Institution might not consider our interests in connection with its vote. In addition, many participation agreements with respect to senior secured loans that provide voting rights to the participant further provide that, if the participant does not vote in favor of amendments, modifications or waivers, the Selling Institution may repurchase such Participation at par. An investment by us in a synthetic security related to a loan involves many of the same considerations relevant to Participations.

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The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.

High-yield investments, including subordinated CLO securities and collateral held by CLOs in which we invest, generally have limited liquidity. As a result, prices of high-yield investments have at times experienced significant and rapid decline when a substantial number of holders (or a few holders of a significantly large “block” of the securities) decided to sell. In addition, we (or the CLOs in which we invest) may have difficulty disposing of certain high-yield investments because there may be a thin trading market for such securities. To the extent that a secondary trading market for non-investment grade high-yield investments does exist, it would not be as liquid as the secondary market for highly rated investments. Reduced secondary market liquidity would have an adverse impact on the fair value of the securities and on our direct or indirect ability to dispose of particular securities in response to a specific economic event such as deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer of such securities.

As secondary market trading volumes increase, new loans frequently contain standardized documentation to facilitate loan trading that may improve market liquidity. There can be no assurance, however, that future levels of supply and demand in loan trading will provide an adequate degree of liquidity or that the current level of liquidity will continue. Because holders of such loans are offered confidential information relating to the borrower, the unique and customized nature of the loan agreement, and the private syndication of the loan, loans are not purchased or sold as easily as publicly traded securities are purchased or sold. Although a secondary market may exist, risks similar to those described above in connection with an investment in high-yield debt investments are also applicable to investments in lower rated loans.

The securities issued by CLOs generally offer less liquidity than other investment grade or high-yield corporate debt, and are subject to certain transfer restrictions that impose certain financial and other eligibility requirements on prospective transferees. Other investments that we may purchase in privately negotiated transactions may also be illiquid or subject to legal restrictions on their transfer. As a result of this illiquidity, our ability to sell certain investments quickly, or at all, in response to changes in economic and other conditions and to receive a fair price when selling such investments may be limited, which could prevent us from making sales to mitigate losses on such investments. In addition, CLOs are subject to the possibility of liquidation upon an event of default, which could result in full loss of value to the CLO equity and junior debt investors. CLO equity tranches are the most likely tranche to suffer a loss of all of their value in these circumstances.

We may be exposed to counterparty risk.

We may be exposed to counterparty risk, which could make it difficult for us or the CLOs in which we invest to collect on the obligations represented by investments and result in significant losses.

We may hold investments (including synthetic securities) that would expose us to the credit risk of our counterparties or the counterparties of the CLOs in which it invests. In the event of a bankruptcy or insolvency of such a counterparty, we or a CLO in which such an investment is held could suffer significant losses, including the loss of that part of our or the CLO’s portfolio financed through such a transaction, declines in the value of our investment, including declines that may occur during an applicable stay period, the inability to realize any gains on our investment during such period and fees and expenses incurred in enforcing our rights. If the CLO enters into or owns synthetic securities, the CLO may fall within the definition of “commodity pool” under new CFTC rules, and the collateral manager of the CLO may be required to register as a commodity pool operator with the CFTC, which could increase costs for the CLO and reduce amounts available to pay to the residual tranche.

In addition, with respect to certain swaps and synthetic securities, neither a CLO nor we usually has a contractual relationship with the entities, referred to as “Reference Entities” whose payment obligations are the subject of the relevant swap agreement or security. Therefore, neither the CLOs nor we generally have a right to directly enforce compliance by the Reference Entity with the terms of this kind of underlying obligation, any rights of set-off against the Reference Entity or any voting rights with respect to the underlying obligation. Neither the CLOs nor we will directly benefit from the collateral supporting the underlying obligation and will not have the benefit of the remedies that would normally be available to a holder of such underlying obligation.

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We are subject to risks associated with defaults on an underlying asset held by a CLO.

A default and any resulting loss as well as other losses on an underlying asset held by a CLO may reduce the fair value of our corresponding CLO investment. A wide range of factors could adversely affect the ability of the borrower of an underlying asset to make interest or other payments on that asset. To the extent that actual defaults and losses on the collateral of an investment exceed the level of defaults and losses factored into its purchase price, the value of the anticipated return from the investment will be reduced. The more deeply subordinated the tranche of securities in which we invest, the greater the risk of loss upon a default. For example, CLO equity is the most subordinated tranche within a CLO and is therefore subject to the greatest risk of loss resulting from defaults on the CLO’s collateral, whether due to bankruptcy or otherwise. Any defaults and losses in excess of expected default rates and loss model inputs will have a negative impact on the fair value of our investments, will reduce the cash flows that we receive from our investments, adversely affect the fair value of our assets and could adversely impact our ability to pay dividends. Furthermore, the holders of the junior debt and equity tranches typically have limited rights with respect to decisions made with respect to collateral following an event of default on a CLO. In some cases, the senior most class of notes can elect to liquidate the collateral even if the expected proceeds are not expected to be able to pay in full all classes of notes. We could experience a complete loss of our investment in such a scenario.

In addition, the collateral of CLOs may require substantial workout negotiations or restructuring in the event of a default or liquidation. Any such workout or restructuring is likely to lead to a substantial reduction in the interest rate of such asset and/or a substantial write-down or write-off of all or a portion the principal of such asset. Any such reduction in interest rates or principal will negatively affect the fair value of our portfolio.

We are subject to risks associated with the bankruptcy or insolvency of an issuer or borrower of a loan that we hold or of an underlying asset held by a CLO in which we invest.

In the event of a bankruptcy or insolvency of an issuer or borrower of a loan that we hold or of an underlying asset held by a CLO or other vehicle in which we invest, a court or other governmental entity may determine that our claims or those of the relevant CLO are not valid or not entitled to the treatment we expected when making our initial investment decision.

Various laws enacted for the protection of debtors may apply to the underlying assets in our investment portfolio. The information in this and the following paragraph represents a brief summary of certain points only, is not intended to be an extensive summary of the relevant issues and is applicable with respect to U.S. issuers and borrowers only. The following is not intended to be a summary of all relevant risks. Similar avoidance provisions to those described below are sometimes available with respect to non-U.S. issuers or borrowers, and there is no assurance that this will be the case which may result in a much greater risk of partial or total loss of value in that underlying asset.

If a court in a lawsuit brought by an unpaid creditor or representative of creditors of an issuer or borrower of underlying assets, such as a trustee in bankruptcy, were to find that such issuer or borrower did not receive fair consideration or reasonably equivalent value for incurring the indebtedness constituting such underlying assets and, after giving effect to such indebtedness, the issuer or borrower (1) was insolvent; (2) was engaged in a business for which the remaining assets of such issuer or borrower constituted unreasonably small capital; or (3) intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond our ability to pay such debts as they mature, such court could decide to invalidate, in whole or in part, the indebtedness constituting the underlying assets as a fraudulent conveyance, to subordinate such indebtedness to existing or future creditors of the issuer or borrower or to recover amounts previously paid by the issuer or borrower in satisfaction of such indebtedness. In addition, in the event of the insolvency of an issuer or borrower of underlying assets, payments made on such underlying assets could be subject to avoidance as a “preference” if made within a certain period of time (which may be as long as one year under U.S. Federal bankruptcy law or even longer under state laws) before insolvency.

Our underlying assets may be subject to various laws for the protection of debtors in other jurisdictions, including the jurisdiction of incorporation of the issuer or borrower of such underlying assets and, if different, the jurisdiction from which it conducts business and in which it holds assets, any of which may adversely

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affect such issuer’s or borrower’s ability to make, or a creditor’s ability to enforce, payment in full, on a timely basis or at all. These insolvency considerations will differ depending on the jurisdiction in which an issuer or borrower or the related underlying assets are located and may differ depending on the legal status of the issuer or borrower.

We are subject to risks associated with any hedging or Derivative Transactions in which we participate.

We may in the future purchase and sell a variety of derivative instruments. 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. Derivative Transactions may be volatile and involve various risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than the risks presented by other instruments. The primary risks related to Derivative Transactions include counterparty, correlation, illiquidity, leverage, volatility and OTC trading risks. A small investment in derivatives could have a large potential impact on our performance, effecting a form of investment leverage on our portfolio. In certain types of Derivative Transactions we could lose the entire amount of our investment. In other types of Derivative Transactions, the potential loss is theoretically unlimited.

The following is a more detailed discussion of primary risk considerations related to the use of Derivative Transactions that investors should understand before investing in shares of our common stock.

Counterparty risk .  Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty in a Derivative Transaction will be unable to honor its financial obligation to us, or the risk that the reference entity in a credit default swap or similar derivative will not be able to honor its financial obligations. Certain participants in the derivatives market, including larger financial institutions, have experienced significant financial hardship and deteriorating credit conditions. If our counterparty to a Derivative Transaction experiences a loss of capital, or is perceived to lack adequate capital or access to capital, it may experience margin calls or other regulatory requirements to increase equity. Under such circumstances, the risk that a counterparty will be unable to honor its obligations may increase substantially. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt, we may experience significant delays in obtaining recovery (if at all) under the derivative contract in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding; if our claim is unsecured, we will be treated as a general creditor of such prime broker or counterparty and will not have any claim with respect to the underlying security. We may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. The counterparty risk for cleared derivatives is generally lower than for uncleared OTC derivatives since generally a clearing organization becomes substituted for each counterparty to a cleared derivative and, in effect, guarantees the parties’ performance under the contract as each party to a trade looks only to the clearing house for performance of financial obligations. However, there can be no assurance that the clearing house, or its members, will satisfy its obligations to us.

Correlation risk .  When used for hedging purposes, an imperfect or variable degree of correlation between price movements of the derivative instrument and the underlying investment sought to be hedged may prevent us from achieving the intended hedging effect or expose us to the risk of loss. The imperfect correlation between the value of a derivative and our underlying assets may result in losses on the Derivative Transaction that are greater than the gain in the value of the underlying assets in our portfolio. The Adviser may not hedge against a particular risk because it does not regard the probability of the risk occurring to be sufficiently high as to justify the cost of the hedge, or because it does not foresee the occurrence of the risk. These factors may have a significant negative effect on the fair value of our assets and the market value of shares of our common stock.

Liquidity risk .  Derivative Transactions, especially when traded in large amounts, may not be liquid in all circumstances, so that in volatile markets we would not be able to close out a position without incurring a loss. Although both OTC and exchange-traded derivatives markets may experience a lack of liquidity, OTC non-standardized derivative transactions are generally less liquid than exchange-traded instruments. The illiquidity of the derivatives markets may be due to various factors, including congestion, disorderly markets, limitations on deliverable supplies, the participation of speculators, government regulation and intervention, and technical and operational or system failures. In addition, daily limits on price fluctuations and speculative

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position limits on exchanges on which we may conduct transactions in derivative instruments may prevent prompt liquidation of positions, subjecting us to the potential of greater losses.

Leverage risk .  Trading in Derivative Transactions can result in significant leverage and risk of loss. Thus, the leverage offered by trading in derivative instruments will magnify the gains and losses we experience and could cause our NAV to be subject to wider fluctuations than would be the case if we did not use the leverage feature in derivative instruments.

Volatility risk.   The prices of many derivative instruments, including many options and swaps, are highly volatile. Price movements of options contracts and payments pursuant to swap agreements are influenced by, among other things, interest rates, changing supply and demand relationships, trade, fiscal, monetary and exchange control programs and policies of governments, and national and international political and economic events and policies. The value of options and swap agreements also depends upon the price of the securities or currencies underlying them.

OTC trading .  Derivative Transactions that may be purchased or sold may include instruments not traded on an organized market. The risk of non-performance by the counterparty to such Derivative Transaction may be greater and the ease with which we can dispose of or enter into closing transactions with respect to such an instrument may be less than in the case of an exchange traded instrument. In addition, significant disparities may exist between “bid” and “asked” prices for certain derivative instruments that are not traded on an exchange. Such instruments are often valued subjectively and may result in mispricings or improper valuations. Improper valuations can result in increased cash payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value, or both. In contrast, cleared derivative transactions benefit from daily marked-to-market pricing and settlement, and segregation and minimum capital requirements applicable to intermediaries. Transactions entered into directly between two counterparties generally do not benefit from such protections; however, certain uncleared derivative transactions are subject to minimum margin requirements which may require us and our counterparties to exchange collateral based on daily marked-to-market pricing. OTC trading generally exposes us to the risk that a counterparty will not settle a transaction in accordance with its terms and conditions because of a dispute over the terms of the contract (whether or not bona fide) or because of a credit or liquidity problem, thus causing us to suffer a loss. Such “counterparty risk” is accentuated for contracts with longer maturities where events may intervene to prevent settlement, or where we have concentrated our transactions with a single or small group of counterparties.

We may be subject to risks associated with investments in other investment companies.

We may invest in securities of other investment companies subject to statutory limitations prescribed by the 1940 Act. These limitations include in certain circumstances a prohibition on us acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any other investment company, and a prohibition on investing more than 5% of our total assets in securities of any one investment company or more than 10% of our total assets in securities of all investment companies. We will indirectly bear our proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies, in addition to the fees and expenses that we regularly bear. We may only invest in other investment companies to the extent that the asset class exposure in such investment companies is consistent with the permissible asset class exposure for us had we invested directly in securities, and the portfolios of such investment companies are subject to similar risks as we are.

We and our investments are subject to reinvestment risk.

As part of the ordinary management of its portfolio, a CLO will typically generate cash from asset repayments and sales and reinvest those proceeds in substitute assets, subject to compliance with its investment tests and certain other conditions. The earnings with respect to such substitute assets will depend on the quality of reinvestment opportunities available at the time. If the CLO collateral manager purchases substitute assets at a lower yield than those initially acquired (for example, during periods of loan compression or need to satisfy the CLO’s covenants) or sale proceeds are maintained temporarily in cash, it may reduce the excess interest-related cash flow that the CLO collateral manager is able to achieve. The investment tests may incentivize a CLO collateral manager to buy riskier assets than it otherwise would, which could result in additional losses. These factors could reduce our return on investment and may have a negative effect on the fair value of our assets and the market value of our securities. In addition, the

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reinvestment period for a CLO may terminate early, which may cause the holders of the CLO’s securities to receive principal payments earlier than anticipated. In addition, in most CLO transactions, CLO debt investors are subject to the risk that the holders of a majority of the equity tranche, who can direct a call or refinancing of a CLO, causing such CLO’s outstanding CLO debt securities to be repaid at par earlier than expected. There can be no assurance that we will be able to reinvest such amounts in an alternative investment that provides a comparable return relative to the credit risk assumed.

We and our investments are subject to risks associated with non-U.S. investing.

While we intend to invest primarily in CLOs that hold underlying U.S. assets, these CLOs may be organized outside the United States and we may also invest in CLOs that hold collateral that are non-U.S. assets.

Investing in foreign entities may expose us to additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. issuers. These risks include changes in exchange control regulations, political and social instability, restrictions on the types or amounts of investment, expropriation, imposition of foreign taxes, less liquid markets and less available information than is generally the case in the U.S., higher transaction costs, less government supervision of exchanges, brokers and issuers, less developed bankruptcy laws, difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards, currency fluctuations and greater price volatility. Further, we, and the CLOs in which we invest, may have difficulty enforcing creditor’s rights in foreign jurisdictions.

Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have failed to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Delays in settlement could result in periods when our assets are uninvested. Our inability to make intended investments due to settlement problems or the risk of intermediary counterparty failures could cause it to miss investment opportunities. The inability to dispose of an investment due to settlement problems could result either in losses to the funds due to subsequent declines in the value of such investment or, if we have entered into a contract to sell the security, could result in possible liability to the purchaser. Transaction costs of buying and selling foreign securities also are generally higher than those involved in domestic transactions. Furthermore, foreign financial markets have, for the most part, substantially less volume than U.S. markets, and securities of many foreign companies are less liquid and their prices more volatile than securities of comparable domestic companies.

The economies of individual non-U.S. countries may also differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, volatility of currency exchange rates, depreciation, capital reinvestment, resources self-sufficiency and balance of payments position.

Currency Risk.   Any of our investments that are denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars will be subject to the risk that the value of such currency will decrease in relation to the U.S. dollar. Although we will consider hedging any non-U.S. dollar exposures back to U.S. dollars, an increase in the value of the U.S. dollar compared to other currencies in which we make investments would otherwise reduce the effect of increases and magnify the effect of decreases in the prices of our non-U.S. dollar denominated investments in their local markets. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates will similarly affect the U.S. dollar equivalent of any interest, dividends or other payments made that are denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars.

Any unrealized losses we experience on our portfolio may be an indication of future realized losses, which could reduce our income available for distribution or to make payments on our other obligations.

As a registered closed-end management investment company, we are required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at the fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors. Decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments are recorded as unrealized depreciation. Any unrealized losses in our portfolio could be an indication of an issuer’s inability to meet its repayment obligations to us with respect to the affected investments. This could result in realized losses in the future and ultimately in reductions of our income available for distribution or to make payments on our other obligations in future periods.

If our distributions exceed our taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year may be recharacterized as a return of capital to our

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common stockholders. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable to our stockholders. However, a return of capital distribution will reduce a stockholder’s cost basis in shares of our common stock on which the distribution was received, thereby potentially resulting in a higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares of our common stock are sold or otherwise disposed of.

A portion of our income and fees may not be qualifying income for purposes of the income source requirement.

Some of the income and fees that we may recognize will not satisfy the qualifying income requirement applicable to RICs. In order to ensure that such income and fees do not disqualify us as a RIC for a failure to satisfy such requirement, we may need to recognize such income and fees indirectly through one or more entities classified as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such corporations will be subject to U.S. corporate income tax on their earnings, which ultimately will reduce our return on such income and fees.

Risks Relating to an Investment in Our Securities

Common stock of closed-end management investment companies has in the past frequently traded at discounts to their respective NAVs, and we cannot assure you that the market price of our common stock will not decline below our NAV per share.

Common stock of closed-end management investment companies have in the past frequently traded at discounts to their respective NAVs and our common stock may also be discounted in the market. This characteristic of closed-end management investment companies is separate and distinct from the risk that our NAV per share may decline. We cannot predict whether shares of our common stock will trade above, at or below our NAV per share. The risk of loss associated with this characteristic of closed-end management investment companies may be greater for investors expecting to sell common stock purchased in an offering soon after such offering. In addition, if our common stock trades below our NAV per share, we will generally not be able to sell additional common stock to the public at market price except (1) in connection with a rights offering to our existing stockholders, (2) with the consent of the majority of the holders of our common stock, (3) upon the conversion of a convertible security in accordance with its terms or (4) under such circumstances as the SEC may permit. See “Description of Our Capital Stock — Repurchase of Shares and Other Discount Measures.”

Our common stock price may be volatile and may decrease substantially.

The trading price of our common stock may fluctuate substantially. The price of our common stock that will prevail in the market after this offering may be higher or lower than the price you paid to purchase shares of our common stock, depending on many factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating performance. These factors include the following:

price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market from time to time;
investor demand for shares of our common stock;
significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of securities of registered closed-end management investment companies or other companies in our sector, which are not necessarily related to the operating performance of these companies;
changes in regulatory policies or tax guidelines with respect to RICs or registered closed-end management investment companies;
failure to qualify as a RIC, or the loss of RIC status;
any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels expected by investors or securities analysts;
changes, or perceived changes, in the value of our portfolio investments;
departures of any members of the Senior Investment Team;
operating performance of companies comparable to us; or

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general economic conditions and trends and other external factors.

We and the Adviser could be the target of litigation.

We or the Adviser could become the target of securities class action litigation or other similar claims if our stock price fluctuates significantly or for other reasons. The outcome of any such proceedings could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and/or operating results and could continue without resolution for long periods of time. Any litigation or other similar claims could consume substantial amounts of our management’s time and attention, and that time and attention and the devotion of associated resources could, at times, be disproportionate to the amounts at stake. Litigation and other claims are subject to inherent uncertainties, and a material adverse impact on our financial statements could occur for the period in which the effect of an unfavorable final outcome in litigation or other similar claims becomes probable and reasonably estimable. In addition, we could incur expenses associated with defending ourselves against litigation and other similar claims, and these expenses could be material to our earnings in future periods.

Sales in the public market of substantial amounts of our common stock may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, including by selling stockholders, or the availability of such common stock for sale, whether or not actually sold, could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock. If this occurs and continues, it could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of equity securities should we desire to do so. For a discussion of the adverse effect that the concentration of beneficial ownership may have on the market price of our common stock, see “— Risks Related to Our Business and Structure — Significant stockholders may control the outcome of matters submitted to our stockholders or adversely impact the market price of our securities.”

Our stockholders will experience dilution in their ownership percentage if they do not participate in our dividend reinvestment plan.

All distributions declared in cash payable to stockholders that are participants in our dividend reinvestment plan are automatically reinvested in shares of our common stock. As a result, our stockholders that do not participate in our dividend reinvestment plan will experience dilution in their ownership percentage of our common stock over time .

Investors in our initial public offering will incur dilution.

Our NAV as of October 4, 2018 was $75,151,650. Based on this NAV, and excluding the results of our operations from October 4, 2018 through the date of this prospectus, our pro forma NAV immediately upon conversion to a corporation is approximately $75,151,650, or approximately $20.00 per share. After giving effect to the assumed sale of 2,500,000 shares of common stock in this offering at an assumed public offering price of $20.00 per share, and after deducting estimated offering expenses of $750,000 payable by us, our as-adjusted NAV on such a pro forma basis would be approximately $124,401,650, or approximately $19.88 per share, representing an immediate decrease in NAV of $0.12 per share sold in this offering on a pro forma basis when excluding the results of our operations from October 4, 2018 through the date of this prospectus.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

The net proceeds to us of this offering are expected to be approximately $     (or approximately $     if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full), after deducting estimated offering expenses payable by us of $750,000. The Adviser or its affiliates will pay the full amount of the sales load in connection with this public offering, which is estimated to be $           (or approximately $           if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full). Because the sales load is paid solely by the Adviser or its affiliates (and not by us), the net proceeds to us from this offering are not reduced by such amounts.

We intend to use the proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus to acquire investments in accordance with our investment objectives and strategies described in this prospectus and for general working capital purposes. We currently anticipate that it will take approximately three to six months 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. Until appropriate investments or other uses can be found, 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 this 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.

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our capitalization as follows:

On an actual basis as of October 4, 2018;
on a pro forma basis to reflect the completion of the conversion described in “Business — Our Structure and Formation Transactions,” but excluding our results of operations from October 4, 2018 through the date of this prospectus; and;
on a pro forma as adjusted basis to reflect the assumed sale of 2,500,000 shares of common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share after deducting estimated offering expenses payable by us of $750,000.

     
  EP
Income
Company
LLC
(Unaudited)
  Eagle Point
Income Company Inc.
(Unaudited)
     Actual   Pro Forma (1)   Pro Forma
As Adjusted (2)
     (Dollars in Thousands Except Per Unit and
Per Share Data)
Assets:
                          
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 100     $ 100     $ 49,350  
Investments at fair value     73,680       73,680       73,680  
Interest receivable     1,372       1,372       1,372  
Total Assets   $ 75,152     $ 75,152     $ 124,402  
Liabilities:
                          
Other Liabilities   $     $     $  
Unitholders’ Equity
                          
Total members’ capital   $ 75,152                    
Members’ capital per Unit (3)   $ 1,000                    
Stockholders’ equity:
                          
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share; 150,000,000 shares authorized, actual; 0 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 3,757,582 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma; and 6,257,582 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted            $ 4     $ 6  
Capital in excess of par           75,148       124,395  
Total stockholders’ equity           75,152       124,402  
Pro forma NAV per share         $ 20.00     $ 19.88  

(1) Based on our NAV as of October 4, 2018, after reflecting the completion of the conversion described in “Business — Our Structure and Formation Transactions,” but excluding our results of operations from October 4, 2018 through the date of this prospectus, and assuming a public offering price of $20.00 per share of our common stock.
(2) Adjusts the pro forma information to give effect to this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares to cover over-allotments).
(3) As of October 4, 2018, there were 75,152 Units outstanding.

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Pro Forma Dilution

Our NAV as of October 4, 2018 was $75,151,650. Based on this NAV, and excluding our results of operations from October 4, 2018 through the date of this prospectus our pro forma NAV immediately upon conversion to a corporation is approximately $75,151,650, or approximately $20.00 per share of our common stock. After giving effect to the assumed sale of 2,500,000 shares of common stock in this offering at an assumed public offering price of $20.00 per share of common stock, and after deducting estimated offering expenses payable by us of $750,000, our as-adjusted NAV on such a pro forma basis would be approximately $124,401,650, or approximately $19.88 per share of our common stock, representing an immediate decrease in NAV of $0.12 per share sold in this offering on a pro forma basis when excluding the results of our operations from October 4, 2018 through the date of this prospectus.

The following table illustrates the dilution to our common stock on a per share basis, taking into account the assumptions set forth above:

 
Assumed offering price per share of common stock   $ 20.00  
Pro forma NAV per share of common stock upon our conversion into a corporation and before giving effect to this offering, but excluding our results of operations from October 4, 2018 through the date of this prospectus   $ 20.00  
As-adjusted pro forma NAV per share of common stock after giving effect to this offering   $ 19.88  
Pro forma Dilution to holders of our common stock   $ 0.12  

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BUSINESS

The Company is a newly organized, externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act.

Our Structure and Formation Transactions

We were organized as EP Income Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, on September 28, 2018 and intend to convert into a Delaware corporation prior to the completion of this offering. We hold certain BB-Rated CLO Debt securities with an aggregate fair value of $75.1 million as of October 4, 2018, inclusive of accrued interest of $1.4 million. Fair value is determined in good faith in accordance with our valuation policy and is approved by our board of directors. See “Determination of Net Asset Value .” These investments were contributed to us prior to our registration as an investment company by Cavello Bay, on October 4, 2018 in exchange for 75,052 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.

The Units held by Cavello Bay and the Adviser will convert into shares of our common stock at the time of our conversion into a corporation with the number of shares to be determined by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee thereof taking into account our NAV at or around such time and the public offering price of $20.00 per share of our common stock. Assuming a public offering price of $20.00 per share of our common stock and based on our NAV as of October 4, 2018, Cavello Bay and the Adviser will receive 3,752,582 shares, or 99.9%, and 5,000 shares, or 0.1%, of our common stock, respectively, upon our conversion to a corporation. The shares of our common stock held by Cavello Bay and the Adviser will be subject to certain lock-up restrictions. See “ Underwriting .”

The following chart reflects our organizational structure prior to our conversion to a corporation and our relationship with the Adviser and the Administrator as of the date of this prospectus:

[GRAPHIC MISSING]

Initial Portfolio

As of October 4, 2018, our investment portfolio consisted of 30 CLO debt investments which have 17 different CLO collateral managers. As of October 4, 2018, these investments had an aggregate fair value of $75.1 million, inclusive of accrued interest of $1.4 million, a weighted average coupon of 8.05% and a weighted average price (as a percentage of par) of 97.8%. Below is a description of the portfolio investments that we held as of October 4, 2018:

           
Issuer   Investment (1)   Stated
Spread (bps)
  Principal
Amount
  Cost (2)   Fair
Value (3)
  % of Total
Investments
CLO Debt (4)
                                                     
Apidos CLO XXIX, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.64% due 7/25/30)
      525     $ 5,900,000     $ 5,706,480     $ 5,706,480       7.74 %  
Atlas Senior Loan Fund X, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.04% due 1/15/31)
      570       2,000,000       1,932,800       1,932,800       2.62 %  
Babson CLO 2015-1 Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (7.85% due 1/20/31)
      550       4,100,000       3,913,040       3,913,040       5.31 %  
Barings CLO 2018-II, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.01% due 4/15/30)
      555       3,650,000       3,604,010       3,604,010       4.89 %  

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Issuer   Investment (1)   Stated
Spread (bps)
  Principal
Amount
  Cost (2)   Fair
Value (3)
  % of Total
Investments
Battalion CLO XI Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.32% due 10/24/29)
      598       4,600,000       4,494,200       4,494,200       6.10 %  
Battalion CLO XII Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.42% due 5/17/31)
      609       850,000       824,500       824,500       1.12 %  
Black Diamond CLO 2016-1, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D-R (7.93% due 4/26/31)
      560       1,050,000       976,500       976,500       1.33 %  
Black Diamond CLO 2017-1, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.94% due 4/24/29)
      660       3,600,000       3,590,280       3,590,280       4.87 %  
Carlyle US CLO 2018-1, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.81% due 4/20/31)
      575       550,000       548,185       548,185       0.74 %  
Carlyle US CLO 2018-2, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.39% due 10/15/31)
      525       3,750,000       3,626,250       3,626,250       4.92 %  
CIFC Funding 2015-I, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E-RR (8.35% due 1/22/31)
      600       2,600,000       2,552,160       2,552,160       3.46 %  
CIFC Funding 2015-II, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (7.64% due 4/15/27)
      530       2,800,000       2,800,000       2,800,000       3.80 %  
CIFC Funding 2018-1, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (7.16% due 4/18/31)
      500       2,675,000       2,523,863       2,523,863       3.43 %  
CIFC Funding 2018-II, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.90% due 4/20/31)
      585       650,000       645,840       645,840       0.88 %  
Cook Park CLO, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (7.75% due 4/17/30)
      540       1,000,000       980,900       980,900       1.33 %  
Dryden 37 Senior Loan Fund, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (7.49% due 1/15/31)
      515       500,000       479,950       479,950       0.65 %  
Dryden 64 CLO, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (7.82% due 4/18/31)
      560       1,300,000       1,279,460       1,279,460       1.74 %  
LCM XVIII, L.P.     CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (8.30% due 4/20/31)
      595       600,000       598,080       598,080       0.81 %  
Madison Park Funding XXVII, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.35% due 4/20/30)
      500       500,000       477,850       477,850       0.65 %  
Marathon CLO IX, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.39% due 4/15/29)
      605       4,050,000       3,987,225       3,987,225       5.41 %  
Octagon Investment Partners 37, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.76% due 7/25/30)
      540       1,200,000       1,172,400       1,172,400       1.59 %  
Octagon Investment Partners 38, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.89% due 7/20/30)
      570       3,300,000       3,224,760       3,224,760       4.38 %  
OZLM XXI, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.89% due 1/20/31)
      554       4,150,000       4,037,950       4,037,950       5.48 %  
Rockford Tower CLO 2017-3, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.10% due 10/20/30)
      575       3,750,000       3,715,500       3,715,500       5.04 %  
Rockford Tower CLO 2018-2, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.43% due 10/20/31)
      600       3,750,000       3,737,250       3,737,250       5.07 %  
Venture 31 CLO, Limited     CLO Secured Note – Class E (7.62% due 4/20/31)
      531       1,100,000       1,035,760       1,035,760       1.41 %  
Venture XV CLO, Limited     CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (9.45% due 7/15/28)
      711       3,800,000       3,801,520       3,801,520       5.16 %  
Vibrant CLO III, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.35% due 4/20/26)
      500       1,700,000       1,700,000       1,700,000       2.31 %  
Vibrant CLO VI, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.09% due 6/20/29)
      575       4,100,000       4,021,690       4,021,690       5.46 %  
Vibrant CLO VIII, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.10% due 1/20/31)
      575       1,750,000       1,691,550       1,691,550       2.30 %  
Total investments at fair value as of Ocotber 4, 2018                     $ 73,679,953     $ 73,679,953       100.00 %  

(1) All investments are categorized as structured finance securities.
(2) Cost represents the fair value of investments contributed to us.
(3) Fair value is determined in good faith in accordance with our valuation policy and is approved by our board of directors.
(4) CLO debt positions reflect the coupon rates as of October 4, 2018. The interest income from CLO debt positions is expected to be received in cash. The amount of interest accrued as of October 4, 2018 is $1,371,697.

Our primary investment objective is to generate high current income, with a secondary objective to generate capital appreciation. We will seek to achieve our investment objectives by investing primarily in junior debt tranches of CLOs, which 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 intend to focus on CLO debt tranches rated “BB” (or its equivalent) by Moody’s, S&P, Fitch 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 intend to 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

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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.

Investment Strategy

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.

We believe that the Senior Investment Team’s direct and often longstanding relationships with CLO collateral managers, its CLO structural expertise and its relative scale 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 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.

CLO Overview

As of October 4, 2018, our investment portfolio was comprised of investments in the 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 a CLO’s “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 securities are sometimes referred to as “junk” securities.

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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. The left column represents the CLO’s assets, which support the liabilities and equity in the right column. The right column shows the various classes of debt and equity issued by the hypothetical CLO in order of seniority as to rights in payments from the assets. The percentage ranges appearing below the rating of each class represents the percent such class comprises of the overall “capital stack” ( i.e. , total debt and equity issued by the CLO).

[GRAPHIC MISSING]

Since 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), CLOs generally do not face refinancing risk on the CLO debt. 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 oustanding CLO debt securities to repaid at par.

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 management fees) are paid is then distributed to the CLO’s equity investors each quarter, subject to compliance with certain tests. The Adviser believes that excess interest-related cash flow is an important driver of CLO equity returns. In addition, relative to certain other high-yielding credit investments such as mezzanine or subordinated debt, CLO equity is expected to have a shorter payback period with higher front-end loaded quarterly cash flows during the early years of a CLO’s life if there is no disruption in the interest waterfall due to a failure to remain in compliance with certain tests.

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). Specifically, a CLO’s collateral manager normally has broad latitude — within a specified set of asset eligibility and diversity criteria — to manage and modify a CLO’s portfolio over time. We believe that skilled CLO collateral managers can add significant value to both CLO debt and equity investors through a combination of their credit expertise and a strong understanding of how to manage effectively within the rules-based structure of a CLO.

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After the CLO’s reinvestment period has ended, in accordance with the CLO’s principal waterfall, cash generated from principal payments or other proceeds are generally distributed to repay CLO debt investors in order of seniority. That is, the AAA tranche investors are repaid first, the AA tranche investors second and so on, with any remaining principal being distributed to the equity tranche investors. In certain instances, principal may be reinvested after the end of the reinvestment period.

CLOs contain a variety of structural features and covenants that are designed to enhance the credit protection of CLO debt investors, including overcollateralization tests and interest coverage tests. The overcollateralization tests and interest coverage tests require CLOs to maintain certain levels of overcollateralization (measured as par value of assets to liabilities subject to certain adjustments) and interest coverage, respectively. If a CLO breaches an overcollateralization test or interest coverage test, excess interest-related cash flow that would otherwise be available for distribution to the CLO equity tranche investors is diverted to prepay CLO debt investors in order of seniority until such time as the covenant breach is cured. If the covenant breach is not or cannot be cured, the CLO equity investors (and potentially other debt tranche investors) may experience a deferral of cash flow, a partial or total loss of their investment and/or the CLO may eventually experience an event of default. For this reason, CLO equity investors are often referred to as being in a first loss position. The Adviser will have no control over whether or not the CLO is able to satisfy its relevant interest coverage tests or overcollateralization tests.

CLOs also typically have interest diversion tests, which also acts to ensure that CLOs maintain adequate overcollateralization. If a CLO breaches an interest diversion test, excess interest-related cash flow that would otherwise be available for distribution to the CLO equity tranche investors is diverted to acquire new loan collateral until the test is satisfied. Such diversion would lead to payments to the equity investors being delayed and/or reduced.

Cash flow CLOs do not have mark-to-market triggers and, with limited exceptions (such as the proportion of assets rated “CCC+” or lower (or their equivalent) by which such assets exceed a specified concentration limit, discounted purchases and defaulted assets), CLO covenants are generally calculated using the par value of collateral, not the market value or purchase price. As a result, a decrease in the market price of a CLO’s performing collateral portfolio does not generally result in a requirement for the CLO collateral manager to sell assets ( i.e. , no forced sales) or for CLO equity investors to contribute additional capital ( i.e. , no margin calls).

Overview of Senior Secured Loans

Senior secured loans represent a large and mature segment of the U.S. corporate credit market. According to S&P Capital IQ, as of August 31, 2018, the amount of institutional senior secured loans outstanding in the S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index was $1,092 billion.

Broadly syndicated senior secured loans are typically originated and structured by banks on behalf of corporate borrowers with proceeds often used for leveraged buyout transactions, mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations, refinancings, and financing capital expenditures. Broadly syndicated senior secured loans are typically distributed by the arranging bank to a diverse group of investors primarily consisting of CLOs, loan and high-yield bond mutual funds, loan separate accounts banks, insurance companies, finance companies and hedge funds. CLOs represent the largest source of capital for institutional senior secured loans, representing on average approximately 55% of the demand for newly issued highly leveraged loans from 2015 through 2017, according to S&P Capital IQ.

Senior secured loans are floating rate instruments, typically making quarterly interest payments based on a spread over LIBOR.

We believe that senior secured loans represent an attractive and stable base of collateral for CLOs. In particular, the primary attributes of senior secured loans include:

Senior:   Senior position in a company’s capital structure.
Secured:   First lien security interest in a company’s assets.
Floating Rate:   Reduces interest rate risk associated with fixed rate bonds.

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Low LTV:   In general, senior secured loans have a loan-to-value ratio of approximately 40% to 60% at the time of origination based on a borrower’s assessed enterprise value (typically based on market values as determined in an acquisition, by the public in the case of publicly traded companies, or by private market multiples and other valuation methodologies in the case of private companies).

The table below depicts a representative capital structure for a typical company issuing a senior secured loan of the type the CLOs we primarily invest in may acquire and illustrates the cushion provided by subordinated debt and equity capital. The actual capital structure of any particular borrower may vary.

[GRAPHIC MISSING]

We believe that the historical performance of CLO securities is attributable, in part, to the relatively low historical average default rate and relatively high historical average recovery rate on senior secured loans, which comprise the vast majority of most CLO portfolios. According to Moody’s Investor Service, the average recovery rate of senior secured loans during the period from 1987 to 2016 was 80.6% as compared to 48.4% and 28.0% for senior unsecured bonds and subordinated debt, respectively. 1 However, the performance of CLO securities may be adversely impacted during periods of heightened loan defaults. The graph below illustrates the lagging 12-month default rate by principal amount on the S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index from January 1, 2001 to August 31, 2018. The average lagging 12-month default rate during this period of time was 2.8% and the lagging 12-month default rate as of August 31, 2018 was 2.0%. See “ — Risks Related to Our Investments — We are subject to risks associated with defaults on an underlying asset held by a CLO .”

1 Moody’s Investor Service — Annual Default Study: Corporate Default and Recovery Rates, 1920 – 2016.

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Over time, the senior secured loan market has experienced relatively consistent total returns. Specifically, from a total return perspective, since 2001 the Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index experienced only two down years (2008 and 2015).

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2 The CSLLI tracks the investable universe of the US dollar-denominated leveraged loan market. The performance of an index is not an exact representation of any particular investment, as you cannot invest directly in an index. Similarly, since 2001, from a total return perspective, the S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index experienced only two down years (2008 and 2015 with returns of -29.1% and -0.7%, respectively). The S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index is a market value-weighted index designed to measure the performance of the U.S. leveraged loan market based upon weightings, spreads and interest payment.

CLO Market Opportunity

We believe that the CLO market is a large and attractive market. According to Thomson Reuters LPC, as of August 31, 2018, the aggregate principal balance of the U.S. CLO market was approximately $560 billion based on a universe of 1,249 CLOs. Given that BB-Rated CLO Debt is typically between 4% and 6% of a CLO’s capital structure, the Adviser estimates that the principal value of BB-Rated CLO Debt outstanding is approximately $25 billion.

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In 2017, new CLO issuances totaled $118 billion. In addition, according to S&P Capital IQ, there was $102 billion of CLOs refinanced and $65 billion of CLOs reset in 2017, each of which was in excess of previous market records for refinancings and resets, respectively. Total new U.S. CLO issuance year to date through August 31, 2018 was $92.5 billion, excluding issuances related to refinancing and resets. Year to date refinancing and reset activity through August 31, 2018 totaled $23.3 billion and $91.0 billion, respectively.

As noted in “— CLO Overview” above, in addition to benefiting from mandatory levels of diversification and concentration limits within the underlying loan portfolio, CLO debt benefits from structural features and covenants that are designed to enhance its credit protection. Specifically, CLO debt benefits from the following key forms of credit enhancement:

Overcollateralization:   At a CLO’s inception, the par or principal value of the loan collateral exceeds the principal amount of the CLO debt outstanding ( i.e. , the CLO debt is “overcollateralized” by the loan collateral). This overcollateralization provides a cushion against potential future credit losses.
Excess Spread:   Since the weighted average spread on a CLO’s loan collateral exceeds the weighted average spread on the CLO debt, this excess spread (which is the source of the excess interest-related cash flow for CLO equity investors) serves as a source of credit enhancement for CLO debt investors. Specifically, if a CLO breaches an interest diversion test, an overcollateralization test, or interest coverage test, all or a portion of this excess interest-related cash flow is diverted away from the CLO equity tranche to the benefit of CLO debt tranches and is either used to acquire additional loan collateral or to prepay CLO debt in order of seniority, both of which have the impact of bringing the CLO closer to compliance with these tests.
Non-Static, Revolving Structure:   The structure of CLOs enables the CLO collateral manager to take advantage of periods of market stress and loan price volatility by re-investing principal proceeds from loan repayments and sales into loans at lower prices and wider spreads. This can enable skilled CLO collateral managers to mitigate credit losses and improve loan portfolios.

In the Adviser’s opinion, these “self-correcting” features of CLOs offer a margin of safety for CLO debt investors and have contributed to the low historical default rate on CLO debt.

As CLO securities are somewhat complex, we believe knowledgeable and experienced investors with specialized CLO market experience can earn attractive risk-adjusted returns and have the potential to outperform the CLO market generally.

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We believe 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 3-month 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 risks associated with our investments see “Risk Factors — We and our investments are subject to interest rate risk.”
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. As illustrated below, spreads on BB-Rated CLO Debt have exceeded those of comparably rated senior secured loans and high yield bonds over the past few years.

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Source: J.P. Morgan. As of August 31, 2018.

Potential for lower credit expense:   The 20 year cumulative default rate on BB-Rated CLO Debt for the period from 1994 through 2013 is 1.66% 3 (or just 0.08% per annum) as compared to 3.0% per annum for senior secured loans (from 1998 through 2013, the period for which the data is available) and 4.6% per annum for high yield bonds (from 1994 through 2013). 4 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.

3 Standard & Poor’s, Twenty Years Strong: A Look Back At U.S. CLO Rating Performance from 1994 Through 2013.

4 Based on the Adviser’s analysis of market data over such periods.

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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 intend to 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 believe that CLO equity securities have the following attractive fundamental attributes:

Potential for strong absolute and risk-adjusted returns:   We believe that CLO equity offers a potential total return profile that is attractive on a risk-adjusted basis compared to U.S. public equity markets.
Expected shorter duration high-yielding credit investment with the potential for high quarterly cash distributions:   Relative to certain other high-yielding credit investments such as mezzanine or subordinated debt, CLO equity is expected to have a shorter payback period with higher front-end loaded quarterly cash flows during the early years of a CLO’s life.
Expected protection against rising interest rates:   Since a CLO’s asset portfolio is typically comprised principally of floating rate loans and the CLO’s liabilities are also generally floating rate instruments, we expect CLO equity to provide potential protection against rising interest rates when LIBOR is above the average LIBOR floor on a CLO’s assets. However, CLO equity is still subject to other forms of interest rate risk. For a discussion of the interest rate risks associated with CLO equity, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We and our investments are subject to interest rate risk” and “Business — CLO Overview.”
Expected low-to-moderate correlation with fixed income and equity markets:   Given that CLO assets and liabilities are primarily floating rate, we expect CLO equity investments to have a low-to-moderate correlation with U.S. fixed income securities over the long term. In addition, because CLOs generally allow for the reinvestment of principal during the reinvestment period regardless of the market price of the underlying collateral if the respective CLO remains in compliance with its covenants, we expect CLO equity investments to have a low-to-moderate correlation with the U.S. equity markets over the long term.

While we believe that BB-Rated CLO Debt and CLO equity securities have certain attractive fundamental attributes, such securities are subject to a number of risks as discussed in the “ Risk Factors ” section of this prospectus. Among our primary targeted investments, the risks associated with CLO equity are generally greater than those associated with CLO debt. In addition, many of the statistics and data noted in this prospectus relate to historical periods when market conditions were, in some cases, materially different than they are as of the date of this prospectus. As with other asset classes, market conditions and dynamics for

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senior secured loans and CLO securities evolve over time. For example, over the past decade, the senior secured loan market has evolved from one in which Cov-Lite loans represented a minority of the market to one in which such loans represent a significant majority of the market. In particular, according to S&P Capital IQ, covenant-lite new-issue loans grew from 29% of the market in 2007 to 81% in the first half of 2018. In addition, the recent strong demand for floating rate assets including senior secured loans, has contributed toward more borrower friendly credit agreements in general and an increase in the percentage of loan transactions which permit borrowers to make adjustments to their earnings, referred to in the market as “EBITDA adjustments”, when assessing compliance with financial covenants. For example, according to S&P Capital IQ, the percentage of transactions with EBITDA adjustments increased from 8% in 2007 to 27% in the first half of 2018. Similarly, while we generally believe the structural and protective features of CLOs to be beneficial to investors in CLO debt securities in the current market, the recent strong demand for floating rate assets such as CLO debt securities could contribute to the weakening of protections for such investors in the future. In addition, such increased demand could result in CLO security pricing and CLO transaction economics varying from what they had been historically in markets where demand for floating rate assets was not as strong. The impact of current trends in the markets for senior secured loans and CLO securities or future developments in those markets is not certain and such trends or developments could lead to outcomes that are not consistent with the historical information described in this 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.   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 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.

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Investment Process

The Senior Investment Team regularly sources and evaluates potential investment opportunities in both the primary and secondary market. We believe our Adviser’s investment analysis and due diligence process, which includes a strong emphasis on assessing the skill of CLO collateral managers and analyzing the structure of a CLO differentiates our approach to investing in CLO securities. 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.

The Adviser seeks to implement its investment process, described below, in a methodical and disciplined fashion.

Sourcing of Investment Opportunities

The Senior Investment Team maintains regular dialogue with many CLO collateral managers and the investment banks active in the CLO market. The Adviser believes that there are in excess of 75 active CLO collateral managers. Members of the Senior Investment Team have met or conducted calls with the majority of these firms. In addition, members of the Senior Investment Team have longstanding relationships with many CLO collateral managers, some dating back to the late 1990s.

In instances in which the Senior Investment Team seeks to proceed with a primary market investment, we believe that the 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 may, in certain instances, result in achieving allocations of CLO debt investment opportunities, the syndications of which can be oversubscribed.

Investment Analysis and Due Diligence

The Adviser employs a methodical investment analysis and due diligence process that we believe is more akin to a private equity style investment approach than to the typical process used by many investors in freely tradable fixed income-type securities, such as CLO debt and equity. The Adviser views its investment analysis and due diligence process as broadly being comprised of the following key areas for evaluation: (1) analysis of a CLO collateral manager’s investment strategy and approach, (2) analysis of the quality of a CLO collateral manager and its investment team, (3) analysis of a CLO collateral manager’s historical investment performance (including the analysis of multiple CLO specific metrics with a comparison against each CLO’s quarterly vintage cohort), (4) analysis of the underlying loan collateral, (5) analysis of the particular CLO’s structure, including the negotiation of terms and protections and (6) historic primary and secondary pricing levels of tranches of CLOs managed by a CLO collateral manager.

The first-hand experience of the Senior Investment Team with, and knowledge of, CLO collateral managers and their past investment activities and behavior provides a strong basis for the Adviser’s due diligence of potential investment opportunities and is further supplemented by the Adviser’s proprietary systems that facilitate the analysis of key performance metrics associated with CLOs in the market.

Members of the Senior Investment Team have significant experience structuring, valuing and investing in CLOs throughout their careers, and the Adviser believes that its knowledge of CLO structures is a core competency and competitive edge. We believe that the initial structuring of a CLO is an important factor in the ultimate risk-adjusted returns, and that experienced and knowledgeable investors can add meaningful value relative to other market participants by selecting those investments with more protective and advantageous structures.

Ongoing Monitoring and Risk Management

Active monitoring of our investments is a critical component of the Adviser’s risk management and mitigation objectives. From data sourced from CLO trustee reports (which detail each asset in the CLO portfolio as well as any purchases and sales that the CLO collateral manager made during the period) and third party data sources, the Adviser utilizes its internal proprietary systems (which capture and facilitate the analysis of this data) to review key metrics for each CLO security. In addition, based on the Adviser’s screens and general market intelligence, the Adviser focuses discussions from time to time with CLO collateral managers on particular underlying credits. As part of these discussions, the Adviser also reviews portfolio

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activity with applicable CLO collateral managers as well as loan and CLO market developments. Additional factors that the Adviser actively monitors, which these discussions help to illuminate, include any shifts in investment strategy, personnel changes or other organizational developments at the CLO collateral manager which may impact future performance.

Other Investment Techniques

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 agreements or similar transactions. We currently anticipate incurring leverage in an amount up to 20% of our total assets (as determined immediately after the leverage is incurred) by entering into a credit facility or through the issuance of preferred stock or debt securities, soon after this offering and within the first twelve months following the completion of this offering. 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. See “Description of Our Capital Stock — Preferred Stock.”

While we anticipate incurring a certain amount of leverage within the first twelve months following the completion of this offering, the actual amount of leverage we incur may be higher, and we may use leverage opportunistically or otherwise choose to increase or decrease our leverage. 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 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. Accordingly, any event that adversely affects the value of an investment would be magnified to the extent leverage is utilized. 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 increases the risk of investing in us.” The Adviser intends to leverage our portfolio only when it believes that the potential return on the additional investments acquired through the use of leverage is likely to exceed the costs incurred in connection with the use of leverage. There can be no assurance that the Adviser will borrow in order to leverage our assets or, if it does borrow, what percentage of our assets such borrowings will represent.

To the extent the income derived from investments purchased with funds received from leverage exceeds the cost of leverage, our return will be greater than if leverage had not been used. Conversely, if the income from the securities purchased with such funds is not sufficient to cover the cost of leverage or if we incur capital losses, our return will be less than if leverage had not been used, and therefore the amount available for distribution to holders of our capital stock as dividends and other distributions will be reduced or potentially eliminated. The Adviser may determine to maintain our leveraged position if it expects that the long-term benefits of maintaining the leveraged position will outweigh the current reduced return. We may be required to maintain minimum average balances in connection with borrowings or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit. Either of these requirements will increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate. In addition, capital raised through the issuance of preferred stock or borrowing will be subject to dividend payments or interest costs that may or may not exceed the income and appreciation on the assets purchased.

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In connection with any credit facility, the lender may impose specific restrictions as a condition to borrowing. The credit facility fees may include up front structuring fees and ongoing commitment fees (including fees on amounts undrawn on the facility) in addition to the traditional interest expense on amounts borrowed. The credit facility may involve a lien on our assets. Similarly, to the extent we issue shares of preferred stock or notes, we may be subject to fees, covenants and investment restrictions required by a national securities rating agency, as a result. Such covenants and restrictions imposed by a rating agency or lender may include asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed on us by the 1940 Act. While it is not anticipated that these covenants or restrictions will significantly impede the Adviser in managing our portfolio in accordance with our investment objectives and policies, if these covenants or guidelines are more restrictive than those imposed by the 1940 Act, we would not be able to utilize as much leverage as we otherwise could have, which could reduce our investment returns. In addition, we expect that any notes we issue or credit facility we enter into would contain covenants that may impose geographic exposure limitations, credit quality minimums, liquidity minimums, concentration limitations and currency hedging requirements on us. These covenants would also likely limit our ability to pay distributions in certain circumstances, incur additional debt, change fundamental investment policies and engage in certain transactions, including mergers and consolidations. Such restrictions could cause the Adviser to make different investment decisions than if there were no such restrictions and could limit the ability of the board of directors and our stockholders to change fundamental investment policies.

Our willingness to utilize leverage, and the amount of leverage we incur, will depend on many factors, the most important of which are investment outlook, market conditions and interest rates. Successful use of a leveraging strategy may depend on our ability to predict correctly interest rates and market movements, and there is no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed. Any leveraging cannot be achieved until the proceeds resulting from the use of leverage have been invested in accordance with our investment objectives and policies. 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.”

Preferred Stock.   We are authorized to issue 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock and we may issue preferred stock within our first twelve months of operation following the completion of this offering, subject to the lock up restrictions described in “Underwriting.” If we issue preferred stock, costs of the offering will be borne immediately at such time by holders of our common stock and result in a reduction of the NAV per share of our common stock at that time. Under the requirements of the 1940 Act, we must, immediately after the issuance of any preferred stock, have an “asset coverage” of at least 200%. Asset coverage means the ratio by which the value of our total assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), bears to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing our indebtedness, if any, plus the aggregate liquidation preference of the preferred stock. If we seek a rating of the preferred stock, additional asset coverage requirements, which may be more restrictive than those imposed by the 1940 Act, may be imposed. See “ Description of Our Capital Stock — Preferred Stock.”

Leverage Effects.   The extent that we employ leverage, if any, will depend on many factors, the most important of which are investment outlook, market conditions and interest rates. Successful use of a leveraging strategy depends on our ability to predict correctly interest rates and market movements. There is no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed. We may incur additional leverage, including through entry into a credit facility, opportunistically or not at all and may choose to increase or decrease our leverage.

Derivative Transactions.   We may engage in Derivative Transactions 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 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. 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

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that our strategy and use of derivatives will be successful, and our investment performance could diminish compared with what it would have been if Derivative Transactions were not used.

We have claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the CEA pursuant to CFTC Regulation 4.5 under the CEA promulgated by the CFTC, and we currently intend to operate in a manner that would permit us to continue to claim such exclusion. See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure — We are subject to the risk of legislative and regulatory changes impacting our business or the markets in which we invest” and “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We are subject to risks associated with any hedging or Derivative Transactions in which we participate.”

Illiquid Transactions.   Generally, investments will be purchased or sold by us in private markets, including securities that are not publicly traded or that are otherwise illiquid and securities acquired directly from the issuer.

Temporary Defensive Position.   We may take a temporary defensive position and invest all or a substantial portion of our total assets in cash or cash equivalents, government securities or short-term fixed income securities during periods in which we believe that adverse market, economic, political or other conditions make it advisable to maintain a temporary defensive position. As the CLOs and loan accumulation facilities in which we invest are generally illiquid in nature, we may not be able to dispose of such investments and take a defensive position. To the extent that we invest defensively, we likely will not achieve our investment objectives.

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 .

Competition

We compete for investments in CLO securities with other investment funds (including asset managers, business development companies, mutual funds, pension funds, private equity funds and hedge funds) as well as traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks, investment banks, finance companies and insurance companies.

Additionally, because competition for higher yielding investment opportunities generally has increased, many new investors have entered the CLO market over the past few years. As a result of these new entrants, competition for investment opportunities in CLO securities may intensify. Many of these entities have greater financial and managerial resources than we do. We believe we are able to compete with these entities on the basis of the Senior Investment Team’s deep and highly-specialized CLO market experience, the Adviser’s and Eagle Point Credit Management’s collective relative size and prominence in the CLO market, and the Senior Investment Team’s longstanding relationships with many CLO collateral managers.

THE ADVISER AND THE ADMINISTRATOR

Our board of directors is responsible for the overall management and supervision of our business and affairs, including the appointment of advisers and sub-advisers. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, our board of directors has appointed the Adviser as our investment adviser.

The Adviser

The Adviser is applying to register as an investment adviser with the SEC. Eagle Point Credit Management, an affiliate of the Adviser, as of June 30, 2018, had approximately $2.3 billion of total assets under management for investment in CLO securities and related investments, including capital commitments that were undrawn as of

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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. 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 Trident V Funds are a group of private equity funds managed by Stone Point. The Adviser is primarily owned by the Trident V Funds through intermediary holding companies. Additionally, Aerie 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 the Adviser’s Board of Managers, which includes Mr. Majewski and certain principals of Stone Point. See “— Board of Managers.” The Adviser is located at 20 Horseneck Lane, Greenwich, CT 06830.

In addition to managing our investments, the Adviser‘s affiliates and members of the Senior Investment Team manage investment accounts for other clients, including ECC, a publicly traded, closed-end management investment company that is registered under the 1940 Act, 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 intend to pursue. The Adviser’s affiliation with Stone Point and the Trident V Funds, and the management of ECC and such other vehicles and accounts by the Adviser’s affiliates and Senior Investment Team, give rise to certain conflicts of interest. See “Conflicts of Interest.”

Portfolio Managers

We are managed by members of the Senior Investment Team. The 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.

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 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.

Biographical information on the Senior Investment Team, each of whom has served as a portfolio manager since our inception, is set forth below:

Thomas P. Majewski, Managing Partner (Since November 2012) .   Mr. Majewski is a Managing Partner of the Adviser and Managing Partner and a founder of Eagle Point Credit Management, and serves as a director and Chief Executive Officer of ECC. Mr. Majewski has been involved in the formation and/or monetization of many CLO transactions across multiple market cycles. Mr. Majewski led the creation of some of the earliest refinancing CLOs, introducing techniques that are now commonplace in the market. Mr. Majewski’s experience in the CLO market dates back to the 1990s. He has spent his entire career in the structured finance and credit markets. Mr. Majewski is a member of the Adviser’s Board of Managers and Eagle Point Credit Management’s investment committee.

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Prior to joining Eagle Point Credit Management in September 2012, Mr. Majewski was a Managing Director and U.S. Head of CLO Banking at RBS Securities Inc., or “RBS,” from September 2011 through September 2012, where he was responsible for all aspects of RBS’s new-issue CLO platform. Prior to joining RBS, Mr. Majewski was the U.S. country head at AMP Capital Investors (US) Ltd., from August 2010 through September 2011, and AE Capital Advisers (US) LLC, from April 2008 through August 2010, where he was responsible for investing in credit, structured products and other private assets on behalf of several Australian investors. Prior to this, Mr. Majewski was a Managing Director and head of CLO banking at Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner and Smith Inc. Mr. Majewski also has held leadership positions within the CLO groups at JPMorgan Securities Inc. and Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. Mr. Majewski serves as a director of Black Mountain Systems, LLC, a portfolio company of Trident VI, L.P. and related investment vehicles, as a member of the board of managers and investment committee of Marble Point, and as a director of Marble Point Loan Financing Limited, an investment fund managed by Marble Point. Mr. Majewski has a B.S. from Binghamton University and has been a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

Daniel W. Ko, Portfolio Manager (Since December 2012).   Mr. Ko is a Portfolio Manager of the Adviser and Eagle Point Credit Management. Mr. Ko is responsible for manager evaluation and structuring investment opportunities in the primary CLO market, analyzing secondary CLO market opportunities, executing trades and monitoring investments. Mr. Ko has specialized in structured finance throughout his entire career.

Prior to joining Eagle Point Credit Management in December 2012, Mr. Ko was with Bank of America Merrill Lynch, or “BAML,” for the previous six years, most recently as Vice President of the CLO structuring group, where he was responsible for modeling the projected deal cash flows, negotiating deal terms with both debt and equity investors and coordinating the rating process. In addition, he was responsible for exploring non-standard structuring initiatives such as financing trades with dynamic leverage, emerging market collateralized bond obligations and European CLOs. Prior to joining the CLO structuring group, Mr. Ko managed BAML’s legacy CLO, trust-preferred securities CDO and asset-backed securities CDO portfolios. Prior to Bank of America’s merger with Merrill Lynch, Mr. Ko was an associate in Merrill Lynch’s CDO structuring group, Mr. Ko graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School with a B.S. in finance and accounting.

Daniel M. Spinner (CAIA), Portfolio Manager (Since February 2013) .   Mr. Spinner is a Portfolio Manager of the Adviser and Eagle Point Credit Management. Mr. Spinner is primarily responsible for manager evaluation and due diligence and for monitoring investments. Mr. Spinner is also actively involved in investor relations and communications. Mr. Spinner is an alternative asset management industry specialist with 20 years of experience advising, financing and investing in alternative asset management firms and funds. Mr. Spinner’s experience in the CLO market dates back to the late 1990s.

Prior to joining Eagle Point Credit Management in February 2013, Mr. Spinner was an Investment Analyst at the 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds, from June 2009 to February 2013, where he oversaw the private equity, special opportunities credit and real estate allocations. The 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds are collectively among the largest Taft-Hartley plans in the United States. Prior to this, Mr. Spinner was a Managing Director at Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. focused on alternative asset managers. Prior to Bear Stearns, Mr. Spinner was the co-founder and president of Structured Capital Partners, Inc., a financial holding company formed to invest in structured credit managers. Mr. Spinner was credit trained at Chase Manhattan Bank where began his career as an investment banker and spent seven years in the Financial Institutions Group (including at JPMorgan Securities Inc. post-merger), where he had coverage responsibility for asset management firms including CLO collateral managers. Mr. Spinner serves as a member of the board of managers and investment committee of Marble Point. Mr. Spinner earned a B.A., summa cum laude, from Gettysburg College and an M.B.A. from Columbia University.

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The following table sets forth other accounts within each category listed for which members of the Senior Investment Team are jointly and primarily responsible for day-to-day portfolio management as of December 31, 2017. Each of the accounts is subject to a performance fee, except six accounts listed under “other accounts” with total assets of $258.7 million as of December 31, 2017.

           
  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)
  Number of
Accounts
  Total Assets
(in millions)
Thomas P. Majewski     1     $ 512.9       3     $ 1,288.2       13     $ 503.1  
Daniel W. Ko     1       512.9       3       1,288.2       13       503.1  
Daniel M. Spinner     1       512.9       3       1,288.2       13       503.1  

Compensation of Portfolio Managers.   The Adviser pays its investment professionals out of its total revenues, including the advisory fees earned with respect to providing advisory services to us. Professional compensation at the Adviser is structured so that key professionals benefit from strong investment performance generated on the accounts that the Adviser manages and from their longevity with the Adviser. Each member of the Senior Investment Team has indirect equity ownership interests in the Adviser and related long-term incentives. Members of the Senior Investment Team also receive a fixed base salary and an annual market and performance-based cash bonus. The bonus is determined by the Adviser’s Board of Managers, and is based on both quantitative and qualitative analysis of several factors, including the profitability of the Adviser and the contribution of the individual employee. Many of the factors considered by management in reaching its compensation determinations will be impacted by our long-term performance and the value of our assets as well as the portfolios managed for the Adviser’s other clients, if any.

Securities Owned in the Company by Portfolio Managers.   The table below sets forth the dollar range of the value of the shares of our common stock that are expected to be owned beneficially by each portfolio manager immediately after completion of this offering. For purposes of this table, beneficial ownership is defined to mean a direct or indirect pecuniary interest.

 
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  

(1) Reflects intended ownership in connection with this offering. Dollar ranges are as follows: None, $1 – $10,000, $10,001 – $50,000, $50,001 – $100,000, $100,001 – $500,000, $500,001 – $1,000,000 and over $1,000,000.

Adviser’s Board of Managers

The Adviser’s Board of Managers is comprised of Mr. Majewski, Mr. James Carey, Mr. Graham Goldsmith and Mr. James Matthews. The Adviser’s Board of Managers is responsible for the overall activities of the Adviser. Mr. Majewski’s biographical information is included above under “— Portfolio Managers” and Mr. Matthews’ biographical information is included under “Management — Biographical Information about each Director” below. Biographical information regarding each other member of the Adviser’s Board of Managers is summarized below:

James D. Carey.   Mr. Carey is a Senior Principal of Stone Point and a member of the investment committees of the Trident V Funds. Mr. Carey is also a member of the Adviser’s Board of Managers and Eagle Point Credit Management’s investment committee. Mr. Carey joined Stone Point in 1997 from Merrill Lynch & Co. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch & Co., Mr. Carey was a corporate attorney with Kelley Drye & Warren LLP. Mr. Carey is a director of a number of portfolio companies of the Trident V Funds managed by Stone Point, including Alliant Insurance Services, Inc., the holding company of Amherst Pierpont Securities LLC, Citco III Limited, Enstar Group Limited, Oasis Outsourcing Group Holdings, L.P., Privilege Underwriters, Inc. and Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc.

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Mr. Carey holds a B.S. from Boston College, a J.D. from Boston College Law School and an M.B.A. from the Duke University Fuqua School of Business.

Graham C. Goldsmith.   Mr. Goldsmith is the Chief Executive Officer and the co-Chief Investment Officer of Cross Ocean Partners, an investment management firm based in London, England and Greenwich, Connecticut that is focused on special situations credit investing. Before joining Cross Ocean Partners in 2015, Mr. Goldsmith was a Managing Director and the Global Head of the Global Credit & Special Situations Group at BAML, where he worked for over 20 years. At BAML, Mr. Goldsmith was globally responsible for all secondary trading in credit products including distressed debt, leveraged loans, high yield bonds, investment grade debt, structured credit and CLO credit. Additionally, Mr. Goldsmith oversaw the acquisition, origination and portfolio management of various leasing, finance, investment and loan portfolios at BAML. Mr. Goldsmith served on BAML’s fixed income management committee. He also led BAML’s global regulatory reform and global recruiting teams for Global Banking and Markets. Mr. Goldsmith holds a B.A. in Economics from Middlebury College and an M.B.A. from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.

Investment Advisory Agreement.

Services.   Subject to the overall supervision of our board of directors, the Adviser manages the day-to-day operations of, and provides investment advisory and management services to, us. Under the terms of our Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser:

determines the composition of our portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to our portfolio and the manner of implementing such changes;
identifies, evaluates and negotiates the structure of the investments we make (including performing due diligence on our prospective investments);
executes, closes, services and monitors the investments we make;
determines the securities and other assets that we purchase, retain or sell; and
provides us with other investment advisory, research and related services as we may from time to time require.

Eagle Point Income Management’s services under the Investment Advisory Agreement are not exclusive, and both it and its members, officers and employees are free to furnish similar services to other persons and entities so long as its services to us are not impaired.

The Investment Advisory Agreement was approved by the board of directors in October 2018. A discussion regarding the basis for the board of directors’ approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement will be included in our annual report for the period ended December 31, 2018.

Duration and Termination.   Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Investment Advisory Agreement will remain in effect if approved annually (after an initial two-year term) by our board of directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities, including, in either case, approval by a majority of our directors who are not “interested persons” of any party to such agreement, as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. The Investment Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. The Investment Advisory Agreement may also be terminated by our board of directors or the affirmative vote of a majority of our outstanding securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) without penalty upon not less than 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser and by the Adviser upon not less than 90 days’ written notice to us.

Indemnification.   The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, the Adviser and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with it are entitled to indemnification from us for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of the Adviser’s services under the Investment Advisory Agreement or otherwise as our investment adviser.

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Management Fee.   We pay the Adviser a management fee for its services under the Investment Advisory Agreement. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Adviser may elect to defer all or a portion of these management fee for a specified period of time. The management fee equals an annual rate of 1.25% of our Managed Assets and 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). 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).

Payment of 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 (without limitation): (1) our organizational costs and offering costs incurred prior to the completion of this offering up to a maximum of $750,000; (2) the cost of calculating our NAV (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm or pricing service); (3) interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance our investments; (4) fees and expenses, including legal fees and expenses and travel expenses, incurred by the Adviser or payable to third parties relating to performing due diligence on prospective investments, monitoring our investments and, if necessary, enforcing our rights; (5) brokerage fees and commissions; (6) federal and state registration fees and exchange listing fees; (7) federal, state and local taxes; (8) costs of offerings or repurchases of our common stock and other securities; (9) the management fee; (10) distributions on shares of our common stock and other securities; (11) administration fees payable to the Administrator under the Administration Agreement; (12) 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; (13) transfer agent and custody fees and expenses; (14) independent director fees and expenses; (15) the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to our stockholders, including printing costs; (16) costs of holding stockholder meetings; (17) litigation, indemnification and other non-recurring or extraordinary expenses; (18) fees and expenses associated with marketing and investor relations efforts; (19) dues, fees and charges of any trade association of which we are a member; (20) fees and expenses associated with independent audits and outside legal costs; (21) fidelity bond; (22) directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums; (23) costs associated with our reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act and applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws; and (24) 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.

License Agreement

We have entered into a license agreement, or the “License Agreement,” with the Adviser pursuant to which the Adviser has granted us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the “Eagle Point” name and logo. Under the License Agreement, we have a right to use the “Eagle Point” name and logo, for so long as the Adviser or one of its affiliates remains our investment adviser. The License Agreement is terminable by either party at any time in its sole discretion upon 60 days’ prior written notice and is also terminable by the Adviser in the case of certain events, including certain events of non-compliance. Other than with respect to this license, we have no legal right to the “Eagle Point” name and logo.

The Administrator and the Administration Agreement

We have entered into an Administration Agreement, pursuant to which the Administrator furnishes us with office facilities, equipment and clerical, bookkeeping and record-keeping services at such facilities. Under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator performs, or arranges for the performance of, our required administrative services, which include being responsible for the financial records which we are required to maintain and preparing reports to our stockholders. In addition, the Administrator provides us with accounting services; assists us in determining and publishing our NAV; oversees the preparation and filing of our tax

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returns; monitors our compliance with tax laws and regulations; and prepares, and assists us with any audits by an independent public accounting firm of, our financial statements. The Administrator is also responsible for the printing and dissemination of reports to our stockholders and the maintenance of our website; provides support for our investor relations; generally oversees the payment of our expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to us by others; and provides such other administrative services as we may from time to time designate. Payments under the Administration Agreement are equal to an amount based upon our allocable portion of the Administrator’s overhead 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 compensation of our chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and our allocable portion of the compensation of any administrative support staff. Our allocable portion of such total compensation is based on an allocation of the time spent on us relative to other matters. To the extent the Administrator outsources any of its functions, we pay the fees on a direct basis, without profit to the Administrator. Certain accounting and other administrative services have been delegated by the Administrator to SS&C Technologies, Inc., or “SS&C,” for which the fee is calculated based on our net assets (subject to a monthly minimum), and certain investor relations related services have been delegated to ICR, LLC, whose charges are payable monthly. The Administration Agreement may be terminated by us without penalty upon not less than 60 days’ written notice to the Administrator and by the Administrator upon not less than 90 days’ written notice to us. The Administration Agreement will remain in effect if approved by the board of directors, including by a majority of our independent directors, on an annual basis.

When considering the continuation of the Administration Agreement, the board of directors considers, among other factors, (i) the reasonableness of the compensation paid by us to the Administrator and any third-party service providers in light of the services provided, the quality of such services, any cost savings to us as a result of the arrangements and any conflicts of interest, (ii) the methodology employed by the Administrator in determining how certain expenses are allocated to the Company, (iii) the breadth, depth and quality of such administrative services provided, (iv) certain comparative information on expenses borne by other companies for somewhat similar services known to be available and (v) the possibility of obtaining such services from a third party.

Limitation on Liability and Indemnification.   The Administration Agreement provides that the Administrator and its officers, directors, employees agents, control persons and affiliates are not liable to us or any of our stockholders for any act or omission by it or its employees in the supervision or management of our investment activities or for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) or losses sustained by us or our stockholders, except that the foregoing exculpation does not extend to any act or omission constituting willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations under the Administration Agreement. The Administration Agreement also provides for indemnification by us of the Administrator’s members, directors, officers, employees, agents, control persons and affiliates for liabilities incurred by them in connection with their services to us, subject to the same limitations and to certain conditions.

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MANAGEMENT

Our board of directors is responsible for the overall management and supervision of our business and affairs, including the appointment of advisers and sub-advisers. Our directors may appoint officers who assist in managing our day-to-day affairs.

The Board of Directors

The board of directors currently consists of six members, four of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of us. We refer to these directors as our “independent directors.”

Under our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, our board of directors will be divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms. However, the initial members of the three classes will have initial terms of one, two and three years, respectively. The term of only one of the three classes will expire at each annual meeting of our stockholders. The classification of our board of directors across staggered terms may prevent replacement of a majority of the directors for up to a two-year period.

Duties of Directors; Meetings and Committees

Under our certificate of incorporation, our board of directors will be responsible for managing our affairs, including the appointment of advisers and sub-advisers. The board of directors appoints officers who assist in managing our day-to-day affairs.

The board of directors has appointed Mr. Majewski as Chairperson. The Chairperson presides at meetings of the board of directors and may call meetings of the board and any committee whenever he deems necessary. The Chairperson participates in the preparation of the agenda for meetings of the board of directors and the identification of information to be presented to the board of directors with respect to matters to be acted upon by the directors. The Chairperson also acts as a liaison with our management, officers and attorneys and the other directors generally between meetings. The Chairperson may perform such other functions as may be requested by the board of directors from time to time. Except for any duties specified in this prospectus or pursuant to our certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or as assigned by the board of directors, the designation of a director as Chairperson does not impose on that director any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than the duties, obligations or liability imposed on any other director, generally.

The board of directors has designated Mr. Weiss as Lead Independent Director. The Lead Independent Director generally acts as a liaison between the other independent directors and our management, officers and attorneys between meetings of the board of directors. The Lead Independent Director may perform such other functions as may be requested by the board of directors from time to time. Except for any duties specified in this prospectus or pursuant to our certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or as assigned by the board of directors, the designation of a director as Lead Independent Director does not impose on that director any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than the duties, obligations or liability imposed on any other director, generally.

The board of directors believes that this leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the board of directors to exercise informed judgment over matters under its purview, and it allocates areas of responsibility among committees or working groups of directors and the full board of directors in a manner that enhances effective oversight. The board of directors also believes that having a majority of independent directors is appropriate and in the best interest of our stockholders. Nevertheless, the board of directors also believes that having interested persons serve on the board of directors brings corporate and financial viewpoints that are, in the board of directors’ view, crucial elements in its decision-making process. In addition, the board of directors believes that Mr. Majewski, Managing Partner of the Adviser, provides the board of directors with the Adviser’s perspective in managing and sponsoring us. The leadership structure of the board of directors may be changed, at any time and in the discretion of the board of directors, including in response to changes in circumstances or our characteristics.

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Committees of the Board of Directors

The board of directors has established two standing committees: the audit committee and the nominating committee. The current membership of each committee is set forth below. Interested directors are generally able to attend and participate in any committee meeting, as appropriate.

 
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

Audit Committee

All of the members of the audit committee are independent directors, and each member is financially literate with at least one having accounting or financial management expertise. The board of directors has adopted a written charter for the audit committee. The audit committee recommends to the full board of directors the independent registered public accounting firm for us, oversees the work of the independent registered public accounting firm in connection with our audit, communicates with the independent registered public accounting firm on a regular basis and provides a forum for the independent registered public accounting firm to report and discuss any matters it deems appropriate at any time. The audit committee is also responsible for establishing guidelines and making recommendations to our board of directors regarding the valuation of our investments, which are considered when the board of directors determines in accordance with the 1940 Act the value of our investments as described under “Determination of Net Asset Value.” Mr. Weiss serves as Chairperson of the audit committee. The audit committee also functions as our qualified legal compliance committee and is responsible for the confidential receipt, retention and consideration of any report of evidence of (1) a material violation of applicable federal or state securities law, (2) a material breach of fiduciary duty arising under federal or state law or (3) a similar material violation of any federal or state law by us or any of our officers, directors, employees or agents that has occurred, is ongoing or is about to occur.

Nominating Committee

The nominating committee is comprised of all of the independent directors. The nominating committee periodically reviews the committee structure, conducts an annual self-assessment of the board of directors and makes the final selection and nomination of candidates to serve as independent directors. The board of directors nominates and selects our interested directors and the officers. Mr. Appleby serves as Chairperson of the nominating committee.

In reviewing a potential nominee and in evaluating the re-nomination of current independent directors, the nominating committee will generally apply the following criteria: (1) the nominee’s reputation for integrity, honesty and adherence to high ethical standards; (2) the nominee’s business acumen, experience and ability to exercise sound judgment; (3) a commitment to understand the Company and the responsibilities of a director of an investment company; (4) a commitment to regularly attend and participate in meetings of the board of directors and its committees; (5) the ability to understand potential conflicts of interest involving management of the Company and to act in the interests of all stockholders; and (6) the absence of a real or apparent conflict of interest that would impair the nominee’s ability to represent the interests of all the stockholders and to fulfill the responsibilities of an independent director. The nominating committee does not necessarily place the same emphasis on each criteria and each nominee may not have each of these qualities.

As long as an existing independent director continues, in the opinion of the nominating committee, to satisfy these criteria, we anticipate that the nominating committee would favor the re-nomination of an existing independent director rather than nominate a new candidate. Consequently, while the nominating committee will consider nominees recommended by stockholders to serve as independent directors, the nominating committee may only act upon such recommendations if there is a vacancy on the board of directors or a committee and it determines that the selection of a new or additional independent director is in our best interests. In the event that a vacancy arises or a change in membership is determined to be advisable, the nominating committee will, in addition to any stockholder recommendations, consider candidates identified

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by other means, including candidates proposed by members of the nominating committee. The nominating committee may retain a consultant to assist it in a search for a qualified candidate. The nominating committee has adopted procedures for the selection of independent directors.

The nominating committee has not adopted a formal policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying individuals for election as independent directors, but the nominating committee will consider such factors as it may deem are in the best interests of the Company and the stockholders. Such factors may include the individual’s professional experience, education, skills and other individual qualities or attributes, including gender, race or national origin.

For any stockholder recommendation for independent director to be included in our proxy statement, it must be submitted in compliance with all of the pertinent provisions of Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act to be considered by the nominating committee. In evaluating a nominee recommended by a stockholder, the nominating committee, in addition to the criteria discussed above, may consider the objectives of the stockholder in submitting that nomination and whether such objectives are consistent with the interests of all stockholders. If the board of directors determines to include a stockholder’s candidate among the slate of nominees, the candidate’s name will be placed on our proxy card. If the nominating committee or the board of directors determines not to include such candidate among the board of directors’ designated nominees and the stockholder has satisfied the requirements of Rule 14a-8, the stockholder’s candidate will be treated as a nominee of the stockholder who originally nominated the candidate. In that case, the candidate will not be named on the proxy card distributed with our proxy statement.

A stockholder who is entitled to vote at the applicable annual meeting and who intends to nominate a director must comply with the advance notice procedures in our bylaws. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered by a nationally recognized courier service or mailed by first class United States mail, postage or delivery charges prepaid, and received at our principal executive offices addressed to the attention of the Secretary not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days in advance of the anniversary of the date our proxy statement was released to the stockholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting has been changed by more than thirty (30) days from the date contemplated at the time of the previous year’s proxy statement, notice by the stockholder must be received by the Secretary not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the ninetieth (90 th ) day prior to such annual meeting and (y) the seventh (7 th ) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. Such stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, (a) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (b) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (c) the class and number of shares of our capital stock that are beneficially owned by the person and (d) any other information relating to the person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of directors pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC under Section 14 of the Exchange Act, and (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice (a) the name and record address of the stockholder and (b) the class and number of shares of our capital stock that are beneficially owned by the stockholder. We may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director.

Stockholders may communicate with the directors as a group or individually. Any such communication should be sent to the board of directors or an individual director c/o The Secretary of the Company at the following address: 20 Horseneck Lane, Greenwich, CT 06830. The Secretary may determine not to forward any letter to directors that does not relate to the business of the Company.

Risk Oversight

As a registered investment company, we are subject to a variety of risks, including investment risks, financial risks, compliance risks and operational risks. As part of its overall activities, the board of directors oversees the management of our risk management structure by various departments of the Adviser and the Administrator, as well as by our chief compliance officer. The responsibility to manage our risk management structure on a day-to-day basis is subsumed within the Adviser’s overall investment management responsibilities. The Adviser has its own, independent interest in risk management.

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The board of directors recognizes that it is not possible to identify all of the risks that may affect us or to develop processes and controls to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. The board of directors discharges risk oversight as part of its overall activities. In addressing issues regarding our risk management between meetings, appropriate representatives of the Adviser communicate with the Chairperson of the board of directors, the relevant committee chair or our chief compliance officer, who is directly accountable to the board of directors. As appropriate, the Chairperson of the board of directors and the committee chairs confer among themselves, with our chief compliance officer, the Adviser, other service providers and external fund counsel to identify and review risk management issues that may be placed on the board of director’s agenda and/or that of an appropriate committee for review and discussion with management.

Compliance Policies and Procedures

We have adopted and implemented written policies and procedures reasonably designed to detect and prevent violation of the federal securities laws and are required to review these compliance policies and procedures annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation. The chief compliance officer is responsible for administering the policies and procedures.

Biographical Information about each Director

Information about our directors is as follows:

       
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: 44
  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.   Director of Eagle Point Credit Company Inc.
James R. Matthews (3)
Age: 51
  Class II Director   Since inception; term expires 2019   Principal of Stone Point since October 2011.   Director of 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.   Director of Eagle Point Credit Company Inc.
Kevin F. McDonald
Age: 52
  Class III Director   Since inception; term expires 2020   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.   Director of Eagle Point Credit Company Inc.

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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: 56
  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.   Director of Eagle Point Credit Company Inc.
Jeffrey L. Weiss
Age: 57
  Class I Director   Since inception; term expires 2021   Private Investor since June 2012; Managing Partner of Colter Lewis Investment Partners LLC since January 2018.   Director of Eagle Point Credit Company Inc.

(1) The business address of each our directors is c/o EP Income Company LLC, 20 Horseneck Lane, Greenwich, CT 06830.
(2) Mr. Majewski is an interested director due to his position as our Chief Executive Officer and his position with the Adviser.
(3) Mr. Matthews is an interested director due to his position with Stone Point, which is an affiliate of the Adviser.
(4) Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. is considered to be in the same fund complex as us and, as a result, each director serves as a director of two investment companies in the same complex.

Other than as disclosed in the table above, none of our directors serves, nor have they served during the last five years, on the board of directors of another company registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act (or subject to the reporting requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) or registered under the 1940 Act (including any other companies in a fund complex with us).

In addition to the description of each director’s “Principal Occupation(s)” set forth above, the following provides further information about each director’s specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led to the conclusion that they should serve as a director. The information in this section should not be understood to mean that any of the directors is an “expert” within the meaning of the federal securities laws.

Although the nominating committee has general criteria that guides its choice of candidates to serve on the board of directors (as discussed above under “— Committees of the Board of Directors” ), there are no specific required qualifications for membership on the board of directors. The board of directors believes that the different perspectives, viewpoints, professional experience, education and individual qualities of each director represent a diversity of experiences and a variety of complementary skills. When considering potential nominees to fill vacancies on the board of directors, and as part of its annual self-evaluation, the board of directors reviews the mix of skills and other relevant experiences of the directors.

Independent Directors

Scott W. Appleby.   Mr. Appleby is the President of Appleby Capital, Inc. and has more than 20 years of banking experience at Appleby Capital, Deutsche Bank, Robertson Stephens, ABN Amro and Paine Webber. As a senior equity analyst, Mr. Appleby has written on global exchanges, alternative asset managers and financial technology. Mr. Appleby was also one of the first Internet analysts and, in 1997, the first analyst to cover the electronic brokerage industry. Mr. Appleby remains an active writer and speaker on financial technology and Wall Street trends. Mr. Appleby serves on a number of private company and community boards. Mr. Appleby holds an M.B.A. from Cornell University and a B.S. from the University of Vermont.

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Kevin F. McDonald.   Mr. McDonald served as Director of Business Development and Investor Relations of Folger Hill Asset Management, LP from December 2014 to July 2018. Mr. McDonald was also a Principal of Taylor Investment Advisors, LP, which he co-founded, from 2002 to March 2017, and served as the Chief Executive Officer from 2006 to December 2014. Previously, Mr. McDonald was a Director at Larch Lane Advisors LLC, an alternative asset management firm specializing in multi-manager hedge fund portfolios, from 1999 to 2001. Mr. McDonald was a Vice President in the futures and options group at JP Morgan Securities from 1994 to 1999 and served as an Assistant Treasurer and proprietary fixed-income trader at BSI Bank (subsidiary of Generali S.P.A.) from 1991 to 1994. Mr. McDonald began his career at Chemical Bank in 1989 where he was a credit analyst in the corporate finance group. Mr. McDonald holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia.

Paul E. Tramontano.   Mr. Tramontano has served as a Senior Managing Director and Wealth Manager at First Republic Investment Management since October 2015. Prior to joining First Republic Investment Management, Mr. Tramontano was the founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer at Constellation Wealth Advisors LLC for eight years and was responsible for managing the firm’s East Coast operations as well as serving on both the investment and executive management committees. Prior to forming Constellation Wealth Advisors, Mr. Tramontano spent 17 years at Citi Smith Barney, most recently as a Managing Director and Senior Advisor of Citi Family Office. Mr. Tramontano holds a B.S. from Villanova University and attended the Certified Investment Management program at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Jeffrey L. Weiss.   Mr. Weiss has served as Managing Partner of Colter Lewis Investment Partners LLC since January 2018 and is also a private investor (since 2012). Mr. Weiss is a former Managing Director at Lehman Brothers and Barclays, where he also held a number of senior leadership positions. Mr. Weiss is currently a private investor (since 2012). From 2008 to 2012, Mr. Weiss served as Global Head of Financial Institutions at Barclays. Prior to joining Barclays, Mr. Weiss spent 25 years with Lehman Brothers, most recently as a Managing Director. From 2005 to 2008, Mr. Weiss served on the management committee of Lehman Brothers and from 2007 to 2008 Mr. Weiss was responsible for the financial institutions group businesses at Lehman Brothers. Mr. Weiss serves as the Treasurer and a board member of City Harvest, a non-profit organization. Mr. Weiss holds a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin.

Interested Directors

Thomas P. Majewski.   Information regarding Mr. Majewski is included under “The Adviser and the Administrator — Portfolio Managers” above.

James R. Matthews.   Mr. Matthews is currently a Principal of Stone Point (since October 2011). Mr. Matthews is a member of the Adviser’s Board of Managers and Eagle Point Credit Management’s investment committee. He joined Stone Point from Evercore Partners Inc., where he was a Senior Managing Director and Co-Head of Private Equity. From 2000 to 2007, Mr. Matthews was with Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, where he was a General Partner and focused on investments in the information services and business services sectors. Previously, Mr. Matthews was a General Partner of J.H. Whitney & Co. and started his career as an Analyst in the mergers and acquisitions group of Salomon Brothers Inc. Mr. Matthews is a director of various portfolio companies of the Trident V Funds, including Alliant Insurance Services, Inc., Black Mountain Systems, LLC, Bridgepoint Risk Management, LLC, Enhanced Capital Holdings, Inc., Tree Line Direct Lending GP, LLC and Tree Line Capital Partners, LLC. Mr. Matthews holds a B.S. from Boston College and an M.B.A. from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration.

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Executive Officers

Information regarding our executive officers who are not directors is as follows:

     
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: 50
  Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer   Since inception   Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of ECC since July 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: 38
  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: 36
  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.

(1) The address for each of our officers is c/o EP Income Company LLC, 20 Horseneck Lane, Greenwich, CT 06830. All of our officers are also officers or employees of the Adviser.
(2) Each of our officers holds office until their successors are chosen and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal.

Kenneth P. Onorio.   Mr. Onorio has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer since our inception. Mr. Onorio also serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the Adviser, Eagle Point Credit Management and of ECC. Prior to joining Eagle Point Credit Management in 2014, Mr. Onorio was an Executive Director within Private Equity and Hedge Fund Administration at JPMorgan Alternative Investment Services from September 2008 to July 2014. During his tenure at JPMorgan, his responsibilities included managing Hedge Fund and Private Equity Fund Administration. Mr. Onorio received his B.S. from Fordham University and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

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Nauman S. Malik.   Mr. Malik has served as our Chief Compliance Officer since our inception. Mr. Malik also serves as the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser and Eagle Point Credit Management and as Chief Compliance Officer of ECC. Prior to joining Eagle Point Credit Management, Mr. Malik was a corporate attorney with Dechert LLP. Mr. Malik received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and his B.S. in finance from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.

Courtney B. Fandrick.   Ms. Fandrick has served as our Secretary since our inception. Ms. Fandrick also serves as Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser and Eagle Point Credit Management and as Secretary of ECC. Prior to joining Eagle Point Credit Management in December 2014, Ms. Fandrick was Senior Compliance Associate at Bridgewater Associates, LP, an investment advisory firm. Ms. Fandrick received her B.A. in Mathematics and Statistics from Miami University and her MBA from University of Phoenix.

Director Compensation

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the compensation of each director estimated for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

   
Name   Aggregate
Compensation
from the
Company (1)
  Aggregate
Compensation
from the
Fund Complex (2)
Independent Directors
                 
Scott W. Appleby   $ 16,250     $ 111,250  
Kevin F. McDonald   $ 15,000     $ 105,000  
Paul E. Tramontano   $ 15,000     $ 105,000  
Jeffrey L. Weiss   $ 17,500     $ 120,000  

(1) We do not maintain a pension plan or retirement plan for any of our directors.
(2) The “Fund Complex” includes the Company and ECC.

As compensation for serving on our board of directors, each of our independent directors receives an annual fee of $60,000. The chairman of the audit committee receives an additional annual fee of $10,000 and the chairman of the nominating committee receives an additional annual fee of $5,000 for their additional services in these capacities, as well as reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending such meetings. No compensation is, or is expected to be, paid by us to directors who are “interested persons” of us, as such term is defined in the 1940 Act, or our officers. We have obtained directors’ and officers’ liability insurance on behalf of our directors and officers.

Director Ownership of Shares of Our Common Stock

The table below sets forth the dollar range of the value of our common stock that is expected to be owned beneficially by each director immediately after the completion of this offering. For purposes of this table, beneficial ownership is defined to mean a direct or indirect pecuniary interest.

   
Name of Director   Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in
the Company (1) (2)
  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     Over $100,000       Over $100,000  

(1) Dollar ranges are as follows: None, $1 – $10,000, $10,001 – $50,000, $50,001 – $100,000 and over $100,000.
(2) Reflects intended ownership in connection with this offering.

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DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

We will determine the NAV per share of our common stock by dividing the value of our portfolio investments, cash and other assets (including interest accrued but not collected) less all of our liabilities (including accrued expenses, the aggregate liquidation preference of our preferred stock, borrowings and interest payables) by the total number of outstanding shares of our common stock on a quarterly basis. The most significant estimate inherent in the preparation of our financial statements is the valuation of investments and the related amounts of unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments recorded. We will be required to specifically fair value each individual investment on at least a quarterly basis (with certain exceptions for investments that represent a de minimis percentage of our portfolio, which are fair valued by the Adviser), and may fair value such investments on a more frequent basis as necessary. As the securities that we may hold generally do not have a readily available market quotation, fair value of such securities will be determined in good faith by our board of directors as of the end of each fiscal quarter in accordance with the 1940 Act. There is no single method for determining fair value in good faith. As a result, determining fair value requires that judgment be applied to the specific facts and circumstances of each portfolio investment while employing a consistently applied valuation process for the types of investments we make.

We will account for our investments in accordance with GAAP, and fair value our investment portfolio in accordance with the provisions of the FASB ASC Topic 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification, as amended, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is the estimated amount that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date ( i.e. , the exit price).

In valuing our investments in CLO debt, CLO equity and loan accumulation facilities, the Adviser considers a variety of relevant factors, including price indications from multiple dealers, or as applicable, a third-party pricing service, recent trading prices for specific investments, recent purchases and sales known to the Adviser in similar securities and output from a third-party financial model. The third-party financial model contains detailed information on the characteristics of CLOs, including recent information about assets and liabilities, and is used to project future cash flows. Key inputs to the model, including assumptions for future loan default rates, recovery rates, prepayment rates, reinvestment rates and discount rates are determined by considering both observable and third-party market data and prevailing general market assumptions and conventions as well as those of the Adviser.

Specifically, we utilize a third-party pricing service in connection with the valuation of our investments in CLO debt. However, if pricing from such third-party pricing service is determined to be stale or otherwise not reflective of current market conditions, we may use an average of independent broker quotes to determine fair value. We will engage a third-party independent valuation firm as an input to the Company’s valuation of the fair value of its investments in CLO equity. The valuation firm’s advice is only one factor considered in the valuation of such investments, and the board of directors does not rely on such advice in determining the fair value of our investments in accordance with the 1940 Act.

Our investment portfolio will be valued at least each quarter, after the board of directors has considered the recommendation(s) of the audit committee. The audit committee will consider the Adviser’s recommendation of fair value as determined in accordance with our valuation policies and procedures. In support of the board of directors, the audit committee will review information compiled by the Adviser, including information derived from one or more third-party models that take into account various market inputs and a report from the third-party valuation firm. Available information will be presented to the audit committee to consider when determining that the fair value has been determined in accordance with our valuation policies and procedures and when making its recommendation to the board of directors, which the board of directors then considers when determining the fair value of the investment portfolio in accordance with the 1940 Act.

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DISTRIBUTION POLICY

Regular Distributions

We intend to make regular monthly cash distributions of all or a portion of our investment company taxable income to holders of our common stock. 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) as described below. Any dividends to our holders of our common stock will be declared out of assets legally available for distribution.

We anticipate declaring a distribution of $0.187 in the aggregate for the partial month of October and November 2018, and a distribution of $0.134 for the month of December 2018, payable to holders of our common stock, including investors in this offering. While we anticipate a portion of such distributions, if made, to be paid from income primarily generated by interest income earned on our investment portfolio, we also anticipate a portion of such distributions will comprise a return of capital. No assurance can be given that we will be able to declare such initial distributions or distributions in future periods, and our ability to declare and pay distributions will be subject to a number of factors, including our results of operations.

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. Our expenses will be accrued each day. To the extent that our net investment income for any year exceeds the total monthly distributions paid during the year, we intend to make a special distribution at or near year-end of such excess amount as may be required. Over time, we expect that all of our investment company taxable income will be distributed.

Capital Gains Distributions

The 1940 Act currently limits the number of times we may distribute long-term capital gains in any tax year, which may increase the variability of our distributions and result in certain distributions being comprised more heavily of long-term capital gains eligible for favorable income tax rates. In the future, the Adviser may seek approval of our board of directors to implement a managed distribution plan for us. The managed distribution plan would be implemented pursuant to an exemptive order that we would intend to obtain from the SEC granting an exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder to permit us to include long-term capital gains as a part of our regular distributions to holders of our common stock more frequently than would otherwise be permitted by the 1940 Act (generally once or twice per year). If we implement a managed distribution plan, we would do so without a vote of holders of our common stock. There can be no assurance that we will implement such a plan, nor can there be any assurance that SEC relief will be obtained.

At least annually, we intend to distribute any net capital gains (which is the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital loss) or, alternatively, to retain all or a portion of the year’s net capital gains and pay federal income tax on the retained gain. As provided under federal tax law, if we retain all or a portion of such gains and make an election, holders of our common stock of record as of the end of our taxable year will include their attributable share of the retained gain in their income for the year as a long-term capital gain, and will be entitled to a tax credit or refund for the tax deemed paid on their behalf by us. We may treat the cash value of tax credit and refund amounts in connection with retained capital gains as a substitute for equivalent cash distributions.

RIC Tax Qualification

We intend to elect to be treated and to qualify each year as a RIC under the Code. Accordingly, we intend to 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 holders of our common stock in the form of dividends or capital gains distributions.

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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, but without regard to the deductions for dividend paid) 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 taxable year to holders of our common stock, provided that we distribute an amount at least equal to the sum of 90% of our investment company taxable income and 90% of our net tax-exempt interest income for such taxable year. We intend to distribute to holders of our common stock, 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 generally distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of our ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for such year, (ii) 98.2% of our capital gains net income, generally computed on the basis of the one-year period ending on October 31 of such year and (iii) 100% of any ordinary income and capital gains net income from the prior year (as previously computed) that were not paid out during such year and on which we paid no U.S. federal income tax.

Additional Information

The tax treatment and characterization of our distributions may vary substantially from time to time because of the varied nature of our investments. If our total monthly distributions in any year exceed the amount of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, any such excess would generally be characterized as a return of capital for federal income tax purposes to the extent not designated as a capital gain dividend. Under the 1940 Act, for any distribution that includes amounts from sources other than net income (calculated on a book basis), we are required to provide holders of our common stock a written statement regarding the components of such distribution. Such a statement will be provided at the time of any distribution believed to include any such amounts. A return of capital is a distribution to holders of our common stock that is not attributable to our earnings but represents a return of part of the stockholder’s investment. If our distributions exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, such excess will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the stockholder’s tax basis in our common stock (thus reducing a stockholders adjusted tax basis in his or her common stock), and thereafter as capital gains assuming our common stock is held as a capital asset. Upon the sale of shares of our common stock, a stockholder generally will recognize capital gains or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale and the stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in our common stock sold. For example, in year one, a stockholder purchased 100 shares of common stock at $10 per share. In year two, the stockholder received a $1-per-share return of capital distribution, which reduced the basis in each share by $1, to give the stockholder an adjusted basis of $9 per share. In year three, the stockholder sells the 100 shares for $15 per share. Assuming no other transactions during this period, the stockholder would have a capital gain in year three of $6 per share ($15 minus $9) for a total capital gain of $600.

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DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

We have established an automatic DRIP. Each registered 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 American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, or the “DRIP Agent,” unless a stockholder “opts out” of the DRIP. 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 or other nominee who has opted out of participation in the DRIP) will receive all distributions in cash.

If we declare a distribution payable in cash, we will issue shares of common stock to participants at a value equal to 95% of the market price per share of common stock at the close of regular trading on the payment date for such distribution unless the DRIP Agent otherwise purchases shares in the open market, as described below. The number of additional shares of common stock to be credited to each participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the distribution by 95% of the market price. However, we reserve the right to purchase shares in the open market in connection with our implementation of the DRIP. If we declare a distribution to holders of our common stock, the DRIP Agent may be instructed not to credit accounts with newly issued shares and instead to buy shares in the open market if (i) the price at which newly issued shares are to be credited does not exceed 110% of the last determined NAV of the shares; or (ii) we have advised the DRIP Agent that since such NAV was last determined, we have become aware of events that indicate the possibility of a material change in per share NAV as a result of which the NAV of the shares on the payment date might be higher than the price at which the DRIP Agent would credit newly issued shares to stockholders.

In the event that the DRIP Agent is instructed to buy shares of our common stock in the open market, the DRIP Agent (or the DRIP Agent’s broker) will have until the last business day before the next date on which the shares trade on an “ex-dividend” basis or 30 days after the payment date for the applicable distribution, whichever is sooner, the “Last Purchase Date,” to invest the distribution amount in shares acquired in the open market. Open market purchases may be made on any securities exchange where shares of our common stock are traded, in the over-the-counter market or in negotiated transactions, and may be on such terms as to price, delivery and otherwise as the DRIP Agent shall determine. If, before the DRIP Agent has completed its open market purchases, the market price per share of our common stock exceeds the NAV per share, the average per share purchase price paid by the DRIP Agent may exceed the NAV of the shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer shares than if the distribution had been paid in newly issued shares of common stock on the applicable payment date. Because of the foregoing difficulty with respect to open market purchases, the DRIP provides that if the DRIP Agent is unable to invest the full distribution amount in open market purchases during the purchase period or if the market discount shifts to a market premium of 10% or more of NAV during the purchase period, the DRIP Agent may cease making open market purchases and may invest the uninvested portion of the distribution amount in newly issued shares of common stock at the NAV per share at the close of business on the Last Purchase Date provided that, if the NAV is less than or equal to 95% of the then current market price per share, the dollar amount of the distribution will be divided by 95% of the market price on the payment date.

There are no brokerage charges with respect to shares of common stock issued directly by us. However, whenever shares are purchased or sold on the NYSE or otherwise on the open market, each participant will pay a pro rata portion of brokerage trading fees, currently $0.10 per share purchased or sold. Brokerage trading fees will be deducted from amounts to be invested.

Holders of our common stock can also sell shares held in the DRIP account at any time by contacting the DRIP Agent in writing at American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC, P.O. Box 922, Wall Street Station, New York, NY 10269-0560. The DRIP Agent will mail a check to such holder (less applicable brokerage trading fees) on the settlement date, which is three business days after the shares have been sold. If a stockholder chooses to sell its shares through a broker, the holder will need to request that the DRIP Agent electronically transfer their shares to the broker through the Direct Registration System.

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Stockholders participating in the DRIP may withdraw from the DRIP at any time by contacting the DRIP Agent in writing at American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC, P.O. Box 922, Wall Street Station, New York, NY 10269-0560. Such termination will be effective immediately if the notice is received by the DRIP Agent prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise, such termination will be effective on the first trading day after the payment date for such dividend or distribution, with respect to any subsequent dividend or distribution. If a holder of our common stock withdraws, full shares will be credited to their account, and the stockholder will be sent a check for the cash adjustment of any fractional share at the market value per share of our common stock as of the close of business on the day the termination is effective, less any applicable fees. Alternatively, if the stockholder wishes, the DRIP Agent will sell their full and fractional shares and send them the proceeds, less a transaction fee of $15 and less brokerage trading fees of $0.10 per share. If a stockholder does not maintain at least one whole share of common stock in the DRIP account, the DRIP Agent may terminate such stockholder’s participation in the DRIP after written notice. Upon termination, stockholders will be sent a check for the cash value of any fractional share in the DRIP account, less any applicable broker commissions and taxes.

Stockholders who are not participants in the DRIP, but hold at least one full share of our common stock, may join the DRIP by notifying the DRIP Agent in writing at American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC, P.O. Box 922, Wall Street Station, New York, NY 10269-0560. If received in proper form by the DRIP Agent before the record date of a dividend, the election will be effective with respect to all dividends paid after such record date. If a stockholders wishes to participate in the DRIP and their shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, the stockholder should contact their nominee to see if it will participate in the DRIP. If a stockholder wishes to participate in the DRIP, but the brokerage firm, bank or other nominee is unable to participate on their behalf, the stockholder will need to request that their shares be re-registered in their own name, or the stockholder will not be able to participate. The DRIP Agent will administer the DRIP on the basis of the number of shares certified from time to time by the stockholder as representing the total amount registered in their name and held for their account by their nominee.

Experience under the DRIP may indicate that changes are desirable. Accordingly, we and the DRIP Agent reserve the right to amend or terminate the DRIP upon written notice to each participant at least 30 days before the record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by us.

All correspondence or additional information about the DRIP should be directed to American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC, 6201 15 th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219.

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CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Affiliations of the Adviser and the Administrator

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 interests in the Adviser. These relationships may cause the Adviser’s, the Administrator’s and certain of their affiliates’ interests 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. 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.

Other Accounts

The Adviser is responsible for the investment decisions made on our behalf. There are no restrictions on the ability of the Adviser and certain of its affiliates (including Eagle Point Credit Management and Stone Point) to manage accounts for multiple clients, including accounts for affiliates of the Adviser or their directors, officers or employees, following the same, similar or different investment objectives, philosophies and strategies as those used by the Adviser for our account. In those situations, the Adviser and its affiliates may have conflicts of interest in allocating investment opportunities between us and any other account managed by such person. See “— Allocations of Opportunities” below. Such conflicts of interest would be expected to be heightened where the Adviser manages an account for an affiliate or its directors, officers or employees. In addition, certain of these accounts may provide for higher management fees or have incentive fees or may allow for higher expense reimbursements, all of which may contribute to a conflict of interest and create an incentive for the Adviser to favor such other accounts. Further, accounts managed by the Adviser or certain of its affiliates may hold certain investments in CLOs, such as equity tranches, which conflict with the positions held by other accounts in such CLOs, such as us. In these cases, when exercising the rights of each account with respect to such investments, the Adviser and/or its affiliate will have a conflict of interest as actions on behalf of one account may have an adverse effect on another account managed by the Adviser or such affiliate, including us.

In addition, Eagle Point Credit Management, Stone Point and their affiliates, and the investment funds managed by Eagle Point Credit Management, Stone Point and such affiliates, may also invest in companies that compete with the Adviser and that therefore manage other accounts and funds that compete for investment opportunities with us.

An affiliate of the Adviser currently holds a controlling interest in 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 of the Adviser, may serve as officers, directors or principals of other entities that operate in the same or a related line of business as we do. 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.

Further, the professional staff of the Adviser and Administrator will devote as much time to us as such professionals deem appropriate to perform their duties in accordance with the Investment Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement, respectively. However, such persons may be committed to providing investment advisory and other services for other clients and engage in other business ventures in which we have no interest. In addition, payments under the Administration Agreement are equal to an amount based upon our allocable portion of the Administrator’s overhead. See “The Adviser and the Administrator — The

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Administrator and the Administration Agreement” above. As a result of these separate business activities, the Adviser and Administrator may have conflicts of interest in allocating management and administrative time, services and functions among us and its affiliates and other business ventures or clients.

Allocations of Opportunities

As a fiduciary, the Adviser owes a duty of loyalty to its clients and must treat each client fairly. When the Adviser purchases or sells securities for more than one account, the trades must be allocated in a manner consistent with its fiduciary duties. To this end, the Adviser has adopted policies and procedures pursuant to which it allocates investment opportunities appropriate for more than one client account in a manner deemed appropriate in its sole discretion to achieve a fair and equitable result over time. Pursuant to these policies and procedures, when allocating investment opportunities, the Adviser may take into account regulatory, tax or legal requirements applicable to an account. In allocating investment opportunities, the Adviser may use rotational, percentage or other allocation methods provided that doing so is consistent with the Adviser’s internal conflict of interest and allocation policies and the requirements of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, or the “Advisers Act,” the 1940 Act and other applicable laws. 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.

Valuation

Generally, there is not a public market for the CLO investments we target. As a result, we value, and our board of directors reviews and determines, in good faith, in accordance with the 1940 Act, the value of, these securities based on relevant information compiled by the Adviser and third-party pricing services (when available) as described under “Determination of Net Asset Value.” Our interested directors are associated with the Adviser and have an interest in the Adviser’s economic success. The participation of the Adviser’s investment professionals in our valuation process, and the interest of our interested directors in the Adviser, could result in a conflict of interest as the management fee paid to the Adviser is based, in part, on our net assets.

Co-Investments and Related Party Transactions

In the ordinary course of business, we may enter into transactions with persons who are affiliated with us by reason of being under common control of the Adviser or its affiliates, including Eagle Point Credit Management and Stone Point (for example, the Administrator is wholly owned by Eagle Point Credit Management). In order to ensure that we do not engage in any prohibited transactions with any persons affiliated with us, we have implemented certain policies and procedures whereby our executive officers screen each of our transactions for any possible affiliations between us, the Adviser and its affiliates and our employees, officers and directors. We will not enter into any such transactions unless and until we are satisfied that doing so will not raise concerns under the 1940 Act or, if such concerns exist, we have taken appropriate actions to seek review and approval of our board of directors or exemptive relief for such transaction. Our affiliations may require us to forgo attractive investment opportunities. For example, we may be limited in our ability to invest in CLOs managed by certain affiliates of the Adviser.

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 our application for exemptive relief, including all of the conditions, and the related order are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

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Stone Point-Related Investments

Portfolio companies of investment funds managed by Stone Point and other affiliates of Stone Point may engage in lending activities, which could result in us investing in CLOs that include loans underwritten by such a portfolio company or affiliate. In addition, the CLOs in which we expect to invest consist principally of senior secured loans, which in many cases may be issued to operating companies that are primarily owned by private equity funds, including funds that may be managed by Stone Point or its affiliates. In addition to the above, because portfolio companies of such investment funds engage in a wide range of businesses, such entities may engage in other activities now or in the future that create a conflict of interest for the Adviser with respect to its management of us. Any of these potential transactions and activities may result in the Adviser having a conflict of interest that may not be resolved in a manner that is always or exclusively in our best interest or in the best interest of our stockholders.

Material Non-Public Information

By reason of the advisory and/or other activities of the Adviser and its affiliates, the Adviser and its affiliates may acquire confidential or material non-public information or be restricted from initiating transactions in certain securities. The Adviser will not be free to divulge, or to act upon, any such confidential or material non-public information and, due to these restrictions, it may not be able to initiate a transaction for our account that it otherwise might have initiated. As a result, we may be frozen in an investment position that we otherwise might have liquidated or closed out or may not be able to acquire a position that we might otherwise have acquired.

Aerie’s Indirect Ownership Interest in the Adviser

The Adviser has entered into an arrangement with Aerie, an affiliate of Cavello Bay, in connection with Cavello Bay’s contribution of BB-Rated CLO Debt securities to us. See “Business — Our Structure and Formation Transactions.” This arrangement provides that Aerie will indirectly hold a portion of the limited liability company interests in the Adviser until such time as either (i) Aerie exercises a put right to sell its interest under the agreement to the Adviser (which put right may only be exercised after the second anniversary of the initial public offering of our common stock) or (ii) the Adviser exercises a call right to buy the interest of Aerie under the agreement (which call right is subject to certain conditions). This arrangement may cause Cavello Bay to have interests that diverge from the interests of other stockholders on certain matters (e.g., on material amendments to the Investment Advisory Agreement).

Code of Ethics and Compliance Procedures

In order to address the conflicts of interest described above, we have adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-l 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. You may read and copy our code of ethics and the Adviser’s code of ethics at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. In addition, each code of ethics is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and is available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain copies of each code of ethics, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request to publicinfo@sec.gov , or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549.

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.

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In addition, the Adviser has built a professional working environment, firm-wide compliance culture and compliance procedures and systems designed to protect against potential incentives that may favor one account over another. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures that address the allocation of investment opportunities, execution of portfolio transactions, personal trading by employees and other potential conflicts of interest that are designed to ensure that all client accounts are treated equitably over time.

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U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences generally applicable to the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock, which will be referred to as “stock,” issued as of the date of this prospectus. Unless otherwise stated, this summary deals only with our securities 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 securities 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);
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, or “Treasury Regulations,” to be treated as a United States person; or
an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.

The term “non-U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of the securities (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 our securities, 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 RIC;
a real estate investment trust;
a tax-exempt organization;
an insurance company;
a person holding the securities as part of a hedging, integrated, conversion or constructive sale transaction or a straddle;
a person subject to the special accounting rules under Section 451(b) of the Code;
a trader in securities that has elected the mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities;
a person subject to alternative minimum tax;
a partnership or other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
a U.S. holder whose “functional currency” (as defined in Section 985 of the Code) is not the U.S. dollar;

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a CFC;
a PFIC; or
A United States expatriate or foreign persons or entities (except to the extent set forth below).

If a partnership (including any entity classified or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds the securities, 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 our securities, you should consult your own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of an investment in our securities.

This summary is based on the Code, 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 our securities. We have not sought and will not seek any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or the “IRS.” No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax aspects set forth below. You should consult your own tax advisors concerning the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences to you of the ownership of our securities, 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 intend to elect to be treated, and to qualify each tax year, as a RIC under the Code. 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 being subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax on any undistributed taxable income. 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 gain dividends.

To qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must derive at least 90% of our gross income each tax year 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, or the “90% Gross Income Test.” 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, or the “Asset Diversification Tests.” If we fail to satisfy the 90% Gross 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 a tax equal to the excess non-qualifying income. If we fail to meet any of the Asset Diversification Tests with respect to any quarter of any tax year, 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.

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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, or the “90% Distribution Requirement.” 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 (unless we have made an election under Section 4982(e)(4) of the Code to have our required distribution from net income measured using the one-year period ending on November 30 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 incurred no U.S. federal income tax, or the “Excise Tax Distribution Requirement.” Any dividends declared by us during October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following calendar year, will be treated for federal income tax purposes as if it had been paid by us, as well as received by our U.S. stockholders, on December 31 of the calendar year in which the distribution was declared.

We may incur in the future the 4% federal excise tax on a portion of our income and capital gains. While we intend to distribute income and capital gains to minimize our exposure to the 4% federal excise tax, we may not be able to, or may choose not to, distribute amounts sufficient to avoid the imposition of the tax entirely. In that event, we generally will be liable for the 4% federal excise tax only on the amount by which we do not meet the excise tax avoidance requirement. If we do not qualify as a RIC or fail to satisfy the 90% Distribution Requirement for any tax year, we would be subject to corporate income tax on our taxable income, and all distributions from earnings and profits, including distributions of net capital gains (if any), will be taxable to the shareholder as ordinary income. Such distributions generally would be eligible (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of individual and other non-corporate shareholders and (ii) for the dividends received deduction, or the “DRD,” in the case of certain corporate shareholders. In addition, in order to requalify for taxation as a RIC, we may be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest, and make certain distributions.

For purposes of the 90% Gross 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 90% Gross 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 subject 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 payment-in-kind 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

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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 90% Distribution Requirement or the Excise Tax Distribution Requirement, 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 for U.S. federal income tax purposes. 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 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 described 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 in order to satisfy the 90% Gross Income Test, the Excise Tax Distribution Requirement or the 90% Distribution Requirement. Furthermore, under proposed Treasury Regulations, certain income derived by us from a PFIC with respect to which we have made a QEF election would generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of determining our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC only to the extent the PFIC makes distributions of that income to us. As such, we may be restricted in our ability to make QEF elections with respect to our holdings in issuers that could be treated as PFICs in order to limit our tax liability or maximize our after-tax return from these investments.

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 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) (a) 10% or more of the combined voting power of all classes of shares of a foreign corporation, or (b) 10% or more of the total value of all classes of stock of a foreign corporation. If we are treated as receiving a deemed distribution from a CFC, we will be required to include such deemed distribution in our investment company taxable income regardless of whether we receive any actual distributions from such CFC, and we must distribute such income in order to satisfy the Excise Tax Distribution Requirement or the 90% Distribution Requirement. Furthermore, under proposed Treasury Regulations, certain income derived by us from a CFC would generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of determining our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC only to the extent the CFC makes

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distributions of that income to us. As such, we may limit and/or manage our holdings in issuers that could be treated as CFCs in order to limit our tax liability or maximize our after-tax return from these investments.

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, futures and options contracts, similar financial instruments as well as upon the disposition of debt securities 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. Any such transactions that are not directly related to our investment in securities (possibly including speculative currency positions or currency derivatives not used for hedging purposes) also could, under future Treasury Regulations, produce income not among the types of “qualifying income” for purposes of the 90% Gross Income test.

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.

Our transactions in futures contracts and options will be subject to special provisions of the Code that, among other things, may affect the character of our realized gains and losses realized (i.e., may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary or capital, or short-term or long-term), may accelerate recognition of income to us and may defer our losses. These rules could, therefore, affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to stockholders. These provisions also (a) will require us to mark-to-market certain types of the positions in our portfolio (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out), and (b) may cause us to recognize income without receiving cash with which to make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the 90% Distribution Requirement for qualifying to be taxed as a RIC or the Excise Tax Distribution Requirement. We will monitor our transactions, will make the appropriate tax elections and will make the appropriate entries in our books and records when we acquire any futures contract, option or hedged investment in order to mitigate the effect of these rules and prevent our disqualification from being taxed as a RIC.

Generally, our hedging transactions (including certain covered call options) may result in “straddles” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The straddle rules may affect the character of our realized gains (or losses). In addition, our realized losses on positions that are part of a straddle may be deferred under the straddle rules, rather than being taken into account in calculating the taxable income for the taxable year in which the losses are realized. Because only a few regulations implementing the straddle rules have been promulgated, the tax consequences to us of engaging in hedging transactions are not entirely clear. Hedging transactions may increase the amount of our realized short-term capital gain which is taxed as ordinary income when distributed to shareholders.

We may make one or more of the elections available under the Code which are applicable to straddles. If we make any of the elections, the amount, character and timing of the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle positions will be determined under rules that vary according to the election(s) made. The rules applicable under certain of the elections may operate to accelerate the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle positions.

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Because the straddle rules may affect the character of gains or losses, defer losses and/or accelerate the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle positions, the amount which may be distributed to shareholders, and which will be taxed to them as ordinary income or long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased as compared to a fund that did not engage in such hedging transactions.

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 90% Gross Income Test. 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 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 Stockholders

Taxation of U.S. resident holders of our stock .  Dividends and distributions on our shares are generally subject to federal income tax as described herein, even though such dividends and distributions may economically represent a return of a particular stockholder’s investment. Such distributions are likely to occur in respect of shares purchased at a time when our NAV reflects gains that are either unrealized, or realized but not distributed. Such realized gains may be required to be distributed even when our NAV also reflects unrealized losses. Certain dividends and distributions declared by us in October, November or December to stockholders of record of such month of a calendar year and paid by us in January of the following calendar year will be treated by stockholders as if received on December 31 of the calendar year in which they were declared. In addition, certain other distributions made after the close of our tax year may be “spilled back”

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and treated as paid by us (except for purposes of the nondeductible 4% federal excise tax) during such tax year. In such case, stockholders will be treated as having received such dividends in the tax year in which the distributions were actually made.

Stockholders receiving any distribution from us in the form of additional shares pursuant to the DRIP will be treated as receiving a taxable distribution in an amount generally equal to the cash that would have been received if they had elected to receive the distribution in cash, unless we issue new shares that are trading at or above NAV, in which case such stockholders will be treated as receiving a distribution equal to the fair market value of the shares received, determined as of the reinvestment date.

We will inform stockholders of the source and tax status of all distributions promptly after the close of each calendar year.

For federal income tax purposes, distributions paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits will, except in the case of distributions of qualified dividend income and capital gain dividends described below, be taxable as ordinary dividend income. Certain income distributions paid by us (whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares of our stock) to individual taxpayers are taxed at rates applicable to net long-term capital gains. This tax treatment applies only if certain holding period requirements and other requirements are satisfied by the stockholder and the dividends are attributable to qualified dividend income received by us, and there can be no assurance as to what portion of our dividend distributions will qualify for favorable treatment. For this purpose, “qualified dividend income” means dividends received from United States corporations and “qualified foreign corporations,” provided that we satisfy certain holding period and other requirements in respect of the stock of such corporations. The maximum individual rate applicable to qualified dividend income is either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the individual’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts. Given our investment strategies, it is not anticipated that a significant portion of our dividends will be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income.

Dividends distributed from our investment company taxable income which have been designated by us and received by certain of our corporate stockholders will qualify for the DRD to the extent of the amount of qualifying dividends received by us from certain domestic corporations for the tax year. A dividend received us will not be treated as a qualifying dividend (i) to the extent the stock on which the dividend is paid is considered to be “debt-financed” (generally, acquired with borrowed funds), (ii) if we fail to meet certain holding period requirements for the stock on which the dividend is paid or (iii) to the extent we are under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Moreover, the DRD may be disallowed or reduced if an otherwise eligible corporate stockholder fails to satisfy the foregoing requirements with respect to shares of our stock or by application of the Code. Given our investment strategies, it is not anticipated that a significant portion of our dividends will be eligible for the DRD.

Capital gain dividends distributed to a stockholder are characterized as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long the stockholder has held our shares. A distribution of an amount in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated by a stockholder as a return of capital which is applied against and reduces the stockholder’s tax basis in our shares. To the extent that the amount of any such distribution exceeds a stockholder’s tax basis in our shares, the excess will be treated by the stockholder as gain from a sale or exchange of the shares. Distributions of gains from the sale or other disposition of our investments that we owned for one year or less are characterized as ordinary income.

We may elect to retain our net capital gains or a portion thereof for investment and be subject to tax at corporate rates on the amount retained. In such case, we may designate the retained amount as undistributed net capital gains in a notice to our stockholders who will be treated as if each received a distribution of the pro rata share of such net capital gain, with the result that each stockholder will: (i) be required to report the pro rata share of such net capital gain on the applicable tax return as long-term capital gains; (ii) receive a refundable tax credit for the pro rata share of tax paid by us on the net capital gain; and (iii) increase the tax basis for the shares of our stock held by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.

The benefits of the reduced tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income may be impacted by the application of the alternative minimum tax to noncorporate stockholders.

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Selling stockholders will generally recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale and the stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares sold. The gain or loss will generally be a capital gain or loss. The current maximum tax rate applicable to net capital gains recognized by individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers is: (i) the same as the maximum ordinary income tax rate for gain recognized on the sale of capital assets held for one year or less; or (ii) generally 15% or 20% (depending on whether the stockholder’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts) for gains recognized on the sale of capital assets held for more than one year (as well as certain capital gain dividends).

Any loss realized upon the sale or exchange of shares of our stock with a holding period of six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received (or amounts designated as undistributed capital gains) with respect to such shares. In addition, all or a portion of a loss realized by a stockholder on a sale or other disposition of shares of our stock may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the stockholder acquires other shares of our stock (whether through the reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date of disposition of our shares. Any disallowed loss will result in an adjustment to the stockholder’s tax basis in some or all of the other shares of our stock acquired.

Certain commissions or other sales charges paid upon a purchase of our shares cannot be taken into account for purposes of determining gain or loss on a sale of the shares before the 91 st day after their purchase to the extent a sales charge is reduced or eliminated in a subsequent acquisition of our shares, during the period beginning on the date of such sale and ending on January 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the sale is made, pursuant to a reinvestment right. Any disregarded amounts will result in an adjustment to a stockholder’s tax basis in some or all of any other shares of our stock acquired.

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 or dividends on, and net gains recognized from the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of our securities (unless the securities are held in connection with certain trades or businesses), less certain deductions. Prospective investors in our securities should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this tax on their ownership and disposition of our stock.

Taxation of non-U.S. holders of our stock.   Whether an investment in the shares of our stock is appropriate for a non-U.S. holder will depend upon that person’s particular circumstances. An investment in the shares by a non-U.S. holder may have adverse tax consequences. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors before investing in our stock.

Subject to the discussions below, distributions of our “investment company taxable income” to non-U.S. holders (including interest income and net short-term capital gain) are generally expected to be subject to withholding of U.S. federal taxes at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided by an applicable treaty) to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. If the distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. holder, we will not be required to withhold U.S. federal tax if the non-U.S. holder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements, although the distributions will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. persons. Special certification requirements apply to a non-U.S. holder that is a foreign partnership or a foreign trust, and such entities are urged to consult their own tax advisors. Backup withholding will not be applied to payments that have been subject to the 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) withholding tax described in this paragraph.

In addition, with respect to certain distributions made by RICs to non-U.S. holders, no withholding is required and the distributions generally are not subject to U.S. federal income tax if (i) the distributions are properly designated in a notice timely delivered to our stockholders as “interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends,” (ii) the distributions are derived from sources specified in the Code for such dividends and (iii) certain other requirements are satisfied. Depending on the circumstances, we may designate all, some or none of our potentially eligible dividends as derived from such qualified net interest income or as qualified short-term capital gain, and a portion of our distributions, which may be significant (e.g., interest from non-U.S. sources or any foreign currency gains) would be ineligible for this potential exemption from withholding. Moreover, in the case of shares of our stock held through an intermediary, the

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intermediary may have withheld U.S. federal income tax even if we designated the payment as derived from such qualified net interest income or qualified short-term capital gain. Hence, no assurance can be provided as to whether any amount of our dividends or distributions will be eligible for this exemption from withholding or if eligible, will be reported as such by us.

Actual or deemed distributions of our net long-term capital gains to a non-U.S. holder, and gains realized by a non-U.S. holder upon the sale of our stock, will not be subject to federal withholding tax and generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless, (i) the distributions or gains, as the case may be, are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. holder and, if an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States or (ii) in the case of an individual stockholder, the stockholder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale or the receipt of the distributions or gains and certain other conditions are met.

If we distribute our net capital gains in the form of deemed rather than actual distributions (which we may do in the future), a non-U.S. holder will be entitled to a U.S. federal income tax credit or tax refund equal to the stockholder’s allocable share of the tax we pay on the capital gains deemed to have been distributed. In order to obtain the refund, the non-U.S. holder would be required to obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a U.S. federal income tax return even if the non-U.S. holder would not otherwise be required to obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number or file a U.S. federal income tax return. For a corporate non-U.S. holder, distributions (both actual and deemed), and gains realized upon the sale of our stock that are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate (or at a lower rate if provided for by an applicable treaty). Accordingly, investment in the shares may not be appropriate for a non-U.S. holder.

A non-U.S. holder who is a non-resident alien individual, and who is otherwise subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax, may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax on distributions unless the non-U.S. holder provides us or the distribution paying agent with an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, or an acceptable substitute form, or otherwise meets documentary evidence requirements for establishing that it is a non-U.S. holder or otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding.

Non-U.S. holders may also be subject to U.S. estate tax with respect to their investment in our shares.

Non-U.S. persons should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the U.S. federal income tax and withholding tax, and state, local and foreign tax consequences of an investment in the shares.

Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations.   Under applicable Treasury Regulations, if a U.S. holder recognizes a loss with respect to our securities 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 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 our stock should consult their own tax advisors to determine the applicability of these Treasury Regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding.   A U.S. holder (other than an “exempt recipient,” including a “C” corporation and certain other persons who, when required, demonstrate their exempt status) may be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 24% on, and will be subject to information reporting requirements with respect to, payments of principal or interest (including OID, if any) on, and proceeds from the sale, exchange, redemption or retirement of, our securities. 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.

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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, such as our notes, (ii) payments of dividends made with respect to shares of our stock and (iii) redemption proceeds and certain capital gain dividends made with respect to shares of our stock as well as the gross proceeds from the disposition of a debt obligation paid after December 31, 2018 to certain non-U.S. entities (including, in some circumstances, where such an entity is acting as an intermediary) that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) 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 our debt securities, 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. Stockholders may be requested to provide additional information to enable the applicable withholding agent to determine whether withholding is required. Prospective holders of in our securities 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 our securities, including the possible effect of any pending legislation or proposed regulations.

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK

The following description is based on relevant portions of the DGCL and on our certificate of incorporation and bylaws. This summary is not necessarily complete, our certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws for a more detailed description of the provisions summarized below.

Capital Stock

Our authorized stock consists of 150,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. There are no outstanding options or warrants to purchase our stock. No stock has been authorized for issuance under any equity compensation plans. Under Delaware law, our stockholders generally are not personally liable for our debts or obligations.

The following are our outstanding classes of securities as of October 4, 2018 on a pro forma basis to reflect the completion of the conversion described in “ Business — Our Structure and Formation Transactions”:

     
(1)
Title of Class
  (2)
Amount
Authorized
  (3)
Amount Held
by Us or for
Our Account
  (4)
Pro Forma
Amount
Outstanding Exclusive of
Amounts Shown Under (3)
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share     150,000,000 shares             3,757,582 shares  
Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share     20,000,000 shares              

Common Stock

All shares of our common stock have equal rights as to earnings, assets, dividends and voting and, when they are issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Distributions may be paid to holders of our common stock if, as and when authorized by the board of directors and declared by us out of funds legally available therefrom. Shares of our common stock have no preemptive, exchange, conversion or redemption rights and are freely transferable, except when their transfer is restricted by U.S. federal and state securities laws or by contract. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each share of our common stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of our assets that are legally available for distribution after we pay all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of our preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, holders of our common stock will possess exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors.

Preferred Stock

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of preferred stock into other classes or series of preferred stock without stockholder approval. If we issue preferred stock, costs of the offering will be borne immediately at such time by the holders of our common stock and result in a reduction of the NAV per share of our common stock at that time. We may issue preferred stock within the first twelve months following the completion of this offering. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, our board of directors is required by the DGCL and by our certificate of incorporation to set the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Thus, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest.

For any series of preferred stock that we may issue, our board of directors will determine and the certificate of designation and the prospectus supplement relating to such series will describe:

the designation and number of shares of such series;
the rate and time at which, and the preferences and conditions under which, any dividends or other

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distributions will be paid on shares of such series, as well as whether such dividends or other distributions are participating or non-participating;
any provisions relating to convertibility or exchange ability of the shares of such series, including adjustments to the conversion price of such series;
the rights and preferences, if any, of holders of shares of such series upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;
the voting powers, if any, of the holders of shares of such series;
any provisions relating to the redemption of the shares of such series;
any limitations on our ability to pay dividends or make distributions on, or acquire or redeem, other securities while shares of such series are outstanding;
any conditions or restrictions on our ability to issue additional shares of such series or other securities;
if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and
any other relative powers, preferences and participating, optional or special rights of shares of such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.

All shares of preferred stock that we may issue will be of equal rank and identical except as to the particular terms thereof that may be fixed by our board of directors, and all shares of each series of preferred stock will be identical except as to the dates from which dividends or other distributions, if any, thereon will be cumulative. You should note, however, that any issuance of preferred stock must comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act requires that (1) immediately after issuance and before any dividend or other distribution is made with respect to our common stock and before any purchase of our common stock is made, we maintain an asset coverage ratio 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 our outstanding senior securities representing indebtedness plus the aggregate liquidation preference of any outstanding shares of preferred stock, after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, (2) the holders of shares of preferred stock, if any are issued, must be entitled as a class to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if dividends on such preferred stock are in arrears by two years or more (3) such class of stock have complete priority over any other class of stock as to distribution of assets and payment of dividends or other distributions, which shall be cumulative. Some matters under the 1940 Act require the separate vote of the holders of any issued and outstanding preferred stock. We believe that the availability for issuance of preferred stock will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring future financings and acquisitions.

Provisions of the DGCL and Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Limitation on Liability of Directors and Officers; Indemnification and Advance of Expenses.   The indemnification of our officers and directors is governed by Section 145 of the DGCL, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws. Subsection (a) of DGCL Section 145 empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if (1) such person acted in good faith, (2) in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and (3) with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, such person had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful.

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Subsection (b) of DGCL Section 145 empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, and except that no indemnification may be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person has been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought determines upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court deems proper.

DGCL Section 145 further provides that to the extent that a present or former director or officer is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person will be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding. In all cases in which indemnification is permitted under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145 (unless ordered by a court), it will be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the applicable standard of conduct has been met by the party to be indemnified. Such determination must be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (4) by the stockholders. The statute authorizes the corporation to pay expenses incurred by an officer or director in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the person to whom the advance will be made, to repay the advances if it is ultimately determined that he or she was not entitled to indemnification. DGCL Section 145 also provides that indemnification and advancement of expenses permitted under such Section are not to be exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. DGCL Section 145 also authorizes the corporation to purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of its directors, officers, employees and agents regardless of whether the corporation would have the statutory power to indemnify such persons against the liabilities insured.

Our certificate of incorporation provides that our directors will not be liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director to the fullest extent permitted by the current DGCL or as the DGCL may hereafter be amended. DGCL Section 102(b)(7) provides that the personal liability of a director to a corporation or its stockholders for breach of fiduciary duty as a director may be eliminated except for liability (1) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) under Section 174 of the DGCL, relating to unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemption of stock or (4) for any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit.

Our certificate of incorporation provides for the indemnification of any person to the full extent permitted, and in the manner provided, by the current DGCL or as the DGCL may hereafter be amended. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers in order to effect the foregoing.

Delaware Anti-Takeover Law.   The DGCL and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that could make it more difficult for a potential acquirer to acquire us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. These provisions are expected to discourage certain coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with

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our board of directors. These measures may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders. These provisions could have the effect of depriving stockholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control over us. Such attempts could have the effect of increasing our expenses and disrupting our normal operations. We believe that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the potential disadvantages of discouraging any such acquisition proposals because the negotiation of such proposals may improve their terms. Our board of directors has considered these provisions and has determined that the provisions are in the best interests of us and our stockholders generally.

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL regulating corporate takeovers. In general, these provisions prohibit a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

prior to such time, the board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced; or
on or after the date the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at a meeting of stockholders, by at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Section 203 defines “business combination” to include the following:

any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;
any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of 10% or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the corporation or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding stock of the corporation involving the interested stockholder;
subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;
any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation owned by the interested stockholder; or
the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 defines an interested stockholder as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by any of these entities or persons.

The statute could prohibit or delay mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire us.

Election of Directors.   Our bylaws provide that the affirmative vote of a plurality of all votes cast by stockholders present in person or by proxy at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders and entitled to vote thereat will be sufficient to elect a director. Under our certificate of incorporation, our board of directors may amend the bylaws to alter the vote required to elect directors.

For so long as any series of our preferred stock are outstanding, the holders of our preferred stock, voting as a class, will be entitled to elect two of our directors.

Classified Board of Directors.   Our board of directors is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms, with the term of office of only one of the three classes expiring each year. A classified board may render a change in control of us or removal of our incumbent management more difficult.

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We believe, however, that the longer time required to elect a majority of a classified board of directors helps to ensure the continuity and stability of our management and policies.

Number of Directors; Removal; Vacancies.   Our certificate of incorporation provides that the number of directors will be set only by the board of directors in accordance with our bylaws. Our bylaws provide that a majority of our entire board of directors may at any time increase or decrease the number of directors. However, unless our bylaws are amended, the number of directors may never be less than four nor more than eight. Under the DGCL, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise (which our certificate of incorporation does not), directors on a classified board such as our board of directors may be removed only for cause, by the affirmative vote of stockholders. Under our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, any vacancy on the board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of the board of directors, may be filled only by vote of a majority of the directors then in office. The limitations on the ability of our stockholders to remove directors and fill vacancies could make it more difficult for a third-party to acquire, or discourage a third-party from seeking to acquire, control of us.

Action by Stockholders.   Under our certificate of incorporation, stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders or by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting. This may have the effect of delaying consideration of a stockholder proposal until the next annual meeting.

Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Nominations and Stockholder Proposals.   Our bylaws provide that with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of persons for election to the board of directors and the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders may be made only (1) by or at the direction of the board of directors, (2) pursuant to our notice of meeting or (3) by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of the bylaws. Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors at a special meeting may be made only (1) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (2) provided that the board of directors has determined that directors will be elected at the meeting, by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of the bylaws.

The purpose of requiring stockholders to give us advance notice of nominations and other business is to afford our board of directors a meaningful opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees and the advisability of any other proposed business and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by our board of directors, to inform stockholders and make recommendations about such qualifications or business, as well as to provide a more orderly procedure for conducting meetings of stockholders. Although our bylaws do not give our board of directors any power to disapprove stockholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals recommending certain action, they may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or the consideration of stockholder proposals if proper procedures are not followed and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal without regard to whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to us and our stockholders.

Stockholder Meetings.   Our bylaws provide that any action required or permitted to be taken by stockholders at an annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders may only be taken if it is properly brought before such meeting. In addition, our certificate of incorporation provides that, in lieu of a meeting, any such action may be taken by unanimous written consent of our stockholders. In addition, our bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders, including proposed nominations of candidates for election to the board of directors. Stockholders at an annual meeting may only consider proposals or nominations specified in the notice of meeting or brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors, or by a stockholder of record on the record date for the meeting who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has delivered timely written notice in proper form to the secretary of the stockholder’s intention to bring such business before the meeting. These provisions could have the effect of delaying until the next stockholder meeting stockholder actions that are favored by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities.

Calling of Special Meetings of Stockholders.   Our bylaws provide that, except as required by law, special meetings of stockholders may be called by our board of directors, the chairperson of the board and our chief executive officer.

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Conflict with the 1940 Act.   Our bylaws provide that, if and to the extent that any provision of the DGCL or bylaws conflicts with any provision of the 1940 Act, the applicable provision of the 1940 Act will control.

Potential Conversion to Open-End Fund

We may be converted to an open-end management investment company at any time if approved by each of the following: (i) a majority of our directors then in office, (ii) the holders of not less than 75% of our outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon and (iii) such vote or votes of the holders of any class or classes or series of shares as may be required by the 1940 Act. The composition of our portfolio likely could prohibit us from complying with regulations of the SEC applicable to open-end management investment companies. Accordingly, conversion likely would require significant changes in our investment policies and may require liquidation of a substantial portion of relatively illiquid portions of its portfolio, to the extent such positions are held. In the event of conversion, the shares of our common stock would cease to be listed on the NYSE or other national securities exchange or market system. Any outstanding shares of our preferred stock would be redeemed by us prior to such conversion. Our board of directors believes, however, that the closed-end structure is desirable, given our investment objectives and policies. Investors should assume, therefore, that it is unlikely that the board of directors would vote to convert us to an open-end management investment company. Stockholders of an open-end management investment company may require the open-end management investment company to redeem their shares at any time (except in certain circumstances as authorized by or under the 1940 Act) at their NAV, less such redemption charge, if any, as might be in effect at the time of a redemption. We would expect to pay all such redemption requests in cash, but intends to reserve the right to pay redemption requests in a combination of cash or securities. If such partial payment in securities were made, investors may incur brokerage costs in converting such securities to cash. If we were converted to an open-end fund, it is likely that new shares of our common stock would be sold at NAV plus a sales load.

Repurchase of Shares and Other Discount Measures

In recognition of the possibility that shares of our common stock might trade at a discount to the NAV of such shares and that any such discount may not be in the interest of the holders of our common stock, the board of directors, in consultation with the Adviser, from time to time will review possible actions to reduce any such discount, including open market repurchases and/or tender offers for shares our common stock. In this respect, if, after two years from the date shares of our common stock are first listed on the NYSE, shares of our common stock trade at an average discount to NAV of more than 7.5% based on the average daily closing stock price over any six month period, subject to (1) approval of the board of directors and (2) compliance with any applicable 1940 Act restrictions (including any applicable asset coverage requirement) and with contractual obligations under any applicable debt financing, including any credit facilities which we may have at such time, we currently intend to announce a stock repurchase program pursuant to which we would repurchase in the open market a specified percentage (up to 10%) of our then-outstanding shares of common stock over a three-month period. We refer to such a program in this prospectus as a “Repurchase Program.” If initiated, we currently expect that we would halt a Repurchase Program once shares of our common stock cease to trade at a discount to NAV of more than 7.5% based on the average daily stock price over any two week period during the operation of such Repurchase Program. We expect that repurchases of shares of our common stock pursuant to a Repurchase Program will be funded with our available cash or proceeds from asset liquidations. If we announce a Repurchase Program during a calendar year as described above, we do not currently intend to announce a subsequent Repurchase Program in the same calendar year or within the following six months.

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While it is our current intention to implement a Repurchase Program in the circumstances described above, there are no assurances that the board of directors will approve any Repurchase Program or that, if initiated, a Repurchase Program will reduce or eliminate any discount to NAV per share. The factors that the board of directors may consider in determining whether to approve a Repurchase Program or any other action intended to reduce a discount in the trading price of our common stock include, but are not limited to, the market price of shares of our common stock, the NAV per share of our common stock, the liquidity of our assets, the effect on our expenses, whether such transactions would impair our status as a RIC or result in a failure to comply with applicable asset coverage requirements, whether the use of cash or sale of portfolio securities is desirable under current market conditions, any restrictions in or other impacts on our contractual arrangements, compliance with applicable law, any potential other courses of action, any applicable conflicts of interest, general economic conditions and such other events or conditions that which may have a material effect on our ability to consummate such transactions. There are no assurances that the board of directors will, in fact, decide to undertake either of these actions or, if undertaken, that such actions will result in share of our common stock trading at a price which is equal to or approximates their NAV.

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UNDERWRITING

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. is acting as representative of the several underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated            , 2018, 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
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.            
RBC Capital Markets, LLC         
Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.         
BB&T Capital Markets, a division of BB&T Securities, LLC         
B. Riley FBR, Inc.         
Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.         
National Securities Corporation         
MUFG Securities Americas Inc.         
Wedbush Securities Inc.         
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 offered by us (other than those covered by the over-allotment 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 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 payable of $     per share of common stock (excluding shares sold to our board of directors, the Adviser, its affiliates, employees of the Adviser and its affiliates and certain other persons) is equal to     % of the public offering price and will be paid solely by the Adviser or its affiliates. Investors must pay for any shares purchased in this offering on or before            , 2018. The representative has 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 30 days from the date of this prospectus, 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 over-allotments, 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.

We and the Administrator, and each of our directors and officers have agreed, for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, and the Adviser and Cavello Bay have agreed, for a period of two years from the date of this prospectus, not to, without the prior written consent of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., on behalf of the underwriters, issue, 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 or other securities of the company including preferred stock, provided, however, that we may issue and sell shares pursuant to the DRIP and each party may sell under other limited exceptions. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. in its sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time.

As part of this offering, an aggregate of $1,000,000 of shares have been reserved for the Adviser, its affiliates, employees of the Adviser and its affiliates, who have agreed to purchase such shares at the public offering price per share.

We have applied to list our common stock on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “EIC.”

We estimate that the total expenses of this offering, excluding the sales load, will be approximately $     . If our organizational and offering expenses exceed $750,000 in the aggregate, the Adviser or its

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affiliates will pay any excess from their own assets. As part of our payment of our offering expenses, we have agreed to reimburse Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. for its out-of-pocket expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel to the underwriters), in an amount not to exceed $200,000 in the aggregate.

The following table shows the sales load to be paid to the underwriters solely by the Adviser or its affiliates in connection with this offering (excluding shares sold to our board of directors, the Adviser, its affiliates, employees of the Adviser and its affiliates and certain other persons). These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of our common stock. The sum of all compensation to the underwriters in connection with this offering of shares, including the sales load, will not exceed 8% of the total public offering price of the shares sold in this offering.

   
  No Exercise   Full Exercise
Per share   $          $       
Total   $     $  

In addition, the Adviser or its affiliates will pay from the Adviser’s own assets or the assets of its affiliates to          a structuring fee for advice relating to our structure, design and organization, as well as for services related to the sale and distribution of shares of our common stock, in an amount equal to     % of the total price to the public of our shares of our common stock (excluding shares sold to our board of directors, the Adviser, its affiliates, employees of the Adviser and its affiliates and certain other persons) sold in this offering.

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 is to be used by the underwriters 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, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., 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’ over-allotment 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 over-allotment 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 over-allotment option. The underwriters may also make “naked” short sales of shares in excess of the over-allotment 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 Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. repurchase shares of our common stock originally sold by that syndicate member in order to cover syndicate short positions or make stabilizing purchases.

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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.

This prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by one or more of the underwriters. The representative may agree to allocate a number of shares of our common stock to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. The representative 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, the Adviser and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

The principal business addresses of the representative of the underwriters is: 787 Seventh Avenue, 4 th Floor, New York, New York 10019.

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REGULATION AS A CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

General

As a registered closed-end management investment company, we are subject to regulation under the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, unless authorized by vote of a majority of our outstanding voting securities, we may not:

change our classification to an open-end management investment company;
alter any of our fundamental policies, which are set forth below in “— Investment Restrictions” ; or
change the nature of our business so as to cease to be an investment company.

A majority of the outstanding voting securities of a company is defined under the 1940 Act as the lesser of: (a) 67% or more of such company’s voting securities present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such company are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such company.

As with other companies regulated by the 1940 Act, a registered closed-end management investment company must adhere to certain substantive regulatory requirements. A majority of our directors must be persons who are not “interested persons” of us, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. We will be required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company to protect the closed-end management investment company. Furthermore, as a registered closed-end management investment company, we will be prohibited from protecting any director or officer against any liability to us or our stockholders arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office. We may also be prohibited under the 1940 Act from knowingly participating in certain transactions with our affiliates absent exemptive relief or other prior approval by the SEC.

We will generally not be able to issue and sell shares of our common stock at a price below the then current NAV per share (exclusive of any distributing commission or discount). See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure — Regulations governing our operation as a registered closed-end management investment company affect our ability to raise additional capital and the way in which we do so. The raising of debt capital may expose us to risks, including the typical risks associated with leverage.” We may, however, sell shares of our common stock at a price below the then current NAV per share if our board of directors determines that such sale is in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders, and the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock, approves such sale. In addition, we may generally issue new shares of our common stock at a price below NAV in rights offerings to existing stockholders, in payment of dividends and in certain other limited circumstances.

As a registered closed-end management investment company, we may use leverage as and 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. 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, including the 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 our outstanding senior securities representing indebtedness plus the aggregate liquidation preference of any outstanding shares of preferred stock. If our asset coverage declines below 300% (or 200%, as applicable), we would not be able to incur additional debt or issue additional preferred stock, and could be required by law to sell a portion of our investments to repay some debt or redeem preferred stock when it is disadvantageous to do so, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations, and we may not be

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able to make certain distributions or pay dividends. In addition, we may borrow for temporary or other purposes as permitted under the 1940 Act, which indebtedness would be in addition to the asset coverage requirements described above.

Asset Segregation and Coverage.   We may “set aside” liquid assets (often referred to as “asset segregation”), or engage in other SEC- or staff-approved measures, to “cover” open positions with respect to certain portfolio management techniques, such as entering into certain Derivative Transactions, or purchasing securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis, that may be considered senior securities under the 1940 Act. We intend to “cover” our derivative positions by segregating an amount of cash and/or liquid securities as required by the 1940 Act and applicable SEC interpretations and guidance from time to time. “Covered” positions that would otherwise be deemed to create leverage are not counted as senior securities for the purposes of calculating asset coverage under the 1940 Act. We may not cover an applicable Derivative Transaction if it is not necessary to do so to comply with the 1940 Act limitations on the issuance of senior securities and, in the view of the Adviser, the assets that would have been used to cover could be better used for a different purpose. However, these transactions, even if covered, may represent a form of economic leverage and will create risks. The potential loss on derivative instruments may be substantial relative to the initial investment therein. In addition, these segregation and coverage requirements could result in us maintaining securities positions that we would otherwise liquidate, segregating assets at a time when it might be disadvantageous to do so or otherwise restricting portfolio management. Such segregation and cover requirements will not limit or offset losses on related positions.

Investment Restrictions

Our investment objectives and our investment policies and strategies described in this prospectus, except for the seven investment restrictions designated as fundamental policies under this caption, are not fundamental and may be changed by the board of directors without stockholder approval.

As referred to above, the following seven investment restrictions are designated as fundamental policies and, as such, cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities:

(1) We may not borrow money, except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction;
(2) We may not engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others, except to the extent that we may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities;
(3) We may not purchase or sell physical commodities or contracts for the purchase or sale of physical commodities. Physical commodities do not include futures contracts with respect to securities, securities indices, currency or other financial instruments;
(4) We may not purchase or sell real estate, which term does not include securities of companies which deal in real estate or mortgages or investments secured by real estate or interests therein, except that we reserve freedom of action to hold and to sell real estate acquired as a result of our ownership of securities;
(5) We may not make loans, except to the extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction. For purposes of this investment restriction, the purchase of debt obligations (including acquisitions of loans, loan participations or other forms of debt instruments) shall not constitute loans by us;
(6) We may not issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, the SEC staff or other authority with appropriate

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jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction; and
(7) We may not invest in any security if as a result of such investment, 25% or more of the value of our total assets, taken at market value at the time of each investment, are in the securities of issuers in any particular industry or group of industries except (a) securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government and its agencies and instrumentalities or tax-exempt securities of state and municipal governments or their political subdivisions (however, not including private purpose industrial development bonds issued on behalf of non-government issuers), or (b) as otherwise provided by the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, and as modified or supplemented from time to time by (i) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, and (ii) any exemption or other relief applicable to us from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time. For purposes of this restriction, in the case of investments in loan participations between us and a bank or other lending institution participating out the loan, we will treat both the lending bank or other lending institution and the borrower as “issuers.” For purposes of this restriction, an investment in a CLO, collateralized bond obligation, CDO or a swap or other derivative will be considered to be an investment in the industry or group of industries (if any) of the underlying or reference security, instrument or asset.

The latter part of certain of our fundamental investment restrictions ( i.e. , the references to “except to the extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, the SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction”) provides us with flexibility to change our limitations in connection with changes in applicable law, rules, regulations or exemptive relief. The language used in these restrictions provides the necessary flexibility to allow our board of directors to respond efficiently to these kinds of developments without the delay and expense of a stockholder meeting.

Whenever an investment policy or investment restriction set forth in this prospectus states a maximum percentage of assets that may be invested in any security or other asset or describes a policy regarding quality standards, such percentage limitation or standard shall be determined immediately after and as a result of our acquisition of such security or asset. Accordingly, any later increase or decrease resulting from a change in values, assets or other circumstances or any subsequent rating change made by a rating agency (or as determined by the Adviser if the security is not rated by a rating agency) will not compel us to dispose of such security or other asset. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we must always be in compliance with the borrowing policies set forth above.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

We have delegated our proxy voting responsibility to the Adviser. The Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of the Adviser are set forth below. The guidelines will be reviewed periodically by the Adviser and our independent directors, and, accordingly, are subject to change. For purposes of these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures described below, “we,” “our” and “us” refers to Eagle Point Income Management.

Introduction

An investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act has a fiduciary duty to act solely in the best interests of its clients. As part of this duty, we recognize that we must vote client securities in a timely manner free of conflicts of interest and in the best interests of our clients.

These policies and procedures for voting proxies for our investment advisory clients are intended to comply with Section 206 of, and Rule 206(4)-6 under, the Advisers Act.

Proxy Policies

Based on the nature of our investment strategy, we do not expect to receive proxy proposals but may from time to time receive amendments, consents or resolutions applicable to investments held by us. It is our general policy to exercise our voting or consent authority in a manner that serves the interests of the Company’s stockholders. We may occasionally be subject to material conflicts of interest in voting proxies due to business or personal relationships we maintain with persons having an interest in the outcome of certain

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votes. If at any time we becomes aware of a material conflict of interest relating to a particular proxy proposal, our chief compliance officer will review the proposal and determine how to vote the proxy in a manner consistent with interests of the Company’s stockholders.

Proxy Voting Records

Information regarding how we voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available, without charge: (1) upon request, by calling toll free (844) 810-6501; and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov . You may also obtain information about how we voted proxies by making a written request for proxy voting information to: Eagle Point Income Management LLC, 20 Horseneck Lane, Greenwich, CT 06830.

Privacy Policy

We are committed to protecting your privacy. This privacy notice, which is required by federal law, explains privacy policies of the Company and our affiliated companies. The terms of this notice apply to both current and former stockholders.

We will safeguard, according to strict standards of security and confidentiality, all information we receive about you. With regard to this information, we maintain procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards.

Our goal is to limit the collection and use of information about you. When you purchase shares of our common stock, our transfer agent collects personal information about you, such as your name, address, social security number or tax identification number.

This information is used only so that we can send you annual reports, proxy statements and other information required by law, and to send you information we believe may be of interest to you.

We do not share such information with any non-affiliated third party except as described below:

It is our policy that only authorized employees of the Adviser and its affiliates who need to know your personal information will have access to it.
We may disclose stockholder-related information to unaffiliated third-party financial service providers (which may include a custodian, transfer agent, accountant or financial printer) who need to know that information in order to provide services to you or to the Company. These companies are required to protect your information and use it solely for the purpose for which they received it.

If required by law, we may disclose stockholder-related information in accordance with a court order or at the request of government regulators. Only that information required by law, subpoena, or court order will be disclosed.

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ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS AND TECHNIQUES

Our primary investment strategies are described elsewhere in this prospectus. The following is a description of the various investment policies that may be engaged in, whether as a primary or secondary strategy, and a summary of certain attendant risks. The Adviser may not buy any of the following instruments or use any of the following techniques unless it believes that doing so will help to achieve our investment objectives.

Investment in Debt Securities, Other Types of Credit Instruments and Other Credit Investments

Loan Accumulation Facilitates.   We may invest capital in loan accumulation facilities, which are short- to medium-term facilities often provided by the bank that will serve as the placement agent or arranger on a CLO transaction and which acquire loans on an interim basis that are expected to form part of the portfolio of such future CLO. Investments in loan accumulation facilities have risks that are similar to those applicable to investments in CLOs as described in this prospectus. In addition, there typically will be no assurance that the future CLO will be consummated or that the loans held in such a facility are eligible for purchase by the CLO. Furthermore, we likely will have no consent rights in respect of the loans to be acquired in such a facility and in the event we do have any consent rights, they will be limited. In the event a planned CLO is not consummated, or the loans are not eligible for purchase by the CLO, we may be responsible for either holding or disposing of the loans. This could expose us primarily to credit and/or mark-to-market losses, and other risks. Loan accumulation facilities typically incur leverage from four to six times prior to a CLO’s closing and as such the potential risk of loss will be increased for such facilities that employ leverage.

Debt Securities.   We may invest in debt securities, including debt securities rated below investment grade, or “junk” securities. Debt securities of corporate and governmental issuers in which we may invest are subject to the risk of an issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payments on the obligations (credit risk) and also may be subject to price volatility due to such factors as interest rate sensitivity, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity (market risk).

Senior Secured Loans.   This category of investments primarily includes Assignments of performing senior secured loans to corporate borrowers. Senior secured loans are typically acquired through both primary bank syndications and in the secondary market. In most cases, a senior secured loan will be secured by specific collateral of the issuer. Historically, many of these investments have traded at or near par ( i.e. , 100% of face value), although they more recently have traded at greater discounts on the current market environment, the Adviser may also purchase stressed and distressed senior secured loans at a material discount to par, if the Adviser believes that there are attractive opportunities to generate capital appreciation by making such investments.

Senior secured loans are loans that are typically made to business borrowers to finance leveraged buy-outs, recapitalizations, mergers, stock repurchases, or internal growth. Senior secured loans generally are negotiated between a borrower and several financial institution lenders represented by one or more lenders acting as agent of all the lenders. The agent is responsible for negotiating the loan agreement that establishes the terms and conditions of the senior secured loan and the rights of the borrower and the lenders. We will primarily purchase Assignments of portions of senior secured loans from third parties and may invest in participations in senior secured loans. Senior secured loans have the most senior position in a borrower’s capital structure or share the senior position with other senior debt securities of the borrower. This capital structure position generally gives holders of senior secured loans a priority claim on some or all of the borrower’s assets in the event of default and therefore the lenders will be paid before certain other creditors of the borrower.

Senior secured loans also have contractual terms designed to protect lenders. These covenants may include mandatory prepayment out of excess cash flows, restrictions on dividend payments, the maintenance of minimum financial ratios, limits on indebtedness and other financial tests. Breach of these covenants generally is an event of default and, if not waived by the lenders, may give lenders the right to accelerate principal and interest payments. Other senior secured loans may be issued with less restrictive covenants which are often referred to as “covenant-lite” transactions. In a “covenant-lite” loan, the covenants that require the borrower to “maintain” certain financial ratios are eliminated altogether, and the lenders are left to rely only on covenants that restrict a company from “incurring” or actively engaging certain action. But a

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covenant that only restricts a company from incurring new debt cannot be violated simply by a deteriorating financial condition, the company has to take affirmative action to breach it. The impact of these covenant-lite transactions may be to retard the speed with which lenders will be able to take control over troubled deals. We generally acquire senior secured loans of borrowers that, among other things, in the Adviser’s judgment, can make timely payments on their senior secured loans and that satisfy other credit standards established by the Adviser.

When we purchase first and second lien senior floating rate loans and other floating rate debt securities, coupon rates are floating, not fixed and are tied to a benchmark lending rate, the most popular of which is LIBOR. The interest rates of these floating rate debt securities vary periodically based upon a benchmark indicator of prevailing interest rates.

When we purchase an Assignment, we succeed to all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement of the assigning lender and becomes a lender under the loan agreement with the same rights and obligations as the assigning lender. These rights include the ability to vote along with the other lenders on such matters as enforcing the terms of the loan agreement ( e.g. , declaring defaults, initiating collection action, etc.). Taking such actions typically requires a vote of the lenders holding at least a majority of the investment in the loan, and may require a vote by lenders holding two-thirds or more of the investment in the loan. Because we typically do not hold a majority of the investment in any loan, we will not be able by ourselves to control decisions that require a vote by the lenders.

High Yield Securities.   We may invest in high yielding, fixed income securities rated below investment grade ( e.g. , rated below “Baa3” by Moody’s or below “BBB-” by S&P or Fitch). Below investment grade and unrated securities are also sometimes referred to as “junk” securities.

Ratings are based largely on the historical financial condition of the issuer. Consequently, the rating assigned to any particular security is not necessarily a reflection of the issuer’s current financial condition, which may be better or worse than the rating would indicate. We may invest in comparable quality unrated securities that, in the opinion of the Adviser, offer comparable yields and risks to those securities which are rated.

Debt obligations rated in the lower ratings categories, or which are unrated, involve greater volatility of price and risk of loss of principal and income. In addition, lower ratings reflect a greater possibility of an adverse change in financial condition affecting the ability of the issuer to make payments of interest and principal.

The market price and liquidity of lower rated fixed income securities generally respond to short-term corporate and market developments to a greater extent than do the price and liquidity of higher rated securities because such developments are perceived to have a more direct relationship to the ability of an issuer of such lower rated securities to meet its ongoing debt obligations.

Reduced volume and liquidity in the high yield bond market or the reduced availability of market quotations will make it more difficult to dispose of the bonds and to value accurately our assets. The reduced availability of reliable, objective data may increase our reliance on the Adviser’s judgment in valuing high yield bonds. In addition, our investments in high yield securities may be susceptible to adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not justified by fundamental factors. Our investments, and consequently our NAV, will be subject to the market fluctuations and risks inherent in all securities.

Synthetic Securities Risk.   We may acquire loans through investment in synthetic securities or interests in lease agreements that have the general characteristics of loans and are treated as loans for withholding tax purposes. In addition to the credit risks associated with directly or indirectly holding senior secured loans and high-yield debt securities, with respect to synthetic strategy, we will usually have a contractual relationship only with the counterparty of such synthetic security, and not with the reference obligor of the reference obligation. We generally will have no right to directly enforce compliance by the reference obligor with the terms of the reference obligation nor will it have any rights of setoff against the reference obligor or rights with respect to the reference obligation. We will not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the reference obligation and will not have the benefit of the remedies that would normally be available to a holder of such reference obligation. In addition, in the event of the insolvency of the counterparty, we may be treated

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as a general creditor of such counterparty, and will not have any claim with respect to the reference obligation. Consequently, we will be subject to the credit risk of the counterparty as well as that of the reference obligor. As a result, concentrations of synthetic securities in any one counterparty subject us to an additional degree of risk with respect to defaults by such counterparty as well as by the reference obligor.

Defaulted Securities.   We may invest in defaulted securities. The risk of loss due to default may be considerably greater with lower-quality securities because they are generally unsecured and are often subordinated to other debt of the issuer. Investing in defaulted debt securities involves risks such as the possibility of complete loss of the investment where the issuer does not restructure to enable it to resume principal and interest payments. If the issuer of a security in our portfolio defaults, we may have unrealized losses on the security, which may lower our NAV. Defaulted securities tend to lose much of their value before they default. Thus, our NAV may be adversely affected before an issuer defaults. In addition, we may incur additional expenses if it must try to recover principal or interest payments on a defaulted security.

Certificates of Deposit, Bankers’ Acceptances and Time Deposits.   We may acquire certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits. Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued against funds deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and earning a specified return. Bankers’ acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange, normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise, which are “accepted” by a bank, meaning in effect that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity. Certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances acquired by us will be dollar-denominated obligations of domestic banks, savings and loan associations or financial institutions at the time of purchase, have capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $100 million (including assets of both domestic and foreign branches), based on latest published reports, or less than $100 million if the principal amount of such bank obligations are fully insured by the U.S. government. In addition to purchasing certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances, to the extent permitted under our investment objectives and policies stated in this prospectus, we may make interest-bearing time or other interest-bearing deposits in commercial or savings banks. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained at a banking institution for a specified period of time at a specified interest rate.

Commercial Paper and Short-Term Notes.   We may invest a portion of our assets in commercial paper and short-term notes. Commercial paper consists of unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations. Issues of commercial paper and short-term notes will normally have maturities of less than nine months and fixed rates of return, although such instruments may have maturities of up to one year. Commercial paper and short-term notes will consist of issues rated at the time of purchase “A-2” or higher by S&P, “Prime-1” or “Prime-2” by Moody’s, or similarly rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, will be determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality.

CLO Class M Notes, Fee Notes and Participation Agreements.   We may acquire CLO Class M notes, fee notes and participation agreements with CLO collateral managers. There is not an active secondary market for CLO Class M notes, fee notes and participation agreements. Further, CLO Class M notes, fee notes and participation agreements may have significant restrictions on transfer and require continued ownership of certain amounts of CLO equity in the related CLO for the instrument to be valid. CLO Class M notes, fee notes and participation agreements are also subject to the risk of early call of the CLO, and may have no make-whole or other yield protection provisions.

Zero Coupon Securities.   Among the debt securities in which we may invest are zero coupon securities. Zero coupon securities are debt obligations that do not entitle the holder to any periodic payment of interest prior to maturity or a specified date when the securities begin paying current interest. They are issued and traded at a discount from their face amount or par value, which discount varies depending on the time remaining until cash payments begin, prevailing interest rates, liquidity of the security and the perceived credit quality of the issuer. The market prices of zero coupon securities generally are more volatile than the prices of securities that pay interest periodically and in cash and are likely to respond to changes in interest rates to a greater degree than do other types of debt securities having similar maturities and credit quality. Original issue discount earned on zero coupon securities must be included in our income. Thus, to quality for tax treatment as a RIC and to avoid a certain excise tax on undistributed income, we may be required to distribute as a dividend an amount that is greater than the total amount of cash we actually receive. These distributions must

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be made from our cash assets or, if necessary, from the proceeds of sales of portfolio securities. We will not be able to purchase additional income-producing securities with cash used to make such distributions, and our current income ultimately could be reduced as a result.

U.S. Government Securities.   We may invest in debt securities issued or guaranteed by agencies, instrumentalities and sponsored enterprises of the U.S. Government. Some U.S. government securities, such as U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds, and mortgage-related securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association, are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; others, such as those of the Federal Home Loan Banks, or “FHLBs,” or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or “FHLMC,” are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; others, such as those of the Federal National Mortgage Association, or “FNMA,” are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency’s obligations; and still others, such as those of the Student Loan Marketing Association, are supported only by the credit of the issuing agency, instrumentality or enterprise. Although U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises, such as the FHLBs, FHLMC, FNMA and the Student Loan Marketing Association, may be chartered or sponsored by Congress, they are not funded by Congressional appropriations, and their securities are not issued by the U.S. Treasury or supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government and involve increased credit risks. Although legislation has been enacted to support certain government sponsored entities, including the FHLBs, FHLMC and FNMA, there is no assurance that the obligations of such entities will be satisfied in full, or that such obligations will not decrease in value or default. It is difficult, if not impossible, to predict the future political, regulatory or economic changes that could impact the government sponsored entities and the values of their related securities or obligations. In addition, certain governmental entities, including FNMA and FHLMC, have been subject to regulatory scrutiny regarding their accounting policies and practices and other concerns that may result in legislation, changes in regulatory oversight and/or other consequences that could adversely affect the credit quality, availability or investment character of securities issued by these entities. U.S. Government debt securities generally involve lower levels of credit risk than other types of debt securities of similar maturities, although, as a result, the yields available from U.S. Government debt securities are generally lower than the yields available from such other securities. Like other debt securities, the values of U.S. government securities change as interest rates fluctuate. Fluctuations in the value of portfolio securities will not affect interest income on existing portfolio securities but will be reflected in our NAV.

Distressed Securities

We may invest in distressed investments including loans, loan participations, or bonds, many of which are not publicly traded and which may involve a substantial degree of risk. In certain periods, there may be little or no liquidity in the markets for these securities or instruments. In addition, the prices of such securities or instruments may be subject to periods of abrupt and erratic market movements and above-average price volatility. It may be more difficult to value such securities and the spread between the bid and asked prices of such securities may be greater than normally expected. If the Adviser’s evaluation of the risks and anticipated outcome of an investment in a distressed security should prove incorrect, we may lose a substantial portion or all of our investment or we may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than our original investment.

Equity Securities

We may hold long and short positions in common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers. We also may invest in depositary receipts or shares relating to non-U.S. securities. Equity securities fluctuate in value, often based on factors unrelated to the fundamental economic condition of the issuer of the securities, including general economic and market conditions, and these fluctuations can be pronounced. We may purchase securities in all available securities trading markets and may invest in equity securities without restriction as to market capitalization, such as those issued by smaller capitalization companies, including micro cap companies.

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Investment in Other Investment Companies

We may invest in securities of other investment companies subject to statutory limitations prescribed by the 1940 Act. These limitations include in certain circumstances a prohibition on us acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any other investment company, and a prohibition on investing more than 5% of our total assets in securities of any one investment company or more than 10% of our total assets in securities of all investment companies.

We will indirectly bear our proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies, in addition to the fees and expenses that we regularly bear. Although we do not expect to do so in the foreseeable future, we are authorized to invest substantially all of our assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof that has substantially the same investment objectives, policies and fundamental restrictions as us.

Exchange-Traded Notes, or “ETNs”

We may invest in ETNs. ETNs are a type of senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt security issued by financial institutions that combines both aspects of bonds and Exchange-Traded Funds, or “ETFs.” An ETN’s returns are based on the performance of a market index minus fees and expenses. Similar to ETFs, ETNs are listed on an exchange and traded in the secondary market. However, unlike an ETF, an ETN can be held until the ETN’s maturity, at which time the issuer will pay a return linked to the performance of the market index to which the ETN is linked minus certain fees. Unlike regular bonds, ETNs do not make periodic interest payments and principal is not protected. ETNs are subject to credit risk and the value of an ETN may drop due to a downgrade in the issuer’s credit rating, despite the underlying market benchmark or strategy remaining unchanged. The value of an ETN may also be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying assets, changes in the applicable interest rates, changes in the issuer’s credit rating, and economic, legal, political, or geographic events that affect the referenced underlying asset. When we invest in ETNs we will bear our proportionate share of any fees and expenses borne by the ETN. Our decision to sell our ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market. In addition, although an ETN may be listed on an exchange, the issuer may not be required to maintain the listing and there can be no assurance that a secondary market will exist for an ETN.

Preferred Securities

Preferred securities in which we may invest include trust preferred securities, monthly income preferred securities, quarterly income bond securities, quarterly income debt securities, quarterly income preferred securities, corporate trust securities, traditional preferred stock, contingent-capital securities, hybrid securities (which have characteristics of both equity and fixed-income instruments) and public income notes. Preferred securities are typically issued by corporations, generally in the form of interest-bearing notes or preferred securities, or by an affiliated business trust of a corporation, generally in the form of beneficial interests in subordinated debentures or similarly structured securities. The preferred securities market consists of both fixed and adjustable coupon rate securities that are either perpetual in nature in that they have no maturity dates or have stated maturity dates.

Investment in Relatively New Issuers

We may invest in the securities of new issuers. Investments in relatively new issuers, i.e. , those having continuous operating histories of less than three years, may carry special risks and may be more speculative because such issuers are relatively unseasoned. Such issuers may also lack sufficient resources, may be unable to generate internally the funds necessary for growth and may find external financing to be unavailable on favorable terms or even totally unavailable. Certain issuers may be involved in the development or marketing of a new product with no established market, which could lead to significant losses. Securities of such issuers may have a limited trading market which may adversely affect their disposition and can result in their being priced lower than might otherwise be the case. If other investors who invest in such issuers seek to sell the same securities when we attempt to dispose of our holdings, we may receive lower prices than might otherwise be the case.

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Demand Deposit Accounts

We may hold a significant portion of our cash assets in interest-bearing or non-interest-bearing demand deposit accounts at our custodian or another depository institution insured by the FDIC. The FDIC is an independent agency of the U.S. government, and FDIC deposit insurance is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. We expect to hold cash that exceeds the amounts insured by the FDIC for such accounts. As a result, in the event of a failure of a depository institution where we hold such cash, our cash is subject to the risk of loss.

Simultaneous Investments

Investment decisions, made by the Adviser on our behalf, are made independently from those of the other funds and accounts advised by the Adviser and its affiliates. If, however, such other accounts wish to invest in, or dispose of, the same securities as us, available investments will be allocated equitably between us and other accounts. This procedure may adversely affect the size of the position we obtain or disposed of or the price we pay.

Short Sales

When we engage in a short sale of a security, it must, to the extent required by law, borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the counterparty. We may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and would often be obligated to pay over any payments received on such borrowed securities.

If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time that we replace the borrowed security, we will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, we will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the transaction costs described above.

To the extent we engage in short sales, we will provide collateral to the broker-dealer and may maintain additional asset coverage in the form of segregated or “earmarked” liquid assets equal to the current market value of the securities sold short, or may ensure that such positions are covered by “offsetting” positions, until we replace the borrowed security. If we do not segregate liquid assets in such manner, then such securities will be considered senior securities representing indebtedness for purposes of the 1940 Act. A short sale is “against the box” to the extent that we contemporaneously own, or have the right to obtain at no added cost, securities identical to those sold short. We may engage in short selling to the extent permitted by the federal securities laws and rules and interpretations thereunder. To the extent we engage in short selling in foreign (non-U.S.) jurisdictions, we will do so to the extent permitted by the laws and regulations of such jurisdiction.

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CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

A control person is a person who beneficially owns more than 25% of the voting securities of a company. The following table sets forth certain ownership information with respect to shares of our common stock held by (1) those persons who directly or indirectly own, control or hold with the power to vote, 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock, and (2) all of our officers and directors, as a group. The table shows such ownership immediately prior to the completion of this offering (on a pro forma basis to reflect the completion of the conversion described in “ Business — Our Structure and Formation Transactions”) as well as the effect on such ownership as a result of the offering made pursuant to this prospectus, assuming the issuance of 2,500,000 shares of common stock.

       
  Common Stock
Beneficially Owned (1)
Immediately Prior
to Offering
  Common Stock
Beneficially Owned (1)
Immediately Following
the Offering (2)
Name and Address   Number   %   Number   %

    3,752,582       99.9 %       3,752,582       60.0 %  
Cavello Bay Reinsurance Limited
Windsor Place, 3rd Floor
22 Queen Street
Hamilton JM JX Bermuda
                                   
All officers and directors as a group (9 persons) (3)               —                *  

                                   

                                   

                                   

                                   

* Represents less than 1.0%.
(1) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities.
(2) Figures presented reflect pro forma ownership asuming the issuance of 2,500,000 shares of common stock offered hereby.
(3) The address of each of our officers and directors is c/o Eagle Point Income Company Inc., 20 Horseneck Lane, Greenwich, CT 06830. In the aggregate, all officers and directors as a group own less than one percent of our common stock on a pro forma basis.

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BROKERAGE ALLOCATION

Since we expect to acquire and dispose of most of our investments in privately negotiated transactions or in the over-the-counter markets, we will generally not be required to pay a stated brokerage commission. However, to the extent a broker-dealer is involved in a transaction, the price we pay or receive, as applicable, may reflect a mark-up or mark-down. Subject to policies established by our board of directors, the Adviser will be primarily responsible for selecting brokers and dealers to execute transactions with respect to the publicly traded securities portion of our portfolio transactions and the allocation of brokerage commissions. The Adviser does not expect to execute transactions through any particular broker or dealer but will seek to obtain the best net results for us under the circumstances, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution and operational facilities of the firm and the firm’s risk and skill in positioning blocks of securities. The Adviser generally will seek reasonably competitive trade execution costs but will not necessarily pay the lowest spread or commission available. Subject to applicable legal requirements and consistent with Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act, the Adviser may select a broker based upon brokerage or research services provided. In return for such services, we may pay a higher commission than other brokers would charge if the Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the services provided.

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Dechert LLP, Boston, Massachusetts. Dechert LLP also represents the Adviser. Certain matters in connection with the offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Mayer Brown LLP, New York, New York.

CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT

Our portfolio securities are held pursuant to a custodian agreement between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association. The principal business address of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association is 9062 Old Annapolis Road, Columbia, MD 21045.

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC will serve as our transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursement agent and stockholder servicing agent, as well as agent for our DRIP. The principal business address of American Stock & Transfer Company, LLC is 6201 15 th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

        , an independent registered public accounting firm located at                            , 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 333-226154 and 811-23361), together with all amendments and related exhibits, under the Securities Act, with respect to the securities 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. You may inspect and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information, as well as the registration statement and related exhibits, at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site ( http://www.sec.gov ) that contains reports, proxy statements and other information filed electronically by us with the SEC . Copies of these reports, proxy statements and other information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. This information will also be available free of charge by writing us at Eagle Point Income Company Inc., 20 Horseneck Lane, Greenwich, CT 06830, Attention: Investor Relations, by telephone at (844) 810-6501, or on our website at           . Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into or a part of this prospectus.

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EP INCOME COMPANY LLC
  
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
  Page
Statement of Financial Condition     F-2  
Schedule of Investments     F-3  
Notes to Financial Statements     F-4  

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EP INCOME COMPANY LLC
  

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
As of October 4, 2018
(expressed in U.S. dollars)
(Unaudited)

 
ASSETS
        
Investments, at fair value (cost $73,679,953) (1)   $ 73,679,953  
Interest receivable     1,371,697  
Cash     100,000  
Total Assets   $ 75,151,650  
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY
        
Liabilities   $  
Total Liabilities      
Members’ Equity     75,151,650  
Total Liabilities and Members’ Equity   $ 75,151,650  
  
        
Members’ Capital per Unit (2)   $ 1,000  

(1) Cost represents the fair value of investments as of the contribution date. Please refer to Note 1 “Organization” for further detail on the contribution.
(2) As of October 4, 2018, 75,152 units are outstanding. Please refer to Note 4 “Members’ Equity” for further detail on Members’ equity.

 
 
See accompanying notes to the financial statements

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EP INCOME COMPANY LLC
  

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
As of October 4, 2018
(expressed in U.S. dollars)
(Unaudited)

         
Issuer   Investment (1)   Principal
Amount
  Cost (2)   Fair
Value (3)
  % of
Members’
Equity
CLO Debt (4)
                                            
United States
                          
Apidos CLO XXIX, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.64% due 7/25/30)
    $ 5,900,000     $ 5,706,480     $ 5,706,480       7.59 %  
Atlas Senior Loan Fund X, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.04% due 1/15/31)
      2,000,000       1,932,800       1,932,800       2.57 %  
Babson CLO 2015-1 Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (7.85% due 1/20/31)
      4,100,000       3,913,040       3,913,040       5.21 %  
Barings CLO 2018-II, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.01% due 4/15/30)
      3,650,000       3,604,010       3,604,010       4.80 %  
Battalion CLO XI Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.32% due 10/24/29)
      4,600,000       4,494,200       4,494,200       5.98 %  
Battalion CLO XII Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.42% due 5/17/31)
      850,000       824,500       824,500       1.10 %  
Black Diamond CLO 2016-1, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D-R (7.93% due 4/26/31)
      1,050,000       976,500       976,500       1.30 %  
Black Diamond CLO 2017-1, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.94% due 4/24/29)
      3,600,000       3,590,280       3,590,280       4.78 %  
Carlyle US CLO 2018-1, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.81% due 4/20/31)
      550,000       548,185       548,185       0.73 %  
Carlyle US CLO 2018-2, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.39% due 10/15/31)
      3,750,000       3,626,250       3,626,250       4.83 %  
CIFC Funding 2015-I, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E-RR (8.35% due 1/22/31)
      2,600,000       2,552,160       2,552,160       3.40 %  
CIFC Funding 2015-II, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (7.64% due 4/15/27)
      2,800,000       2,800,000       2,800,000       3.73 %  
CIFC Funding 2018-1, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (7.16% due 4/18/31)
      2,675,000       2,523,863       2,523,863       3.36 %  
CIFC Funding 2018-II, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.90% due 4/20/31)
      650,000       645,840       645,840       0.86 %  
Cook Park CLO, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (7.75% due 4/17/30)
      1,000,000       980,900       980,900       1.31 %  
Dryden 37 Senior Loan Fund, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (7.49% due 1/15/31)
      500,000       479,950       479,950       0.64 %  
Dryden 64 CLO, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (7.82% due 4/18/31)
      1,300,000       1,279,460       1,279,460       1.70 %  
LCM XVIII, L.P.     CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (8.30% due 4/20/31)
      600,000       598,080       598,080       0.80 %  
Madison Park Funding XXVII, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.35% due 4/20/30)
      500,000       477,850       477,850       0.64 %  
Marathon CLO IX, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.39% due 4/15/29)
      4,050,000       3,987,225       3,987,225       5.31 %  
Octagon Investment Partners 37, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.76% due 7/25/30)
      1,200,000       1,172,400       1,172,400       1.56 %  
Octagon Investment Partners 38, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.89% due 7/20/30)
      3,300,000       3,224,760       3,224,760       4.29 %  
OZLM XXI, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.89% due 1/20/31)
      4,150,000       4,037,950       4,037,950       5.37 %  
Rockford Tower CLO 2017-3, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.10% due 10/20/30)
      3,750,000       3,715,500       3,715,500       4.94 %  
Rockford Tower CLO 2018-2, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.43% due 10/20/31)
      3,750,000       3,737,250       3,737,250       4.97 %  
Venture 31 CLO, Limited     CLO Secured Note – Class E (7.62% due 4/20/31)
      1,100,000       1,035,760       1,035,760       1.38 %  
Venture XV CLO, Limited     CLO Secured Note – Class E-R (9.45% due 7/15/28)
      3,800,000       3,801,520       3,801,520       5.06 %  
Vibrant CLO III, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (7.35% due 4/20/26)
      1,700,000       1,700,000       1,700,000       2.26 %  
Vibrant CLO VI, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class E (8.09% due 6/20/29)
      4,100,000       4,021,690       4,021,690       5.35 %  
Vibrant CLO VIII, Ltd.     CLO Secured Note – Class D (8.10% due 1/20/31)
      1,750,000       1,691,550       1,691,550       2.25 %  
Total investments at fair value as of October 4, 2018         $ 73,679,953     $ 73,679,953       98.04 %  

(1) All investments are categorized as structured finance securities.
(2) Cost represents the fair value of investments as of the contribution date. Please refer to Note 1 “Organization” for further detail on the contribution.
(3) Fair value is determined in good faith in accordance with the Company’s valuation policy.
(4) CLO debt positions reflect the coupon rates as of October 4, 2018. The interest income from CLO debt positions is expected to be received in cash.

  

 
 
See accompanying notes to the financial statements

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

EP INCOME COMPANY LLC
  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
OCTOBER 4, 2018
(UNAUDITED)

1. ORGANIZATION

EP Income Company LLC (the “Company”) is a Delaware limited liability company which was formed on September 28, 2018 pursuant to a limited liability company operating agreement (as amended from time to time, the “Agreement”).

The Company is based in Greenwich, Connecticut. As of the date of this report, the Company has two members: Eagle Point Income Management LLC (the “Adviser”) and Cavello Bay Reinsurance Limited (“Cavello Bay” and collectively with the Adviser, the “Members”). The Adviser has applied to register as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and will be the Company’s investment adviser upon effectiveness of such registration.

The Company’s primary investment objective is to generate high current income, with a secondary objective to generate capital appreciation. The Company seeks to achieve its 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. The Company intends to primarily focus on CLO debt tranches rated “BB” (or its equivalent) by Moody’s Investor Service, Inc., Standard & Poors, Fitch Rating, Inc. and/or other applicable nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. The Company may also invest in other junior debt tranches of CLOs, senior debt tranches of CLOs and other related securities and instruments. In addition, the Company may invest up to 20% of its total assets (at the time of investment) in CLO equity securities (primarily via minority ownership positions). The Company shall have perpetual existence unless sooner dissolved and wound up by the Members.

The Company commenced operations on October 4, 2018, the date the Adviser contributed $100,000 in exchange for 100 units of the Company and Cavello Bay contributed to the Company, at fair value, the entire portfolio of CLO BB debt securities that it held in a separately managed account managed by an affiliate of the Adviser, totaling $75,051,650, inclusive of accrued interest of $1,371,697, in exchange for 75,052 units of the Company. The contribution price of the portfolio represented fair value as of the contribution date in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820 — Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Accounting

The Company is considered an investment company under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the FASB ASC Topic 946 Financial Services — Investment Companies . Items included in the financial statements are measured and presented in United States dollars.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions which affect the reported amounts included in the financial statements and accompanying notes as of the reporting date. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company has defined cash and cash equivalents as cash and short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase. The Company maintains its cash in a bank account which, at times, may exceed federal insured limits. The Company monitors the performance of the financial institution where the account is held in order to manage any risk associated with such account. No cash equivalent balances were held as of October 4, 2018.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

EP INCOME COMPANY LLC
  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
OCTOBER 4, 2018
(UNAUDITED)

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – (continued)

Valuation of Investments

The most significant estimate inherent in the preparation of the financial statements is the valuation of investments. In the absence of readily determinable fair values, fair value of the Company’s investments is determined in accordance with the Company’s valuation policy. Due to the uncertainty of valuation, this estimate may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a ready market for the investments existed, and the differences could be material.

There is no single method for determining fair value in good faith. As a result, determining fair value requires judgment be applied to the specific facts and circumstances of each portfolio investment while employing a consistently applied valuation process for the types of investments held by the Company.

The Company accounts for its investments in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and fair values its investment portfolio in accordance with the provisions of the FASB ASC Topic 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures , which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements. Investments are reflected in the financial statements at fair value. Fair value is the estimated amount that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price).

The fair value hierarchy prioritizes and ranks the level of market price observability used in measuring investments at fair value. Market price observability is impacted by a number of factors, including the type of investment, the characteristics specific to the investment and the state of the marketplace (including the existence and transparency of transactions between market participants). Investments with readily available actively quoted prices, or for which fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices in an orderly market, will generally have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment used in measuring fair value.

Investments measured and reported at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following categories based on inputs:

Level I  — Observable, quoted prices for identical investments in active markets as of the reporting date.
Level II  — Quoted prices for similar investments in active markets or quoted prices for identical investments in markets that are not active as of the reporting date.
Level III  — Pricing inputs are unobservable for the investment and little, if any, active market exists as of the reporting date. Fair value inputs require significant judgment or estimation from the Adviser.

In certain cases, inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the determination of which category within the fair value hierarchy is appropriate for any given investment is based on the lowest level of input significant to that fair value measurement. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and consideration of factors specific to the investment.

Investments for which observable, quoted prices in active markets do not exist are reported at fair value based on Level III inputs. The amount determined to be fair value may incorporate the Adviser’s own assumptions (including assumptions the Adviser believes market participants would use in valuing investments and assumptions relating to appropriate risk adjustments for nonperformance and lack of marketability).

An estimate of fair value is made for each investment at least monthly taking into account information available as of the reporting date.

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EP INCOME COMPANY LLC
  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
OCTOBER 4, 2018
(UNAUDITED)

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – (continued)

See Note 3 “Investments” for further discussion relating to the Company’s investments.

In valuing the Company’s investments in CLO debt, the Adviser considers a variety of relevant factors, including a third-party pricing service, or as applicable, price indications from multiple dealers, recent trading prices for specific investments, and recent purchases and sales known to the Adviser in similar securities.

Securities Transactions

The Company records the purchases and sales of securities on trade date. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are recorded on the basis of the specific identification method.

Investment Income Recognition

Interest income from investments in CLO debt is recorded using the accrual basis of accounting. Interest income from CLO debt positions is expected to be received in cash. Amortization of premium or accretion of discount is recognized using the effective interest method.

3. INVESTMENTS

Valuation of CLO Debt

The Company’s investment in CLO debt has been valued using an independent pricing service. The valuation methodology of the independent pricing service includes incorporating data comprised of observable market transactions, executable bids, broker quotes from dealers with two sided markets, as well as transaction activity from comparable securities to those being valued. As the independent pricing service contemplates real time market data and no unobservable inputs or significant judgement has been used by the Adviser in the valuation of the Company’s investment in CLO debt, such positions are considered level II assets.

Fair Value Measurement

The following tables summarize the valuation of the Company’s investments measured and reported at fair value under the fair value hierarchy levels described in Note 2 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” as of October 4, 2018:

Fair Value Measurement

       
  Level I   Level II   Level III   Total
Assets
                                   
CLO Debt   $        —     $ 73,679,953     $        —     $ 73,679,953  
Total Investments, at Fair Value   $     $ 73,679,953     $     $ 73,679,953  

Investment Risk Factors

Market Risk

Certain events particular to each market in which the Company’s investments conduct operations, as well as general economic and political conditions, may have a significant negative impact on the operations and profitability of the Company’s investments and/or on the fair value of the Company’s investments. Such events are beyond the Company’s control, and the likelihood they may occur and the potential effect on the Company cannot be predicted.

Liquidity Risk

The securities issued by CLOs generally offer less liquidity than below investment grade or high-yield corporate debt, and are subject to certain transfer restrictions imposed on certain financial and other eligibility

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EP INCOME COMPANY LLC
  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
OCTOBER 4, 2018
(UNAUDITED)

3. INVESTMENTS – (continued)

requirements on prospective transferees. Other investments the Company may purchase through privately negotiated transactions may also be illiquid or subject to legal restrictions on their transfer. As a result of this illiquidity, the Company’s ability to sell certain investments quickly, or at all, in response to changes in economic and other conditions and to receive a fair price when selling such investments may be limited, which could prevent the Company from making sales to mitigate losses on such investments. In addition, CLOs are subject to the possibility of liquidation upon an event of default, which could result in full loss of value to the CLO equity and junior debt investors.

Risks of Investing in CLOs

The Company’s investments are expected to consist primarily of CLO securities and the Company may invest in other related structured finance securities. CLOs and structured finance securities are generally backed by an asset or a pool of assets (typically senior secured loans and other credit-related assets in the case of a CLO) which serve as collateral. The Company and other investors in CLO and structured finance securities ultimately bear the credit risk of the underlying collateral. If there are defaults or the relevant collateral otherwise underperforms, scheduled payments to senior tranches of such securities take precedence over those of mezzanine tranches, and scheduled payments to mezzanine tranches take precedence over those to subordinated/equity tranches. Therefore, CLO and other structured finance securities may present risks similar to those of the other types of debt obligations and, in fact, such risks may be of greater significance in the case of CLO and other structured finance securities. In addition to the general risks associated with investing in debt securities, CLO securities carry additional risks, including, but not limited to: (1) the possibility that distributions from collateral assets will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (2) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; (3) the fact that investments in junior debt tranches will likely be subordinate to other senior classes of CLO debt; and (4) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results. Additionally, changes in the collateral held by a CLO may cause payments on the instruments the Company holds to be reduced, either temporarily or permanently. Structured investments, particularly the subordinated interests in which the Company invests, are less liquid than many other types of securities and may be more volatile than the assets underlying the CLOs the Company may target. In addition, CLO and other structured finance securities may be subject to prepayment risk.

Prepayment Risk

Although the Adviser’s valuations and projections take into account certain expected levels of prepayments, the collateral of a CLO may be prepaid more quickly than expected. Prepayment rates are influenced by changes in interest rates and a variety of factors beyond the Company’s control and consequently cannot be accurately predicted. Early prepayments give rise to increased reinvestment risk, as a CLO collateral manager might realize excess cash from prepayments earlier than expected. If a CLO collateral manager is unable to reinvest such cash in a new investment with an expected rate of return at least equal to that of the investment repaid, this may reduce the net income and the fair value of that asset.

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 such CLO’s outstanding CLO debt securities to be repaid at par. Such prepayments of CLO debt securities held by the Company can also give rise to reinvestment risk if the Company is unable to reinvest such cash in a new investment with an expected rate of return at least equal to that of the investment repaid.

Interest Rate Risk

The fair value of certain investments held by the Company may be significantly affected by changes in interest rates. Although senior secured loans are generally floating rate instruments, the Company’s investments in senior secured loans through CLOs are sensitive to interest rate levels and volatility. Although

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EP INCOME COMPANY LLC
  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
OCTOBER 4, 2018
(UNAUDITED)

3. INVESTMENTS – (continued)

CLOs are generally structured to mitigate the risk of interest rate mismatch, there may be some difference between the timing of interest rate resets on the assets and liabilities of a CLO. Such a mismatch could have a negative effect on the amount of funds distributed to CLO equity investors. In addition, CLOs may not be able to enter into hedge agreements, even if it may otherwise be in the best interests of the CLO to hedge such interest rate risk. Furthermore, in the event of a significant rising interest rate environment and/or economic downturn, loan defaults may increase and result in credit losses which may adversely affect the Company’s cash flow, fair value of its assets and operating results. In the event the Company’s interest expense was to increase relative to income, or sufficient financing became unavailable, the return on investments and cash available for distribution to stockholders or to make other payments on the securities would be reduced. In addition, future investments in different types of instruments may carry a greater exposure to interest rate risk.

LIBOR Risk

The CLO debt securities in which the Company invest earn interest at, and CLOs in which it intends to invest typically obtain financing at a floating rate based on LIBOR. Regulators and law enforcement agencies from a number of governments, including entities in the United States, Japan, Canada and the United Kingdom, have conducted or are conducting civil and criminal investigations into whether the banks that contributed to the British Bankers’ Association, or the “BBA,” in connection with the calculation of daily LIBOR may have been under-reporting or otherwise manipulating or attempting to manipulate LIBOR. Several financial institutions have reached settlements with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice and the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, or “FCA,” in connection with investigations by such authorities into submissions made by such financial institutions to the bodies that set LIBOR and other interbank offered rates. In such settlements, such financial institutions admitted to submitting rates to the BBA that were lower than the actual rates at which such financial institutions could borrow funds from other banks. Additional investigations remain ongoing with respect to other major banks. There can be no assurance that there will not be additional admissions or findings of rate-setting manipulation or that manipulations of LIBOR or other similar interbank offered rates will not be shown to have occurred. On July 9, 2013, it was announced that the NYSE Euronext Rate Administration Limited would take over the administration of LIBOR from the BBA, subject to authorization from the Financial Conduct Authority and following a period of transition. Accordingly, ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (formerly NYSE Euronext Rate Administration Limited) assumed this role on February 1, 2014. Any new administrator of LIBOR may make methodological changes to the way in which LIBOR is calculated or may alter, discontinue, or suspend calculation or dissemination of LIBOR. Any of such actions or other effects from the ongoing investigations could adversely affect the liquidity and value of the Company’s investments. Further, additional admissions or findings of manipulation may decrease the confidence of the market in LIBOR and lead market participants to look for alternative, non-LIBOR based types of financing, such as fixed rate loans or bonds or floating rate loans based on non-LIBOR indices. An increase in alternative types of financing at the expense of LIBOR-based CLOs may impair the liquidity of the Company’s investments. Additionally, it may make it more difficult for CLO issuers to satisfy certain conditions set forth in a CLO’s offering documents.

On July 27, 2017, the FCA announced that it will no longer persuade or compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR rates after 2021 (the “FCA Announcement”). The FCA Announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR on the current basis (or at all) cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 and that planning a transition to alternative reference rates that are based firmly on transactions, such as reformed Sterling Over Night Index Average (“SONIA”) must begin. Furthermore, in the United States, efforts to identify a set of alternative U.S. dollar reference interest rates include proposals by the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (“ARRC”) of the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of New

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EP INCOME COMPANY LLC
  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
OCTOBER 4, 2018
(UNAUDITED)

3. INVESTMENTS – (continued)

York. On June 22, 2017, the ARRC identified the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), a broad U.S. treasuries repo financing rate to be published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as the rate that, in the consensus view of the ARRC, represented best practice for use in certain new U.S. dollar derivatives and other financial contracts. The first publication of SOFR was released in April 2018. Although there have been a few issuances utilizing SONIA and SOFR, it remains in question whether or not these alternative reference rates will attain market acceptance as replacements for LIBOR.

At this time, it is not possible to predict the effect of the FCA Announcement or other regulatory changes or announcements, the establishment of SOFR, SONIA or any other alternative reference rates or any other reforms to LIBOR that may be enacted in the United Kingdom, the United States or elsewhere. As such, the potential effect of any such event on the Company’s net investment income cannot yet be determined. The CLOs in which the Company is invested generally contemplate a scenario where LIBOR is no longer available by requiring the CLO administrator to calculate a replacement rate primarily through dealer polling on the applicable measurement date. However, there is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of the dealer polling processes, including the willingness of banks to provide such quotations, which could adversely impact the Company’s net investment income. In addition, the effect of a phase out of LIBOR on U.S. senior secured loans, the underlying assets of the CLOs in which the company invests, is currently unclear. To the extent that any replacement rate utilized for senior secured loans differs from that utilized for a CLO that holds those loans, the CLO would experience an interest rate mismatch between its assets and liabilities which could have an adverse impact on the Company’s net investment income and portfolio returns.

Low Interest Rate Environment

As of the date of the financial statements, despite a recent increase in interest rates from near historically low levels, interest rates in the United States remain relatively low, which may increase the Company’s exposure to risks associated with rising interest rates. Moreover, interest rate levels are currently impacted by extraordinary monetary policy initiatives, the effect of which is impossible to predict with certainty.

Highly Subordinated and Leveraged Securities Risk

The Company’s portfolio is expected to include junior debt and equity investments in CLOs, which involve a number of significant risks. CLOs are typically very highly leveraged (with CLO equity securities being leveraged nine to thirteen times), and therefore the junior debt and equity tranches in which the Company invests are subject to a higher degree of risk of total loss. In particular, investors in CLO securities indirectly bear risks of the collateral held by such CLOs. The Company generally has the right to receive payments only from the CLOs, and generally does not have direct rights against the underlying borrowers or the entity that sponsored the CLO. While the CLOs the Company intends to initially target generally enable an equity investor therein to acquire interests in a pool of senior secured loans without the expenses associated with directly holding the same investments, the Company will generally pay a proportionate share of the CLOs’ administrative, management and other expenses if it makes a CLO equity investment. In addition, the Company may have the option in certain CLOs to contribute additional amounts to the CLO issuer for purposes of acquiring additional assets or curing coverage tests, thereby increasing overall exposure and capital at risk to such CLO.

Credit Risk

If a CLO in which the Company invests, an underlying asset of any such CLO or any other type of credit investment in the Company’s portfolio declines in price or fails to pay interest or principal when due because the issuer or debtor, as the case may be, experiences a decline in its financial status either or both the Company’s income and NAV may be adversely impacted. Non-payment would result in a reduction of the Company’s income, a reduction in the value of the applicable CLO security or other credit investment

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EP INCOME COMPANY LLC
  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
OCTOBER 4, 2018
(UNAUDITED)

3. INVESTMENTS – (continued)

experiencing non-payment and, potentially, a decrease in the Company’s NAV. With respect to investments in CLO securities and credit investments that are secured, there can be no assurance that any liquidation of collateral would satisfy the issuer’s obligation in the event of non-payment for scheduled dividends, interest or principal. Also, there can be no assurance that any such collateral could be readily liquidated. In the event of bankruptcy of an issuer, the Company could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing a CLO security or credit investment. To the extent the credit rating assigned to a security in the Company’s portfolio is downgraded, the market price and liquidity of such security may be adversely affected. In addition, if a CLO in which the Company invests triggers an event of default as a result of failing to make payments when due or for other reasons, the CLO would be subject to the possibility of liquidation, which could result in full loss of value to the CLO junior debt investors. CLO equity tranches are the most likely tranche to suffer a loss of all of their value in those circumstances.

4. MEMBERS’ EQUITY

As of October 4, 2018, the Members have committed and funded equity contributions of $75,151,650 in exchange for 75,152 units of the Company. The Adviser and Cavello Bay hold 100 units and 75,052 units, respectively.

5. INCOME TAXES

The Company is currently a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes and therefore no provision for income taxes has been made in the statement of financial position.

Upon conversion to a corporation, the Company intends to operate so as to qualify to be taxed as a Regulated Investment Company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and, as such, to not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of its taxable income and gains distributed to stockholders.

6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Investment Adviser

The Company intends to enter into an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Adviser and will pay a management fee equal an annual rate of 1.25% of the Company’s “Managed Assets”. “Managed Assets” is defined as the Company’s total assets (including assets attributable to the Company’s use of leverage) minus the sum of the Company’s accrued liabilities (other than liabilities incurred for the purpose of creating leverage). The management fee will be calculated monthly and payable quarterly in arrears based on the Company’s Managed Assets at the end of each calendar month.

An affiliate of Cavello Bay holds an indirect non-controlling ownership interest in the Adviser.

The Adviser is an affiliate of Eagle Point Credit Management LLC (“EPCM”). The Adviser and EPCM are under common ownership by Eagle Point Holdings LP.

Administrator

The Company intends to enter into an administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) with Eagle Point Administration LLC (the “Administrator”), an affiliate of the Adviser. Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, the Administrator will perform, or arrange for the performance of the Company’s required administrative services.

The Adviser and the Administrator are under common ownership by Eagle Point Holdings LP.

7. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The board of directors and audit commitee were appointed by the Company on October 5, 2018.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

EP INCOME COMPANY LLC
  
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
OCTOBER 4, 2018
(UNAUDITED)

7. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS – (continued)

The Company entered into the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser on October 5, 2018.

The Company entered into the Administration Agreement with the Administrator on October 5, 2018.

Management of the Company has evaluated the need for disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through October 5, 2018. Management has determined there are no events in addition to those described above which would require adjustment to or disclosure in the financial statements and related notes through this date.

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APPENDIX A: DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc . — A brief description of the applicable Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s) rating symbols and their meanings (as published by Moody’s) follows:

1. Long-Term Obligation Ratings

Moody’s long-term obligation ratings are opinions of the relative credit risk of financial obligations with an original maturity of one year or more. They address the possibility that a financial obligation will not be honored as promised. Such ratings use Moody’s Global Scale and reflect both the likelihood of default and any financial loss suffered in the event of default.

Moody’s Long-Term Rating Definitions:

 
Aaa:   Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.
Aa:   Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
A:   Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
Baa:   Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Ba:   Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.
B:   Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
Caa:   Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.
Ca:   Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
C:   Obligations rated C are the lowest rated class and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
Note:   Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.

Short-Term Debt Ratings

There are three rating categories for short-term municipal obligations that are considered investment grade. These ratings are designated as Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) and are divided into three levels — MIG 1 through MIG 3. In addition, those short-term obligations that are of speculative quality are designated SG, or speculative grade. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation.

 
MIG 1.   This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
MIG 2.   This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

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MIG 3.   This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.
SG.   This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

Demand Obligation Ratings

In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned; a long- or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation rating. The first element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the ability to receive purchase price upon demand (“demand feature”), using a variation of the MIG rating scale, the Variable Municipal Investment Grade or VMIG rating.

When either the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated NR, e.g. , Aaa/NR or NR/VMIG 1.

VMIG rating expirations are a function of each issue’s specific structural or credit features.

 
VMIG 1.   This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
VMIG 2.   This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
VMIG 3.   This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
SG.   This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

2. Short-Term Ratings

Moody’s short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs or to individual short-term debt instruments. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.

Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:

 
P-1   Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-2   Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-3   Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.
NP   Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
NOTE:   Canadian issuers rated P-1 or P-2 have their short-term ratings enhanced by the senior-most long-term rating of the issuer, its guarantor or support-provider.

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Standard & Poor’s

A brief description of the applicable Standard & Poor’s (S&P) rating symbols and their meanings (as published by S&P) follows:

Issuer Credit Rating Definitions

A Standard & Poor’s issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The opinion reflects Standard & Poor’s view of the obligor’s capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.

Issue credit ratings can be either long term or short-term. Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days, including commercial paper. Short-term ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. The result is a dual rating, in which the short-term rating addresses the put feature, in addition to the usual long-term rating. Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.

Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings

Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:

Likelihood of payment-capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;
Nature of and provisions of the obligation;
Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights.

Issue ratings are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)

 
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.

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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.

Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings

 
A-1:   A short-term obligation rated ‘A-1’ is rated in the highest category by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
A-2:   A short-term obligation rated ‘A-2’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
A-3:   A short-term obligation rated ‘A-3’ 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.

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B:   A short-term obligation rated ‘B’ is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. Ratings of ‘B-1’, ‘B-2’, and ‘B-3’ may be assigned to indicate finer distinctions within the ‘B’ category. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B-1:   A short-term obligation rated ‘B-1’ is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, but the obligor has a relatively stronger capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
B-2:   A short-term obligation rated ‘B-2’ is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has an average speculative-grade capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
B-3:   A short-term obligation rated ‘B-3’ is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has a relatively weaker capacity to meets its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
C:   A short-term obligation rated ‘C’ 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.
D:   A short-term 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 a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

Fitch Ratings, Inc.

A brief description of the applicable Fitch Ratings, Inc. (Fitch) rating symbols and their meanings (as published by Fitch) follows:

Long-Term Credit Ratings
Investment Grade

 
AAA:   Highest credit quality. ‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA:   Very high credit quality. “AA” ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A:   High credit quality. “A” ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
BBB:   Good credit quality. “BBB” ratings indicate that expectations of credit risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

Speculative Grade

 
BB:   Speculative. ‘BB’ ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to credit risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.
B:   Highly speculative. ‘B’ ratings indicate that material credit risk is present.
CCC:   Substantial credit risk. ‘CCC’ ratings indicate that substantial credit risk is present.

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CC:   Very high levels of credit risk. ‘CC’ ratings indicate very high levels of credit risk.
C:   Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. ‘C’ indicates exceptionally high levels of credit risk.

Defaulted obligations typically are not assigned ‘D’ ratings, but are instead rated in the ‘B’ to ‘C’ rating categories, depending upon their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics. This approach better aligns obligations that have comparable overall expected loss but varying vulnerability to default and loss.

The modifiers “+” or “-” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the ‘AAA’ obligation rating category, or to corporate finance obligation ratings in the categories below ‘CCC.’

The subscript ‘emr’ is appended to a rating to denote embedded market risk which is beyond the scope of the rating. The designation is intended to make clear that the rating solely addresses the counterparty risk of the issuing bank. It is not meant to indicate any limitation in the analysis of the counterparty risk, which in all other respects follows published Fitch criteria for analyzing the issuing financial institution. Fitch does not rate these instruments where the principal is to any degree subject to market risk.

Recovery Ratings

Recovery Ratings are assigned to selected individual securities and obligations. These currently are published for most individual obligations of corporate issuers with IDRs in the ‘B’ rating category and below.

Among the factors that affect recovery rates for securities are the collateral, the seniority relative to other obligations in the capital structure (where appropriate), and the expected value of the company or underlying collateral in distress.

The Recovery Rating scale is based upon the expected relative recovery characteristics of an obligation upon the curing of a default, emergence from insolvency or following the liquidation or termination of the obligor or its associated collateral.

Recovery Ratings are an ordinal scale and do not attempt to precisely predict a given level of recovery. As a guideline in developing the rating assessments, the agency employs broad theoretical recovery bands in its ratings approach based on historical averages, but actual recoveries for a given security may deviate materially from historical averages.

 
RR1:   Outstanding recovery prospects given default.   ‘RR1’ rated securities have characteristics consistent with securities historically recovering 91% – 100% of current principal and related interest.
RR2:   Superior recovery prospects given default.   ‘RR2’ rated securities have characteristics consistent with securities historically recovering 71% – 90% of current principal and related interest.
RR3:   Good recovery prospects given default.   ‘RR3’ rated securities have characteristics consistent with securities historically recovering 51% – 70% of current principal and related interest.
RR4:   Average recovery prospects given default.   ‘RR4’ rated securities have characteristics consistent with securities historically recovering 31% – 50% of current principal and related interest.
RR5:   Below average recovery prospects given default.   ‘RR5’ rated securities have characteristics consistent with securities historically recovering 11% – 30% of current principal and related interest.
RR6:   Poor recovery prospects given default.   ‘RR6’ rated securities have characteristics consistent with securities historically recovering 0% – 10% of current principal and related interest.

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Short-Term Credit Ratings

A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity or security stream and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short term” based on market convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign and structured obligations, and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.

 
F1:   Highest short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
F2:   Good short-term credit quality. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.
F3:   Fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.
B:   Speculative short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
C:   High short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.
RD:   Restricted default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Applicable to entity ratings only.
D:   Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.

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        Shares

[GRAPHIC MISSING]

Eagle Point Income Company Inc.

  

Common Stock

 
 
 
 
  
  

PROSPECTUS
          , 2018

  
  
  
  
  

   
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods
                               A Stifel Company
  RBC Capital Markets   Oppenheimer & Co.

     
BB&T Capital Markets   B. Riley FBR   Ladenburg Thalmann   National Securities Corporation
MUFG             Wedbush Securities

  
  
  
  

Until          , 2018 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), federal securities laws may require all dealers that effect transactions in our common stock, whether or not participating in this offering, to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

 

 


 
 

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PART C — OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 25. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

1. Financial Statements:

The following financial statement of EP Income Company LLC (the “Registrant”) is included in Part A of the Registration Statement:

 
  Page
Statement of Financial Condition as of October 4, 2018 (Unaudited)     F-2  
Schedule of Investments as of October 4, 2018 (Unaudited)     F-3  
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)     F-4  

2. Exhibits:

 
(a)(1)   Certificate of Formation
(a)(2)   Form of Certificate of Incorporation
(b)(1)   Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement
(b)(2)   Form of Bylaws
(c)   Not applicable
(d)   Not applicable
(e)   Dividend Reinvestment Plan
(f)   Not applicable
(g)   Investment Advisory Agreement by and between Registrant and Eagle Point Income Management LLC
(h)   Form of Underwriting Agreement*
(i)   Not applicable
(j)   Custody Agreement, among the Registrant and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
(k)(1)   Administration Agreement by and between the Registrant and Eagle Point Administration LLC
(k)(2)   Form of Transfer Agency and Registrar Services Agreement between the Registrant and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
(k)(3)   Form of License Agreement by and between the Registrant and Eagle Point Income Management LLC
(l)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel*
(m)   Not applicable
(n)   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm*
(o)   Not applicable
(p)   Contribution Agreement
(q)   Not applicable
(r)(1)   Code of Ethics of the Registrant*
(r)(2)   Code of Ethics of Eagle Point Income Management LLC*

* To be filed by amendment.

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ITEM 26. MARKETING ARRANGEMENTS

The information contained under the heading “Underwriting” in the prospectus that forms a part of this Registration Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 27. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

 
SEC registration fee   $ 21,700  
FINRA filing fee   $ 18,000  
NYSE listing fee   $ 35,000  
Printing and postage   $ 50,000  
Legal fees and expenses   $ 700,000  
Accounting fees and expenses   $ 150,000  
Miscellaneous   $ 25,300  
Total   $ 1,000,000  

Note: Except for the SEC registration fee, the FINRA filing fee and the NYSE listing fee, all listed amounts are estimates.

The Adviser or affiliates of the Adviser will pay all of the Registrant’s organizational and offering expenses that exceed $750,000 (excluding the sales load, which is paid solely by the Adviser or its affiliates).

ITEM 28. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL

None

ITEM 29. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

The following table sets forth the number of record holders of each class of the Registrant’s securities as of October 4, 2018:

 
Title of Class   Number of
Record Holders
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share
    2  

ITEM 30. INDEMNIFICATION

As permitted by Section 102 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), the Registrant has adopted provisions in its certificate of incorporation that limit or eliminate the personal liability of its directors for a breach of their fiduciary duty of care as a director. The duty of care generally requires that, when acting on behalf of the corporation, directors exercise an informed business judgment based on all material information reasonably available to them. Consequently, a director will not be personally liable to the Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages or breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability for: any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Registrant or its stockholders; any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; any act related to unlawful stock repurchases, redemptions or other distributions or payment of dividends; or any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. These limitations of liability do not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission.

The Registrant’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that all directors, officers, employees and agents of the Registrant shall be entitled to be indemnified by the Registrant to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Under Section 145 of the DGCL, the Registrant is permitted to offer indemnification to its directors, officers, employees and agents.

Section 145(a) of the DGCL provides, in general, that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation), because the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of

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any other enterprise. Such indemnity may be against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and if, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, the person did not have reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful.

Section 145(b) of the DGCL provides, in general, that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor because the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of any other enterprise, against any expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

Section 145(g) of the DGCL provides, in general, that a corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of any other enterprise, against any liability asserted against the person in any such capacity, or arising out of the person’s status as such, regardless of whether the corporation would have the power to indemnify the person against such liability under the provisions of the law. We have obtained liability insurance for the benefit of our directors and officers.

The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, Eagle Point Income Management LLC (the “Adviser”) and its officers, managers, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with it are entitled to indemnification from the Registrant for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of the Adviser’s services under the Investment Advisory Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Registrant.

The Administration Agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, Eagle Point Administration LLC (the “Administrator”) and its officers, managers, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with it are entitled to indemnification from the Registrant for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of the Administrator’s services under the Administration Agreement or otherwise as administrator for the Registrant.

The Underwriting Agreement will provide that the underwriters agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless each of the Registrant, the 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 Registrant who signs the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Registrant, the Adviser and/or the Administrator within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or Section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), from and against any loss, damage, expense, liability or claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation) which, jointly or severally, the Registrant or any such person may incur under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the 1940 Act, the common law or otherwise, insofar as such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in and in conformity with information concerning such underwriter agent furnished in writing by underwriter agent to the Registrant expressly for use in this Registration Statement (or in the

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Registration Statement as amended by any post-effective amendment hereof by the Registrant) or in the prospectus (or any supplement thereto) contained in this Registration Statement, or arises out of or is based upon any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in connection with such information required to be stated in this Registration Statement or such prospectus (or supplement thereto) or necessary to make such information not misleading.

The Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with its officers and directors. The indemnification agreements are intended to provide the Registrant’s officers and directors the maximum indemnification permitted under Delaware law and the 1940 Act. Each indemnification agreement provides that the Registrant shall indemnify the director who is a party to the agreement (an “Indemnitee”), including the advancement of legal expenses, if, by reason of his or her corporate status, the Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to or a witness in any threatened, pending, or completed proceeding, other than a proceeding by or in the right of the Registrant.

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

ITEM 31. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER

A description of any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which the Adviser, and each managing director, director or executive officer of the Adviser, is or has been during the past two fiscal years, engaged in for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee, is set forth in Part A of this Registration Statement in the sections entitled “Management” and “The Adviser and the Administrator.” Additional information regarding the Adviser and its officers and directors is set forth in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC File No. 801-77721), under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 32. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

All accounts, books, and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act, and the rules thereunder are maintained at the offices of:

(1) the Registrant, EP Income Company LLC, 20 Horseneck Lane, Greenwich, CT 06830;
(2) the Transfer Agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, 6201 15 th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219;
(3) the Custodian, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, 9062 Old Annapolis Rd, Columbia, MD 21045; and
(4) the Adviser, Eagle Point Income Management LLC, 20 Horseneck Lane, Greenwich, CT 06830.

ITEM 33. MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Not applicable.

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ITEM 34. UNDERTAKINGS

(1) The Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of shares until the prospectus is amended if (1) subsequent to the effective date of its registration statement, the net asset value declines more than ten percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of the registration statement or (2) the net asset value increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the prospectus.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) Not applicable.
(5) Registrant undertakes that:
(a) for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of the Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective; and
(b) for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(6) Not applicable.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form N-2 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Township of Greenwich, in the State of Connecticut, on the 5 th day of October, 2018.

EP INCOME COMPANY LLC

By: /s/ Thomas P. Majewski

Name: Thomas P. Majewski
Title:  Chief Executive Officer

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENT, each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints each of Thomas P. Majewski and Kenneth P. Onorio as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all registration statements of EP Income Company LLC and any amendments or supplements thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them or his substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement on Form N-2 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

   
Signature   Title   Date
/s/ Thomas P. Majewski

Thomas P. Majewski
  Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of
the Board of Directors
(Principal Executive Officer)
  October 5, 2018
/s/ Kenneth P. Onorio

Kenneth P. Onorio
  Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
  October 5, 2018
/s/ James R. Matthews

James R. Matthews
  Director   October 5, 2018
/s/ Scott W. Appleby

Scott W. Appleby
  Director   October 5, 2018
/s/ Kevin F. McDonald

Kevin F. McDonald
  Director   October 5, 2018
/s/ Paul E. Tramontano

Paul E. Tramontano
  Director   October 5, 2018
/s/ Jeffrey L. Weiss

Jeffrey L. Weiss
  Director   October 5, 2018

C-6


 

Exhibit (a)(1)

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

 

OF

 

EP INCOME COMPANY LLC

 

The undersigned, an authorized natural person, for the purpose of forming a limited liability company, under the provisions and subject to the requirements of the State of Delaware (particularly Chapter 18, Title 6 of the Delaware Code and the acts amendatory thereof and supplemental thereto, and known, identified, and referred to as the “ Delaware Limited Liability Company Act ”), hereby certifies that:

 

FIRST : The name of the limited liability company is EP Income Company LLC.

 

SECOND : The address of the registered office of the limited liability company in the State of Delaware is 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19808.  The name of the limited liability company’s registered agent for service of process in the State of Delaware at such address is Corporation Service Company.

 

THIRD : This Certificate of Formation shall be effective on the date of filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Formation as of this 28 th day of September, 2018.

 

  /s/ Marian T. Ryan  
 

Name: Marian T. Ryan

Title: Authorized Person

 

 

 

Exhibit (a)(2)

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC.

 

 

ARTICLE I

 

1.1     The name of the Corporation is Eagle Point Income Company Inc. (the “ Corporation ”).

 

ARTICLE II

 

2.1     The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19808. The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.

 

ARTICLE III

 

3.1     The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended (the “ Delaware General Corporation Law ”), and to possess and exercise all of the powers and privileges granted by such law and any other law of the State of Delaware.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

4.1     Authorized Stock . The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 170,000,000 of which 150,000,000 shares shall be common stock having a par value of $0.001 per share (the “ Common Stock ”) and 20,000,000 shares shall be preferred stock having a par value of $0.001 per share (the “ Preferred Stock ”).

 

4.2    Common Stock . Except as otherwise required by law or as otherwise provided in any Preferred Stock Designation (as defined below), the holders of the Common Stock shall exclusively possess all voting power, and each share of Common Stock shall have one vote.

 

4.3    Preferred Stock . The Board of Directors is expressly granted authority to issue shares of Preferred Stock, in one or more series, and to fix for each such series such voting powers, full or limited, and such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and such qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issue of such series (each, a “ Preferred Stock Designation ”) and as may be permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. The Board of Directors may classify any unissued shares of Preferred Stock of any class or series from time to time, in one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock, without a separate vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock, or any series thereof, unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to any Preferred Stock Designation.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

5.1   The name and mailing address of the sole incorporator of the Corporation are as follows:

 

Name   Address
[●]   Eagle Point Income Management LLC
20 Horseneck Lane
Greenwich, CT 06830

 

5.2   The powers of the sole incorporator shall terminate upon the filing of this Certificate of Incorporation, and the names and mailing addresses of the persons who are to serve as directors until their successors are elected and qualify are as follows:

 

Name Director Class   Expiration of
Initial Term
  Address
Scott W. Appleby   Class I   2021  

20 Horseneck Lane

Greenwich, CT 06830

Thomas P. Majewski   Class III   2020  

20 Horseneck Lane

Greenwich, CT 06830

James R. Matthews   Class II   2019  

20 Horseneck Lane

Greenwich, CT 06830

Kevin F. McDonald   Class III   2020  

20 Horseneck Lane

Greenwich, CT 06830

Paul E. Tramontano   Class II   2019  

20 Horseneck Lane

Greenwich, CT 06830

Jeffrey L. Weiss   Class I   2021  

20 Horseneck Lane

Greenwich, CT 06830

 

ARTICLE VI

 

6.1        Powers of the Board of Directors . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have the power, without the assent or vote of the stockholders, to make, alter, amend, change, add to or repeal the Bylaws (the “ Bylaws ”) of the Corporation as provided in the Bylaws, subject to the power of the stockholders to alter or repeal any Bylaw whether adopted by them or otherwise.

 

The directors in their discretion may submit any contract or act for approval or ratification at any annual meeting of the stockholders or at any meeting of the stockholders called for the purpose of considering any such act or contract, and any contract or act that shall be approved or be ratified by a majority of the votes cast by stockholders present in person or by proxy at such meeting and entitled to vote thereat (provided that a lawful quorum of stockholders be there represented in person or by proxy), unless a higher vote is required by applicable law, shall be as valid and binding upon the Corporation and upon all the stockholders as though it had been approved or ratified by every stockholder of the Corporation, whether or not such contract or act would otherwise be open to legal attack because of directors’ interests or for any other reason.

 

The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of stock of the Corporation of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities or rights convertible into shares of its stock of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the Board of Directors may deem advisable (or without consideration in the case of a stock split or stock dividend), subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in the Bylaws.

 

2

 

 

In addition to the powers and authorities hereinbefore or by statute expressly conferred upon them, the directors are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject to the provisions of the statutes of Delaware, of this Certificate of Incorporation, and to any Bylaw; provided, however, that no Bylaw so made shall invalidate any prior act of the directors which would have been valid if such Bylaw had not been made.

 

6.2    Number of Directors . The number of directors of the Corporation shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors either by resolution or bylaw adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.

 

6.3    Classes of Directors . The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III, as nearly equal in number as possible, and the term of office of directors of one class shall expire at each annual meeting of stockholders, and in all cases as to each director such term shall extend until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify or until his or her earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity. Additional directorships resulting from an increase in number of directors shall be apportioned among the classes as equally as possible. The initial term of office of directors of Class I shall expire at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2021, the initial term of office of directors of Class II shall expire at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2019 and the initial term of office of directors of Class III shall expire at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2020. At each annual meeting of stockholders a number of directors equal to the number of directors of the class whose term expires at the time of such meeting (or, if less, the number of directors properly nominated and qualified for election) shall be elected to hold office until the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election.

 

At each annual election, directors chosen to succeed those whose terms then expire shall be of the same class as the directors they succeed, unless by reason of any intervening changes in the authorized number of directors, the Board of Directors shall designate one or more directorships whose term then expires as directorships of another class in order to more nearly achieve equality of number of directors among the classes.

 

Notwithstanding the rule that the three classes shall be as nearly equal in number of directors as possible, in the event of any change in the authorized number of directors, each director then continuing to serve as such shall nevertheless continue as a director of the class of which such director is a member until the expiration of his or her current term, or his or her earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity. If any newly created directorship may, consistent with the rule that the three classes shall be as nearly equal in number of directors as possible, be allocated to any class, the Board of Directors shall allocate it to that of the available class whose term of office is due to expire at the earliest date following such allocation.

 

6.4    Vacancies . Subject to applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of Preferred Stock, any and all vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred and until a successor is duly elected and qualifies. Subject to the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, no decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

6.5    Elections . Except as may otherwise be provided in the Bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by stockholders present in person or by proxy at an annual or special meeting duly called for such purpose and entitled to vote thereat. Election of directors to the Board of Directors need not be by ballot unless the Bylaws so provide.

 

3

 

 

ARTICLE VII

 

7.1        Limitation on Liability . The directors of the Corporation shall be entitled to the benefits of all limitations on the liability of directors generally that are now or hereafter become available under the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no director of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Any repeal or modification of this Section 7 shall be prospective only, and shall not affect, to the detriment of any director, any limitation on the personal liability of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

 

7.2        Indemnification . The Corporation, to the full extent permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time, shall indemnify all persons whom it may indemnify pursuant thereto. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which such officer or director may be entitled to indemnification hereunder shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized hereby.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

8.1    Powers of Stockholders to Act by Written Consent . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting if a unanimous consent which sets forth the action is given in writing or by electronic transmission by each stockholder entitled to vote on the matter and is filed with the records of the meetings of the stockholders.

 

8.2    Special Meetings of Stockholders . Special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation or by a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

9.1    Amendment . The Corporation reserves the right to amend any provision contained in this Certificate as the same may from time to time be in effect in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by law, and all rights conferred on stockholders or others hereunder are subject to such reservation.

 

4

 

 

I, the undersigned, being the Incorporator, for the purpose of forming a corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware, do make, file and record this Certificate of Incorporation, do certify that the facts herein stated are true, and accordingly, have hereunto set my hand this [•] day of [•] 2018.

 

     
  [•]

 

5

 

Exhibit (b)(1)

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT

 

OF

 

EP INCOME COMPANY LLC

 

A Delaware Limited Liability Company

 

Dated as of October 4, 2018

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR REGISTERED OR QUALIFIED UNDER ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND, AS SUCH, THEY MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, DELIVERED AFTER SALE, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS THE SECURITIES HAVE BEEN QUALIFIED AND REGISTERED UNDER APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS OR UNLESS SUCH QUALIFICATION AND REGISTRATION IS NOT LEGALLY REQUIRED. TRANSFERS OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT ARE FURTHER SUBJECT TO THE RESTRICTIONS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH HEREIN.

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

    Page
     
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS 1
     
1.1. Construction 1
     
1.2. Certain Definitions 1
     
ARTICLE II ORGANIZATION 7
     
2.1. Formation; Effective Date 7
     
2.2. Name 7
     
2.3. Registered Agent; Offices 7
     
2.4. Purpose 7
     
2.5. Foreign Qualification 8
     
2.6. Merger and Consolidation; Sale of Assets 8
     
ARTICLE III UNITS 8
     
3.1. New Members 8
     
3.2. Membership Interests; Certification 9
     
3.3. Class A Units 9
     
3.4. Class B Units 9
     
3.5. Liability to Third Parties 9
     
3.6. Lack of Authority 9
     
3.7. Withdrawal 9
     
3.8. Potential Conflicts with Legal Counsel 10
     
ARTICLE IV CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS 10
     
4.1. Contributions 10
     
4.2. Capital Contributions 10
     
ARTICLE V MEMBER RIGHTS 10
     
5.1. Transfer Restrictions; IPO Consent; Confidentiality 10
     
5.2. Redemption Right 11
     
5.3. Termination of Rights 12
     
ARTICLE VI ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS 12
     
6.1. Allocations 12
     
6.2. Distributions 13

 

i  

 

 

Table of Contents

(continued)

 

    Page
     
ARTICLE VII MANAGEMENT; THE INVESTMENT ADVISER 14
     
7.1. The Board of Directors; Delegation of Authority and Duties 14
     
7.2. The Investment Adviser 16
     
ARTICLE VIII EMPLOYEES OF THE COMPANY 16
     
8.1. Designation and Appointment 16
     
8.2. Resignation and Removal 16
     
8.3. Duties of Officers Generally 17
     
ARTICLE IX MEETINGS OF MEMBERS 17
     
9.1. Meetings of Members 17
     
9.2. Notice 17
     
9.3. Quorum; Voting 17
     
9.4. Action by Written Consent 18
     
9.5. Adjournment 18
     
ARTICLE X TAXES 18
     
10.1. Tax Matters Member; Tax Returns 18
     
10.2. Tax Allocations and Reports 19
     
10.3. Partnership for U.S. Federal Tax Purposes 19
     
10.4. Gain Recognition Election 19
     
10.5. Allocation of Certain Withholding Taxes 19
     
10.6 Effectively Connected Income 20
     
ARTICLE XI INDEMNIFICATION; CORPORATE OPPORTUNITY 20
     
11.1. Right to Indemnification 20
     
11.2. Procedure for Determining Permissibility 21
     
11.3. Contractual Obligation 22
     
11.4. Indemnification Not Exclusive; Inuring of Benefit 22
     
11.5. Insurance and Other Indemnification 22
     
11.6. Corporate Opportunities 22
     
ARTICLE XII BOOKS, RECORDS, REPORTS, AND BANK ACCOUNTS 23
     
12.1. Books 23
     
12.2. Company Funds 23
     
12.3. Financial Statements and Information 23

 

ii  

 

 

Table of Contents

(continued)

 

    Page
     
12.4. Inspection Rights 24
     
ARTICLE XIII DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION, AND TERMINATION 24
     
13.1. Dissolution 24
     
13.2. Liquidation and Termination 25
     
13.3. Certificate of Cancellation 25
     
ARTICLE XIV GENERAL PROVISIONS 25
     
14.1. Notices 25
     
14.2. Entire Agreement 25
     
14.3. Effect of Waiver or Consent 26
     
14.4. Amendment 26
     
14.5. Binding Act 26
     
14.6. Governing Law 26
     
14.7. Consent to Exclusive Jurisdiction 26
     
14.8. Severability 27
     
14.9. Further Assurances 27
     
14.10. No Third Party Benefit 27
     
14.11. Counterparts 27

 

iii  

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT

 

OF

 

EP INCOME COMPANY LLC

 

A Delaware Limited Liability Company

 

This AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) of EP INCOME COMPANY LLC (the “ Company ”) dated as of October 4, 2018 (the “ Effective Date ”) is entered into by and among the Company and the Members (as defined below). This Agreement amends and restates the Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of the Company dated as of September 28, 2018.

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

 

1.1.        Construction . Whenever the context requires, the gender of all words used in this Agreement includes the masculine, feminine and neuter. All references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement, and all references to Exhibits are to Exhibits attached hereto, each of which is made a part hereof for all purposes. This Agreement and any provision of it shall not be construed against the party that drafted the Agreement or such provision.

 

1.2.        Certain Definitions .

 

(a)          “ Act ” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (6 Del. C. § 18-101 et. seq.), and any successor statute, as amended from time to time.

 

(b)          “ Additional Interests ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b) .

 

(c)          “ Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person; provided that no securityholder of the Company shall be deemed an Affiliate of any other securityholder solely by reason of an investment in the Company. For the purpose of this definition, the term “ control ” (including with correlative meanings, the terms “ controlling ,” “ controlled by ” and “ under common control with ”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

(d)          “ Agreement ” means this Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of the Company, dated as of the date hereof, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

(e)          “ Board ” means the board of directors of the Company.

 

 

 

 

(f)          “ Capital Account ” means, with respect to any Member, the Capital Account maintained in accordance with the following provisions:

 

(i)       To each Member’s Capital Account there shall be credited such Member’s Capital Contributions, such Member’s distributive share of Profits and any items in the nature of income or gain which are specially allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(e) , and the amount of any Company liabilities assumed by such Member or which are secured by any property distributed to such Member;

 

(ii)       To each Member’s Capital Account there shall be debited the amount of cash and the Gross Asset Value of any property distributed to such Member pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, such Member’s distributive share of Losses and any items in the nature of expenses or losses which are specially allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(e) , and the amount of any liabilities of such Member assumed by the Company or which are secured by any property contributed by such Member to the Company; and

 

(iii)       In determining the amount of any liability for purposes of Sections 1.2(f)(i) and 1.2(f)(ii) hereof, there shall be taken into account Section 752(c) of the Code and any other applicable provisions of the Code and Regulations.

 

The foregoing provisions and the other provisions of this Agreement relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b) and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Regulations. In the event the Members shall determine that it is prudent to modify the manner in which the Capital Accounts, or any debits or credits thereto (including, without limitation, debits or credits relating to liabilities which are secured by contributed or distributed property or which are assumed by the Company or the Members), are computed in order to comply with such Regulations, the Members may make such modification; provided that it is not likely to have a material adverse effect on the amounts distributable to any Member pursuant to ARTICLE XIII upon the dissolution of the Company. The Members also shall (i) make any adjustments that are necessary or appropriate to maintain equality between the Capital Accounts of the Members and the amount of Company capital reflected on the Company’s balance sheet, as computed for book purposes in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)( g ), and (ii) make any appropriate modifications in the event unanticipated events might otherwise cause this Agreement not to comply with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b).

 

(g)          “ Capital Contribution ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1 .

 

(h)          “ Cavello Bay ” means Cavello Bay Reinsurance Limited, a Bermuda insurance company.

 

(i)           “ Certificate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 .

 

(j)           “ Class A Member ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a) .

 

 

  2  

 

 

(k)         “ Class A Unit ” means a Unit in the Company designated as a “Class A Unit” under Section 3.2(a) .

 

(l)           “ Class B Member ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a) .

 

(m)         “ Class B Unit ” means a Unit in the Company designated as a “Class B Unit” under Section 3.2(a) .

 

(n)          “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor statute.

 

(o)          “ Depreciation ” means, for each Fiscal Year (or other applicable period), an amount equal to the depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction allowable for federal income Tax purposes with respect to an asset for such period, except that (i) if the Gross Asset Value of an asset differs from its adjusted Tax basis and such difference is being eliminated by use of the “remedial method” defined by Regulations Section 1.704-3(d), Depreciation for such period shall be the amount of book basis recovered for such Fiscal Year or other period under the rules prescribed by Regulations Section 1.704-3(d)(2), and (ii) if the Gross Asset Value of any other asset differs from its adjusted Tax basis for federal income Tax purposes at the beginning of such period, Depreciation shall be an amount which bears the same ratio to such beginning Gross Asset Value as the federal income Tax depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction for such period bears to such beginning adjusted Tax basis; provided, however, that if the adjusted Tax basis for federal income Tax purposes of an asset at the beginning of such period is zero, Depreciation shall be determined with reference to such beginning Gross Asset Value using any reasonable method selected by the Board.

 

(p)          “ Director ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(a) .

 

(q)          “ EPIM ” means Eagle Point Income Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

(r)          “ Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

(s)          “ Fiscal Year ” means the fiscal year of the Company, which shall end on December 31 of each calendar year except as otherwise decided by the Board or required by the Code and Regulations.

 

(t)          “ Gain Recognition Election ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4 .

 

(u)          “ Gross Asset Value ” means, with respect to any asset of the Company, the asset’s adjusted basis for U.S. federal income Tax purposes, except as follows:

 

(i)       the Gross Asset Value of any asset contributed by a Member to the Company is the gross fair market value of such asset as determined by the Board at the time of contribution;

 

  3  

 

 

(ii)       the Gross Asset Value of all assets of the Company shall be adjusted to equal their respective gross fair market values, as determined in good faith by the Board, including as of the following times: (A) the acquisition of any Additional Interest in the Company by any new or existing Member in exchange for services or more than a de minimis Capital Contribution; (B) the distribution by the Company to a Member of more than a de minimis amount of property as consideration for an Additional Interest in the Company; (C) the liquidation of the Company within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g); or (D) at such other times as the Board deems necessary to reflect the intended economic interests of the Members in the Company; provided, however, that the adjustments pursuant to clauses (A), (B) and (D) above shall be made only if the Board reasonably determines that such adjustments are necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Members in the Company; and

 

(iii)       the Gross Asset Value of any asset of the Company distributed to any Member shall be adjusted to equal the gross fair market value of such asset on the date of distribution as determined by the Board.

 

If the Gross Asset Value of an asset of the Company has been determined or adjusted pursuant to subpa r agraph (i) or (ii) above, such Gross Asset Value shall thereafter be adjusted by the Depreciation taken into account with respect to such asset for purposes of computing Profit or Loss.

 

(v)          “ Indemnified Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.1(c) .

 

(w)         “ Independent Accountants ” means          , or any replacement independent certified public accounting firm selected by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof from time to time.

 

(x)          “ Investment Adviser ” means EPIM or such other investment adviser of the Company as the Board may appoint pursuant to Section 7.2 .

 

(y)          “ IPO ” means an initial public offering and listing by the Company of its equity securities on a national, international or private securities exchange, pursuant to which the Company (i) has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, (ii) would elect to be taxed as a regulated investment company under the Code and (iii) would be governed by an independent board of directors (which may be the Board), in accordance with a certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as in effect at such time.

 

(z)          “ IPO Deadline ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(a) .

 

(aa)         Member ” means each of (i) EPIM, (ii) Cavello Bay and (iii) any Person hereafter admitted to the Company as a member as provided in this Agreement, but shall not include any Person who has ceased to be a member in the Company.

 

(bb)       “ Membership Interest ” means a Member’s entire interest in the Company, including such Member’s economic interest, the right to vote on or participate

 

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in the Company’s management and the right to receive information concerning the business and affairs of the Company, in each case, to the extent expressly provided in this Agreement or required by the Act.

 

(cc)        “ Officers ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1 .

 

(dd)        “ Percentage Interest ,” with respect to each Member, means a fraction expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the number of Units held by such Member, and the denominator of which is the aggregate number of all outstanding Units.

 

(ee)        “ Person ” shall mean an individual, a corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, organization, association, government or any department or agency thereof, or any other individual or entity.

 

(ff)         “ Profits ” and “ Losses ” means, for each Fiscal Year or other period, an amount equal to the Company’s taxable income or loss for such year or period, determined in accordance with Section 703(a) of the Code (for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss, or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Section 703(a)(l) of the Code shall be included in taxable income or loss), with the following adjustments:

 

(i)       Income of the Company that is exempt from U.S. federal income Tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits or Losses shall be added to such taxable income or loss.

 

(ii)      Expenditures of the Company described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code or treated as such expenditures pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-l(b)(2)(iv)( i ), and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits or Losses shall be subtracted from such taxable income or loss.

 

(iii)     In the event the Gross Asset Value of the Company is adjusted, the amount of such adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from the disposition of such asset for purposes of computing Profits or Losses.

 

(iv)     Gain or loss resulting from any disposition of Company property with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for U.S. federal income Tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Gross Asset Value of the property disposed of, notwithstanding that the adjusted Tax basis of such property differs from its Gross Asset Value.

 

(v)      In lieu of depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery deductions taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken into account Depreciation for such Fiscal Year computed in accordance with Section 1.2(o) .

 

(vi)     To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted Tax basis of any Company asset pursuant to Section 734(b) of the Code is required pursuant to

 

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Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)( m )( 4 ) to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution other than in liquidation of a Member’s Membership Interest, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases the basis of the asset) from the disposition of the asset and shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Profits or Losses.

 

(vii)       Any items which are specially allocated pursuant to Sections 6.1(b) and 6.1(c) shall not be taken into account in computing Profits or Losses.

 

The amounts of items of Company income, gain, loss, or deduction available to be specially allocated pursuant to Sections 6.1(b) and 6.1(c) shall be determined by applying rules analogous to those set forth in subparagraphs (i) through (vi) above.

 

(gg)        “ Quarterly Net Asset Value Calculation ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.3 .

 

(hh)        “ Redemption Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(c) .

 

(ii)          “ Redemption Request Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(b) .

 

(jj)          “ Redemption Right ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(a) .

 

(kk)        “ Regulations ” means the U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code.

 

(ll)          “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

 

(mm)      “ Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any entity of which securities or other ownership interests having sufficient ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other Persons performing similar functions are at the time directly or indirectly owned by such Person.

 

(nn)        “ Tax ” means all U.S. federal, state, local or foreign taxes of any kind, including all interest, penalties and additions to tax imposed thereon.

 

(oo)        “ Tax Matters Member ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1 .

 

(pp)        “ Units ” means the units representing limited liability company interests in the Company as the Board may issue from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATION

 

2.1.        Formation; Effective Date . The Company was organized as a Delaware limited liability company on September 28, 2018 by the filing of a certificate of formation (the “ Certificate ”) with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware under and pursuant to the Act. This Agreement amends and restates the Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of the Company dated as of September 28, 2018, and this Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date. To the extent that the rights or obligations of any Member differ by reason of any provision of this Agreement than they would be in the absence of such provisions, this Agreement shall, to the extent permitted by the Act, control.

 

2.2.        Name . The name of the Company is “EP Income Company LLC” or such other name as the Board may designate from time to time.

 

2.3.        Registered Agent; Offices . The registered agent and office of the Company required by the Act to be maintained in the State of Delaware shall be Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19808, or such other agent or office (which need not be a place of business of the Company) as the Board may designate from time to time in the manner provided by applicable law. The principal office of the Company shall be located at such place within or without the State of Delaware, and the Company shall maintain such records, as the Board shall determine from time to time. The Company may have such other offices as the Board may designate from time to time.

 

2.4.        Purpose .

 

(a)          The purpose and business of the Company shall be (i) to invest in, hold and dispose of securities and other investments for any lawful business, purpose or activity permitted to be carried on by limited liability companies under the Act, (ii) to exercise all rights and powers granted to the Company under this Agreement and any other agreements contemplated hereby consistent with the activities set forth in Section 2.4(a)(i) , as the same may be amended from time to time and (iii) to engage in any other lawful acts or activities incidental or ancillary thereto as the Board deems necessary or advisable for which limited liability companies may be organized under the Act.

 

(b)          Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Company shall have the power and authority to take any and all actions necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, convenient or incidental to, or for the furtherance of, the purposes set forth in Section 2.4(a) ; provided, however, that the Company shall comply with its obligations set forth under Section 10.6 .

 

(c)          Subject to the provisions of this Agreement and applicable law, (i) the Company may enter into and perform any and all documents, agreements and instruments contemplated hereby, all without any further act, vote or approval of any Member and (ii) the Board may authorize any Person (including any Member) to enter into any agreement and perform any action on behalf of the Company.

 

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2.5.        Foreign Qualification . The Officers shall cause the Company to comply with all requirements necessary to qualify the Company as a foreign limited liability company in any jurisdiction where the nature of its business makes such qualification necessary or desirable. Subject to the preceding sentence, at the request of the Board, each Member shall execute, acknowledge and deliver all certificates and other instruments conforming with this Agreement that are necessary or appropriate to qualify, continue or terminate the Company as a foreign limited liability company in all such jurisdictions in which the Company may conduct business.

 

2.6.        Merger and Consolidation; Sale of Assets; Conversion . Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Board approval and the requirements of applicable law, and with the consent of a majority of the holders of Units entitled to vote, the Company may merge or consolidate with or into one or more limited liability companies or one or more other business entities (as defined in the Act), the Company may sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of its property, or the Company may convert to a corporation or other entity type, in each case, without any further act, vote or approval of any Member.

 

ARTICLE III
UNITS

 

3.1.        New Members .

 

(a)          The name and address of each Member as well as the number and class of Units owned by each Member shall be maintained by the Board.

 

(b)          Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Company shall have the right to issue or sell to any Person (including Members and Affiliates of Members) any of the following (which for purposes of this Agreement shall be referred to as “ Additional Interests ”): (i) additional Units; (ii) warrants, options or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire Units; and (iii) any other equity interests in the Company, as approved by the Board. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Company shall determine the number of Units or other equity interests in the Company to be issued or sold and the contribution required in connection with the issuance of such Additional Interests. In order for and prior to any Person being admitted as a new Member in connection with an issuance of Additional Interests or with respect to Membership Interests that have been transferred pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, such Person shall have delivered to the Company a written undertaking and/or subscription agreement in a form acceptable to the Company to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and shall have delivered such other documents and instruments as the Company may reasonably determine to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the issuance of Additional Interests to such Person or the transfer of Membership Interests to such Person to effect such Person’s admission as a Member. Upon the delivery of such documents and instruments, such Person shall be admitted as a Member and deemed listed as such on the books and records of the Company and thereupon shall be issued such Person’s Membership Interest, including such number of Units that correspond to and are part of such Membership Interest.

 

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3.2.        Membership Interests; Certification .

 

(a)          As of the Effective Date, the Company shall have two classes of Units authorized and outstanding, designated as “ Class A Units ” and “ Class B Units ,” respectively. Any Member holding a Class A Unit is referred to in this Agreement as a “ Class A Member ” and any Member holding a Class B Unit, a “ Class B Member .” The Board may establish additional classes (or series of a class) of equity and debt interests as the Board, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.

 

(b)          The Units shall be uncertificated, unless the Board determines to issue certificates to any Members representing the Units held by such Members. To the extent that a holder of Units is required by the other provisions of this Agreement to deliver or surrender such holder’s certificates representing such Units, then, in the event that the Units are not then held in certificated form, the Company shall provide a form to be completed and delivered by such holder in lieu thereof.

 

3.3.        Class A Units.

 

(a)            The Class A Units shall have the right to (1) receive distributions as set forth in Section 6.2 and in Section 13.2 and (2) receive allocations of Profits and Losses as set forth in Section 6.1 , as well as such other rights as set forth in this Agreement.

 

(b)            The Company may issue additional Class A Units pursuant to a determination by the Board.

 

3.4.        Class B Units.

 

(a)            The Class B Units shall have the right to (1) receive distributions as set forth in Section 6.2 and in Section 13.2 and (2) receive allocations of Profits and Losses as set forth in Section 6.1 , as well as such other rights as set forth in this Agreement.

 

(b)            The Company may issue additional Class B Units pursuant to a determination by the Board.

 

3.5.        Liability to Third Parties . Except as to any obligation it may have under the Act to repay funds that may have been wrongfully distributed to it, no Member shall be liable for the debts, obligations or liabilities of the Company, including under a judgment, decree or order of a court.

 

3.6.        Lack of Authority . No Member shall have the authority or power in his, her or its capacity as a Member, without more, to act for or on behalf of the Company, to do any act that would be binding on the Company or to incur any expenditures on behalf of the Company.

 

3.7.        Withdrawal . A Member does not have the right to withdraw from the Company as a Member (except in connection with a transfer of its Units in accordance with this Agreement

 

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or pursuant to Section 5.2 ), and any attempt to violate the provisions hereof shall be legally ineffective.

 

3.8.        Potential Conflicts with Legal Counsel. Each Member hereby waives any actual or potential conflicts of interest between such member and any legal counsel to the Company.

 

ARTICLE IV
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

 

4.1.        Contributions . Each Member shall make, shall have made or shall be required to make Capital Contributions as provided for in this ARTICLE IV . No Member shall be required to make any additional Capital Contributions. A Member shall not be entitled to the return of any part of its Capital Contributions or to be paid interest in respect of its Capital Contributions. A Capital Contribution is not a liability of the Company or of any Member. As used herein, “ Capital Contribution ” means any contribution by a Member to the capital of the Company.

 

4.2.        Capital Contributions . Each Member must make such Capital Contribution as consideration for the Units acquired by such Member as the Board shall determine in its sole discretion and in accordance with applicable law.

 

ARTICLE V
MEMBER RIGHTS

 

5.1.        Transfer Restrictions; IPO Consent; Confidentiality .

 

(a)          Prior to the closing of an IPO, none of the holders of Units shall sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of its Units without the prior written consent of the Board, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Each holder of the Units agrees and acknowledges that the Units have not been registered under the Securities Act, and that the Units may not be transferred except in a transaction exempt from, or not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

(b)          In connection with an IPO, each holder of Units hereby agrees to not unreasonably withhold or delay its consent, if requested by the Company, (i) to the Board taking all actions necessary or desirable, in the judgment of the Board to effectuate such IPO, including, without limitation, (A) converting the Company to a Delaware corporation, (B) paying all fees and expenses relating to the preparation and filing of a registration statement and any amendments thereto with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the listing by the Company of its equity securities on a national, international or private securities exchange, (C) providing information with respect to the holders of Units, as required by law, (D) negotiating any registration rights agreements on behalf of the holders of Units, (E) engaging one or more underwriters for such IPO and (F) electing for the Company to be taxed as a regulated investment company under the Code and (ii) to granting an irrevocable proxy to the Board to elect and appoint additional or replacement Directors (both independent and interested) in contemplation of the conversion of the Company to a Delaware corporation.

 

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(c)          Without the prior written consent of the Company, no holder of Units may disclose, or cause its directors, agents, advisors, officers, employees, attorneys, accountants, stockholders or interest-holders, authorized representatives or Affiliates to disclose, at any time, the terms of its investment in the Units, the existence or status of negotiations with respect thereto (including the name of the Company or the names of other investors in the Company in any manner, context or format) or any material, non-public information regarding the Company provided to such holder in its capacity as a holder of Units (collectively, the “ Confidential Information ”); provided that any such holder may disclose Confidential Information (i) if and to the extent required by law, regulation or applicable judicial decisions, (ii) if and to the extent requested by a regulatory authority and (iii) to its Affiliates, its actual or potential investors and its actual or potential lenders, attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, consultants and other advisors, in each case who are subject to similar obligations of confidentiality. To the extent a Party is not prohibited from doing so by law, regulation or legal process, prior to any such disclosure of Confidential Information (other than disclosure permitted by clause (i) or (ii) above), the holder of Units shall give the Company an opportunity to review the applicable disclosure and, to the extent reasonable in light of the circumstances (in the reasonable discretion of the Company), to provide comments thereto, which comments such holder shall consider in good faith, and shall disclose only that Confidential Information as is reasonably required to be disclosed. To the extent disclosure of the Confidential Information is to be disclosed under clause (ii) or (iii) above, the holder of Units agrees to use reasonable efforts to obtain assurances that any such disclosed Confidential Information will be afforded confidential treatment.

 

5.2.         Redemption Right.

 

(a)          If (and only if) an IPO has not been consummated prior to October 4, 2021 (the “ IPO Deadline ”), then, on and after the IPO Deadline, Members holding at least 51% of all outstanding Units shall have the right (the “ Redemption Right ”) to cause the Company to redeem all of the outstanding Units on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 5.2 .

 

(b)          In order to validly exercise the Redemption Right under Section 5.2(a) , a written notice signed by Members holding at least 51% of all outstanding Units shall be delivered to the Company no later than ninety (90) days prior to the date on which such Members desire the Company to redeem such Units (such notice, the “ Redemption Request Notice ”). No Redemption Request Notice may be revoked by the Members without the prior approval of the Board.

 

(c)          The Company and a majority of the Members exercising the Redemption Right shall mutually agree on a date that is between thirty (30) days and ninety (90) days after the date of delivery of the Redemption Request Notice to effect the redemption (the “ Redemption Date ”). On the Redemption Date, the Company shall pay (or cause to be paid) to each Member, as the redemption price for the Units being redeemed from such Member, an amount per Unit equal to the value of the Members’ net asset value per Unit (as determined by the Board on a date as of a time within 48 hours, excluding Sundays and holidays, next preceding the time of the

 

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Redemption Date) in cash to a bank account designated in writing by such Member.

 

5.3.         Termination of Rights . All rights of, or restrictions imposed upon, all Members under this Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of the conversion of the Company to a Delaware corporation or pricing of an IPO; provided that Section 5.1(b) , Section 5.1(c) and Section 11.1 (solely with respect to actions occurring on or prior to such date) shall survive termination.

 

ARTICLE VI
ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

6.1.        Allocations .

 

(a)          Except as otherwise provided in Sections 6.1(b) through 6.1(e) , the items of income, expense, gain and loss of the Company comprising Profits or Losses for a Fiscal Year shall be allocated among the persons who were Members during such Fiscal Year in accordance with Percentage Interests.

 

(b)           Loss Limitation . Losses allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(a) shall not exceed the maximum amount of Losses that can be allocated without causing any Member to have a negative Capital Account balance at the end of any Fiscal Year (after taking into account the adjustments, allocations and distributions described in Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)( d )( 4 ), ( 5 ) and ( 6 )). In the event some but not all of the Members would have negative Capital Account balances as a consequence of an allocation of Losses pursuant to Section 6.1(a) , the limitation set forth in this Section 6.1(b) shall be applied on a Member by Member basis and Losses not allocable to any Member as a result of such limitation shall be allocated to other Members in accordance with the positive balances in such Member’s Capital Accounts so as to allocate the maximum permissible Losses to such Member under Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)( d ). Allocations of Profit and Loss for the periods after a period to which this Section 6.1(b) applies shall be made in a way that, to the extent possible, reverses the effects of any limitations on allocations of Losses pursuant to this Section 6.1(b) .

 

(c)           Compliance with Regulations . The allocations set forth in Section 6.1(a) are intended to allocate Profits and Losses to the Members in compliance with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code and the Regulations promulgated thereunder. If the Board reasonably determines that the allocation of Profits or Losses for any period pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1(a) does not satisfy the “substantial economic effect” safe harbor of Section 704(b) of the Code or the Regulations promulgated thereunder (including the minimum gain and partner minimum gain chargeback requirements of Regulations Section 1.704-2 and the qualified income offset requirement of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)( d )), then, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, items otherwise included in the computation of Profits and Losses shall be specially allocated in such manner as the Board shall reasonably determine to be required by Section 704(b) of the Code and the Regulations promulgated thereunder; provided, however, that if the Board exercises its authority to

 

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make such special allocations, then, notwithstanding the other provisions of this ARTICLE VI , but subject to Section 704(b) of the Code and the Regulations promulgated thereunder, the Board shall specially allocate subsequent Profits or Losses among the Members so as to cause the Members’ respective separate Capital Accounts to have the balances (or as close thereto as possible) that they would have if Profits and Losses were allocated without reference to the special allocations permitted by this Section 6.1(c) .

 

(d)           Transfers of Units . All items of Profit, Loss and credit allocable to any Units that may have been transferred or otherwise disposed of shall be allocated between the transferor and the transferee based on an interim closing of the books, as determined in good faith by the Board; provided, however, that this allocation must be made in accordance with a method permissible under Section 706 of the Code and the Regulations thereunder.

 

(e)           Tax Allocations; Section 704(c) of the Code .

 

(i)         In each Fiscal Year, items of income, deduction, gain, loss, or credit that are recognized for Tax purposes shall be allocated among the Members, in such manner as reflects equitably amounts credited or debited to each Member’s Capital Accounts for the current and prior Fiscal Years. Such allocations shall take account of any variation between the adjusted Tax basis of such property to the Company and its Gross Asset Value in accordance with the principles of Section 704(c) of the Code and the Regulations thereunder. Any elections or other decisions relating to such allocations shall be made by the Tax Matters Member. In the sole discretion of the Tax Matters Member, the Company may aggregate realized gains and losses in any manner permitted by Regulations Section 1.704-3.

 

(ii)        Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that a Member withdraws all or part of its Capital Account (including by reason of death), the Tax Matters Member may, in its sole discretion, specially allocate items of Company gain or loss to that Member for Tax purposes to reduce the amount, if any, by which the amount distributable to the Member upon the withdrawal differs from that Member’s Tax basis for its withdrawn interest, or otherwise reduce any discrepancy between amounts previously allocated to the Member’s Capital Account and amounts previously allocated to that Member for U.S. federal income Tax purposes.

 

Allocations pursuant to Section 6.1(e) are solely for purposes of federal, state and local Taxes and shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing, any Member’s share of Profits, Losses, distributions or other items pursuant to any other provision of this Agreement.

 

6.2.         Distributions . Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Company may make distributions to the Members from time to time from assets legally available for distribution in amounts determined by the Board and any such distributions shall be made on a pro rata basis in accordance with each Member’s Percentage Interest.

 

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ARTICLE VII
MANAGEMENT; THE INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

7.1.        The Board of Directors; Delegation of Authority and Duties

 

(a)       Subject to the delegation of rights and powers as provided for herein, the business and affairs of the Company shall be vested in and conducted by the Board, which shall have the right to manage and control the business and affairs of the Company and shall have all powers and rights necessary, appropriate or advisable to effectuate and carry out the purposes and business of the Company. Except as otherwise expressly provided for herein, the Members hereby consent to the exercise by the Board of all such powers and rights conferred on it by the Act or otherwise by applicable law with respect to the management and control of the Company. No Member shall have any power to act for, sign for or do any act that would bind the Company without the authorization of the Board. The members of the Board (each, a “ Director ”) shall devote such time and effort to the affairs of the Company as each Director may deem appropriate for the oversight of the management and affairs of the Company and shall not be expected to devote all of his or her time or business efforts to the affairs of the Company.

 

(b)       Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Board shall have the power and authority to delegate to one or more other Persons its rights and powers to manage and control the business and affairs of the Company, including delegating such rights and powers to a committee of the Directors, the Directors, the Officers or agents of the Company or the Investment Adviser. The Board may authorize any Person (including, without limitation, any Member or Affiliate of the Company or the Investment Adviser) to enter into any document on behalf of the Company and perform the obligations of the Company thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board shall not have the power and authority to delegate any rights or powers customarily requiring the approval of the board of directors of a Delaware corporation.

 

(c)       The Board may, by resolution, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the Directors. Any such committee, to the extent permitted by applicable law, this Agreement and a resolution of the Board, shall have, and may exercise, all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Company.

 

(d)       The Board shall, in the performance of its duties, be protected fully in relying in good faith upon the records of the Company and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Company by any Person as to matters the Board reasonably believes are within such other Person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Company.

 

(e)       Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, any action which could be taken by the Board or a committee thereof at a meeting of the Board or such committee may be taken by the Board or such committee without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by all members of the Board or such committee. Any such written consent may be executed and ascribed to by facsimile or similar electronic means.

 

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(f)       The number of Directors constituting the Board shall not be less than four (4) nor more than eight (8). The following persons are the Directors as of the Effective Date:

 

Scott W. Appleby

 

Thomas P. Majewski

 

James R. Matthews

 

Kevin F. McDonald

 

Paul E. Tramontano

 

Jeffrey L. Weiss

 

As of the Effective Date, the Chairman of the Board shall be Thomas P. Majewski. Upon Mr. Majewski resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity, the Chairman shall be appointed by the Board.

 

(g)       Each Director shall hold office until such Director’s earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate to reflect 1940 Act voting requirements or under applicable law, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of Directors or from any other cause may be filled by a majority of the Directors then in office, although less than a quorum, and each Director so chosen shall hold office until such Director’s earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity. Directors may be elected and removed by the Members at any time and from time to time.

 

(h)       The Board shall meet no less frequently than annually. Written notice stating the place, day and hour of any meeting of the Board shall be delivered to each Director either by mail not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the date of the meeting, by telephone, facsimile, telegram or e-mail not less than twenty four (24) hours’ notice, or on such shorter notice as the person or persons calling such meeting may deem necessary or appropriate in the circumstances. The Chairman of the Board shall have the power to adjourn such meeting from time to time, without any notice other than announcement at the meeting of the time and place of the holding of the adjourned meeting. Upon the resumption of such adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

 

(i)       Except as may be otherwise specifically provided by applicable law, the Certificate or this Agreement, at all meetings of the Board or any committee thereof, a majority of the entire Board or such committee, as the case may be, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of the Directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board or of any committee thereof, a majority of the Directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

 

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(j)       Members of the Board or any committee designed by the Board may participate in a meeting of the Board or of a committee of the Board by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section 7.1(j) shall constitute presence in person at such meeting (unless otherwise required by applicable law).

 

(k)       Any Director may resign at any time by submitting his or her written resignation to the Board or secretary of the Company. Such resignation shall take effect at the time of its receipt by the Company unless another time be fixed in the resignation, in which case it shall become effective at the time so fixed. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be required to make it effective.

 

7.2.         The Investment Adviser. The Board shall have the power and authority to delegate to an investment adviser the right to manage the assets of the Company. The Board has delegated such right to the Investment Adviser, provided, that, prior to the effectiveness of such delegation, the Company shall be responsible for the management of its assets.

 

ARTICLE VIII
EMPLOYEES OF THE COMPANY

 

8.1.        Designation and Appointment . The initial officers (“ Officers ”) of the Company shall be the Officers (if any) previously designated in accordance with the Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of the Company dated as of September 28, 2018. The Board may, from time to time, appoint such Officers as may be necessary or appropriate for the conduct of the Company’s business (subject to the supervision and control of the Board). The Officers may be authorized by the Board to open bank accounts, pay the debts of the Company, enter into contracts, execute agreements and other documentation of the Company and perform such other actions as the Board may from time to time deem necessary or appropriate. Any number of offices may be held by the same Person. In the Board’s discretion, it may choose not to fill any office for any period as it may deem advisable. Officers need not be residents of the State of Delaware. Any Officer so designated shall have such authority and perform such duties as is customary for an officer of such type for a Delaware corporation or as the Board may, from time to time, delegate to such Officer. The Board may assign titles to particular Officers. Each Officer shall hold office until his or her successor shall be duly designated and shall have qualified as an Officer or until his or her death or until he or she shall resign or shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter provided. Officers of the Company shall not receive any salaries or other compensation directly from the Company.

 

8.2.        Resignation and Removal . Any Officer may resign as such at any time by submitting his or her written resignation to the Board or the secretary of the Company. Such resignation shall be made in writing and shall take effect at the time specified therein, or if no time be specified, at the time of its receipt by the Board. The acceptance by the Board of a resignation of any Officer shall not be necessary to make such resignation effective, unless otherwise specified in such resignation. Any Officer may be removed as such, either with or without cause, at any time by the Board. Designation of any Person as an Officer by the Board pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.1 shall not, in and of itself, vest in such Person any contractual or employment rights with respect to the Company.

 

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8.3.        Duties of Officers Generally . The Officers, in the performance of their duties as such, shall (a) owe to the Company duties of loyalty and due care of the type owed by the officers of a corporation to such corporation and its stockholders under the laws of the State of Delaware, and (b) keep the Board reasonably apprised of material developments in the business and affairs of the Company.

 

ARTICLE IX
MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

 

9.1.        Meetings of Members .

 

(a)       All meetings of the Members shall be held at the principal place of business of the Company or at such other place within or without the State of Delaware as shall be specified or fixed in the notices (or waivers of notice thereof).

 

(b)       Meetings of the Members for any proper purpose or purposes may be called at any time by (i) the Board or (ii) Members holding at least 51% of all Units outstanding.

 

(c)       All meetings of the Members shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board. The Board may designate any other Officer or Director to act as chairman of any meeting of the Members in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, and the Board may further provide for determining who shall act as chairman of any meeting of the Members in the absence of the Chairman of the Board or such designee. The Chairman of the Board or such other chairman of any meeting of Members shall determine the order of business and the procedure at the meeting, including such regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of discussion as seem to him or her in order.

 

9.2.        Notice . Written notice stating the place, day and hour of any meeting of the Members and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called shall be delivered not less than three (3) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of such meeting by or at the direction of the Board, to each Member entitled to vote at such meeting.

 

9.3.        Quorum; Voting .

 

(a)       Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate or this Agreement or required by applicable law, a quorum shall be present at a meeting of Members if the holders of a majority of the Units entitled to vote at such meeting are represented at the meeting in person or by proxy or have waived in writing their right to vote at such meeting.

 

(b)       A Member may vote either in person or by proxy executed in writing by the Member. A proxy shall be revocable unless the proxy form conspicuously states that the proxy is irrevocable.

 

(c)       Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate or this Agreement or required by applicable law, with respect to any matter, (i) the holders of Units entitled to vote on a matter shall vote together as a single class, (ii) each holder of Units entitled to vote shall cast one vote for each such Unit held, and partial Unit voting shall be permitted,

 

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and (iii) an affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Units entitled to vote on a matter (or holders of such higher aggregate percentage of Units as is required to authorize or take such action under the terms of the Certificate, this Agreement or applicable law) present in person or by proxy at the meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Members.

 

9.4.        Action by Written Consent . Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, any action which could be taken by the Members at a meeting of Members may be taken by the Members, without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Units entitled to vote on such matter (or holders of such higher aggregate percentage of Units as is required to authorize or take such action under the terms of the Certificate, this Agreement or applicable law) who have not previously waived their right to vote on such matter, provided that a copy of such consent shall be given to each Member promptly thereafter. Any such written consent may be executed and ascribed to by facsimile or similar electronic means.

 

9.5.        Adjournment . The chairman of the meeting or the holders of a majority of the Units present at the meeting and entitled to vote thereat shall have the power to adjourn such meeting from time to time, without any notice other than announcement at the meeting of the time and place of the holding of the adjourned meeting. If such meeting is adjourned by holders of a majority of the outstanding Units entitled to vote and present at the meeting, such time and place shall be determined by a vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Units present at the meeting and no notice of the adjourned meeting need be given if such time and place are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. Upon the resumption of such adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

 

ARTICLE X
TAXES

 

10.1.        Tax Matters Member; Tax Returns .

 

(a)         The Board shall cause the Company to prepare and file all necessary U.S. federal, state, local and foreign Tax returns for the Company.

 

(b)         Each Member shall furnish to the Company all pertinent information (including without limitation Internal Revenue Service Form W-9, W-8BEN, W-8ECI or W-8EXP, as applicable) in its possession relating to Company operations that is necessary to enable the Company’s Tax returns to be prepared and filed and to allow the Company to comply with any Tax accounting, withholding and reporting obligations.

 

(c)         EPIM is hereby designated, and shall serve as, the “partnership representative” of the Company for purposes of Section 6223 of the Code and in any similar capacity under applicable state or local Tax law (the “ Tax Matters Member ”). The Tax Matters Member shall be authorized and required to make any determination, decision or election related to its role as “partnership representative” in its sole discretion and to represent the Company (at the Company’s expense) in connection with all examinations of

 

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the Company’s affairs by any relevant taxing authority, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings and to expend Company funds for professional services and costs associated therewith. Each Member agrees to indemnify the Company for any taxes (and related interest, penalties or other charges or expenses) payable by the Company and attributable to such Member’s interest in the Company, as determined by the Tax Matters Member. The obligations under this Section 10.1(c) shall survive the withdrawal of any Member, the winding up or dissolution of the Company, or both.

 

10.2.        Tax Allocations and Reports . The Company shall take reasonable efforts so that as soon as they are available after the end of each Fiscal Year, the Board shall cause the Company to furnish each Member an Internal Revenue Service Schedule K-1, which form shall duly reflect the allocation of income, gain, loss and deduction set forth in Section 6.1 . Upon the written request of any such Member and at the expense of such Member, the Company shall use reasonable efforts to deliver or cause to be delivered any additional information necessary for the preparation of any federal, state, local and foreign income Tax return which must be filed by such Member. Any deficiency for Taxes imposed on any Member (including penalties, additions to tax or interest imposed with respect to such taxes) shall be paid by such Member, and if paid by the Company, shall be recoverable from such Member (including by offset against distributions otherwise payable to such Member).

 

10.3.        Partnership for U.S. Federal Tax Purposes . As long as the Company remains a Delaware limited liability company, the parties agree to treat the Company as a partnership and to treat all Units as interests in such partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes and no party shall take any position inconsistent with this characterization in any Tax return or otherwise to the extent consistent with applicable law.

 

10.4.        Gain Recognition Election . In connection with any conversion of the Company to a Delaware corporation, the Tax Matters Member may (in its sole discretion) cause the Company to make an election pursuant to Section 337 of the Code and the applicable Regulations to cause built-in gain to be recognized in respect of Company property attributable to a Member that is taxable as a corporation (or, on a look-through basis, has direct or indirect owners that are so taxable), and to specially allocate such recognized gain to such Member (a “ Gain Recognition Election ”). Each Member hereby agrees to provide the Tax Matters Member with such information as may be required (including in respect of indirect corporate owners) to enable the Company to make an effective Gain Recognition Election.

 

10.5.        Allocation of Certain Withholding Taxes . If the Company incurs a withholding Tax or other Tax obligation with respect to the share of Company income allocable to any Member, then the Tax Matters Member, without limitation of any other rights of the Company or the Tax Matters Member, shall cause the amount of such obligation to be debited against the Capital Account of the Member when the Company pays the obligation, and any amounts then or in the future distributable to such Member pursuant to Section 6.2 or Section 13.2 shall be reduced by the amount of such Taxes. If the amount of the Taxes is greater than any distributable amounts, then the Member and any successor to the Member’s interest or portion of an interest in the Company shall pay to the Company as a Capital Contribution, upon demand by the Tax Matters Member, the amount of such excess.

 

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10.6.        Effectively Connected Income. The Company agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to make investments in a manner that would not cause any Member that is a foreign person within the meaning of the Code to be treated as engaged in the conduct of a U.S. trade or business for U.S. tax purposes or to realize income or gain that is treated as effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business, solely as a result of such Member’s investment in the Company.

 

ARTICLE XI
INDEMNIFICATION; CORPORATE OPPORTUNITY

 

11.1.        Right to Indemnification .

 

(a)       No Director shall be liable to the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, the Members or any Affiliate of a Member for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission of such Director arising from the performance of such Director’s obligations or duties under this Agreement, except that a Director shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Director’s fraud, willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or reckless disregard of such Director’s duties with respect to such acts or omissions. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, a Director shall be entitled to indemnification from the Company for all expenses and liabilities (including judgments, fines, penalties, interest, amounts paid in a settlement approved by the Company and counsel fees and disbursements) incurred by such Director by reason of any act or omission of such Director arising from the performance of such Director’s obligations or duties under this Agreement, including in connection with any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other action, suit or proceeding to which any such Director may hereafter be made party by reason of being or having been a Director or as contemplated by Delaware law, a director, officer, employee, partner, member, advisor or agent of the Investment Adviser in such capacity, except that no Director shall be entitled to be indemnified in respect of any loss, damage or claim incurred by such Director by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of such Director’s duties with respect to such acts or omissions.

 

(b)       No Officer shall be liable for monetary damages to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission arising from the performance of such Officer’s obligations or duties in connection with the Company, except that an Officer shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of such Officer’s duties with respect to such acts or omissions. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, an Officer shall be entitled to indemnification from the Company for all expenses and liabilities (including judgments, fines, penalties, interest, amounts paid in a settlement approved by the Company and counsel fees and disbursements) incurred by such Officer by reason of any act or omission of such Officer arising from the performance of such Officer’s obligations or duties under this Agreement, including in connection with any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other action, suit or proceeding to which any such Officer may hereafter be made party by reason of being or having been an Officer or as contemplated by Delaware law, a director, officer, employee, partner, member, advisor or agent of the Investment Adviser in such

 

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capacity, except that no Officer shall be entitled to be indemnified in respect of any loss, damage or claim incurred by such Officer by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of such Officer’s duties with respect to such acts or omissions.

 

(c)       Any Director, Officer and other Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Company) by reason of the fact that the Person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or is or was serving at the Company’s request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another Person (each, an “ Indemnified Party ”), shall be entitled to indemnification from the Company for (i) expenses (including attorney’s fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such Indemnified Party acted in good faith, in a manner such Indemnified Party reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the Company’s best interests and without willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or by reckless disregard of such Indemnified Party’s duties to the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that such Indemnified Party’s conduct was unlawful and (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law and other applicable law, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, that relate to the operations of the Company as set forth in this Agreement.

 

(d)        Advance of Expenses . Expenses incurred by any Person entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 11.1 in defending a proceeding shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding subject to the provisions of any applicable law; provided such expenses shall be required to be repaid to the Company in the event the aforementioned losses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from actions or omissions for which the Company is not required to indemnify such Person pursuant to this Section 11.1 .

 

11.2.        Procedure for Determining Permissibility . To determine whether any indemnification or advance of expenses under this ARTICLE XI is permissible, the Board may, and on request of any Person seeking indemnification or advance of expenses shall be required to, determine in each case whether the applicable standards in any applicable statute have been met. Each of the persons entitled to be indemnified for expenses and liabilities as contemplated above may, in the performance of his, her or its duties, consult with legal counsel and accountants, and any act or omission by such person on the Company’s behalf in furtherance of the Company’s interests in good faith in reliance upon, and in accordance with, the advice of such legal counsel or accountants will be full justification for any such act or omission, and such person will be fully protected for such acts and omissions, so long as such legal counsel or accountants were selected with reasonable care by or on the Company’s behalf. The reasonable expenses of any Person entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 11.1 in prosecuting a successful claim for indemnification, and the fees and expenses of any special legal counsel engaged by the Company to determine permissibility of indemnification or advance of expenses, shall be borne by the Company.

 

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11.3.        Contractual Obligation . The obligations of the Company to indemnify an Indemnified Party under this ARTICLE XI , including the duty to advance expenses, shall be considered a contract between the Company and such Person, and no modification or repeal of any provision of this ARTICLE XI shall affect, to the detriment of such Person, such obligations of the Company in connection with a claim based on any act or failure to act occurring before such modification or repeal.

 

11.4.        Indemnification Not Exclusive; Inuring of Benefit . The indemnification and advance of expenses provided by this ARTICLE XI shall not be deemed exclusive of any other right to which an indemnified Person may be entitled under any statute, provision of the Certificate, this Agreement, vote of Members entitled to vote or otherwise and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of any such Person.

 

11.5.        Insurance and Other Indemnification . The Board shall have the power to (a) authorize the Company to purchase and maintain, at the Company’s expense, insurance on behalf of the Company and on behalf of others to the extent that power to do so has not been prohibited by statute, (b) create any fund of any nature, whether or not under the control of a trustee, or otherwise secure any of its indemnification obligations and (c) give other indemnification to the extent permitted by statute.

 

11.6.        Corporate Opportunities .

 

(a)       Each of the Members shall have no duty (contractual or otherwise) to communicate or present any corporate opportunities to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, and the Company and each of its Members, on its own behalf and on behalf of the Members, Subsidiaries and Affiliates hereby renounces and waives any right to require such Member to act in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of this Section 11.6 .

 

(b)       The Officers may have ownership interests in a Member or its Affiliates.

 

(c)       The Members acknowledge and agree that each of the Directors and their respective Affiliates are not restricted from forming additional investment funds, entering into other investment advisory relationships or engaging in other business activities, even though such activities may be in competition with the Company and/or may involve substantial time and resources of such Director. The Members also acknowledge that the Directors will not be devoted exclusively to the business of the Company, shall devote their time and effort to the affairs of the Company as they deem appropriate for the oversight of the management and affairs of the Company and shall not be expected to devote all of their time or business efforts to the affairs of the Company.

 

(d)       The Investment Adviser, the Officers and their respective Affiliates shall allocate investment opportunities among the Company and all other investment vehicles sponsored or managed by any of the them in accordance with their written allocation policies and procedures, as the same may be amended from time to time

 

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(the “ Allocation Procedures ”). The Board shall promptly furnish a copy of the Allocation Procedures to any Member upon request. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Investment Adviser, the Officers and their respective Affiliates shall not be obligated to cause the Company to invest in a particular opportunity even if such opportunity is of a character which is suitable for the Company.

 

ARTICLE XII
BOOKS, RECORDS, REPORTS, AND BANK ACCOUNTS

 

12.1.        Books . The Board shall retain an administrator to maintain in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States complete and accurate books of account of the Company, which books shall be open to inspection by any Member (or its authorized representative) to the extent required by the Act.

 

12.2.        Company Funds . Except as specifically provided in this Agreement or with the approval of the Board, the Company shall not pay to, or use for, the benefit of any Member, funds, assets, credit, or other resources of any kind or description of the Company; provided that the foregoing shall not limit the power of the Board or any Officer to authorize expense reimbursements from the Company’s funds. Funds of the Company shall (a) be deposited only in the accounts of the Company in the Company’s name, (b) not be commingled with funds of any Member and (c) be withdrawn only upon such signature or signatures as may be designated in writing from time to time by the Board or the Investment Adviser.

 

12.3.        Financial Statements and Information . The Company shall deliver to each holder of Units:

 

(a)       as soon as practicable, but in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, (i) a balance sheet as of the end of such year, (ii) statements of income and of cash flows for such year and (iii) a statement of Members’ equity as of the end of such year, with such financial statements to be audited and certified by the Independent Accountants;

 

(b)       as soon as practicable, but in any event within thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter, a calculation of the Company’s net asset value as of the end of such calendar quarter (each such calculation, a “ Quarterly Net Asset Value Calculation ”);

 

(c)       as soon as available after the end of each Fiscal Year, an annual Tax Report on Schedule K-1 and related tax filing information; and

 

(d)       such other reports as determined by the Board or required by applicable law.

 

In connection with preparation of the Quarterly Net Asset Value Calculation, (i) investments for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued at such market quotations as of the end of each calendar quarter and (ii) and other investments shall be fair valued by the Board. The Board may engage one or more third-party pricing services or valuation firms in connection with the valuation of certain investments.

 

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12.4.        Inspection Rights . Each Member shall have the right to access all information to which such Member is entitled to have access pursuant to Section 18-305 of the Act; provided that such Member must provide five (5) days’ prior written notice to the Company of the materials such Member requests be made available and the purpose for inspecting such materials. Such materials shall be provided at the offices of the Company during its regular business hours. All expenses of providing the materials requested pursuant to this Section 12.4 including duplicating fees, shall be paid by the Member requesting the information. Anything in this Section 12.4 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Board shall have the right to keep confidential from the Members, for such limited period of time as the Board deems reasonable, any information which the Board reasonably believes to be in the nature of a trade secret or other information the disclosure of which the Board in good faith believes is not in the best interest of the Company or its business or which the Company is required by applicable law or by agreement with a third party to keep confidential.

 

ARTICLE XIII
DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION, AND TERMINATION

 

13.1.        Dissolution . The Company shall dissolve and its affairs shall be wound up on the first to occur of the following:

 

(a)       the adoption of a resolution by the Board approving the dissolution and liquidation, and the approval of such action by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Units;

 

(b)       the approval by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the aggregate outstanding Units of the dissolution and liquidation;

 

(c)       entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Company under Section 18-802 of the Act;

 

(d)       the termination of the legal existence of the last remaining holder of Units or the occurrence of any other event that terminates the continued membership of the last remaining holder of Units, unless the Company is continued without dissolution in a manner provided under this Agreement or the Act; and

 

(e)       the liquidation of the Company’s final investment and the concurrent distribution of all assets of the Company to the Members.

 

The Company shall not be dissolved by the admission of Members in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The death, insanity, retirement, resignation, expulsion, bankruptcy or dissolution of a Member, or the occurrence of an event that terminates the continued membership of a Member in the Company, shall not cause the Company to be dissolved and its affairs wound up so long as the Company at all times has at least one Member. Upon the occurrence of any such event, the business of the Company shall be continued without dissolution.

 

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13.2.        Liquidation and Termination .

 

(a)       On dissolution of the Company, the Board may appoint one or more Members or other Persons as liquidator. The liquidator shall wind up the affairs of the Company as provided in the Act and shall have all the powers set forth in the Act. The costs of liquidation shall be a Company expense.

 

(b)       A reasonable period of time shall be allowed for the orderly termination of the Company’s business, discharge of its liabilities, and distribution or liquidation of the remaining assets so as to enable the Company to minimize the normal losses attendant to the liquidation process. Profits and Losses during the period of liquidation shall be allocated among the Members in accordance with Section 6.1 . Upon satisfaction (whether by payment or by the making of reasonable provision for payment) of the Company’s liabilities, the Company’s property and assets or the proceeds from the liquidation thereof shall be applied and distributed in accordance with the distribution priorities (and subject to the limitations) established in Section 6.2 , to the extent not previously satisfied. A full accounting of the assets and liabilities of the Company shall be taken and a statement thereof shall be furnished to each Member within thirty (30) days after the distribution of all of the assets of the Company. Such accounting and statements shall be prepared under the direction of the Board.

 

13.3.        Certificate of Cancellation . On the completion of the winding up of the Company following its dissolution, the Company is terminated, and the liquidator or the Board (or such other Person or Persons as the Act may require or permit) shall file a Certificate of Cancellation with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and cancel any other filings made pursuant to Section 2.5 .

 

ARTICLE XIV
GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

14.1.        Notices . Except as expressly set forth to the contrary in this Agreement, all notices, requests or consents provided for or permitted to be sent under this Agreement must be in writing and must be sent by registered mail, addressed to the recipient, postage paid or by delivering that writing to the recipient in person, by internationally recognized express courier, or by electronic mail; and a notice, request or consent sent under this Agreement is effective on receipt by the Person to receive it. A notice, request or consent shall be deemed received when delivered if personally delivered, or otherwise on the date of receipt by the recipient thereof. All notices, requests and consents to be sent to a Member must be sent to or made at the address ascribed to that Member on the books of the Company or such other address as that Member may specify by notice to the Company and the other Members. Any notice, request or consent to the Company must be sent to the Company at its principal office. Whenever any notice is required to be sent by law, the Certificate or this Agreement, a written waiver thereof, signed by the Person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.

 

14.2.        Entire Agreement . This Agreement, the Contribution Agreement, dated the date hereof, by and among Cavello Bay and the Company, the Restriction on Transfer Agreement,

 

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dated the date hereof, by and between Cavello Bay and EPIM, and that certain letter agreement dated the date hereof by and between Cavello Bay and the Company, constitute the entire agreement among the parties on the date hereof with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, contracts or agreements among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether oral or written.

 

14.3.        Effect of Waiver or Consent . The failure of a Member to insist on the strict performance of any covenant or duty required by the Agreement, or to pursue any remedy under the Agreement, shall not constitute a waiver of the breach or the remedy.

 

14.4.        Amendment . This Agreement may be amended or modified, or any provision hereof may be waived provided that such amendment, modification or waiver has been previously approved by the Board; provided that any change to Section 3.5 (limitation of liability to third parties), Section 6.1(a) (allocation of Profits and Losses), Section 6.2 (distributions), Section 13.1(a) or (b) (approval of the dissolution of the Company) or Section 13.2(b) (with respect to distributions upon liquidation) shall require the approval of the Members obtained in accordance with ARTICLE IX . No course of dealing between or among any Persons having any interest in this Agreement shall be deemed effective to modify, amend or discharge any part of this Agreement or any rights or obligations of any Person under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

14.5.        Binding Act . Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Agreement, this Agreement is binding on and inures to the benefit of the Members and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.

 

14.6.        Governing Law . All issues and questions concerning the application, construction, validity, interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

14.7.        Consent to Exclusive Jurisdiction . Each of the parties hereto agrees that any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement or any agreement, certificate or other instrument entered into in contemplation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or any matters arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or such other agreement, certificate or instrument, and any action for the enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, shall be brought exclusively in the Chancery Court of New Castle County, Delaware or the federal courts of the United States of America for the District of Delaware, unless the parties to any such action or dispute mutually agree to waive this provision. By execution and delivery of this Agreement, each of the parties hereto irrevocably consents to service of process out of any of the aforementioned courts in any such action or proceeding by the mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, or by recognized express carrier or delivery service, to the applicable party at his, her or its address referred to herein. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives any objection which he, she or it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of the aforementioned actions or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, or any related agreement, certificate or instrument referred to above, brought in the courts referred to above and hereby further irrevocably waives and agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in any inconvenient forum.

 

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Nothing herein shall affect the right of any party to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

14.8.        Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein. The Members shall negotiate in good faith to replace any provision so held to be invalid or unenforceable so as to implement most effectively the transactions contemplated by such provision in accordance with the original intent of the Members signatory hereto.

 

14.9.        Further Assurances . In connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, at the expense of the Company each Member shall execute and deliver any additional documents and instruments and perform any additional reasonable acts (so long as such documents, instruments and/or acts do not alter or amend, and which are consistent with, this Agreement) that may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate and perform the provisions of this Agreement and those transactions.

 

14.10.        No Third Party Benefit . Except for any Indemnified Party (with respect to ARTICLE XI ), the Indemnified Parties each being an intended beneficiary of this Agreement, the provisions hereof are solely for the benefit of the Company and its Members and are not intended to, and shall not be construed to, confer a right or benefit on any creditor of the Company or any other Person. Covenants and other provisions of this Agreement created in favor of any Person specifically identified herein are solely for the benefit of such Person and are not intended to, and shall not be construed to, confer a right or benefit on any other Person, including, without limitation, any other Member, unless expressly so stated herein.

 

14.11.        Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all signing parties had signed the same document. All counterparts shall be construed together and constitute the same instrument.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

  EP INCOME COMPANY LLC  
     
  By: /s/ Thomas Majewski  
    Name: Thomas Majewski  
    Title:    Chief Executive Officer  
       
  Eagle Point INCOME MANAGEMENT LLC  
       
  By: /s/ Thomas Majewski  
    Name: Thomas Majewski  
    Title:    Managing Partner  
       
  Cavello Bay Reinsurance Limited  
       
  By: /s/ Duncan Scott  
    Name: Duncan Scott  
    Title:    Director  

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF MEMBERS

 

Member Class of Units Number of Units Capital
Contributions
Mailing Address
Eagle Point Income Management LLC Class A 100 $100,000

20 Horseneck Lane

Greenwich, CT 06830

         
Cavello Bay Reinsurance Limited Class B 75,051.65 $75,051,650 Windsor Place, 3rd Floor
22 Queen Street
Hamilton JM JX, Bermuda
         

 

 

 

 

Exhibit (b)(2)

 

BYLAWS

 

OF

 

EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC.

 

Article I.

 

OFFICES

 

1.1            Registered Office . The registered office of Eagle Point Income Company Inc. (the “ Corporation ”) in the State of Delaware shall be established and maintained at 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19808, and Corporation Service Company shall be the registered agent of the Corporation in charge thereof.

 

1.2            Other Offices . The Corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the board of directors of the Corporation (the “ Board of Directors ”) may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

 

Article II.

 

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

2.1            Place of Meetings . All meetings of the stockholders shall be held at such time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.

 

2.2            Annual Meetings . The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on such date and at such time as may be fixed by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting, for the purpose of electing the members of the Board of Directors (each, a “ Director ” and collectively, the “ Directors ”) and for the transaction of only such other business as is properly brought before the meeting in accordance with these bylaws (the “ Bylaws ”).

 

Written notice of an annual meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the annual meeting.

 

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To be properly brought before the annual meeting, business must be either (i) brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (ii) pursuant to the notice of meeting or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of these Bylaws. In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, the stockholder’s notice must be delivered by a nationally recognized courier service or mailed by first class U.S. mail, postage or delivery charges prepaid, and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation addressed to the attention of the Secretary of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days in advance of the anniversary of the date the Corporation’s proxy statement was released to the stockholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting has been changed by more than thirty (30) days from the date contemplated at the time of the previous year’s proxy statement, notice by the stockholder must be received by the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting and (y) the seventh (7th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. A stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth (i) as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (a) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting and (b) any material interest of the stockholder in such business, and (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice (a) the name and record address of the stockholder and (b) the class, series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder. Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at the annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.2. The presiding officer at an annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the annual meeting that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.2, and, if such officer should so determine, such officer shall so declare to the annual meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.

 

2.3            Special Meetings . Special meetings of the stockholders may be called for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, as amended and/or restated from time to time (the “ Certificate of Incorporation ”), by the Secretary only at the request of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or by a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting. Business transacted at any special meeting shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting.

 

Unless otherwise provided by law, written notice of a special meeting of stockholders, stating the time, place and purpose or purposes thereof, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, not less than ten (10) or more than sixty (60) days before the date fixed for the meeting. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice.

 

Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors at a special meeting may be made only (1) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (2) provided that the Board of Directors has determined that Directors will be elected at the meeting, by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of the Bylaws.

 

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2.4            Quorum . The holders of a majority of the capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the presiding officer of the meeting or the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

2.5            Organization . The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall act as chairman of meetings of the stockholders. The Board of Directors may designate any other officer or Director of the Corporation to act as chairman of any meeting in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors may further provide for determining who shall act as chairman of any stockholders meeting in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and such designee.

 

The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as secretary of all meetings of the stockholders, but, in the absence of the Secretary, the presiding officer may appoint any other person to act as secretary of any meeting.

 

2.6            Voting . Unless otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any question (other than the election of Directors) properly brought before any meeting of stockholders shall be decided by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast by stockholders present in person or by proxy at an annual or special meeting duly called for such purpose and entitled to vote thereat. Each stockholder represented at a meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to cast one vote for each share of the capital stock entitled to vote thereat held by such stockholder, unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation. At all meetings of the stockholders for the election of Directors, a plurality of votes cast by stockholders present in person or by proxy at a meeting duly called for such purpose and entitled to vote on such election shall be sufficient to elect a Director. For the election of a Director, each share of capital stock may be voted for as many individuals as there are Directors to be elected and for whose election such share of capital stock is entitled to be voted.

 

Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize any person or persons to act for him, her or it by proxy. All proxies shall be executed in writing and shall be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the day on which exercised. No proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, or the presiding officer at a meeting of stockholders, in his or her discretion, may require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.

 

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2.7            Action of Shareholders Without Meeting . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting if a unanimous consent which sets forth the action is given in writing or by electronic transmission by each stockholder entitled to vote on the matter and is filed with the records of the meetings of the stockholders.

 

2.8            Voting List . The Corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. If a meeting of the stockholders is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder of the Corporation who is present. If a meeting of the stockholders is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then such list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.

 

2.9            Stock Ledger . The stock ledger of the Corporation shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger, the list required by Section 2.8 or the books of the Corporation, or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

 

2.10          Adjournment . Any meeting of the stockholders, including one at which Directors are to be elected, may be adjourned for such periods as the presiding officer of the meeting or the stockholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote shall direct.

 

2.11          Ratification . Any transaction questioned in any stockholders’ derivative suit, or any other suit to enforce alleged rights of the Corporation or any of its stockholders, on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of any Director, officer or stockholder, nondisclosure, miscomputation or the application of improper principles or practices of accounting may be approved, ratified and confirmed before or after judgment by the Board of Directors or by the holders of common stock and, if so approved, ratified or confirmed, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned transaction had been originally duly authorized, and said approval, ratification or confirmation shall be binding upon the Corporation and all of its stockholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned transaction.

 

2.12          Inspectors of Election . The Corporation shall, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his ability. The inspector shall: (1) decide upon the qualifications of voters; (2) ascertain the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each; (3) determine the shares represented at a meeting and the validity of the proxies of ballots; (4) count all votes and ballots; (5) declare the results; (6) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors; and (7) certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting, and their count of all votes and ballots. The inspectors may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist the inspectors in the performance of the duties of the inspectors.

 

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Article III.

 

DIRECTORS

 

3.1            Powers; Number; Qualifications . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise provided by law or in the Certificate of Incorporation. The number of Directors which shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be not less than four (4) nor more than eight (8). The exact number of Directors shall be fixed from time to time, within the limits specified in this Section 3.1 or in the Certificate of Incorporation, by a majority of the Board of Directors. Directors need not be stockholders of the Corporation. The Board of Directors shall be divided into classes as more fully set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

3.2            Election; Term of Office; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies . Each Director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders at which his or her class stands for election and until a successor is duly elected and qualifies or until such Director’s earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock of the Corporation, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of Directors or from any other cause may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors then in office, even if such Directors do not constitute a quorum, and each Director so chosen to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred and until a successor is duly elected and qualifies, or until such Director’s earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity.

 

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3.3            Nominations . Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors at a meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be made only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (ii) pursuant to the notice of meeting or (iii) by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of these Bylaws. Such nominations by any stockholder shall be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, the stockholder’s notice must be delivered by a nationally recognized courier service or mailed by first class United States mail, postage or delivery charges prepaid, and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation addressed to the attention of the Secretary of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days in advance of the anniversary of the date the Corporation’s proxy statement was released to the stockholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting has been changed by more than thirty (30) days from the date contemplated at the time of the previous year’s proxy statement, notice by the stockholder must be received by the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting and (y) the seventh (7th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. Such stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a Director, (a) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (b) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (c) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are beneficially owned by the person and (d) any other information relating to the person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of Directors pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice (a) the name and record address of the stockholder and (b) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are beneficially owned by the stockholder. The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a Director of the Corporation. No person shall be eligible for election as a Director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth herein. The presiding officer at an annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedure, and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

 

3.4            Meetings . The Board of Directors may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware. The first meeting of each newly elected Board of Directors shall be held immediately after and at the same place as the meeting of the stockholders at which it is elected and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary to the newly elected Directors in order to legally constitute the meeting, provided a quorum shall be present. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chief Executive Officer, the Chairman of the Board of Directors or a majority of the entire Board of Directors. Notice thereof stating the place, date and hour of the meeting shall be given to each Director either by mail not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the date of the meeting, by telephone, facsimile, telegram or e-mail on twenty-four (24) hours’ notice, or on such shorter notice as the person or persons calling such meeting may deem necessary or appropriate in the circumstances.

 

3.5            Quorum . Except as may be otherwise specifically provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, at all meetings of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof, a majority of the entire Board of Directors or such committee, as the case may be, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of the Directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof, a majority of the Directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

 

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3.6            Organization of Meetings . The Board of Directors shall elect one of its members to be Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall lead the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibilities as set forth in these Bylaws, including its responsibility to oversee the performance of the Corporation, and shall determine the agenda and perform all other duties and exercise all other powers that are or from time to time may be delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors.

 

Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or in his or her absence, by the Chief Executive Officer to the extent he or she is a Director, or in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer, by such other person as the Board of Directors may designate or the members present may select.

 

3.7            Actions of Board of Directors Without Meeting . Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board of Directors or of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee.

 

3.8            Removal of Directors by Stockholders . The entire Board of Directors or any individual Director may be removed from office for cause by a majority vote of the holders of the outstanding shares then entitled to vote at an election of Directors. In case the Board of Directors or any one or more Directors be so removed, new Directors may be elected at the same time for the unexpired portion of the full term of the Director or Directors so removed.

 

3.9            Resignations . Any Director may resign at any time by submitting his or her written resignation to the Board of Directors or Secretary of the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the time of its receipt by the Corporation unless another time be fixed in the resignation, in which case it shall become effective at the time so fixed. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be required to make it effective.

 

3.10          Committees . The Board of Directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the Directors. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another Director to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided by law and in the resolution of the Board of Directors establishing such committee, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property and assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution or amending the Bylaws; and, unless the resolution expressly so provides, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock or to adopt a certificate of ownership and merger. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors when required.

 

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3.11          Compensation . Unless restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed amount (in cash or other form of consideration) for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and/or a stated salary as Director, as determined by the Board of Directors from time to time. No such payment shall preclude any Director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings, as determined by the Board of Directors from time to time.

 

3.12          Interested Directors . No contract or transaction between the Corporation and one or more of its Directors or officers, or between the Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association or other organization in which one or more of its Directors or officers are directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the Director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof that authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his, her or their votes are counted for such purpose, if (i) the material facts as to his, her or their relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board of Directors or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested Directors, even though the disinterested Directors be less than a quorum, (ii) the material facts as to his, her or their relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders or (iii) the contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the Board of Directors, a committee thereof or the stockholders. Common or interested Directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee that authorizes the contract or transaction.

 

3.13          Meetings by Means of Conference Telephone . Members of the Board of Directors or any committee designed by the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee of the Board of Directors by means of conference telephone, video conference or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section 3.13 shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

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Article IV.

 

OFFICERS

 

4.1            General . The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors and may consist of: a Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Secretary and Treasurer. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, may also elect one or more Vice Presidents (including Executive Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents), Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers, a Controller and such other officers as in the judgment of the Board of Directors may be necessary or desirable. Any number of offices may be held by the same person and more than one person may hold the same office, unless otherwise prohibited by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. The officers of the Corporation need not be stockholders of the Corporation, nor need such officers be Directors.

 

4.2            Election . The Board of Directors at its first meeting held after each annual meeting of stockholders shall elect the officers of the Corporation who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors; and all officers of the Corporation shall hold office until their successors are chosen and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by the Board of Directors. The salaries of all officers who are Directors shall be fixed by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof.

 

4.3            Voting Securities Owned by the Corporation . Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents and other instruments relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President, and any such officer may, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the Corporation may own securities and at any such meeting shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of such securities and that, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed if present. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons.

 

4.4            Chief Executive Officer . Subject to the provisions of these Bylaws and to the control of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer shall have general supervision, direction and control of the business and the officers of the Corporation. He or she shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the chief executive officer of a corporation, including general supervision, direction and control of the business and supervision of other officers of the Corporation, and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.

 

4.5            Chief Compliance Officer . The Chief Compliance Officer shall have general responsibility for the compliance matters of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties and exercise such other powers that are or from time to time may be delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws, all in accordance with policies as established by and subject to oversight of the Board of Directors. Additionally, the Chief Compliance Officer shall, no less than annually, (i) provide a written report to the Board of Directors, the content of which shall comply with Rule 38a-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “ 1940 Act ”), and (ii) meet separately with the Corporation’s independent Directors.

 

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4.6            Chief Financial Officer . The Chief Financial Officer shall have general supervision, direction and control of the financial affairs of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties and exercise such other powers that are or from time to time may be delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws, all in accordance with policies as established by and subject to the oversight of the Board of Directors. In the absence of a named Treasurer, the Chief Financial Officer shall also have the powers and duties of the Treasurer as hereinafter set forth and shall be authorized and empowered to sign as Treasurer in any case where such officer’s signature is required.

 

4.7            Vice Presidents. In the absence or disability of the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice Presidents, if any, in order of their rank as fixed by the Board of Directors, or, if not ranked, a vice president designated by the Board of Directors, shall perform all the duties of the chief executive officer and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the Chief Executive Officer. The Vice Presidents shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed for them respectively by the Board of Directors, these Bylaws, the Chief Executive Officer or the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

 

4.8            Secretary . The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and all meetings of stockholders and record all the proceedings thereat in a book or books to be kept for that purpose; the Secretary shall also perform like duties for the standing committees when required. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, under whose supervision the Secretary shall be. If the Secretary shall be unable or shall refuse to cause to be given notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors, then any Assistant Secretary shall perform such actions. If there is no Assistant Secretary, then the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may choose another officer to cause such notice to be given. The Secretary shall have custody of the seal of the Corporation and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, if there is one, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by the signature of the Secretary or by the signature of any such Assistant Secretary. The Board of Directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing by his signature. The Secretary shall see that all books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by law to be kept or filed are properly kept or filed, as the case may be.

 

4.9            Treasurer . The Treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors, at its regular meetings, or when the Board of Directors so requires, an account of all his transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation. If required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board of Directors for the faithful performance of the duties of his or her office and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of his or her death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in his or her possession or under his or her control belonging to the Corporation.

 

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4.10          Assistant Secretaries . Except as may be otherwise provided in these Bylaws, Assistant Secretaries, if there are any, shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, any Vice President, if there is one, or the Secretary, and in the absence of the Secretary or in the event of his or her disability or refusal to act, shall perform the duties of the Secretary, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Secretary.

 

4.11          Assistant Treasurers . Assistant Treasurers, if there are any, shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, any Vice President, if there is one, or the Treasurer, and in the absence of the Treasurer or in the event of his or her disability or refusal to act, shall perform the duties of the Treasurer, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Treasurer. If required by the Board of Directors, an Assistant Treasurer shall give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board of Directors for the faithful performance of the duties of his or her office and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of his or her death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in his or her possession or under his or her control belonging to the Corporation.

 

4.12          Controller . The Controller shall establish and maintain the accounting records of the Corporation in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis, maintain proper internal control of the assets of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President of the Corporation may prescribe.

 

4.13          Other Officers . Such other officers as the Board of Directors may choose shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may delegate to any other officer of the Corporation the power to choose such other officers and to prescribe their respective duties and powers.

 

4.14          Vacancies . The Board of Directors shall have the power to fill any vacancies in any office occurring from whatever reason.

 

4.15          Resignations . Any officer may resign at any time by submitting his or her written resignation to the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the time of its receipt by the Corporation, unless another time be fixed in the resignation, in which case it shall become effective at the time so fixed. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be required to make it effective.

 

4.16          Removal . Subject to the provisions of any employment agreement approved by the Board of Directors, any officer of the Corporation may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors.

 

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Article V.

 

CAPITAL STOCK

 

5.1            Certificates . The Board of Directors shall determine whether shares of the capital stock of the Corporation will be certificated or uncertificated, as provided in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. If certificated shares are issued, stock certificates shall be signed in the name of the Corporation (i) by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or any Vice-President and (ii) by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, certifying the number of shares represented by such certificate.

 

5.2            Signatures . Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile, including signatures of officers of the Corporation and countersignatures of a transfer agent or registrar. In case an officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

 

5.3            Lost Certificates . The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his, her or its legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as the Board of Directors shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

 

5.4            Transfers . Stock of the Corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by law and in these Bylaws. Transfers of certificated stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation only by the person or entity named in the certificate or by his, her or its attorney lawfully constituted in writing and upon the surrender of the certificate therefor, which shall be canceled before a new certificate shall be issued. Upon surrender to the Corporation or the transfer agent of the Corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the Corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transactions upon its books, unless the Corporation has a duty to inquire as to adverse claims with respect to such transfer that has not been discharged. The Corporation shall have no duty to inquire into adverse claims with respect to such transfer unless (i) the Corporation has received a written notification of an adverse claim at a time and in a manner that affords the Corporation a reasonable opportunity to act on it prior to the issuance of a new, reissued or re-registered share certificate and the notification identifies the claimant, the registered owner and the issue of which the share or shares is a part and provides an address for communications directed to the claimant or (ii) the Corporation has required and obtained, with respect to a fiduciary, a copy of a will, trust, indenture, articles of co-partnership, bylaws or other controlling instruments, for a purpose other than to obtain appropriate evidence of the appointment or incumbency of the fiduciary, and such documents indicate, upon reasonable inspection, the existence of an adverse claim. The Corporation may discharge any duty of inquiry by any reasonable means, including notifying an adverse claimant by registered or certified mail at the address furnished by him, her or it, if there be no such address, at his, her or its residence or regular place of business that the security has been presented for registration of transfer by a named person, and that the transfer will be registered unless within thirty days from the date of mailing the notification, either (i) an appropriate restraining order, injunction or other process issues from a court of competent jurisdiction or (ii) an indemnity bond, sufficient in the Corporation’s judgment to protect the Corporation and any transfer agent, registrar or other agent of the Corporation involved from any loss that it or they may suffer by complying with the adverse claim, is filed with the Corporation.

 

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5.5            Fixing Record Date . In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor more than ten (10) days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date of action without a meeting is adopted by the Board of Directors, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other action. If no record date is fixed:

 

(a)            The record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held;

 

(b)            The record date for determining stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is necessary, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent is delivered to the Corporation; or

 

(c)            The record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

5.6            Registered Stockholders . Prior to due presentment for transfer of any share or shares, the Corporation shall treat the registered owner thereof as the person exclusively entitled to vote, to receive notifications and to all other benefits of ownership with respect to such share or shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State Delaware.

 

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Article VI.

 

NOTICES

 

6.1            Form of Notice . Except as otherwise provided herein or permitted by applicable law, notice to Directors and stockholders shall be in writing and delivered personally or mailed to the Directors or stockholders at their respective addresses appearing on the books of the Corporation. Notice by mail shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be mailed. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, notice of meetings may be given to Directors and stockholders by means of electronic transmission in accordance with applicable law.

 

6.2            Waiver of Notice . Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of law or the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, a written waiver, signed by the person or persons entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular, or special meeting of the stockholders, Directors, or members of a committee of Directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Article VII.

 

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

 

7.1           The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner that he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

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7.2           The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses that the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

 

7.3           To the extent that a present or former Director or officer of the Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Sections 7.1 or 7.2, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he or she shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith.

 

7.4           Any indemnification under Sections 7.1 or 7.2 (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the Director or officer is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in such section. Such determination shall be made:

 

(a)            by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum;

 

(b)            by a committee of such Directors designated by majority vote of such Directors, even though less than a quorum;

 

(c)            by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, if there are no such Directors, or such Directors so direct; or

 

(d)            by the stockholders.

 

7.5           Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or Director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Section. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Board of Directors deems appropriate.

 

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7.6           The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to the other sections of this Article shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested Directors or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

 

7.7           The Corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of this Article.

 

7.8           For purposes of this Article, references to “the Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger that, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this Article with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he or she would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

7.9           For purposes of this Article, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation that imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation” as referred to in this Article.

 

7.10         The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

 

7.11         No Director or officer of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or to any stockholder of the Corporation for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director or officer; provided that this provision shall not limit the liability of a Director or officer (i) for any breach of the Director’s or the officer’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or (iv) for any transaction from which the Director or officer derived an improper personal benefit.

 

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Article VIII.

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

8.1            Reliance on Books and Records . Each Director, each member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors, and each officer of the Corporation, shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Corporation, including reports made to the Corporation by any of its officers, by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser selected with reasonable care.

 

8.2            Maintenance and Inspection of Records . The Corporation shall, either at its principal executive office or at such place or places as designated by the Board of Directors, keep a record of its stockholders listing their names and addresses and the number and class of shares held by each stockholder, a copy of these Bylaws, as may be amended to date, minute books, accounting books and other records.

 

Any such records maintained by the Corporation may be kept on, or by means of, or be in the form of, any information storage device or method, provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time. The Corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon the request of any person entitled to inspect such records pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. When records are kept in such manner, a clearly legible paper form produced from or by means of the information storage device or method shall be admissible in evidence, and accepted for all other purposes, to the same extent as an original paper form accurately portrays the record.

 

Any stockholder of record, in person or by attorney or other agent, shall, upon written demand under oath stating the purpose thereof, have the right during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose the Corporation’s stock ledger, a list of its stockholders and its other books and records and to make copies or extracts therefrom. A proper purpose shall mean a purpose reasonably related to such person’s interest as a stockholder. In every instance where an attorney or other agent is the person who seeks the right to inspection, the demand under oath shall be accompanied by a power of attorney or such other writing that authorizes the attorney or other agent to so act on behalf of the stockholder. The demand under oath shall be directed to the Corporation at its registered office in Delaware or at its principal executive office.

 

8.3            Inspection by Directors . Any Director shall have the right to examine the Corporation’s stock ledger, a list of its stockholders and its other books and records for a purpose reasonably related to his or her position as a Director.

 

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8.4            Dividends and Distributions . Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, if any, dividends and other distributions upon the capital stock of the Corporation may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting pursuant to applicable law. Dividends and other distributions may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for such other purpose as the Directors shall think conducive to the interest of the Corporation, and the Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

 

8.5            Checks . All checks or demands for money and notes of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.

 

8.6            Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be as determined by the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors shall fail to do so, the Chief Executive Officer shall fix the fiscal year.

 

8.7            Seal . The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware.” The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any manner reproduced.

 

8.8            Amendments . The original or other bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders entitled to vote thereon at any regular or special meeting or, if the Certificate of Incorporation so provides, by the Board of Directors. The fact that such power has been so conferred upon the Board of Directors shall not divest the stockholders of the power nor limit their power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws.

 

8.9            Interpretation of Bylaws . All words, terms and provisions of these Bylaws shall be interpreted and defined by and in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended, and as amended from time to time hereafter.

 

8.10          Exclusive Forum for Certain Litigation . Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery, or, if that Court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of any duty owed by any Director or officer or other agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or to the stockholders of the Corporation, (c) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any Director or officer or other agent of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended, or the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, or (d) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any Director or officer or other agent of the Corporation that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

 

8.11          Conflict with 1940 Act . If and to the extent that any provision of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended, or any provision of these Bylaws shall conflict with any provision of the 1940 Act, the applicable provision of the 1940 Act shall control.

 

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Exhibit (e)

 

EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC.

 

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

 

Introduction

 

Under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “ Plan ”) for Eagle Point Income Company Inc. (the “ Corporation ”), dividends and/or distributions to a holder of the Corporation’s shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share (each, a “ Share ” and, collectively, the “ Shares ”) will automatically be reinvested in additional Shares of the Corporation. Each registered stockholder may elect to have dividends and distributions distributed in cash ( i.e. , “opt-out”) rather than participate in the Plan. For any registered stockholder that does not so elect (each, a “ Participant ” and collectively, the “ Participants ”), dividends and/or distributions on such stockholder’s Shares will be reinvested by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “ Plan Agent ”), as agent for stockholders in administering the Plan, in additional Shares, as set forth below. Participation in the Plan is completely voluntary, and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by so notifying the Plan Agent by telephone, in writing or by visiting the Plan Agent’s website at www.amstock.com . If received by the Plan Agent prior to the dividend record date, such termination or resumption will be effective with respect to any subsequently declared dividend or other distribution. Participants who hold their Shares through a broker or other nominee and who wish to elect to receive any dividends and distributions in cash must contact their broker or nominee.

 

Plan Details

 

  1. The Plan Agent will open an account for each holder of Shares under the Plan in the same name in which such holder of Shares is registered. Whenever the Corporation declares a dividend or other distribution (together, a “ Dividend ”) payable in cash, non-participants in the Plan will receive cash and Participants will receive the equivalent in Shares. The Shares will be acquired by the Plan Agent for the Participants’ accounts, depending upon the circumstances described below, either through (i) receipt of additional unissued but authorized Shares from the Corporation (“ Newly Issued Shares ”) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding Shares on the open market (“ Open-Market Purchases ”) on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere.

 

  1. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the closing market price plus estimated per Share fees (which include any applicable brokerage commissions the Plan Agent is required to pay) exceeds 110% of the last determined net asset value (“ NAV ”) of the Shares (such condition often referred to as a “premium”), the Plan Agent will invest the Dividend amount in Newly Issued Shares on behalf of the Participants. The number of Newly Issued Shares to be credited to each Participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the Dividend by 95% of the closing market price per Share on the payment date. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, (a) the NAV per Share is greater than the closing market price per Share or is less than or equal to 110% of the NAV per Share on the payment date (such condition referred to as a “market discount”); or (b) the Corporation has advised the Plan Agent that since the NAV per Share was last determined, the Corporation has become aware of events that indicate the possibility of a material change in NAV per Share as a result of which the NAV of the Shares on the payment date might be higher than the price at which the Plan Agent would credit newly issued Shares to stockholders, the Corporation may instruct the Plan Agent not to credit accounts with newly issued Shares and instead to invest the Dividend amount in Shares acquired on behalf of the Participants in Open-Market Purchases.

 

 

 

 

In the event that the Plan Agent is instructed to invest the Dividend amount in Shares acquired on behalf of the Participants in Open-Market Purchases, the Plan Agent (or Plan Agent’s broker) will have until the last business day before the next date on which the Shares trade on an “ex-dividend” basis or 30 days after the payment date for such Dividend, whichever is sooner (the “ Last Purchase Date ”), to invest the Dividend amount in Shares acquired in Open-Market Purchases. Open-market purchases may be made on any securities exchange where Shares are traded, in the over-the-counter market or in negotiated transactions, and may be on such terms as to price, delivery and otherwise as the Plan Agent shall determine. It is contemplated that the Corporation will pay quarterly Dividends. If, before the Plan Agent has completed its Open-Market Purchases, the market price per Share exceeds the NAV per Share, the average per Share purchase price paid by the Plan Agent may exceed the NAV of the Shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer Shares than if the Dividend had been paid in Newly Issued Shares on the Dividend payment date. Because of the foregoing difficulty with respect to Open-Market Purchases, the Plan provides that if the Plan Agent is unable to invest the full Dividend amount in Open-Market Purchases during the purchase period or if the market discount shifts to a market premium of 10% or more of NAV during the purchase period, the Plan Agent may cease making Open-Market Purchases and may invest the uninvested portion of the Dividend amount in Newly Issued Shares at the NAV per Share at the close of business on the Last Purchase Date provided that, if the NAV is less than or equal to 95% of the then current market price per Share; the dollar amount of the Dividend will be divided by 95% of the market price on the payment date.

 

  1. The Plan Agent maintains all Participants’ accounts in the Plan and furnishes written confirmation of all transactions in the accounts, including information needed by Participants for tax records. Shares in the account of each Participant will be held by the Plan Agent on behalf of the Participant in book entry form in the Plan Agent’s name or the Plan Agent’s nominee. Each stockholder proxy will include those Shares purchased or received pursuant to the Plan. The Plan Agent will forward all proxy solicitation materials to Participants and vote proxies for Shares held under the Plan in accordance with the instructions of the Participants.

 

  1. In the case of stockholders such as banks, brokers or nominees which hold Shares for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of Shares certified from time to time by the record stockholder and held for the account of beneficial owners who participate in the Plan.

 

  1. Any stock dividends or split of Shares distributed by the Corporation on Shares held by the Plan Agent for Participants will be credited to their accounts. In the event that the Corporation makes available to its stockholders rights to purchase additional Shares or other securities, the Shares held for each Participant under the Plan will be added to other Shares held by the Participant in calculating the number of rights to be issued to each Participant.

 

  1. The Plan Agent’s fees for the handling of the reinvestment of dividends and distributions will be paid by the Corporation. However, each Participant will pay a pro rata portion of brokerage fees incurred in connection with Open Market Purchases. The automatic reinvestment of Dividends will not relieve Participants of any Federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such dividend. If a Participant elects by telephone, Internet or written notice to the Plan Agent to have the Plan Agent sell all or a part of his or her Shares and remit the proceeds to the Participant, the Plan Agent is authorized to deduct a $15.00 sales fee per trade and a per Share brokerage commission of $0.10 from such proceeds. All per Share fees include any applicable brokerage commissions the Plan Agent is required to pay.

 

 

 

 

  1. If a Participant elects by telephone, Internet or written notice to the Plan Agent to have the Plan Agent sell all or a part of his or her Shares and remit the proceeds to the Participant, the Plan Agent will process all sale instructions received no later than five (5) business days after the date on which the order is received. Such sale will be made through the Plan Agent’s broker on the relevant market and the sale price will not be determined until such time as the broker completes the sale. In each case, the price to each Participant shall be the weighted average sale price obtained by the Plan Agent’s broker net of fees for each aggregate order placed by the Plan Agent and executed by the broker. To maximize cost savings, the Plan Agent will seek to sell Shares in round lot transactions. For this purpose the Plan Agent may combine a Participant’s Shares with those of other selling Participants. The Plan Agent will mail a check to the selling Participant (less applicable brokerage trading fees) on the settlement date, which is three business days after the Shares have been sold. If a Participant chooses to sell Shares through its broker, the Participant will need to request that the Plan Agent electronically transfer its Shares to the broker.

 

  1. Each Participant may terminate his or her account under the Plan by so notifying the Plan Agent by telephone, in writing or by visiting the Plan Agent’s website at www.amstock.com . Such termination will be effective immediately if received by the Plan Agent prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise, such termination or resumption will be effective on the first trading day after the payment date for such Dividend, with respect to any subsequent Dividend. Upon any withdrawal or termination, the terminating Participant’s Shares will be credited to such Participant’s account and the Plan Agent will cause to be delivered to each terminating Participant a statement of holdings for the appropriate number of the Corporation’s whole book-entry Shares and a check for the cash adjustment of any fractional Share at the market value per Share as of the close of business on the day the termination is effective less any applicable fee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the terminating Participant so specifies, the Plan Agent will sell the full and fractional Shares and send the proceeds less a $15.00 sales fee per trade and a per Share brokerage commission of $0.10 to the terminating Participant.

 

  1. The Corporation reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan upon notice in writing to each Participant at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the Corporation. There is no direct service charge to Participants with regard to purchases in the Plan; however, the Corporation reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the Participants. Notice will be sent to Participants of any amendments as soon as practicable after such action by the Corporation.

 

  1. All correspondence from a registered owner of Shares concerning the Dividend Reinvestment Plan should be directed to the Plan Agent at American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC, P.O. Box 922, Wall Street Station, New York, New York 10269-0560 (transaction processing) and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC, 6201 15 th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219 (general inquiries); or through the Plan Agent’s website at www.amstock.com . Participants who hold their Shares through a broker or other nominee should direct correspondence or questions concerning the Dividend Reinvestment Plan to their broker or nominee.

 

 

 

Exhibit (g)

 

EP INCOME COMPANY LLC

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

This Investment Advisory Agreement is hereby made as of the 5th day of October 2018 (the “ Agreement ”), by and between EP Income Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with the successors thereto, the “ Company ”), and Eagle Point Income Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Adviser ”).

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, the Company operates as a closed-end management investment company and intends to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “ 1940 Act ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser is engaged in rendering investment advisory services and is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “ Advisers Act ”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Adviser desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions for the provision by the Adviser of investment advisory services to the Company.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, mutually agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

APPOINTMENT

 

The Company hereby appoints the Adviser to act as investment adviser to the Company for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement.  The Adviser hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to provide the advisory services herein described, for the compensation herein provided.

 

ARTICLE II

SERVICES OF THE ADVISER

 

1.           Advisory Duties of the Adviser . Subject to the supervision of the board of directors of the Company (the “ Board of Directors ”), the Adviser shall act as the investment adviser to the Company and shall manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Company (a) in accordance with the investment objective, policies and restrictions that are set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”), as the same may be amended from time to time, (b) in accordance with the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act and all other applicable federal and state law, and (c) in accordance with the Company’s organizational documents, each as amended or restated from time to time.

 

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Adviser shall, during the term and subject to the provisions of this Agreement, (i) determine the composition of the portfolio of the Company, the nature and timing of the changes therein and the manner of implementing such changes; (ii) identify, evaluate and negotiate the structure of the investments made by the Company (including performing due diligence on prospective investments); (iii) execute, close, service and monitor the Company’s investments; (iv) determine the securities and other assets that the Company will purchase, retain or sell; and (v) provide the Company with such other investment advisory, research and related services as the Company may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of its funds. The Adviser shall have the power and authority on behalf of the Company to effectuate its investment decisions for the Company, including the

 

 

 

 

execution and delivery of all documents relating to the Company’s investments and the placement of orders for other purchase or sale transactions on behalf of the Company, subject to the oversight and approval of the Board of Directors.

 

In the event that the Company determines to acquire debt financing or to refinance existing debt financing, the Adviser shall arrange for such financing on the Company’s behalf, subject to the oversight and approval of the Board of Directors.

 

If it is necessary or convenient for the Adviser to make investments on behalf of the Company through a subsidiary or special purpose vehicle or otherwise form such subsidiary or special purpose vehicle, the Adviser shall have authority to create or arrange for the creation of such subsidiary or special purpose vehicle, and to make such investments through such subsidiary or special purpose vehicle, in accordance with the 1940 Act.

 

2.           Subadvisers . Subject to the prior approval of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, including a majority of the Board of Directors who are not “interested persons” and, to the extent required by applicable law, by the stockholders of the Company, the Adviser may, through a subadvisory agreement or other arrangement, delegate to a subadviser any of the duties enumerated in this Agreement, including the management of all or a portion of the assets being managed hereby.  Subject to the prior approval of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, including a majority of the members of the Board of Directors who are not “interested persons” and, to the extent required by applicable law, by the stockholders of the Company, the Adviser may adjust such duties, the portion of assets being managed, and the fees to be paid by the Adviser; provided that, in each case, the Adviser shall continue to oversee the services provided by such company or employees and any such delegation shall not relieve the Adviser of any of its obligations hereunder.

 

3.           Books and Records . The Adviser agrees to maintain, in the form and for the period required by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act or such longer period as the Company may direct, all records relating to the services rendered by the Adviser under this Agreement and the Company’s investments made by the Adviser as are required by Section 31 under the 1940 Act, and rules and regulations thereunder, and by other applicable legal provisions, including the Advisers Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Commodities Exchange Act, and the respective rules and regulations thereunder, and the Company’s compliance policies and procedures, and to preserve such records for the periods and in the manner required by that Section, and those rules, regulations, legal provisions and compliance policies and procedures. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, any records required to be maintained and preserved pursuant to the provisions of Rule 31a-1 and Rule 31a-2 promulgated under the 1940 Act which are prepared or maintained by the Adviser on behalf of the Company are the property of the Company and shall be surrendered promptly to the Company on request.

 

4.           Brokerage Commissions . The Adviser is hereby authorized, to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by law, to cause the Company to pay a member of a national securities exchange, broker or dealer an amount of commission or other compensation for effecting a securities transaction in excess of the amount of commission or other compensation another member of such exchange, broker or dealer would have charged for effecting such transaction if the Adviser determines, in good faith and taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution, and operational facilities of the firm and the firm’s risk and skill in positioning blocks of securities, that the amount of such commission or other compensation is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research services provided by such member, broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or its overall responsibilities with respect to the Company’s portfolio, and constitutes the best net result for the Company.

 

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5.           Proxy Voting . The Adviser shall be responsible for voting any proxies solicited by an issuer of securities held by the Company in the best interest of the Company and in accordance with the Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures, as any such proxy voting policies and procedures may be amended from time to time.  The Company has been provided with a copy of the Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures and has been informed as to how it can obtain further information from the Adviser regarding proxy voting activities undertaken on behalf of the Company.  The Adviser shall be responsible for reporting the Company’s proxy voting activities, as required, through periodic filings on Form N-PX.

 

6.           Advisory Services Not Exclusive .  The Adviser’s services to the Company pursuant to this Agreement are not exclusive, and it is understood that the Adviser may render investment advice, management and services to other persons (including other investment companies) and engage in other activities, so long as its services under this Agreement are not impaired by such other activities. It is understood and agreed that officers or directors of the Adviser are not prohibited from engaging in any other business activity or from rendering services to any other person, or from serving as partners, officers, trustees or directors of any other firm, trust or corporation, including other investment companies. Whenever the Company and one or more other accounts or investment companies advised by the Adviser have available funds for investment, and the responsibility for the management of all of the assets of the Company has not been delegated to a subadviser, investments suitable and appropriate for each entity shall be allocated in accordance with procedures believed by the Adviser to be equitable to each entity over time to the extent permitted by applicable law. Similarly, opportunities to sell securities shall be allocated in a manner believed by the Adviser to be equitable to each entity over time to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Company recognizes that in some cases this procedure may adversely affect the size of the position that may be acquired by or disposed of for the Company.

 

ARTICLE III

EXPENSES

 

1.           Expenses Borne by Adviser . All investment professionals of the Adviser and their respective staffs, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services hereunder, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses of such personnel allocable to such services, shall be provided and paid for by the Adviser and not by the Company.

 

2.           Expenses Borne by the Company . The Company shall bear all other costs and expenses of its operations and transactions, including, without limitation, those relating to: (a) the Company’s organizational costs and offering costs incurred prior to the completion of its initial public offering, up to a maximum of $750,000; (b) calculating the Company’s net asset value (including the costs and expenses of any independent valuation firm or pricing service); (c) interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance the Company’s investments; (d) fees and expenses, including legal fees and expenses and travel expenses, incurred by the Adviser or payable to third parties in performing due diligence on prospective investments, monitoring the Company’s investments and, if necessary, enforcing the Company’s rights; (e) amounts payable to third parties relating to, or associated with, evaluating, making and disposing of investments; (f) brokerage fees and commissions; (g) federal and state registration fees; (h) exchange listing fees; (i)  federal, state and local taxes; (j) costs of offerings or repurchases of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), and other securities; (k) the Management Fee (as defined below); (l) distributions on the Common Stock and other securities; (m) administration fees payable to Eagle Point Administration LLC (the “ Administrator ”) under the administration agreement dated as of October 5, 2018 (as amended or restated from time to time, the “ Administration Agreement ”); (n) transfer agent and custody fees and expenses; (o) independent director fees and expenses; (p) the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to the Company’s securityholders, including printing costs; (q) costs of holding stockholder meetings; (r) litigation, indemnification and other non-recurring or extraordinary expenses; (s) fees and expenses associated with marketing and investor relations efforts;

 

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(t) dues, fees and charges of any trade association of which the Company is a member; (u) direct costs and expenses of administration and operation, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone and staff, including fees payable in connection with outsourced administration functions; (v) fees and expenses associated with independent audits and outside legal costs; (w) the Company’s fidelity bond; (x) directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums; (y) costs associated with the Company’s reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act and applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws; and (z) all other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company or the Administrator in connection with administering the Company’s 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 the Company’s allocable portion of the costs of compensation and related expenses of the Company’s chief compliance officer, chief financial officer, chief operating officer and their respective support staff.

 

ARTICLE IV

COMPENSATION

 

Effective commencing on the date that the Company’s initial registration statement on Form N-2 (the “ Registration Statement ”) is declared effective by the SEC, the Company agrees to pay, and the Adviser agrees to accept, as compensation for the investment advisory and management services provided by the Adviser hereunder, a management fee (the “ Management Fee ”) equal to an annual rate of 1.25% of Managed Assets. For this purpose, “ Managed Assets ” means the Company’s total assets (including assets attributable to the Company’s use of leverage) minus the sum of the Company’s accrued liabilities (other than liabilities incurred for the purpose of creating leverage). The Management Fee shall be calculated monthly based on the Managed Assets as of each calendar month end and shall be payable quarterly in arrears. The Base Management Fee for any partial calendar month shall be appropriately pro-rated (based on the number of days actually elapsed at the end of such calendar month relative to the total number of days in such calendar month).

 

The Company shall make any payments due hereunder to the Adviser or to the Adviser’s designee as the Adviser may otherwise direct. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Adviser may elect to defer all or a portion of its fees hereunder for a specified period of time.

 

ARTICLE V

ADDITIONAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY

 

1.           Documents .  The Company has delivered, or shall deliver, to the Adviser copies of each of the following documents and shall deliver to it all future amendments and supplements thereto, if any:

 

(a)          The Company’s certificate of formation, as filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware;

 

(b)          The Company’s limited liability company operating agreement;

 

(c)          Certified resolutions of the Board of Directors authorizing the appointment of the Adviser and approving the form of this Agreement;

 

(d)          the Registration Statement as filed with the SEC and all amendments thereto; and

 

(e)          Notification of Registration of the Company under the 1940 Act on Form N-8A as filed with the SEC .

 

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ARTICLE VI

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

 

To the full extent permitted by applicable law, the Adviser (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with any such person or entity or with the Adviser) shall not be liable to the Company for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Adviser (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with any such person or entity or with the Adviser) in connection with the performance of any of its duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Company, except to the extent specified in Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act concerning loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty (as the same is finally determined by judicial proceedings) with respect to the receipt of compensation for services, and the Company shall indemnify, defend and protect the Adviser (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with any such person or entity or with the Adviser, each of whom shall be deemed a third party beneficiary hereof) (collectively, the “ Indemnified Parties ”) and hold them harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by the Indemnified Parties in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of the Company or its security holders) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of the Adviser’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Company. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence of this Article VI to the contrary, nothing contained herein shall protect or be deemed to protect the Indemnified Parties against or entitle or be deemed to entitle the Indemnified Parties to indemnification in respect of, any liability to the Company or its security holders to which the Indemnified Parties would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser’s duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Adviser’s duties and obligations under this Agreement (as the same shall be determined in accordance with the 1940 Act and any interpretations or guidance by the SEC or its staff thereunder). Nothing in this Agreement shall in any way constitute a waiver or limitation by the Company of any rights or remedies which may not be so limited or waived in accordance with applicable law.

 

ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS

 

1.           Covenants of the Adviser . The Adviser hereby covenants that it is registered as an investment adviser under the 1940 Act. The Adviser hereby agrees that its activities shall at all times comply in all material respects with all applicable federal and state laws governing its operations and investments.

 

2.           Adviser Personnel .  The Adviser shall authorize and permit any of its directors, officers and employees who may be elected or appointed as directors or officers of the Company to serve in the capacities in which they are elected or appointed.  Services to be furnished by the Adviser under this Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any of such directors, officers or employees.  The Adviser shall make its directors, officers and employees available to attend meetings of the Board of Directors as may be reasonably requested by the Board of Directors from time to time.  The Adviser shall prepare and provide such reports on the Company and its operations as may be reasonably requested by the Board of Directors from time to time.

 

3.           Independent Contractor .  Except as otherwise provided herein or authorized by the Board of Directors from time to time, the Adviser shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall have no authority to act for or represent the Company in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Company.

 

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4.           Name . The Company agrees that the Company (to the extent that it lawfully can) shall cease to use the name “Eagle Point” upon such date as the Adviser ceases to act as the investment adviser to the Company.

 

5.           Effectiveness, Duration and Termination . This Agreement shall become effective as of the first date above written. This Agreement shall remain in effect for two years, and thereafter shall continue automatically for successive annual periods; provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (a) the vote of the Board of Directors or the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company (as defined in Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act) and (b) the vote of a majority of the Company’s directors who are not parties to this Agreement or “interested persons” (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of any such party, in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act.

 

This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by (a) (i) the Board of Directors or (ii) a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company (as defined in Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act), in each case upon not less than 60 days’ written notice or (b) the Adviser upon not less than 90 days’ written notice. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 15(a)(4) of the 1940 Act). The provisions of Article VI of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and the Adviser shall remain entitled to the benefits thereof, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement. Further, notwithstanding the termination or expiration of this Agreement as aforesaid, the Adviser shall be entitled to any amounts owed under Article IV through the date of termination or expiration, and Article VI shall continue in force and effect and apply to the Indemnified Parties as and to the extent applicable.

 

6.           Amendment .  This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Company must be obtained in accordance with the 1940 Act, including, if applicable, pursuant to a vote of the Board of Directors, the vote of a majority of the outstanding securities of the Company (as defined in Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act), or the vote of a majority of the Company’s directors who are not parties to this Agreement or “interested persons” (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of any such party.

 

7.           Notice .  Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the other party at its principal office.

 

8.           Entire Agreement; Governing Law .  This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York and the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. To the extent the applicable laws of the State of New York, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.

 

[signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above. 

 

 

  EP Income company LLC
     
  By:   /s/ Thomas Majewski
    Name:  Thomas P. Majewski
    Title:     Chief Executive Officer
     
  EAGLE POINT INCOME MANAGEMENT LLC
     
  By: /s/ Thomas Majewski
    Name:  Thomas P. Majewski
    Title:     Managing Partner

  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit (j)

 

CUSTODY AGREEMENT

 

CUSTODY AGREEMENT, dated as of October 3, 2018, among EP Income Company LLC (the “ Eagle Point ”), a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business at 20 Horseneck Lane, Greenwich, CT 06830, each of the entities listed on Schedule A hereto, if any, as Schedule A may be amended from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof, (each a “ Subsidiary ”, and together with Eagle Point, each is referred to herein separately as a “ Company ” and collectively as the “ Companies ”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, custodian (the “ Custodian ”), a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States of America with a principal place of business at 9062 Old Annapolis Rd., Columbia, MD 21045.

 

WHEREAS, the Eagle Point is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “ 1940 Act ”), as a closed-end investment company;

 

WHEREAS, the Investment Adviser (as defined below) has been appointed by Eagle Point as investment adviser of the Companies with authority to direct the Custodian with respect to investments and, to the extent applicable, cash management;

 

WHEREAS, the Companies desire to retain Wells Fargo Bank, National Association to act as custodian for the Companies;

 

WHEREAS, the Companies desire that the Companies’ Securities (as defined below) and cash be held and administered by the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement in compliance with Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties do hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1.        DEFINITIONS . Whenever used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified, insofar as the context will allow.

 

(a)           Appropriate Instructions : Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a list those persons authorized by the Companies to deliver instructions hereunder (the “ Authorized Signers ”) which may include officers and employees of the Investment Adviser. The Custodian may rely on any instruction given by an Authorized Signer. The term Appropriate Instructions shall mean an authorization, instruction, approval, item or set of data, or information of any kind in original writing containing signatures, or a copy of such document transmitted by facsimile transmission, electronic mail or other electronic transmission of text (including electronic records attached thereto) given by any Authorized Signer. The parties hereto assume full responsibility for the security of electronically transmitted communications which they send. Any electronic mail or other electronic transmission of text will be deemed signed by the sender if the sender’s name or electronic address appears as part of, or is transmitted with, the electronic record. Any communication addressed and mailed shall be deemed to be given when received; and any communication sent by electronic transmission shall be deemed to be given when actually received; and any communication delivered in person shall be deemed to be given when actually received by a Responsible Officer of the Custodian or the Company, as applicable. Any electronically delivered instructions, including by email or facsimile, received from or on behalf of any Authorized Signer, or any email or facsimile received from another individual on behalf of the Companies in which any Authorized Signers are also identified as copied, shall constitute Appropriate Instructions. The Custodian shall not incur any liability to anyone resulting from actions taken in good faith reliance on such communication or document. Nor shall the Custodian incur any liability in executing Appropriate Instructions from any Authorized

 

 

 

 

Signer prior to receipt by the Custodian of notice of the revocation of such person or entity as an Authorized Signer.

 

(b)           Authorized Signer : The term Authorized Signer shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1(a) hereof.

 

(c)           Board : The term Board shall mean the Board of Directors of Eagle Point.

 

(d)           Book-Entry Account : The term Book-Entry Account shall mean an account maintained by a Federal Reserve Bank in which Book-Entry Securities are held.

 

(e)           Book-Entry Securities : The term Book-Entry Securities shall mean Securities issued by the United States Treasury and United States federal agencies and instrumentalities that are maintained in the book-entry system maintained by a Federal Reserve Bank.

 

(f)           Certificate : The term Certificate shall mean any notice, instruction, or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Custodian, which is actually received by a Responsible Officer of the Custodian and signed on behalf of a Company by any two Authorized Signers.

 

(g)           Certificated Security : The term Certificated Security shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 8-102(4) of the UCC (as defined below).

 

(h)           Clearing Member : The term Clearing Member shall mean a registered broker-dealer that is a member of a national securities exchange qualified to act as a custodian for an investment company, or any broker-dealer reasonably believed by the Custodian to be such a clearing member.

 

(i)           Company Business Day : The term Company Business Day shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking and savings and loan institutions in the State of New York, the State of Maryland or the city in which the principal offices of the Custodian are located are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to be closed.

 

(j)           Contract Rights : The term Contract Rights shall mean contractual rights owned by a Company to receive distributions from one or more counterparties, the terms of which are notified by the Company or its designated agent to the Custodian. A Contract Right may constitute a Security.

 

(k)           Custodian : The term Custodian shall mean the Custodian in its capacity as custodian under this Agreement.

 

(l)           Depository : The term Depository shall mean The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”), Participants Trust Company (“ PTC ”), and any other clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, its successor(s) and its nominee(s). The term “Depository” shall further mean and include any person authorized to act as a depository pursuant to Section 17, Rule 17f-4 or Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act, its successor(s) and its nominee(s), specifically identified in a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors approving deposits therein by the Custodian.

 

(m)          Foreign Custodian : The term Foreign Custodian shall mean “eligible foreign custodian” as that term is defined in Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act.

 

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(n)           Foreign Securities : The term Foreign Securities shall mean “Foreign Securities” as that term is defined in Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act.

 

(o)           Investment Adviser : The term Investment Adviser shall mean Eagle Point Income Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company appointed by Eagle Point as investment adviser of the Companies with authority to direct the Custodian concerning investments and, to the extent applicable, cash management, which authority shall remain in force unless and until revoked by Eagle Point or a Company in writing to the Custodian, and any successor investment adviser appointed from time to time by Eagle Point or a Company.

 

(p)           Officers : The term Officers shall be deemed to include any Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, President, Vice President, Secretary, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, any Assistant Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer or any other person or persons duly authorized by the Directors of Eagle Point to execute any Certificate, instruction, notice or other instrument on behalf of the Companies and listed in the Certificate attached hereto or such other Certificate as may be received by the Custodian from time to time.

 

(q)           Responsible Officer : means (i) with respect to the Custodian, any officer within the corporate trust office (or any successor group of the Custodian) of the Custodian set forth in Section 25 hereof (the “ Corporate Trust Office ”) including any vice president, assistant vice president or officer of the Custodian customarily performing functions similar to those performed by the persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred at the Corporate Trust Office because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and in each case having direct responsibility for the administration of this Agreement, and (ii) any Authorized Signer of the Companies or any other person designated as a “Responsible Officer” in writing by a Company from time to time.

 

(r)           Securities : The term Security or Securities shall mean bonds, debentures, notes, stocks, shares, evidences of indebtedness, and other securities and investments from time to time owned by the Companies or a Subsidiary, as applicable.

 

(s)           Securities Depository : The term Securities Depository shall mean a system, domestic or foreign, for the central handling of securities in which all securities of any particular class or series of any issuer deposited within the system are treated as fungible and may be transferred or pledged by bookkeeping entry without physical delivery of the securities and shall include any system for the issuance of Book-Entry Securities.

 

(t)           Sub-Custodian : The term Sub-Custodian shall mean any person selected by the Custodian under Section 21 hereof and in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act to custody any or all of the Securities and cash of the Companies.

 

(u)           UCC : The term UCC shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York.

 

(v)          Uncertificated Security : The term Uncertificated Security shall mean a Security that is not represented by a physical certificate, other than such Security that is held in a Securities Depository.

 

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Section 2.        APPOINTMENT

 

(a)           Appointment . The Companies hereby appoint the Custodian as custodian of the Securities and cash of the Companies (collectively, the “ Assets ”) from time to time delivered to the Custodian hereunder, and the Custodian hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the services and duties set forth in this Agreement subject to and in accordance with the provisions hereof.

 

(b)           Segregation . The Assets shall be and remain the sole property of the applicable Company and the Custodian shall have only custody thereof. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate for each account all Assets, including all Securities that are maintained pursuant to Section 6 in a Securities Depository or Book-Entry Account, from other securities and non-cash property in the possession of the Custodian, and all such Assets shall be marked so as to clearly identify them as property of the applicable Company. The Custodian shall collect (other than instituting enforcement actions) all income, principal and other distributions due and payable on the Assets. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, under no circumstances shall the Custodian be obligated to bring legal action or institute proceedings against any person on behalf of the Companies.

 

(c)           Securities Custodian Accounts . There shall be, and hereby is, established by Eagle Point and each Company with the Custodian, a non-interest bearing trust account which will be separately identified for each of Eagle Point and each Company as the custody account (each such account is referred to herein as the “ Custody Account ”) and in which the Custodian shall hold all Assets (other than Uncertificated Securities and Contract Rights) delivered to the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement, and which shall be governed by and subject to this Agreement. On the date hereof, the Custodian has established each Custody Account as set forth on Schedule B hereto. In addition, on and after the date hereof, the Custodian may establish any number of subaccounts to any Custody Account as deemed necessary or appropriate by the Custodian and Eagle Point or the Companies in administering each Custody Account (each such subaccount, a “ Subaccount ” and collectively with the Custody Accounts, the “ Accounts ”).

 

The Custodian shall not be required to credit or deposit Uncertificated Securities and Contract Rights in the Accounts but shall instead maintain a record (in book-entry form or in such other form as it shall deem necessary or desirable) of such Uncertificated Securities and Contract Rights owned by the Company containing such information as a Company and the Custodian may reasonably agree, provided that the Company shall have furnished to the Custodian such documents evidencing the Company’s investment in each such Uncertificated Security or rights under each such Contract Right, together with a description of the material terms of any such Uncertificated Security or Contract Right as requested by the Custodian (collectively, such documents and information are referred to herein as the “ Investment Documents ”). The Custodian’s sole duties as it relates to such Uncertificated Securities and Contract Rights of the Company shall be to (i) maintain a record of such Uncertificated Securities and Contract Rights (based on the information provided to the Custodian pursuant to the preceding sentence) (the “Recordkeeping Duties”) and (ii) to retain and hold the Investment Documents in respect of each Uncertificated Security and Contract Right held by a Company as a document custodian (the “Document Custody Duties”) and in a manner consistent with the manner in which the Custodian holds all other Assets of the Company pursuant to Section 2(b).

 

Assets or proceeds thereof shall be withdrawn from and credited to the Accounts only upon Authorized Instructions pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

All Assets to be delivered in physical form to the Custodian shall be delivered to the address set forth in Section 25 hereof and all assets to be delivered in book-entry form to the Custodian shall be delivered in accordance with delivery instructions separately provided by the Custodian. The Custodian

 

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shall not be responsible for any other assets of the Companies held or received by the Companies or others or any assets not delivered or furnished to the Custodian as set forth herein and accepted by the Custodian as hereinafter provided.

 

Section 3.       DELIVERY OF EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY

 

The Companies and/or the Investment Adviser may from time to time deliver to the Custodian a certificate revising Exhibit A and the Authorized Signers who may give Appropriate Instructions, and the Custodian shall be fully protected in acting in reliance thereon, until the Custodian receives a certificate amending Exhibit A to add or delete any Authorized Signer who may give Appropriate Instructions.

 

Section 4.       APPROPRIATE INSTRUCTIONS

 

For all purposes under this Agreement, the Custodian is authorized to act upon receipt of the Appropriate Instructions, which it in good faith believes to be genuine and delivered by an Authorized Signer.

 

Section 5.       DEPOSIT OF ASSETS

 

(a)         The Companies shall initially furnish, transfer and credit or deposit, or cause to be furnished, transferred and credited or deposited, with the Custodian all Assets owned by the Companies for which the Companies wish the Custodian to have custody, as contemplated by this Agreement, provided that the Custodian shall have the right, in its reasonable discretion, to refuse, upon providing written notice to the Companies, to accept any Securities or other property that are not in proper form for credit or deposit or recordkeeping, or for any other reason. Such transfer and credit or deposit shall be evidenced by Appropriate Instructions to receive such Assets. The Companies may cause additional Assets, including dividends or interest collected on Assets, as the same are acquired from time to time by the Companies, to be delivered to the Custodian pursuant to the terms hereof. The Companies may cause to be credited or deposited with the Custodian from time to time (i) the net proceeds of Assets sold, and (ii) Assets consisting of cash as may be acquired by the Companies.

 

(b)         The Custodian shall not be responsible for any Assets not furnished or delivered to Custodian as set forth herein and accepted by the Custodian as hereinafter provided. The Custodian shall have no obligation to accept or hold any security or other asset pursuant to the terms of this agreement to the extent it reasonably determines that such security or asset does not fall within the definition of “Asset” or holding such security or asset would violate any law, rule, regulation or internal policy applicable to the Custodian.

 

(i)          A Security other than an Uncertificated Security shall be deemed to be “delivered” to the Custodian when the Companies deliver such Security in the following manner: (a) if such Security is a Certificated Security or an instrument (other than a Security held in a Securities Depository), then in physical certificated form in the name of the Companies or its nominee, (b) if such Security is held in a Securities Depository, then delivery of confirmation that such Security is held in the Securities Depository or (c) in such other good delivery form that may be agreed to by the Custodian from time to time.

 

(ii)         A Security that is an Uncertificated Security or that is otherwise not evidenced by a “security” or “instrument” as defined in Section 8-102 and Section 9-102(a)(47) of the UCC respectively, will be deemed to be “delivered” to the Custodian when a Company furnishes or cause to be furnished to the Custodian the Investment Documents. The Custodian’s sole duties with respect to such Uncertificated Securities shall be limited to the Recordkeeping Duties and Document Custody Duties.

 

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Nothing herein shall require the Custodian to credit to the Securities Account or to treat as a financial asset (within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(9) of the UCC) any Uncertificated Security or other asset in the nature of a general intangible (as defined in Section 9-102(a)(42) of the UCC) or to “maintain” a sufficient quantity thereof.

 

(iii)        On or prior to the date of delivery of any Investment Document to the Custodian with respect to any Uncertificated Security or Contract Rights owned by the Company, the Company shall deliver to the Custodian a checklist (the “Document Checklist”) which shall list each of the Documents being delivered to the Custodian and such other information as the Custodian may reasonably request from time to time. The Custodian shall take and retain custody of the Investment Documents delivered in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Within five (5) Business Days of its receipt of any Investment Documents and the Document Checklist, the Custodian shall review the Investment Documents delivered to it and confirm in writing that all Documents required to be delivered pursuant to the Document Checklist have been delivered and are in the possession of the Custodian. In the event any of the Investment Documents identified on the Document Checklist are not delivered to the Custodian, the Custodian shall notify the Company. In order to facilitate the foregoing review by the Custodian, in connection with each delivery of Investment Documents hereunder to the Custodian, the Company shall provide to the Custodian an electronic file (in EXCEL or a comparable format acceptable to the Custodian) of the related Document Checklist that contains a list of all required Documents. For the avoidance of doubt, other than the foregoing, the Custodian shall not have any responsibility for reviewing any Investment Documents.

 

(iv)        The Custodian may assume the genuineness of any Investment Document it may receive and the genuineness and due authority of any signatures appearing thereon, and the Custodian shall be entitled to assume that each such Investment Document it may receive is what it purports to be.

 

(v)         If an original “security” or “instrument” as defined in Section 8-102 and Section 9-102(a)(47) of the UCC, respectively, is or shall be or becomes available with respect to any Uncertificated Security for which Investment Documents have been furnished to the Custodian under this Agreement, it shall be the sole responsibility of the Company to make or cause delivery thereof to the Custodian, and the Custodian shall not be under any obligation at any time to determine whether any such original security or instrument has been or is required to be issued or made available in respect of any Security or to compel or cause delivery thereof to the Custodian.

 

Section 6.       DEPOSIT OF ASSETS WITH THIRD PARTIES

 

Unless otherwise held in the Account, the Companies hereby authorize the Custodian to deposit Assets as follows, provided that, in depositing Assets as described below the Custodian shall have exercised due care in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging its duty as a securities intermediary with respect to such Assets:

 

(a)         With another bank licensed and regularly examined by the United States or any state thereof as a Company shall permit by Appropriate Instructions, including any third-party custodian designated by the Company for purposes of settling tri-party repurchase agreements.

 

(b)         In the Custodian or Sub-Custodian’s account(s) with any Securities Depository.

 

(c)         Book-Entry Securities belonging to the Companies or a Subsidiary in a Book-Entry Account maintained for the Custodian.

 

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So long as any deposit referred to in (b) or (c) above is maintained for a Company, the Custodian shall send to the applicable Company such reports of the systems of internal accounting control of the Custodian and its agents through which Securities are deposited as are available and as the Company may reasonably request from time to time.

 

Section 7.        REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES

 

The Securities held by the Custodian, other than Securities payable to bearer, Securities maintained in a Securities Depository or Book-Entry Account pursuant to Section 6 hereof or Uncertificated Securities, shall be registered in the name of the Custodian or in the name of its nominee for the account of the applicable Company, or if directed by Appropriate Instructions, in the name of the applicable Company or its nominee. Any such nominee of the Custodian shall be under the Custodian’s exclusive control and shall be identified to the Companies. In the event that any Securities are registered in the name of the applicable Company or its nominee, the applicable Company on its own behalf will endorse, or cause to be endorsed, to the Custodian dividend and interest checks, or will issue appropriate orders to the issuers of the Securities to pay dividends and interest to the Custodian. Securities, excepting bearer securities, delivered from time to time to the Custodian shall, in all cases, be in due form for transfer, or registered as above provided.

 

Section 8.        DISBURSEMENTS OF CASH

 

The Custodian is hereby authorized and directed to disburse cash to or from a Company from time to time only as follows:

 

(a)          For the purchase of Assets constituting Securities by any Company, upon receipt by the Custodian of (i) Appropriate Instructions specifying the Securities and stating the purchase price and the name of the broker, investment banker or other party to or upon whose order the purchase price is to be paid, such Appropriate Instructions to be received by the Custodian in accordance with the parties’ mutually agreed upon instruction deadline schedule, and (ii) either the Securities so purchased, in due form for transfer or already registered as provided in Section 7, or notification by a Securities Depository or a Federal Reserve Bank that the Securities have been credited to the Custodian’s account with the Securities Depository or Federal Reserve Bank.

 

(b)          For transferring funds, including mark-to-the-market payments, in connection with a repurchase agreement covering Securities that are to be delivered to a third party custodian as provided in Section 6 (a), upon receipt by the Custodian of Appropriate Instructions.

 

(c)          For exercising warrants and rights received upon the Securities, upon timely receipt of Appropriate Instructions authorizing the exercise of such warrants and rights and stating the consideration to be paid.

 

(d)          For repaying, in whole or in part, any loan of any applicable Company, or returning cash collateral for Securities loaned by any applicable Company, upon receipt of Appropriate Instructions directing payment and stating the Securities, if any, to be received against payment.

 

(e)          For transferring funds to any Sub-Custodian.

 

(f)          To advance or pay out accrued interest on bonds purchased, dividends on stocks sold and similar items, upon receipt of Appropriate Instructions.

 

(g)          To pay proper compensation and expenses of the Custodian, except as set forth herein, upon receipt of Appropriate Instructions.

 

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(h)          To pay, or provide the Companies with money to pay, taxes, upon receipt of Appropriate Instructions.

 

(i)          To transfer funds to a separate checking account or demand deposit accounts maintained by any applicable Company upon receipt of Appropriate Instructions.

 

(j)          For any other purpose directed by the applicable Company, but only upon receipt of Appropriate Instructions specifying the amount of the payment, and naming the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.

 

Section 9.        DELIVERY OF SECURITIES

 

The Custodian is hereby authorized and directed to deliver Securities of a Company from time to time only as follows:

 

(a)          For completing sales of Securities sold by any applicable Company, upon receipt of (i) Appropriate Instructions specifying the Securities sold, the amount to be received and the broker, investment banker or other party to or upon whose order the Securities are to be delivered, such Appropriate Instructions to be received by the Custodian in accordance with the Schedule of Deadlines, and (ii) against payment of the net proceeds of sale in the amount specified in the Appropriate Instructions in accordance with the then current securities industry practices and in form satisfactory to the Custodian; provided, however, that the Custodian may accept payment in connection with the sale of Book-Entry Securities and Securities on deposit with a Securities Depository by means of a credit in the appropriate amount to the account described in Section 6(b) or (c) above. For exchanging Securities for other Securities (and cash, if applicable), upon timely receipt of (i) Appropriate Instructions stating the Securities to be exchanged, cash to be received and the manner in which the exchange is to be made and (ii) the other Securities (and cash, if applicable) as specified in the Appropriate Instructions.

 

(b)          For exchanging or converting Securities pursuant to their terms or pursuant to any plan of conversion, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization, re-adjustment or otherwise, upon timely receipt of (i) Appropriate Instructions authorizing such exchange or conversion and stating the manner in which such exchange or conversion is to be made and (ii) the Securities, certificates of deposit, interim receipts, and/or cash to be received as specified in the Appropriate Instructions.

 

(c)          For presenting for payment Securities that have matured or have been called for redemption upon timely receipt of Appropriate Instructions authorizing such action;

 

(d)          Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 11 hereof, for depositing with the lender Securities to be held as collateral for a loan to any applicable Company or depositing with a borrower Securities to be loaned by any applicable Company, upon receipt of Appropriate Instructions directing delivery to the lender or borrower and suitable collateral or, if Securities are loaned, pursuant to the terms of a separate securities lending agreement.

 

(e)          For complying with a repurchase agreement, upon receipt of (i) Appropriate Instructions stating the securities to be delivered and the payment to be received and (ii) payment.

 

(f)          For depositing with a depository agent in connection with a tender or other similar offer to purchase Securities of any applicable Company upon receipt of Appropriate Instructions.

 

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(g)          For depositing Securities with the issuer thereof, or its agents, for the purpose of transferring such Securities into the name of any applicable Company, the Custodian or any nominee of either in accordance with Section 7, upon receipt of Appropriate Instructions.

 

(h)          For other proper purposes; provided that the Custodian shall receive Appropriate Instructions requesting such delivery.

 

(i)          Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian may, without Appropriate Instructions, surrender and exchange Securities for other Securities in connection with any reorganization, recapitalization, or similar transaction in which the owner of the Securities is not given an option; provided, however, that the Custodian has no responsibility to effect any such exchange unless a Responsible Officer has received actual notice of the event permitting or requiring such exchange. To facilitate any such exchange, the Custodian is authorized to surrender against payment maturing obligations and obligations called for redemption and to effectuate the exchange in accordance with customary practices and procedures established in the market for exchanges.

 

Section 10.      [Reserved]

 

Section 11.      BORROWINGS AND USE OF SECURITIES AS COLLATERAL

 

If any applicable Company borrows money or engages in certain transactions and uses Securities as collateral, the applicable Company shall deliver to the Custodian Appropriate Instructions stating the Securities to be delivered as collateral, and Custodian shall deliver such Securities on the date specified in such Appropriate Instructions.

 

The Custodian shall deliver, from time to time, any Securities required as additional collateral for any transaction described in this Section, upon receipt of Appropriate Instructions. The Companies shall cause all Securities released from collateral status to be returned directly to the Custodian.

 

To effect such delivery in compliance with Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act, and for such other purposes as may be set forth in Appropriate Instructions, upon receipt of Appropriate Instructions, the Custodian shall establish and maintain on its books one or more additional segregated account or accounts (each such account, an “ Additional Controlled Account ”) for and on behalf of any applicable Company (subject to entry by the Custodian, any applicable Company and any applicable lender counterparty of one or more agreements (each such agreement, a “ Controlled Account Agreement ”) governing the terms of each Additional Controlled Account and agreement by any applicable Company of any additional applicable fees payable to the Custodian in connection with the opening and operation of such Additional Controlled Account), into which Additional Controlled Account may be transferred assets of the applicable Company, including Securities maintained by the Custodian in a Securities Depository, as directed pursuant to Appropriate Instructions, and the Custodian and any applicable Company may enter into the applicable Controlled Account Agreement with the lender or counterparty (as applicable) in connection therewith. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the determination of the type or amount of Assets to be held in any Additional Controlled Account referred to in this paragraph.

 

Section 12.      INDEBTEDNESS TO CUSTODIAN

 

The Companies hereby agree that the Custodian shall have a continuing lien and security interest, to the extent of any overdraft or indebtedness, including any amounts owed to the Custodian hereunder, in any property then held by the Custodian or its agents for the benefit of the Companies, or in which the Companies may have an interest.

 

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Section 13.      [RESERVED]

 

Section 14.     [ RESERVED ]

 

Section 15.      EXERCISE OF POWERS WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES

 

The Custodian shall, reasonably promptly following receipt by the Custodian, furnish to the Companies all proxies or other appropriate authorizations with respect to Securities registered in the name of the Custodian or its nominee, so that the Companies or its designee may vote, consent or otherwise act, and the Custodian shall take such actions as may be directed by the Companies pursuant to Appropriate Instructions. The Companies or such persons as it may designate shall have the right to vote, consent or otherwise act with respect to such Securities in accordance with such Appropriate Instructions. Absent such Appropriate Instructions, the Custodian assumes no duty, obligation or responsibility whatsoever to exercise any voting or consent powers with respect to the Securities held by it from time to time hereunder.

 

Section 16.      COMPENSATION

 

The Companies agree, jointly and severally, to pay to the Custodian compensation for its services as set forth in a separate Fee Agreement, or as shall be set forth in written amendments to such separate Fee Agreement approved by Eagle Point and the Custodian from time to time. Except as otherwise noted, this fee covers account acceptance, set up and termination expenses, plus usual and customary related administrative services such as safekeeping, investment, collection and distribution of assets, including normal record-keeping/reporting requirements and any other services provided for herein. Any additional services beyond those specified in this Agreement, or activities requiring excessive administrator time or out-of-pocket expenses, shall be performed only after reasonable prior notice is given to the Custodian by the Companies and shall be deemed extraordinary expenses for which related costs, transaction charges and additional fees shall be billed at the Custodian's standard charges for such items. The Companies agree, jointly and severally, to pay or reimburse the Custodian upon request for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including without limitation reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel) incurred, and any disbursements and advances made, in connection with the preparation, negotiation or execution of this Agreement, or in connection with or pursuant to consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, or the administration of this Agreement or performance by the Custodian of its duties and services under this Agreement.

 

Section 17.      CORPORATE ACTIVITY

 

Reasonably promptly following receipt by the Custodian, the Custodian shall forward to the Companies all notices of shareholder meetings, proxy statements, annual reports, conversion notices, call notices, information concerning redemption rights that are exercisable at the Companies’ option, tender or exchange offers, or other notices or written materials of any kind (excluding share certificates and dividend, principal and interest payments) sent to the Custodian as registered owner of Securities.

 

The Companies shall instruct the Custodian in writing with regard to (a) the exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to the Assets, including, without limitation, waivers and voting rights, and (b) taking any other action in connection with the Assets, including, without limitation, any purchase, sale, conversion, redemption, exchange, retention or other transaction relating to the Assets. In the absence of any instructions provided to the Custodian by the Companies, the Custodian shall have no obligation to take any action with respect to the Assets. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, under no circumstances shall the Custodian be obligated to bring legal action or institute proceedings against any person on behalf of the Companies.

 

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The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the entity or entities appointed by the Board of Directors of the Companies to keep the books of account of the Companies.

 

Section 18.      RECORDS; REPORTING

 

(a)          The Custodian shall create and maintain complete and accurate records relating to its activities under this Agreement with respect to the Assets held for the Companies under this Agreement. The Custodian acknowledges and agrees that all books and records maintained for the Companies in any capacity under this Agreement are the property of the Companies and may be inspected by the Companies, its duly authorized agents or any authorized regulatory agency at any reasonable time. Upon request all such books and records will be surrendered reasonably promptly to the Companies. The Custodian agrees to make available to the Companies upon request any records related to services provided under this Agreement. In addition, on or after the date hereof, the Custodian shall keep such other books and records of a Company as the Company shall reasonably request that may be required by the 1940 Act.

 

(b)          The Custodian shall render to the Companies such customary and special monthly and daily reports as the Custodian and a Company may agree from time to time. In addition, the Custodian shall provide the Company with such reports as the Company may reasonably request from time to time on the internal controls and procedures for safeguarding Securities employed by the Custodian, including the Custodian’s SOC 1 report.

 

Section 19.      LIABILITY

 

The Custodian shall be obligated only for the performance of such duties as are specifically set forth in this Agreement and the Custodian shall satisfy those duties expressly set forth herein so long as it acts in good faith and without gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Custodian may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting on any written notice, request, waiver, consent or instrument believed in good faith by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. The Custodian shall have no duty to determine or inquire into the happening or occurrence of any event or contingency, and it is agreed that it has no duty to exercise any discretion hereunder. The Custodian may consult with and obtain advice from legal counsel with respect to any question as to any provision hereof or its duties hereunder and shall not be liable for action taken or omitted by it in good faith 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 or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

The Custodian shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized hereby, except for actions arising from the gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of the Custodian. Except as set forth in Section 25(e), the Custodian shall have no liability for loss arising from any cause beyond its control, including, but not limited to, the act, failure or neglect of any agent or correspondent selected with due care by the Custodian, any delay, error, omission or default of any mail, telegraph, cable or wireless agency or operator; or the acts or edicts of any government or governmental agency or other group or entity exercising governmental powers.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall the Custodian be liable for special, punitive, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits).

 

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties and the Custodian shall have no investment or management responsibility and, accordingly, shall have no duty to, or liability for its failure to, provide investment recommendations or investment advice to the parties hereto. It is the intention of the parties hereto that the Custodian shall never

 

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be required to use, advance or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or the exercise of any of its rights and powers hereunder unless it shall be furnished with indemnifications acceptable to it. The Custodian may exercise any of its rights or powers hereunder or perform any of its duties hereunder either directly or, by or through agents or attorneys, and the Custodian shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed and maintained hereunder with due care by the Custodian and appointed with the Companies’ prior written consent.

 

The Custodian is not responsible or liable in any manner whatsoever for the sufficiency, correctness, genuineness or validity of this Agreement or any part hereof (except with respect to the Custodian’s obligations hereunder) or for the transaction or transactions requiring or underlying the execution of this Agreement, the form or execution hereof or for the identity or authority of any person executing this Agreement or any part hereof (except with respect to the Custodian) or depositing the Assets. The Custodian shall not be deemed to have notice or knowledge of any matter hereunder unless written notice thereof is received by the Custodian. It is expressly acknowledged by the Companies that application and performance by the Custodian of its various duties hereunder may be based upon, and in reliance upon, data, information and notice provided to it by the Companies and/or any related bank agent, obligor or similar party with respect to the Assets, and the Custodian shall have no responsibility for the accuracy of any such information or data provided to it by such persons and shall be entitled to update its records (as it may deem necessary or appropriate).

 

The Custodian shall not be liable for the actions or omissions of, or any inaccuracies in the records of, the Companies or any clearing agency or depository or any other person and without limiting the foregoing, the Custodian shall not be under any obligation to monitor, evaluate or verify compliance by the Companies or any other person with any agreement or applicable law. The Custodian shall not be liable or responsible for or on account of any act or omission of any broker or other agent designated by the Companies to purchase or sell securities for the account of the Companies. The Custodian shall not be responsible for loss occasioned by the acts, neglects, defaults or insolvency of any broker, bank, trust company or other person with whom the Custodian may deal in the absence of bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Custodian.

 

For the avoidance of doubt and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Companies agree that the Custodian obligations to furnish reports shall be limited to those duties set forth herein, or as otherwise agreed to by the Companies and the Custodian and the Custodian shall not have nor shall be implied to have any other duties with respect to furnishing reports of the Companies. The Custodian shall only be obligated to furnish information to the Companies or to any third party to the extent directed by the Companies pursuant to Appropriate Instructions as set forth in this Agreement and agreed to by the Custodian, or as the Companies and Custodian may otherwise agree.

 

The Companies agree, jointly and severally, to indemnify, defend and hold the Custodian, its officers, directors, employees and agents (collectively, “ Indemnified Persons ”) harmless from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, demands, expenses, costs, causes of action, judgments or liabilities that may be incurred by any Indemnified Person arising directly or indirectly out of or in connection with this Agreement, including the reasonable legal costs and expenses as such expenses are incurred (including, without limitation, the expenses of any experts, counsel or agents) of investigating, preparing for or defending itself against any action, claim or liability in connection with its performance hereunder or thereunder. The Companies also hereby agree, jointly and severally, to hold the Custodian harmless from any liability or loss resulting from any taxes or other governmental charges, and any expense related thereto, which may be imposed, or assessed with respect to any Assets in the Account and also agrees to hold the Custodian and its respective nominees harmless from any liability as record holder of Assets in the Account. The Companies may remit payment for expenses and indemnities owed to the Custodian

 

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hereunder or, in the absence thereof, the Custodian may from time to time deduct payment of such amounts from the Account. In no event, however, shall the Companies be obligated to indemnify any Indemnified Person and hold any Indemnified Person harmless if a court of competent jurisdiction determines, on a judgment not subject to appeal, that such losses, claims, damages, demands, expenses, costs, causes of action, judgments or liabilities were incurred by any Indemnified Person as a result of its own bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence. The provisions of this section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

The Companies hereby grant to the Custodian a lien on all Assets to secure the payment of any amounts that may be owing to the Custodian hereunder, which lien may be enforced by the Custodian by set-off or appropriate foreclosure proceedings only where (a) the Custodian has provided each Company with at least ten (10) days’ prior written notice of its intent to commence such proceedings, and (b) no Company has cured any failure giving rise to such proceedings. The Companies hereby consent to and authorize such action by the Custodian, and the Custodian shall have no liability for any action taken pursuant to this authorization.

 

Section 20.      TAXES

 

For the avoidance of doubt, each respective Account (including income, if any, earned on the investments of funds in such account) will be owned by the applicable Company (as applicable), for federal income tax purposes. Each Company is required to provide to the Custodian (i) an IRS Form W-9 or appropriate IRS Form W-8 no later than the Closing Date, and (ii) any additional IRS forms (or updated versions of any previously submitted IRS forms) or other documentation at such time or times required by applicable law or upon the reasonable request of the Custodian as may be necessary (i) to reduce or eliminate the imposition of U.S. withholding taxes and (ii) to permit Custodian to fulfill its tax reporting obligations under applicable law with respect to the Account or any amounts paid to the Companies. If any IRS form or other documentation previously delivered becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, each Company shall timely provide to the Custodian accurately updated and complete versions of such IRS forms or other documentation. Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, both in its individual capacity and in its capacity as Custodian, shall have no liability to the Companies or any other person in connection with any tax withholding amounts paid or withheld from the Account pursuant to applicable law arising from the Companies failure to timely provide an accurate, correct and complete IRS Form W-9, an appropriate IRS Form W-8 or such other documentation contemplated under this paragraph. For the avoidance of doubt, no funds shall be invested with respect to such Account absent the Custodian having first received (i) the requisite Appropriate Instructions, and (ii) the IRS forms and other documentation required by this paragraph.

 

The Custodian shall not be liable for any taxes, assessments or governmental charges that may be levied or assessed upon the Securities held by it hereunder, or upon the income therefrom. Upon Appropriate Instruction, the Custodian may pay any such tax, assessment or charge and reimburse itself out of the monies of the Companies or the Securities held hereunder. The Custodian shall execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state tax purposes in connection with the receipt of income or other payments with respect to the Securities of the Companies held by it and in connection with transfers of such Securities.

 

Section 21.      FOREIGN SECURITIES

 

The Custodian shall be authorized, but not required, to provide services as an eligible foreign custodian and act as a foreign custody manager, as those terms are defined in Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act, as amended. The Custodian shall not maintain assets of the Companies with a foreign custodian or a foreign securities depository unless approved by the Board and shall not be responsible for acting as a

 

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foreign custody manager unless and until the Custodian accepts such delegation of responsibility pursuant to a separate Delegation Agreement or Foreign Custody Manager Agreement approved by the Board that describes the Custodian’s duties as a foreign custody manager and identifies the Companies for which the Custodian will so act.

   

Section 22.      SUB-CUSTODIANS

 

The Custodian may from time to time appoint one or more Sub-Custodians, provided that, such Sub-Custodians possess the qualifications necessary to satisfy the requirements of Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act. The Custodian’s responsibility with respect to any Securities or cash held by a Sub-Custodian (other than an affiliate of the Custodian) is limited to the failure on the part of the Custodian to exercise reasonable care in the selection or retention of such Sub-Custodian in light of prevailing settlement and securities handling practices, procedures and controls in the relevant market. The Custodian shall notify the Companies of any such Sub-Custodian retained by the Custodian in respect of any Securities or other Assets of the Companies. If instructed by a Company to do so, the Custodian shall appoint a different Sub-Custodian in respect of the Securities and other Assets of such Company. With respect to any Losses incurred by the Companies as a result of the acts or the failure to act by any Sub-Custodian (other than an affiliate of the Custodian), the Custodian shall take appropriate action to recover such Losses from such Sub-Custodian; and the Custodian’s sole responsibility and liability to a Company shall be limited to amounts so received from such Sub-Custodian (exclusive of costs and expenses incurred by the Custodian).

 

Section 23.      EFFECTIVENESS, DURATION AND TERMINATION

 

This Agreement may be executed in more than one counterpart, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and shall become effective on the date hereof. This Agreement shall remain in effect until terminated as hereinafter provided.

 

The Custodian may at any time resign hereunder by giving written notice of its resignation to the Companies at least ninety (90) days prior to the date specified for such resignation to take effect, and upon the effective date of such resignation, the Assets hereunder shall be delivered by it to such person as may be designated in writing by the Companies (a “successor custodian”), whereupon all the Custodian’s obligations hereunder shall cease and terminate.

 

The Companies may remove the Custodian at any time by giving the Custodian at least sixty (60) days’ prior written notice. The Companies may at any time immediately terminate this Agreement in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the Custodian by regulatory authorities or upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction. Promptly following receipt of written notice from the Companies of the appointment of a successor custodian and receipt of Appropriate Instructions, the Custodian shall deliver all Assets hereunder to the successor custodian.

 

If no such successor custodian shall have been designated by such date, the Custodian shall keep safely all Assets then held by it and deliver the same to a person designated by the Companies or in accordance with the direction of a final order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

In any such case, upon request of the Companies and the successor custodian and upon payment of the Custodian’s reasonable charges and disbursements, the Custodian shall: (i) execute and deliver to the successor custodian an instrument approved by the successor custodian’s counsel transferring to the successor custodian all the rights, duties and obligations of the Custodian, (ii) transfer to the successor custodian the originals or copies of all books and records maintained by the Custodian hereunder and (iii) cooperate with, and provide reasonable assistance to, the successor custodian in the establishment of the

 

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books and records necessary to carry out the successor custodian’s responsibilities hereunder. Upon delivery of the Securities and other assets of the Companies and compliance with the other requirements of this Section 22, the Custodian shall have no further duty or liability hereunder. Termination shall not affect any of the liabilities either party owes to the other arising under this Agreement prior to such termination.

 

Section 24.    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; COVENANTS

 

(a)          Representations of the Companies . Each Company represents and warrants to the Custodian that:

 

(i)          it has the power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and it has duly authorized and executed this Agreement so as to constitute its valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy laws and general principles of equity (whether considered in a suit at law or in equity); and

 

(ii)         in giving any instructions which purport to be Appropriate Instructions under this Agreement, each Company will act in accordance with the provisions of its certificate of incorporation and bylaws (or comparable governing documents) as well as any applicable laws and regulations.

 

(b)          Representations of the Custodian . The Custodian hereby represents and warrants to the Companies that:

 

(i)          it is a duly organized and validly existing national banking association in good standing under the laws of the United States and has the full corporate power, authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement;

 

(ii)         it is a bank having the qualifications necessary to satisfy the requirements of Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act as of the date hereof and it shall confirm such qualifications in writing to the Companies upon the request of a Company;

 

(iii)        it has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Agreement by all necessary action on its part, either in its individual capacity or as Custodian, so as to constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy laws and general principles of equity (whether considered in a suit at law or in equity);

 

(iv)        its execution and delivery of this Agreement, performance of the transactions contemplated hereby and the fulfillment of the terms hereof will not conflict with, result in any breach of its articles of incorporation or bylaws or any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any indenture, contract, agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, or other instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound;

 

(v)         its execution and delivery of this Agreement, performance of the transactions contemplated hereby and fulfillment of the terms hereof will not conflict with or violate applicable law; and

 

(vi)        it has obtained approvals, authorizations, consents, orders or other actions of any person or governmental authority applicable to it, required in connection with the execution and

 

15

 

 

delivery of this Agreement, the performance by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and the fulfillment by it of the terms.

 

(c)          Covenants of the Custodian :

 

(i)          The Custodian will comply in all material respects with applicable law.

 

(ii)         The Custodian will preserve and maintain its existence, rights, franchises and privileges in the jurisdiction of its formation and qualify and remain qualified in good standing in each jurisdiction where failure to preserve and maintain such existence, rights, franchises, privileges and qualification could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect.

 

(iii)         The Custodian maintains and will continue to maintain physical and information security safeguards against the destruction, loss, theft or alteration of any confidential information of the Companies in the possession of the Custodian that will be no less rigorous than the greater of (i) the security Custodian applies to its own confidential information, (ii) commercially reasonable standards for institutions similar to the Custodian, or (iii) the requirements of applicable law and regulation. The Custodian will, at a minimum, update its policies to remain compliant with regulatory requirements. The Custodian will meet with one or more of the Companies, at their request, on an annual basis, and as otherwise reasonably requested by any Company, to discuss information security safeguards. If a Responsible Officer of the Custodian receives written notice or has actual knowledge that any Company’s confidential information has been accessed by or provided to an unauthorized person or otherwise compromised, the Custodian will notify the Companies as soon as reasonably practicable of the details of such violation, and will thereafter respond to a Company’s reasonable inquiries relating to such breach in accordance with the Custodian’s policies and procedures.

 

(iv)        The Custodian shall at all times employ a current version of a commercially available virus detection software program that employs regular updates to test the hardware and software applications used by it to deliver the services for the presence of any computer code designed to disrupt, disable, harm or otherwise impede the operation of such hardware or software. In the event of a cyber-attack that materially impacts the Custodian’s provision of services under this Agreement or compromises any confidential information or other information or data of any Company, the Custodian will notify the Companies as soon as reasonably practicable of the details of such attack, and will thereafter respond to a Company’s reasonable inquiries relating to such attack in accordance with the Custodian’s policies and procedures.

 

Section 25.      MISCELLANEOUS

 

(a)          This Agreement shall extend to and bind the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Companies without the written consent of the Custodian, or by the Custodian without the written consent of the Companies. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until it is terminated in accordance with Section 22 hereunder. The parties hereto shall not be bound by any modification, amendment, termination, cancellation, recission or supersession of this Agreement unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto provided that Schedule A and Schedule B may be amended (i) to remove any Subsidiary and its respective Custody Account to the extent this Agreement has terminated with respect to such Subsidiary or (ii) to add any new Subsidiary and its respective Custody Account that is added to this Agreement pursuant to Section 25(b) below. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any organization or entity into which the Custodian may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any organization or entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Custodian shall be a party, or any organization or entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the

 

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Custodian, shall be the successor of the Custodian hereunder, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.

 

(b)          On or after the date hereof, Schedule A and Schedule B to this Agreement may be amended to add one or more additional Subsidiaries with the consent of the Custodian, Eagle Point and the applicable Subsidiary, but without the consent of any existing Subsidiaries. Upon the amendment of Schedule A and Schedule B hereto to add such additional Subsidiaries and its respective Custody Account, such Subsidiary shall be a party to this Agreement for all purposes hereof.

 

(c)          This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent such laws are inconsistent with federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act. The Custodian and the Companies hereby consent to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of a state or federal court situated in the City of New York, New York, in connection with any dispute arising hereunder.

 

(d)          The captions inserted herein are for convenience of reference and shall not affect, in any way, the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

(e)          Neither the Companies nor Custodian shall be deemed responsible if it fails to perform any services as a result of one or more of the following causes: (i) the failure to receive Appropriate Instructions; (ii) interruptions or delays affected by information or communications systems; (iii) exchange or market rulings, disruptions in orderly trading on any exchange or market caused by market volatility or trading volume; (iv) suspension of trading; (v) computer, or operational system failures; (vi) “Acts of God”; (vii) any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, war, terrorism, riots, or civil disorders in any country; or (viii) other unusual circumstances not reasonably within the control of either party. The foregoing notwithstanding, the Custodial shall be absolved from liability under subsections (ii) and (v) above only if the Custodian has implemented and has in effect a business continuity/disaster recovery plan and backup systems that are customary in the industry.

 

(f)          Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, under no circumstances shall the Custodian be obligated to bring legal action or institute proceedings against any person on behalf of the Companies.

 

(g)          All service and performance standards are based upon the Custodian’s receipt of Appropriate Instructions, including but not limited to, trade orders in good order and properly authorized.

 

(h)          Any delivery of physical Assets, including Certificated Securities, or any notices or other communications hereunder (including Appropriate Instructions delivered to the Custodian) shall be in writing and given at the addresses stated below, by prepaid first class mail, overnight courier or facsimile.

 

If to the Companies:

 

EP Income Company LLC

c/o Eagle Point Income Management LLC

20 Horseneck Lane

Greenwich, CT 06830

Attn: Operations

Fax: 203-340-8537

Email: confirm@eaglepointcredit.com; konorio@eaglepointcredit.com

 

If to the Custodian:

 

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Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Corporate Trust Services Division
9062 Old Annapolis Rd.
Columbia, Maryland 21045
Attn: CDO Trust Services— EP Income Company LLC
Email: Ryan DeRose

 

(i)          EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT IT HAS RECEIVED FULL AND SUFFICIENT CONSIDERATION FOR THIS PROVISION (AND EACH OTHER PROVISION OF EACH OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT TO WHICH IT IS A PARTY) AND THAT THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR ITS ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH SUCH OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT.

 

(j)          The Companies acknowledge that in accordance with the Customer Identification Program (CIP) requirements under the USA PATRIOT Act and its implementing regulations, the Custodian in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Custodian. The Companies hereby agree that it shall provide the Custodian with such information as it may request including, but not limited to, the Company’s name, physical address, tax identification number and other information that will help the Custodian to identify and verify the Company’s identity such as organizational documents, certificate of good standing, license to do business, or other pertinent identifying information.

 

(k)          This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Facsimile signatures and signature pages provided in the form of a “pdf” or similar imaged document transmitted by electronic mail shall be deemed original signatures for all purposes hereunder.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.

 

EP INCOME COMPANY LLC  
     
By: /s/ Kenneth Onorio  
  Name: Kenneth Onorio  
  Title:     CFO  
     
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , as Custodian  
     
By: /s/ Sean Cheramie  
  Name: Sean Cheramie  
  Title:     Assistant Vice President  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit (k)(1)

 

EP INCOME COMPANY LLC

 

ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT

 

This Administration Agreement is hereby made as of the 5th day of October 2018 (the “ Agreement ”), between EP Income Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with any successor thereto, the “ Company ”), and Eagle Point Administration LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Administrator ”).

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, the Company is a newly formed closed-end management investment company that intends to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) under and pursuant to the provisions of Section 8(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “ 1940 Act ”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the Administrator to provide administrative services to the Company, and the Administrator is willing to provide or procure such services, on the terms and conditions hereafter set forth.

    

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, mutually agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

APPOINTMENT

 

The Company hereby appoints the Administrator to act as administrator to the Company for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement.  The Administrator hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to provide the administrative services herein described, for the compensation herein provided.

 

ARTICLE II

SERVICES OF THE ADMINISTRATOR

 

1.           Administrative Services . Subject to the supervision and the overall control of the board of directors of the Company (the “ Board of Directors ”), the Administrator shall act as administrator of the Company, and furnish, or arrange for others to furnish, the administrative services, personnel and facilities necessary for the operation of the Company, for the period and on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator shall provide the Company with office facilities, equipment, clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services at such facilities and such other services as the Administrator, subject to review by the Board of Directors, shall from time to time determine to be necessary or useful to perform its obligations under this Agreement. The Administrator shall also, on behalf of the Company, conduct relations with custodians, depositories, transfer agents, dividend disbursing agents, other stockholder servicing agents, accountants, attorneys,

 

 

 

 

underwriters, brokers and dealers, corporate fiduciaries, insurers, banks, regulators and other persons in any other capacity deemed to be necessary or desirable. The Administrator shall make reports to the Board of Directors of its performance of obligations hereunder and furnish advice and recommendations with respect to such other aspects of the business and affairs of the Company as it shall determine to be desirable; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to require the Administrator to, and the Administrator shall not, provide any advice or recommendation relating to the securities, instruments and other assets that the Company should purchase, retain or sell or any other investment advisory services to the Company. The Administrator shall be responsible for the financial and other records that the Company is required to maintain and shall prepare reports to stockholders, and reports and other materials filed with the SEC. The Administrator shall provide the Company with accounting services; shall assist the Company in determining and publishing the Company’s net asset value; shall oversee the preparation and filing of the Company’s tax returns; shall monitor the Company’s compliance with tax and other applicable laws and regulations; and shall prepare, and assist the Company with any audits by an independent public accounting firm of, the Company’s financial statements. The Administrator shall also be responsible for the printing and dissemination of reports to stockholders of the Company and the maintenance of the Company’s website; shall provide support for the Company’s investor relations; shall generally oversee the payment of the Company’s expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Company by others; and shall provide such other administrative services as the Company may from time to time designate.

 

2.         Books and Records . The Administrator agrees to maintain and keep all books, accounts and other records of the Company that relate to activities performed by the Administrator hereunder and, if required by the 1940 Act, will maintain and keep such books, accounts and records in accordance with the 1940 Act. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, the Administrator agrees that all records which it maintains for the Company shall at all times remain the property of the Company, shall be readily accessible during normal business hours, and shall be promptly surrendered upon the termination of the Agreement or otherwise on written request. The Administrator further agrees that all records which it maintains for the Company pursuant to Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act shall be preserved for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act unless any such records are earlier surrendered as provided above. Records shall be surrendered in usable machine-readable form. The Administrator shall have the right to retain copies of such records subject to observance of its confidentiality obligations under this Agreement.

 

3.           Confidentiality . The parties hereto agree that each shall treat confidentially all information provided by each party to the other regarding its business and operations. All confidential information provided by a party hereto, including nonpublic personal information pursuant to Regulation S-P of the SEC, shall be used by any other party hereto solely for the purpose of rendering services pursuant to this Agreement and, except as may be required in carrying out this Agreement, shall not be disclosed to any third party, without the prior consent of such providing party. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available other than through a breach of this Agreement, or that is required to be disclosed by any regulatory authority, any authority or

 

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legal counsel of the parties hereto, by judicial or administrative process, or otherwise by applicable law or regulation.

 

4.           Administrative Services Not Exclusive . The services of the Administrator to the Company are not to be deemed to be exclusive, and the Administrator and each affiliate thereof is free to render services to others. It is understood that directors, officers, employees and stockholders of the Company are or may become interested in the Administrator and its affiliates, as directors, officers, members, managers, employees, partners, stockholders or otherwise, and that the Administrator and directors, officers, members, managers, employees, partners and stockholders of the Administrator and its affiliates are or may become similarly interested in the Company as stockholders or otherwise.

 

ARTICLE III

COMPENSATION; ALLOCATION OF COSTS AND EXPENSES

 

1.           Compensation . In full consideration of the provision of the services of the Administrator, the Company shall reimburse the Administrator for the costs and expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations and providing personnel (for the avoidance of doubt, including salaries and related payroll expenses) and facilities hereunder.

 

2.           Allocation of Costs and Expenses . The Company shall bear all costs and expenses that are incurred in its operation and transactions and not specifically assumed by Eagle Point Income Management LLC (the “ Adviser ”) pursuant to that certain Investment Advisory Agreement, dated as of October 5, 2018, by and between the Company and the Adviser, as the same may be amended from time to time (the “ Investment Advisory Agreement ”). Costs and expenses to be borne by the Company include, but shall not be limited to, those relating to: (a) the Company’s organizational costs and offering costs incurred prior to the completion of its initial public offering up to a maximum of $750,000; (b) calculating the Company’s net asset value (including the costs and expenses of any independent valuation firm or pricing service); (c) interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance the Company’s investments; (d) fees and expenses, including legal fees and expenses and travel expenses, incurred by the Adviser or payable to third parties in performing due diligence on prospective investments, monitoring the Company’s investments and, if necessary, enforcing the Company’s rights; (e) amounts payable to third parties relating to, or associated with, evaluating, making and disposing of investments; (f) brokerage fees and commissions; (g) federal and state registration fees; (h) exchange listing fees; (i) federal, state and local taxes; (j) costs of offerings or repurchases of the Company’s common stock and other securities; (k) the management fee payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement; (l) distributions on the Company’s common stock and other securities; (m) administration fees payable to the Administrator under this Agreement; (n) transfer agent and custody fees and expenses; (o) independent director fees and expenses; (p) the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to the Company’s securityholders, including printing costs; (q) the costs of holding stockholder meetings; (r) litigation, indemnification and other non-recurring or extraordinary expenses; (s) fees and expenses associated with marketing and investor relations efforts; (t) dues, fees and charges of any trade association of which the Company is a member; (u) direct costs and expenses of administration and operation, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone and staff, including fees payable in connection with outsourced administration

 

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functions; (v) fees and expenses associated with independent audits and outside legal costs; (w) the Company’s fidelity bond; (x) directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums; (y) costs associated with the Company’s reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act and applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws; and (z) all other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company or the Administrator in connection with administering the Company’s business, such as the allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations under this Agreement, including rent, the fees and expenses associated with performing compliance functions, and the Company’s allocable portion of the costs of compensation and related expenses of the Company’s chief compliance officer, chief financial officer, chief operating officer and their respective support staff. To the extent the Administrator outsources any of its functions, the Company shall pay the fees associated with such functions on a direct basis, without profit to the Administrator.

 

ARTICLE IV

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

 

To the full extent permitted by applicable law, the Administrator (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members, and any other person or entity affiliated with any such person or entity or with the Administrator, including without limitation its members) shall not be liable to the Company or its stockholders for any act or omission by the Administrator (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members, and any other person or entity affiliated with any such person or entity or with the Administrator, including without limitation its members) in connection with the performance of any of its duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise acting as administrator for the Company, and the Company shall indemnify, defend and protect the Administrator (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members, and any other person or entity affiliated with any such person or entity or with the Administrator, including without limitation, the Adviser, each of whom shall be deemed a third-party beneficiary hereof) (collectively, the “ Indemnified Parties ”) and hold them harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by the Indemnified Parties in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of the Company or its security holders) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of the Administrator’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as administrator for the Company. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence of this Article IV to the contrary, nothing contained herein shall protect or be deemed to protect the Indemnified Parties against or entitle or be deemed to entitle the Indemnified Parties to indemnification in respect of, any liability to the Company or its security holders to which the Indemnified Parties would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Administrator’s duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Administrator’s duties and obligations under this Agreement (to the extent applicable, as the same shall be determined in accordance with the 1940 Act and any interpretations or guidance by the SEC or its staff thereunder).

 

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ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS

 

1.           Administrator Personnel .  The Administrator shall authorize and permit any of its directors, officers or employees who may be elected or appointed as directors or officers of the Company to serve in the capacities in which they are elected or appointed.  Services to be furnished by the Administrator under this Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any of such directors, officers or employees.  The Administrator shall make its directors, officers and employees available to attend meetings of the Board of Directors as may be reasonably requested by the Board of Directors from time to time.  The Administrator shall prepare and provide such reports on the Company and its operations as may be reasonably requested by the Board of Directors from time to time.

 

2.           Independent Contractor .  Except as otherwise provided herein or authorized by the Board of Directors from time to time, the Administrator shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall have no authority to act for or represent the Company in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Company.

 

3.           Effectiveness, Duration and Termination . This Agreement shall become effective as of the first date above written. This Agreement shall remain in effect for two years, and thereafter shall continue automatically for successive annual periods; provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (a) the vote of the Board of Directors or the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company and (b) the vote of a majority of the Company’s directors who are not parties to this Agreement or “interested persons” (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of any such party. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Company upon not less than 60 days’ written notice or by the Administrator upon not less than 90 days’ written notice.

 

4.            Amendment .  This Agreement may be amended pursuant to a written instrument by mutual consent of the Company and the Administrator.

 

5.           Notice .  Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to the other party at its principal office.

 

6.           Entire Agreement; Governing Law .  This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. To the extent the applicable laws of the State of New York, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above. 

 

 

  EP IncomE company LLC
   
  By: /s/ Thomas Majewski
    Name: Thomas Majewski
    Title:    Chief Executive Officer
     
  EAGLE POINT ADMINISTRATION LLC
     
    By: Eagle Point Holdings LP, its sole member
    By: Eagle Point Holdings GP LLC, its general partner
     
  By: /s/ Thomas Majewski
    Name: Thomas Majewski
    Title:    Manager

  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit (k)(2)

 

transfer agency and registrar services agreement

 

This Transfer Agency and Registrar Services Agreement (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of __________ ____, 2018 (the “ Effective Date ”), is entered into by and between Eagle Point Income Company Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC , a New York limited liability trust company (“ AST ”; together with the Company, the “ Parties ”; each, the “ Party ”).

 

1. Appointment of AST as Transfer Agent and Registrar .

 

(a)       The Company hereby appoints AST, and AST hereby accepts such appointment, to act as sole transfer agent and registrar (the “ Transfer Agent ”) for the common stock of the Company and for any other securities of the Company as requested in writing by the Company from time to time (the “ Shares ”). AST shall perform only those duties and obligations that are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no implied duties and obligations shall be read into this Agreement against AST.

 

(b)       On or immediately after the Effective Date, the Company shall deliver to AST the following: (i) forms of outstanding stock certificates, if any, of the Company (the “ Stock Certificates ”) approved and authorized by the board of directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) and certified by the corporate secretary or similar authorized officers of the Company; (ii) incumbency certificates of the officers of the Company who are authorized to (x) if Shares of any authorized class are to be certificated, execute Stock Certificates and/or (y) deliver written instructions and requests on behalf of the Company to AST; (iii) copies of the organizational documents of the Company, certified by the corporate secretary or similar authorized officers of the Company; (iv) if Shares of any authorized class are to be certificated, a sufficient supply of blank Stock Certificates executed by (or bearing the facsimile signature of) the officers of the Company who are authorized to execute Stock Certificates and, if required, bearing the Company’s corporate seal; (v) a schedule that lists the authorized classes of the Shares, and the series comprising each such class (if applicable), the par value of each such class of Shares, and the authorized number of Shares in each such class; and (vi) all documentation or information reasonably requested by AST that is required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the United and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, as amended. The Company authorizes AST to use Stock Certificates bearing the signature of an authorized officer of the Company who at the time of use is no longer an officer.

 

(c)       The Company shall promptly advise AST in writing of any change in the authorized or issued Shares, and the Company shall promptly provide AST with resolutions of the Board authorizing any recapitalization of the Shares or change in the number of issued or authorized Shares. Further, the Company shall advise AST reasonably promptly of any amendment or supplement to any information or materials provided by the Company to AST and shall provide such amendment or supplement to AST as soon as practicable.

 

(d)       The Company hereby authorizes AST to establish a program (the “ DRS Sale Program ”), through which a holder of one or more Shares (each, a “ Shareholder ”) may elect to sell any Shares held in book-entry form through the Direct Registration System. The Company shall not be charged by AST for establishing or administering the DRS Sale Program, and AST shall be entitled to charge a transaction fee as set forth on Schedule 2 to any Shareholder that elects to sell Shares through the DRS Sale Program. The Company hereby appoints AST, and AST hereby accepts such appointment to act as the administrator of the DRS Sale Program.

(e)       

 

 

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(f)       All funds received by AST for distribution on behalf of the Company shall, if so requested by the Company in writing, be deposited by AST in a segregated bank account. The Company which will, upon request, be given a copy of the bank’s statements for such account, shall have the responsibility to reconcile such account. The Company shall also have the responsibility to discharge all escheat obligations relating to such funds. If so requested by AST, the Company shall, at its expense, furnish AST with a written opinion of its legal counsel regarding such obligations.

(g)       

 

2.         Term . The initial term of this Agreement shall be three (3) years from the date hereof (the “ Initial Term ”), and this Agreement shall automatically renew for additional one-year successive terms (each, a “ Renewal Term ” and together with the Initial Term, the “ Term ”) without further action of the Parties, unless written notice is provided by either Party at least ninety (90) days prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term. The Term shall be governed by this Section , notwithstanding the cessation of active trading of the Shares.

 

3.         Fees; Expenses .

 

(a)       As consideration for the services listed on Schedule 1 (the “ Services ”), the Company shall pay to AST the fees set forth on Schedule 2 (the “ Fees ”). If the Company requests that AST provide additional services not contemplated hereby, the Company shall pay to AST fees for such services at AST’s reasonable and customary rates, such fees to be governed by the terms of a separate agreement to be mutually agreed to and entered into by the Parties at such time (the “ Additional Service Fee ”; together with the Fees, the “ Service Fees ”).

 

(b)       The Company shall reimburse AST for all reasonable and documented expenses incurred by AST (including, without limitation, reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of counsel) in connection with the Services (the “ Expenses ”); provided , however , that AST shall receive written approval from the Company for any out-of-pocket expenses in excess of $5,000 (such approval not to be unreasonably delayed, withheld or conditioned). The Company agrees to pay all Service Fees and Expenses within thirty (30) days following receipt of an invoice from AST.

 

(c)       The Company agrees and acknowledges that AST may adjust the Service Fees annually, on or about each anniversary date of this Agreement, by the annual percentage of change in the latest Consumer Price Index of All Urban Consumers United States City Average, as published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, plus one-half percent (0.5%), provided that such annual increase will be limited to no more than three percent (3%) per year.

 

(d)       Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, AST shall assist the Company with the transfer of records of the Company held by AST. AST shall be entitled to reasonable additional compensation and reimbursement of any Expenses for the preparation and delivery of such records to the successor agent or to the Company, and for maintaining records and/or Stock Certificates, if any, that are received after the termination of this Agreement (the “ Record Transfer Services ”). AST will perform the Record Transfer Services in a diligent and professional manner in accordance with generally accepted industry practice for the industry in which the Services are to be provided.

 

4. Representations and Warranties of the Company .

 

(a)        The Company represents and warrants to AST that (i) the Company is duly organized and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its organization; (ii) the Company has all requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform the transactions contemplated hereby; (iii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated

 

 

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hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company; and (iv) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered and is the legally valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with the Agreement’s terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceeding in equity or at law).

 

(b)       All Shares issued and outstanding as of the date hereof, or to be issued during the Term, are or shall be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. All such Shares are or shall be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”) or are or shall be issued or transferred in a transaction that is, or a series of transactions that are, exempt from the registration provisions under the Securities Act. Any such Shares not registered under the Securities Act bear or shall bear the applicable restrictive legends. Upon any issuance or transfer of Shares exempt from the registration provisions of the Securities Act, the Company shall deliver, or cause its outside counsel to deliver, to AST a legal opinion in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to AST.

 

5. Representations and Warranties of AST .

 

(a)        AST represents and warrants to Company that (i) AST is a limited liability trust company duly organized and validly existing pursuant to New York Banking Law; (ii) AST has all requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform the transactions contemplated hereby; (iii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of AST; and (iv) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered and is the legally valid and binding obligation of AST, enforceable against AST in accordance with the Agreement’s terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceeding in equity or at law).

 

(b)       AST is duly registered as a transfer agent under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), and is in compliance with its obligations under the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder.

 

(c)        AST has compliance policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violations of applicable federal securities laws. Upon reasonable written advance notice and at the Company’s sole cost and expense, AST agrees to reasonably cooperate with, make applicable personnel available during normal business hours, and furnish applicable information regarding such policies and procedures to the Company as may be reasonably requested in writing by the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer (the “ CCO ”) in order for the CCO to perform his or her duties, Additionally, upon reasonable written advance notice of the CCO and at the Company’s sole cost and expense, AST agrees to provide a summary of the procedures and updates thereto relating to the Services, as applicable to the CCO concerning the Company’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Company agrees that (i) its review of the applicable policies and procedures and requests in connection therewith shall not unreasonably interfere with the business of AST’s personnel and (b) it shall keep all information obtained during any such review confidential pursuant to and in accordance with Section 11 .

 

6.          Reliance .

 

(a)       AST shall be entitled to assume the validity of the issuance, presentation or transfer of a Stock Certificate, the genuineness of any endorsement(s), the authority of its presenter(s), or the collection or payment of charges or taxes incident to the issuance or transfer of such Stock Certificate; provided ,

 

 

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however , that AST may delay or decline to issue or transfer a Stock Certificate if it determines in good faith and in its sole discretion that it is in the Company’s and/or AST’s best interests to receive evidence or written assurance of the validity of the issuance, presentation or transfer of the Stock Certificate, the authority of its presenter(s) or the collection or payment of any charges or taxes relating to the issuance or transfer.

 

(b)       For the avoidance of doubt, AST shall not be responsible for any transfer or issuance of Shares that has not been effected by AST.

 

(c)       AST may reasonably rely on, and shall incur no liability in acting or refraining from acting in reliance upon: (i) any writing or other instruction, including, but not limited to, oral instruction, certificate, instrument, opinion, notice, letter, stock power, affidavit or other document or security, received from any Person (as defined below) AST reasonably believes in good faith to be an authorized officer, agent or employee of the Company, unless the Company has advised AST in writing that AST must act and rely only on written instructions of certain authorized officers of the Company; (ii) any statement of fact contained in any such writing or instruction which AST reasonably believes in good faith to be accurate; (iii) the authenticity and genuineness of any signature (manual, facsimile or electronic) appearing on any writing, including, but not limited to, any certificate, instrument, opinion, notice, letter, stock power, affidavit or other document or security; and (iv) the conformity to original of any copy. AST may act and rely on the advice, opinions or instructions received from the Company’s legal counsel. In the event that the Company or its legal counsel is unavailable or does not respond to AST’s requests for legal advice, AST may seek the advice of AST’s own legal counsel (including its internal legal counsel), and AST shall be entitled to act and rely on the advice, opinion or instruction of such counsel, which shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by AST pursuant to such advice, opinion or instruction. Without limiting the foregoing, AST shall be entitled to use and rely upon any instructions reasonably believed in good faith to be instructions of the Company without responsibility for independent verification thereof an shall not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such instructions.

 

(d)       AST may reasonably rely on, and shall incur no liability in acting or refraining from acting in reliance upon: (i) any writing or other instruction reasonably believed by AST in good faith to have been furnished by or on behalf of a Shareholder, including, but not limited to, any oral instruction, certificate, instrument, opinion, notice, letter, stock power, affidavit or other document or security; (ii) any statement of fact contained in any such writing or instruction which AST reasonably believes in good faith to be accurate; (iii) the apparent authority of any Person to act on behalf of a Shareholder as having actual authority to the extent of such apparent authority; (iv) the authenticity and genuineness of any signature (manual, facsimile or electronic) appearing on any writing, including, but not limited to, any certificate, instrument, opinion, notice, letter, stock power, affidavit or other document or security; and (v) on the conformity to original of any copy. AST is authorized to reject any transfer request that fails to satisfy AST’s internal procedures relating to the transfer of Shares. Without limiting the foregoing, AST shall be entitled to use and rely upon any instructions reasonably believed in good faith to be instructions of the Company without responsibility for independent verification thereof an shall not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such instructions.

 

(e)       AST may reasonably rely on, and shall incur no liability in acting or refraining from acting in reliance upon: (i) any guaranty of signature by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a member or participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program or other comparable signature guarantee program or insurance program; or (ii) any instructions received through the Depository Trust Company’s Direct Registration System/Profile service.

 

(f)       AST shall promptly notify the Company upon receipt of a Stock Certificate that is not

 

 

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reflected in AST’s records. If the Company and AST are unable to account for such Stock Certificate (so that the transfer of such certificate on the records maintained by AST would create an overissue), within sixty (60) days of such determination, the Company shall in its sole discretion (a) increase the number of issued Shares or (b) acquire and cancel a number of Shares to account for such Stock Certificate, to correct the overissue.

 

7.          Standard of Care . AST shall exercise reasonable care and diligence in performing the Services and carrying out its other duties and obligations under this Agreement in accordance with generally accepted industry practice for the industry in which the Services are to be provided. AST shall be liable to the Company for losses, liabilities or expenses incurred as a result of AST’s gross negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment); provided that such liability shall not exceed four times (4x) the aggregate amount of all Service Fees paid under this Agreement during the twelve-month period immediately prior to the date of occurrence of the circumstances giving rise to such liability.

 

8.          Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates . AST shall not be obligated to issue a replacement certificate for any Stock Certificate reported to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, unless AST shall have received from the applicable Shareholder: (a) an affidavit of loss; (b) an indemnity bond in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to AST; and (c) payment of all applicable processing fees; provided that, upon the Company’s written request, AST may, in its sole discretion, accept an indemnification letter from the Company in lieu of an indemnity bond.

 

9.          Unclaimed Property .

 

(a)       To the extent required by applicable unclaimed property laws or if requested by the Company, AST will provide, or cause to be provided, unclaimed property reporting services for unclaimed property that may be deemed abandoned or otherwise subject to unclaimed property law. Such services may include (without limitation) (i) identification of unclaimed or abandoned property, (ii) preparation of unclaimed or abandoned property reports, (iii) delivery of unclaimed or abandoned property to the applicable state unclaimed property departments, (iv) completion of required due diligence notifications, (v) responses to inquiries from Shareholders relating to unclaimed or abandoned property, and (vi) such other services as may reasonably be necessary to comply with unclaimed property laws or regulations. The Company shall assist and cooperate with AST as reasonably necessary in connection with the performance of the services described in this Section . AST shall assist the Company in responding to (x) inquiries from state unclaimed property departments regarding reports filed by or on behalf of the Company or (y) requests for the confirmation of names of owners of unclaimed or abandoned property.

 

(b)       The Company acknowledges and agrees that AST may use a shareholder locating service provider (the “ Locating Service Provider ”) to locate and contact Shareholders (or their surviving relatives, joint tenants or heirs, as applicable) to assist them in preventing the escheatment of applicable Shares and related unclaimed or abandoned property. The Company shall not be charged by AST or the Locating Service Provider for such services. The Locating Service Provider shall inform the Shareholders that they may elect (x) to contact AST at no charge other than at AST’s applicable fees or (y) to utilize the services of the Locating Service Provider for a fee, which shall not exceed the maximum fee allowed under the applicable state’s unclaimed property rules.

 

10.       Books and Records. The books and records pertaining to the Company that are in the possession or under the control of AST shall be the property of the Company. Such books and records shall be prepared, preserved and maintained as required by applicable federal securities laws, rules and regulations. Upon the reasonable written request of the Company and at the Company’s expense, AST shall make available to the Company and any authorized officer of the Company (a) copies of any such books

 

 

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and records; (b) during normal business hours, reasonable access to the part of the facility that is utilized by either AST or a third party to maintain and store the books and records of the Company; and (c) during normal business hours, reasonable access to employees of AST and any third party providing the Services on behalf of AST. Notwithstanding the foregoing, AST shall be entitled to destroy or otherwise dispose of records belonging to the Company in accordance with AST’s standard document and record retention practices and/or procedures, provided that such practices and procedures are consistent with applicable law and AST’s obligations to the Company set forth hereunder.

 

11.        Confidentiality; Data Security .

 

(a)       “ Confidential Information ” means, as to the Disclosing Party (as defined below) and, if applicable, its Affiliates (as defined below): (i) any information concerning the Disclosing Party, its Affiliates or their respective businesses (including, without limitation, business, financial, technical, and other information regarding the Disclosing Party, historical financial statements, financial projections and budgets, audits, tax returns and accountants’ materials, historical, current and projected sales, capital spending budgets and plans, business plans, strategic plans, marketing and advertising plans, publications, and customer agreements); (ii) information, including account information, relating to the shareholders of the Disclosing Party; and (iii) all notes, analyses, compilations, studies, summaries and other material prepared by the Receiving Party (as defined below), its Affiliates, employees, agents, and representatives containing or based, in whole or in part, on any or all of the foregoing; provided that Confidential Information shall not include any information that (x) is or becomes (through no fault of the Receiving Party) generally available to the public; (y) was rightfully disclosed to the Receiving Party by a third party not known by the Receiving Party to be bound by an obligation of confidentiality to the Disclosing Party; or (z) was independently developed by the Receiving Party without reference to or use of any Confidential Information.

 

(b)       “ Affiliates ” means, as to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly, controls or is controlled or is under common control with the specified Person; “ Person ” means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other legal entity; and “ contro l” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “ Controlling ” and “ controlled ” shall have corresponding meanings.

 

(c)       Each Party (the “ Receiving Party ”) acknowledges that it may acquire or have access to Confidential Information of the other Party (the “ Disclosing Party ”) in connection with the Services or this Agreement. The Receiving Party shall not disclose Confidential Information to any other Person, and shall not use Confidential Information for any purposes other than in connection with the performance of its obligations under this Agreement; provided that the Receiving Party shall be permitted to disclose Confidential Information (i) pursuant to the order of any court or administrative agency or in any pending legal, judicial or administrative proceeding, or otherwise as required by applicable law or compulsory legal process based on the advice of counsel (in which case the Receiving Party agrees, to the extent practicable and not prohibited by applicable law, to inform the Disclosing Party promptly thereof prior to disclosure); provided , however , that this clause shall not require AST to notify the Company of its receipt of any subpoena, summons, or other legal process relating to wage garnishment, tax levy or domestic matter proceedings filed against or by a Shareholder); or (ii) upon the request or demand of any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the Receiving Party (in which case the Receiving Party agrees, to the extent practicable and not prohibited by applicable law, to inform the Disclosing Party promptly thereof prior to disclosure). The Receiving Party shall safeguard the Confidential Information to the same extent that it safeguards its own confidential information of a like nature and in any event with not less than a reasonable degree of care.

 

 

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(d)       Upon the termination of this Agreement or upon the Disclosing Party’s written request, the Receiving Party shall, at the Disclosing Party’s option, either destroy or return to the Disclosing Party any and all of the Confidential Information, written or other materials derived from the Confidential Information, and copies thereof, and shall delete and purge permanently all copies and traces of the same from any storage location and/or media to the extent reasonably or technically possible. The Receiving Party shall, within fifteen (15) days from the termination of this Agreement or such request, provide the Disclosing Party with a certificate signed by an authorized officer of the Receiving Party confirming that the Receiving Party has fulfilled its obligations under this clause . Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon notice to the Disclosing Party, the Receiving Party may keep a copy of the Confidential Information after termination of this Agreement to the extent necessary for audit and/or regulatory purposes or to the extent required under applicable law.

 

(e)       In addition, each Party acknowledges that in connection with the Services, it may receive Confidential Information that contains “non-public personal information,” “personally identifiable information,” “personal data” or the like (collectively, “ Personal Information ”), as such terms are defined in Section 509(4) of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, Section 248.3(t) of Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-P and/or other similar applicable laws and regulations, including without limitation the Massachusetts Standards for the Protection of Personal Information, 201 CMR 17.00, et. seq. and the European Privacy Directive 95/46/EC, as each is amended from time to time (collectively, “ Privacy Laws ”). Each Party acknowledges and agrees that it is prohibited from disclosing or using Personal Information except as necessary to carry out the terms of this Agreement, and in compliance with Privacy Laws.

 

(f)       If permitted by applicable law and without limiting any Party’s rights in respect of a breach of this Section , each Party will (i) promptly notify the other Party in writing of any unauthorized possession, use, or disclosure of Confidential Information (including Personal Information) by any person or entity that may become known to such Party; (ii) furnish to the other Party full details of the unauthorized possession, use or disclosure; and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent a recurrence of any such unauthorized possession, use or disclosure of Confidential Information.

 

12.        Termination .

 

(a)       Either Party may terminate this Agreement if the other Party breaches any material provision herein and either the breach cannot be cured or, if the breach can be cured, it is not cured by the breaching Party within 45 days after the breaching Party’s receipt of written notice of such breach (the “Cure Period”).

 

(b)       Either Party may terminate this Agreement, effective upon written notice to the other Party, if the other Party (i) becomes insolvent or admits its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; (ii) becomes subject, voluntarily or involuntarily, to any proceeding under any domestic or foreign bankruptcy or insolvency law, which is not fully stayed within seven (7) business days or is not dismissed or vacated within forty-five (45) business days after filing; (iii) is dissolved or liquidated or takes any corporate action for such purpose; (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (v) has a receiver, trustee, custodian or similar agent appointed by order of any court of competent jurisdiction to take charge of or sell any material portion of its property or business.

 

(c)       The expiration or termination of this Agreement, for any reason, shall not release either Party from any obligation or liability to the other Party, including any payment and delivery obligation, that (i) has already accrued hereunder; (ii) comes into effect due to the expiration or termination of the Agreement; or (iii) otherwise survives the expiration or termination of this Agreement. Following the termination of this Agreement, AST shall promptly invoice the Company for any outstanding Service Fees

 

 

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and Expenses due and owing under this Agreement, and the Company shall pay all such Service Fees and Expenses to AST in accordance with the payment terms set forth in this Agreement.

 

(d)       If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Sections 2 , 12(a) (by the Company due to a breach by AST) or 12(b) (by the Company due to the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or similar action of AST), then the Company shall pay to AST (i) all amounts outstanding under this Agreement as of the date of such termination and (ii) AST’s then-customary fees for Record Transfer Services. If this Agreement is terminated for any other reason, then the Company shall pay to AST (x) all outstanding Service Fees and Expenses as of the date of such termination, (y) the Service Fees that would otherwise have accrued during the remainder of the then-current Term, and (z) AST’s then-customary fees for Record Transfer Services.

 

13.        Limitations on Liability .

 

(a)       To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no Party shall be liable to any other Party on any theory of liability for any special, indirect or consequential damages (including, without limitation, any loss of profits, business or anticipated savings).

 

(b)       Except with respect to the Company’s indemnification obligations, no Party’s liability arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any Services shall exceed four times (4x) the aggregate amount of all Service Fees paid under this Agreement during the twelve-month period immediately prior to the date of occurrence of the circumstances giving rise to such liability.

 

14.        Indemnity .

 

(a)       The Company hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless AST and its Affiliates and its and their officers, directors, employees, advisors, agents, other representatives and controlling persons (each, an “ Indemnified Person ”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses, joint or several, to which any such Indemnified Person may become subject arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and the Services or any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing (each, a “ Proceeding ”), regardless of whether any such Indemnified Person is a party thereto or whether a Proceeding is brought by a third party or by the Company or any of its Affiliates, and to reimburse each such Indemnified Person upon demand for any reasonable, documented legal or other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with investigating or defending any of the foregoing; provided that the foregoing indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnified Person, apply to losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses to the extent they have resulted from the willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence of such Indemnified Person (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction).

 

(b)       AST hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its Affiliates and its and their officers, directors, employees, advisors, agents, other representatives and controlling persons (each, an “ Company Indemnified Person ” and together with the AST Indemnified Person, an “ Indemnified Person ”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses, joint or several, to which any such Company Indemnified Person may become subject arising out or incurred as a result of AST’s gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), regardless of whether any such Company Indemnified Person is a party thereto or whether a Proceeding is brought by a third party or by AST or any of its Affiliates, and to reimburse each such Company Indemnified Person upon demand for any reasonable, documented legal or other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with investigating or defending any of the foregoing.

 

 

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(c)        No Party shall be liable for any indemnification obligation under this Section with respect to any claim against an Indemnified Person unless the Party against whom indemnity is sought (the “ Indemnifying Party ”) is notified of the written assertion of such a claim, or of any action commenced against an Indemnified Person, promptly after the Indemnified Person shall have received any such written information as to the nature and basis of the claim; provided, however, that failure by an Indemnified Person to provide such notice shall not relieve an Indemnifying Party of any liability hereunder if no prejudice occurs.   At the Indemnifying Party’s election, the defense of the Indemnified Persons shall be conducted by the counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Indemnified Person 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 Person, unless the Indemnified Person reasonably determines, based on the advice of its legal counsel, that there are defenses available to such Indemnified Person that are different from, or in addition to, those available to the Indemnifying Party, or if the use of of counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Party to represent the Indemnified Person would present such counsel with an actual or potential conflict of interest; provided that, an Indemnifying Party will not be required to pay the fees and expenses of more than one separate counsel for all Indemnified Persons in any jurisdiction in any single Proceeding.

 

(d)       An Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any Proceedings effected without its consent, but if settled with such written consent or if there is a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such Proceedings, the Indemnifying Party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Person from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses by reason of such settlement or judgment in accordance with clause (a) or (b) , as applicable , above. An Indemnifying Party shall not, without the prior written consent of an Indemnified Person, effect any settlement or consent to the entry of any judgment of any pending or threatened Proceedings in respect of which indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless (i) such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person in form and substance satisfactory to such Indemnified Person from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such Proceedings and (ii) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person.

 

15.        Force Majeure .

 

(a)       AST shall not be liable for failure or delay in the performance of the Services if such failure or delay is due to causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to Acts of God (including fire, flood, earthquake, storm, hurricane or other natural disaster), war, invasion, act of foreign enemies, hostilities (regardless of whether war is declared), civil war, rebellion, revolution, insurrection, military or usurped power or confiscation, terrorist activities, nationalization, government sanction, blockage, embargo, labor dispute, strike, lockout or interruption or failure of electricity or telephone service or any other force majeure event.

 

(b)       AST shall establish and maintain a disaster recovery plan and back-up system at all times satisfying the requirements of all applicable laws, rules and regulations.

 

16.        Notices . Any notice required or permitted to be given or made under this Agreement by one Party to the other shall be in writing and addressed to the other Party at the following address (or at such other address as shall be given in writing by one Party to the other):

 

If to the Company:

 

Eagle Point Income Company Inc.

20 Horseneck Lane

 

 

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Greenwich, CT 06830

Attention: Kenneth Onorio, Chief Financial Officer

Email: konorio@eaglepointcredit.com

 

With copies to:

 

Eagle Point Administration LLC

20 Horseneck Lane

Greenwich, CT 06830

Attention: Compliance

Email: cco@eaglepointcredit.com

 

Dechert LLP

One International Place, 40th Floor

100 Oliver Street

Boston, MA 02110-2605

Attention: Thomas J. Friedmann

Fax: ( 617) 426 -6567

Email: thomas.friedmann@dechert.com

 

If to AST:

 

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11219

Attention: Relationship Management

 

With a copy to:

 

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

48 Wall Street, 22 nd Floor

New York, New York 10005

Attention: Legal Department

Email: legalteamAST@astfinancial.com

 

15.        Miscellaneous .

 

(a)       The Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) nothing herein shall be construed as creating any agency, partnership, joint venture or other form of joint enterprise, employment or fiduciary relationship between the Parties, and (ii) the Company waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that it may have against AST for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agrees that AST shall have no liability (whether direct or indirect) to the Company in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim.

 

(b)       This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. The Parties agree that any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement shall be brought in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or any court of the State of New York of competent jurisdiction located in such District. Service of any process by registered mail addressed to each party at the respective address provided in Section 16 (or at such other address as shall be given in writing by one Party to the other) shall be effective service of process against such party for any suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court. Each Party (i) waives, to the fullest

 

 

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extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Services in any New York State court or in any such Federal court; (ii) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such suit, action or proceeding in any such court; and (iii) agrees that a final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING, CLAIM OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY OR ON BEHALF OF ANY PARTY RELATED TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE PERFORMANCE OF ANY SERVICE HEREUNDER.

 

(c)       The compensation, reimbursement, confidentiality, indemnification, jurisdiction, governing law, and waiver of jury trial provisions contained herein shall remain in full force and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement. No amendment or waiver of any provision hereof shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the Parties. This Agreement (including the Schedules attached hereto) is the only agreement between the Parties with respect to the matters contemplated hereby and sets forth the entire understanding of the Parties with respect thereto. This Agreement and the obligations hereunder of each Party shall not be assignable by such Party without the prior written consent of the other Party (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned); provided that AST may assign this Agreement or any rights granted hereunder, in whole or in part, to (i) its Affiliates in connection with a reorganization or (ii) a Person that acquires all or substantially all of the business or assets of AST whether by merger, acquisition, or otherwise.

 

(d)       This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different Parties in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile transmission or in “ .pdf ” or “ .tif ” form shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held illegal or invalid by any court, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Party has caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC   EAGLE POINT INCOME COMPANY INC.  
           
By:     By:    
  Name:     Name:  
  Title:     Title:  

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit (k)(3)

 

 

LICENSE AGREEMENT

 

This LICENSE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and effective as of October [●], 2018 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between Eagle Point Income Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Licensor ”), and EP Income Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with any successor thereto, including Eagle Point Income Company Inc., a Delaware corporation, “ Licensee ”) (each a “ party ,” and collectively, the “ parties ”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, Licensee is a newly organized, externally managed investment company that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “ 1940 Act ”);

 

WHEREAS, Licensor has licensed the Licensed Marks (as defined below) from Eagle Point Credit Management LLC, a Delaware limited company (“ EPCM ”), pursuant that certain License Agreement, dated as of October [•], 2018, by and between Licensor and EPCM (the “ EPCM License Agreement ”);

 

WHEREAS, Licensor has used the mark “Eagle Point” and the Eagle Point logo (each, a “ Licensed Mark ” and together, the “ Licensed Marks ”) in the United States of America (the “ Territory ”) in connection with the investment management and investment advisory services that Licensor provides;

 

WHEREAS, Licensee has entered into an investment advisory agreement dated October [•] with Licensor (the “ Advisory Agreement ”), wherein Licensee has engaged Licensor to act as the investment adviser to Licensee; and

 

WHEREAS, Licensee desires to use the Licensed Marks as part of its corporate name and in connection with the operation of its business, and Licensor is willing to grant Licensee a license to use the Licensed Marks, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1.
LICENSE GRANT

 

1.1.             License . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Licensor hereby grants to Licensee, and Licensee hereby accepts from Licensor, a personal, non-exclusive, royalty-free right and license to use the Licensed Marks solely and exclusively as a component of Licensee’s own name and in connection with marketing the investment management, investment consultation and investment advisory services that Licensor may provide to Licensee. During the term of this Agreement, Licensee shall use the Licensed Marks only to the extent permitted under this License, and except as provided above, neither Licensee nor any affiliate, owner, member, manager, director, officer, employee or agent thereof shall otherwise use the Licensed Marks or any derivative thereof in the Territory without the prior express written consent of Licensor, which consent Licensor may grant or withhold in its sole and absolute discretion, and shall not use the Licensed Marks for any purpose outside the Territory. All rights not expressly granted to Licensee hereunder shall remain the exclusive property of Licensor.

 

 

 

 

1.2.             Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Licensor or any of its successors or assigns from using or permitting other entities to use the Licensed Marks, whether or not such entity directly or indirectly competes or conflicts with Licensee’s business in any manner.

 

ARTICLE 2.
COMPLIANCE

 

2.1.             Quality Control . In order to preserve the inherent value of the Licensed Marks, Licensee agrees to use reasonable efforts to ensure that it maintains the quality of Licensee’s business and the operation thereof equal to the standards prevailing in the operation of Licensee’s business as applicable to Licensee from time to time. Licensee further agrees to use the Licensed Marks in accordance with such quality standards as may be reasonably established by Licensor and communicated to Licensee from time to time in writing, or as may be agreed to by Licensor and Licensee from time to time in writing.

 

2.2.             Compliance With Laws . Licensee agrees that the business operated by it in connection with the Licensed Marks shall comply with all laws, rules, regulations and requirements of any governmental body in the Territory or elsewhere as may be applicable to the operation, marketing, and promotion of the business and shall notify Licensor of any action that must be taken by Licensee to comply with such laws, rules, regulations or requirements.

 

2.3.             Notification of Infringement . Each party shall immediately notify the other party and provide to the other party all relevant background facts upon becoming aware of: (a) any registrations of, or applications for registration of, marks in the Territory that do or may conflict with Licensor’s rights in the Licensed Marks or the rights granted to Licensee under this Agreement, (b) any infringements or misuse of the Licensed Marks in the Territory by any third party (“ Third Party Infringement ”) or (c) any claim that Licensee’s use of the Licensed Marks infringes the intellectual property rights of any third party in the Territory (“ Third Party Claim ”). Licensor shall have the exclusive right, but not the obligation, to prosecute, defend and/or settle, in its sole discretion, all actions, proceedings and claims involving any Third Party Infringement or Third Party Claim, and to take any other action that it deems necessary or proper for the protection and preservation of its rights in the Licensed Marks. Licensee shall cooperate with Licensor in the prosecution, defense or settlement of such actions, proceedings or claims.

 

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ARTICLE 3.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

3.1.             Licensee accepts this license on an “as is” basis. Licensee acknowledges that Licensor makes no explicit or implicit representation or warranty as to the registrability, validity, enforceability or ownership of the Licensed Marks, or as to Licensee’s ability to use the Licensed Marks without infringing or otherwise violating the rights of others, and Licensor has no obligation to indemnify Licensee with respect to any claims arising from Licensee’s use of the Licensed Marks, including, without limitation, any Third Party Claim.

 

3.2.             Mutual Representations . Each party hereby represents and warrants to the other party as follows:

 

(a)                Due Authorization . Such party is a limited liability company duly formed and in good standing as of the Effective Date in its jurisdiction of formation, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such party have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of such party.

 

(b)                Due Execution . This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such party and, upon due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by the other party, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms.

 

(c)                No Conflict . Such party’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement do not: (i) violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any provision of the certificate of formation or limited liability company operating agreement (or similar organizational documents) of such party; (ii) conflict with or violate any governmental order applicable to such party or any of its assets, properties or businesses; or (iii) conflict with, result in any breach of, constitute a default (or event which with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become a default) under, require any consent under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration, suspension, revocation or cancellation of any contract, agreement, lease, sublease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument or arrangement to which it is a party.

 

ARTICLE 4.
TERM AND TERMINATION

 

4.1.             Term . This Agreement shall expire if Licensor or one of its affiliates ceases to serve as investment adviser to Licensee or in the event that the EPCM License Agreement is terminated. This Agreement shall be terminable by Licensor, at any time and in its sole discretion, in the event that Licensor or Licensee receives notice of any Third Party Claim arising out of Licensee’s use of the Licensed Marks; by Licensor or Licensee upon sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the other party; or by Licensor at any time in the event Licensee assigns or attempts to assign or sublicense this Agreement or any of Licensee’s rights or duties hereunder without the prior written consent of Licensor.

 

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4.2.             Upon Termination . Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement, all rights granted to Licensee under this Agreement with respect to the Licensed Marks shall cease, and Licensee shall cease using the Licensed Marks as promptly as practicable, making all reasonable efforts to remove “Eagle Point” from its name, including calling special meetings of members or stockholders, as necessary and applicable. For twenty-four (24) months following termination of this Agreement, Licensee shall specify on all public-facing materials in a prominent place and in prominent typeface that Licensee is no longer operating under the Licensed Marks, is no longer associated with Licensor, or such other notice as may be deemed necessary by Licensor in its sole discretion, including with respect to its prosecution, defense, and/or settlement of any Third Party Claim.

 

ARTICLE 5.
MISCELLANEOUS

 

5.1.             Third Party Beneficiaries . Nothing in this Agreement, either express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any third party any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

5.2.             Assignment . Licensee shall not sublicense, assign, pledge, grant or otherwise encumber or transfer to any third party all or any part of its rights or duties under this Agreement, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of Licensor, which consent Licensor may grant or withhold in its sole and absolute discretion. Any purported transfer without such consent shall be void ab initio .

 

5.3.             Independent Contractor . Neither party shall have, or shall represent that it has, any power, right or authority to bind the other party to any obligation or liability, or to assume or create any obligation or liability on behalf of the other party.

 

5.4.             Notices . All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service (with signature required), by facsimile or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses (or such other address as the parties may provide to each other by written notice):

 

If to Licensor:

 

Eagle Point Income Management LLC

20 Horseneck Lane

Greenwich, CT 06830

Tel. No.: (202) 340-8518

Attn: Nauman S. Malik

If to Licensee:

 

EP Income Company LLC

20 Horseneck Lane

Greenwich, CT 06830

Tel. No.: (202) 340-8518

Attn: Nauman S. Malik

 

5.5.             Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. The parties unconditionally and irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in the State of New York and waive any objection with respect thereto, for the purpose of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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5.6.             Amendment . This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by an instrument in writing signed by each party hereto.

 

5.7.             No Waiver . The failure of either party to enforce at any time for any period the provisions of, or any rights deriving from, this Agreement shall not be construed to be a waiver of such provisions or rights or the right of such party thereafter to enforce such provisions, and no waiver shall be binding unless executed in writing by all parties hereto.

 

5.8.             Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any law or public policy, all other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

 

5.9.             Headings . The descriptive headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

5.10.         Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original instrument and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

5.11.         Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party has caused this Agreement to be executed as of the Effective Date by its duly authorized officer.

 

 

LICENSOR:

 

EAGLE POINT INCOME MANAGEMENT LLC

 

 

By:                                                            

     Name:

     Title:

 

 

 

LICENSEE:

 

EP INCOME COMPANY LLC

 

 

 

By:                                                          

     Name:

     Title:

 

 

[Signature Page to License Agreement]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit (p)

 

CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

This CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT, dated as of October 4, 2018 (this “ Agreement ”), is by and among Cavello Bay Reinsurance Limited, a Bermuda private limited company (the “ Contributor ”), and EP Income Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning specified in the amended and restated limited liability company operating agreement of the Company, dated October 4, 2018 (the “ Operating Agreement ”), unless the context shall otherwise require

 

W I T N E S S E T H

 

WHEREAS , the Contributor desires to transfer the assets set forth on Schedule A hereto at the values noted therein (the “ Contributed Assets ”) in exchange for limited liability company interests in the Company;

 

NOW, THEREFORE , the parties hereto, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

 

1.           Agreement for Contributed Assets . The Contributor hereby agrees to irrevocably transfer, assign, convey and deliver all of its rights, title and interest in, to and under, and the Company hereby accepts and takes assignment of, the Contributed Assets as a capital contribution by the Contributor to the Company. The Contributor is the lawful and beneficial owner of the Contributed Assets with good and marketable title, right and interest thereto and has the absolute right to transfer, assign, convey and deliver the Contributed Assets and any and all rights and benefits incident to the ownership thereof, all of which rights and benefits are transferred by the Contributor to the Company pursuant to this Agreement. Upon receipt of the consideration set forth in this Agreement, the Company will take the Contributed Assets free and clear of all the following of any nature whatsoever: security interests, liens, pledges, claims (pending or threatened), charges, escrows, encumbrances, lock-up arrangements, options, rights of first offer or refusal, community property rights, mortgages, indentures, security agreements or other agreements, arrangements, contracts, commitments, understandings or obligations, whether written or oral and whether or not relating in any way to credit or the borrowing of money and of any restriction or limitation of any kind, whether arising by agreement, operation of law or otherwise.

 

2.           Consideration . As consideration for the transfer of the Contributed Assets from the Contributor to the Company, the Company shall issue in a private placement transaction, and the Contributor shall receive, 75,051.65 Class B Units.

 

3.           Contributor Representations and Warranties .

 

(a)       The Contributor is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization with full power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder, and the execution, delivery and performance by the Contributor of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or similar action on the part of the Contributor. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Contributor and, when executed and delivered by the Company, shall constitute a valid and legally binding obligation of the Contributor, enforceable against the Contributor in accordance with its terms, subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Contributor’s obligations hereunder 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) regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

(b)       None of the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Contributor, the performance by the Contributor of its obligations under this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will (i) result in a breach or violation of any provision of the Contributor’s organizational documents, (ii) breach or violate any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Contributor or any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Contributor, whether foreign or domestic, or (iii) constitute a breach or default under any material agreement to which the Contributor is a party or by which the Contributor or any of its properties may be bound.

 

(c)       The Contributor is not acquiring the Units with a view towards resale or distribution thereof. The Contributor is acquiring the Units for its own account.

 

(d)       The Contributor (i) either alone or together with its representatives has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in Units and to make an informed decision to so invest, and has so evaluated the risks and merits of such investment, (ii) has the ability to bear the economic risks of the investment in Units and can afford a complete loss of the investment contemplated by this Agreement and (iii) understands the terms of and risks associated with the acquisition of the Units contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, the risks associated with the industry in which the Company intends to operate.

 

(e)       The Contributor has (i) had access to all information that it believes is necessary, sufficient or appropriate in connection with its acquisition of Units, (ii) been afforded an opportunity to ask questions concerning the terms and conditions of its acquisition of Units, (iii) had all such questions answered to its satisfaction, (iv) been supplied all additional information that it has requested and, after being advised by persons deemed appropriate by the Contributor concerning this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and (v) made an independent decision to acquire Units based on information it has determined to be adequate to verify the accuracy of any other information that the Contributor deems relevant to making an investment decision to acquire Units.

 

(f)       The Contributor became aware of the offering of the interests in the Company, and the interests were offered to the Contributor, through direct contact between the Contributor and the Company. The Contributor did not become aware of the offering of the interests, nor were the interests offered to the Contributor, by any other means, including, in each case, by any form of general solicitation or general advertising.

 

(g)       For the ninety (90) days following the date of the initial public offering of the Company’s common stock, the Contributor shall, and shall cause all directors, managers, partners, officers and employees of the Contributor to, comply with the limits on the purchase and sale of Company securities set forth in the insider trading policy of the Company (“ Insider Trading Policy ”) and with all other provisions of the Insider Trading Policy.

 

4.           Company Representations and Warranties .

 

(a)       The Company is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization with full power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder, and the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this

 

 

 

 

Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or similar action on the part of the Company. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, when executed and delivered by the Contributor, shall constitute a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Company’s obligations hereunder 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) regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

(b)       None of the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will (1) result in a breach or violation of any provision of the Company’s organizational documents, (2) breach or violate 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, or (3) constitute a breach or default under any material agreement to which the Company is a party or by which the Company or any of its properties may be bound.

 

(c)       The Company is, or is owned by, (i) an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933 and (ii) a “qualified purchaser” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

5.           Further Assurances . From time to time after the date of this Agreement, without the payment of any additional consideration, each party hereto shall execute all such instruments and take all such actions as the other party shall reasonably request in connection with carrying out and effectuating the intent and purpose hereof and all of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

6.           Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

 

7.           Amendments and Waivers . This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an instrument or instruments in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of any such modification or amendment is sought.

 

8.           Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

9.           Headings . The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement, nor shall they affect their meaning, construction or effect.

 

10.         Counterparts; Electronic Delivery . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by electronic means, such as facsimile or portable document format, shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

Signature Page Follows

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

  CAVELLO BAY REINSURANCE LIMITED
       
  By: /s/ Duncan Scott  
  Name: Duncan Scott  
  Title:     Director  
       
  EP INCOME company LLC  
       
  By: /s/ Thomas Majewski         
  Name:  Thomas Majewski  
  Title:     Chief Executive Officer