As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 11, 2019

Registration No. 333-228998​

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

FORM N-14

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 ☑
Post-Effective Amendment No. ☐
(Check appropriate box or boxes)

GOLUB CAPITAL BDC, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

666 Fifth Avenue
18 th Floor
New York, NY 10103
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(212) 750-6060
(Area Code and Telephone Number)

David B. Golub
Golub Capital BDC, Inc.
666 Fifth Avenue
18 th Floor
New York, NY 10103
(212) 750-6060

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Copies to:

Thomas J. Friedmann, Esq.
Eric S. Siegel, Esq.
Dechert LLP
One International Place, 40 th Floor
100 Oliver Street
Boston, MA 02110-2605
Telephone: (617) 728-7100
Fax: (617) 426-6567

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:    As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective and upon completion of the merger described in the enclosed document.

Calculation of Registration Fee Under the Securities Act of 1933

(1)

The number of shares to be registered represents the maximum number of shares of the registrant’s common stock estimated to be issuable in connection with the merger agreement described in the enclosed document. Pursuant to Rule 416, this registration statement also covers additional securities that may be issued as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.

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(2)

Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee and computed pursuant to Rule 457(f)(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the aggregate offering price of the Common Stock was calculated as follows: (a) 100,000,000.00, the estimated number of Common Stock of Golub Capital Investment Corporation to be exchanged and cancelled for the Registrant’s Common Stock, multiplied by (b) $15.00, the book value per share of the securities.

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(3)

Based on a rate of  $121.20 per $1,000,000 of the proposed maximum aggregate offering price.

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(4)

Previously paid.

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The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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.

Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This document is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state or jurisdiction where such offer or sale is not permitted.

PRELIMINARY — SUBJECT TO COMPLETION — DATED JULY 11, 2019

GOLUB CAPITAL BDC, INC.

666 Fifth Avenue, 18 th Floor
New York, NY 10103

MERGER PROPOSED — YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT

[           ], 2019​

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “GBDC Special Meeting”) of Golub Capital BDC, Inc. (“GBDC”), to be held on September  4, 2019 at 8:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at the offices of Golub Capital LLC, located at 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York.

The notice of special meeting and joint proxy statement/prospectus accompanying this letter provide an outline of the business to be conducted at the GBDC Special Meeting. At the GBDC Special Meeting, you will be asked to:

(i)

approve an amendment to the certificate of incorporation of GBDC to increase the number of authorized shares of capital stock from 101,000,000 shares to 201,000,000 shares, consisting of 200,000,000 shares of GBDC common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“GBDC Common Stock”), and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (such proposal is referred to herein as the “Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal”);

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(ii)

approve the issuance of shares of GBDC Common Stock, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of November 27, 2018 (as amended, the “Merger Agreement”) by and among GBDC, Fifth Ave Subsidiary Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of GBDC (“Merger Sub”), Golub Capital Investment Corporation, a Maryland corporation (“GCIC”), GC Advisors LLC (“GC Advisors”), and, for certain limited purposes, Golub Capital LLC (such proposal is referred to herein as the “Merger Stock Issuance Proposal”), which proposal is contingent upon approval of the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal; and

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(iii)

approve the amendment of the investment advisory agreement between GBDC and GC Advisors (as amended, the “New Investment Advisory Agreement”) on the terms described in the accompanying proxy statement, including to convert the incentive fee cap to a per share calculation and to exclude certain purchase accounting adjustments resulting from the Merger from the calculation of the income incentive fee and the incentive fee cap as discussed herein (such proposal is referred to herein as the “Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal”), which proposal is contingent upon approval of each of the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal and the Merger Stock Issuance Proposal.

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Closing of the Merger (as defined below) is contingent upon GBDC stockholder approval of all of the above proposals and certain other closing conditions. If the Merger does not close, then the New Investment Advisory Agreement will not go into effect, even if approved by the GBDC stockholders.

GBDC and GCIC are proposing a combination of both companies by a merger and related transactions pursuant to the Merger Agreement in which Merger Sub would merge with and into GCIC with GCIC continuing as the surviving company (the “Initial Merger”). Immediately following the Initial Merger, GCIC, as the surviving company, would merge with and into GBDC with GBDC continuing as the surviving company (the Initial Merger and the subsequent merger referred to collectively herein as the “Merger”). The New Investment Advisory Agreement would take effect upon the closing of the Merger.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, if the Merger is completed, each holder of GCIC common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“GCIC Common Stock”), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger will have the right to receive, for each share of GCIC Common Stock, 0.865 shares of GBDC Common Stock (the “Exchange Ratio”), provided, that the number of shares of GBDC Common Stock to be received (the “Merger Consideration”) shall be subject to adjustment if, between the date of the Merger Agreement and the effective time of the Merger, the respective outstanding shares of GBDC Common Stock or GCIC Common Stock shall have been increased or decreased or changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or securities, in each case, as a result of any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, split-up, combination or exchange of shares, or if a stock dividend or dividend payable in any other securities shall be declared with a record date within such period.

The market value of the Merger Consideration will fluctuate with changes in the market price of GBDC Common Stock. We urge you to obtain current market quotations of GBDC Common Stock. GBDC Common Stock trades on The Nasdaq Global Select Market (the “Nasdaq”) under the ticker symbol “GBDC.” The following table shows the closing sale price of GBDC Common Stock, as reported on the Nasdaq on November 26, 2018, the last trading day before the execution of the Merger Agreement.

Your vote is extremely important.    At the GBDC Special Meeting, you will be asked to vote on the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal, the Merger Stock Issuance Proposal and the Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal. Approval of the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of GBDC Common Stock. The approval of the Merger Stock Issuance Proposal requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast by holders of GBDC Common Stock at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The approval of the Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal requires the approval of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” of GBDC. Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” of GBDC is the lesser of: (1) 67% of the GBDC Common Stock at the GBDC Special Meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of GBDC Common Stock are present or represented by proxy or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of GBDC Common Stock.

Abstentions and broker non-votes (which occur when a beneficial owner does not instruct its broker, bank or other institution or nominee holding its shares of GBDC Common Stock on its behalf) will not be included in determining the number of votes cast, and, as a result, will have no effect on the outcome of the Merger Stock Issuance Proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not count as affirmative votes cast and will therefore have the same effect as votes against each of the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal and the Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal.

After careful consideration, the board of directors of GBDC, including, after separate meetings and discussion, all of the independent directors, unanimously recommends that GBDC stockholders vote “FOR” each of the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal, the Merger Stock Issuance Proposal and the Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal.

It is very important that your shares be represented at the GBDC Special Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the meeting in person, we urge you to complete, date and sign the enclosed proxy card and promptly return it in the envelope provided. If you prefer, you can save time by voting through the Internet or by telephone as described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and on the enclosed proxy card. We encourage you to vote via the Internet, if possible, as it saves us significant time and processing costs. Your vote and participation in the governance of GBDC are very important to us.

This joint proxy statement/prospectus describes the GBDC Special Meeting, the Merger, the documents related to the Merger (including the Merger Agreement), the proposed amendment to the GBDC certificate of incorporation, the New Investment Advisory Agreement and other related matters that GBDC stockholders ought to know before voting on the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal, the Merger Stock Issuance Proposal and the Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal and should be retained for future reference. Please carefully read this entire document, including “Risk Factors” beginning on page 26 , for a discussion of the risks relating to the Merger. GBDC files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information about itself with the SEC. GBDC maintains a website at http://www.golubcapitalbdc.com and makes all of its annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other publicly filed information available on or through its website. You may also obtain such information, free of charge, and make shareholder inquiries by contacting GBDC at 666 Fifth Avenue, 18 th Floor, New York, New York 10103, Attention: Investor Relations, or by calling collect at (212) 750-6060. The SEC also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains such information.

Sincerely yours,

David B. Golub
Chief Executive Officer

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the shares of GBDC Common Stock to be issued under this joint proxy statement/prospectus or determined if this joint proxy statement/prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

GOLUB CAPITAL BDC, INC.
666 Fifth Avenue, 18 th Floor
New York, NY 10103
(212) 750-6060

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held On September 4, 2019

Notice is hereby given to the owners of shares of common stock (the “GBDC Stockholders”) of Golub Capital BDC, Inc. (“GBDC”) that:

A Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “GBDC Special Meeting”) of GBDC will be held at the offices of Golub Capital LLC, located at 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York, on September 4, 2019 at 8;00 a.m., Eastern Time, for the following purposes:

1.

To approve an amendment to the GBDC certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of capital stock from 101,000,000 shares to 201,000,000 shares, consisting of 200,000,000 shares of GBDC common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“GBDC Common Stock”), and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal”); and

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2.

Contingent upon approval of the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal, to approve the issuance of shares of GBDC Common Stock pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of November 27, 2018 (as amended, the “Merger Agreement”) by and among GBDC, Fifth Ave Subsidiary Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of GBDC (“Merger Sub”), Golub Capital Investment Corporation, a Maryland corporation (“GCIC”), GC Advisors LLC (“GC Advisors”), and, for certain limited purposes, Golub Capital LLC (such proposal is referred to herein as the “Merger Stock Issuance Proposal”); and

​

3.

Contingent upon approval of each of the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal and the Merger Stock Issuance Proposal, to approve the amendment of the investment advisory agreement between GBDC and GC Advisors (as amended, the “New Investment Advisory Agreement”) on the terms described in the accompanying proxy statement, including to convert the incentive fee cap to a per share calculation and to exclude certain purchase accounting adjustments resulting from the Merger from the calculation of the income incentive fee and the incentive fee cap as discussed herein (such proposal is referred to herein as the “Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal”).

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Closing of the Merger is contingent upon GBDC stockholder approval of all of the above proposals and certain other closing conditions. If the Merger does not close, then the New Investment Advisory Agreement will not go into effect, even if approved by the GBDC stockholders.

The GBDC board of directors, including, AFTER SEPARATE MEETINGS AND DISCUSSION, ALL of the independent directors, has unanimously approved each of the Merger Agreement and related transactions (the “Merger”), THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AMENDMENT PROPOSAL, THE MERGER STOCK ISSUANCE PROPOSAL, and the Advisory Agreement amendment Proposal and unanimously recommends that GBDC stockholders vote “FOR” each of CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AMENDMENT PROPOSAL, the Merger Stock Issuance Proposal and the Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal.

Enclosed is a copy of the joint proxy statement/prospectus and the proxy card. You have the right to receive notice of, and to vote at, the GBDC Special Meeting if you were a GBDC Stockholder of record at the close of business on July 12, 2019. Whether or not you expect to be present in person at the GBDC Special Meeting, please sign the enclosed proxy and return it promptly in the envelope provided, or authorize your proxy via the Internet or telephone. Instructions are shown on the proxy card.

Your vote is extremely important to GBDC. In the event there are not sufficient votes for a quorum or to approve the proposals at the time of the GBDC Special Meeting, the GBDC Special Meeting may be adjourned in order to permit further solicitation of proxies by GBDC.

The amendment to the GBDC certificate of incorporation to be adopted to increase the authorized shares of capital stock of GBDC is described in more detail in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, which you should read carefully and in its entirety before authorizing a proxy to vote. Attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus is a copy of the Amendment to the GBDC Certificate of Incorporation as Annex A.

The Merger and the Merger Agreement are each described in more detail in this joint proxy statement/​prospectus, which you should read carefully and in its entirety before authorizing a proxy to vote. Attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus is a copy of the Merger Agreement, including the First Amendment and the Second Amendment to the Merger Agreement, as Annex B.

The Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal is described in more detail in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, which you should read carefully and in its entirety before authorizing a proxy to vote. Attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus is a copy of the New Investment Advisory Agreement as Annex C.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

Joshua M. Levinson
Secretary

[           ], 2019

This is an important meeting. To ensure proper representation at the meeting, please promptly authorize a proxy over the Internet or by telephone, or execute and return the accompanying proxy card, which is being solicited by the GBDC board of directors. Instructions are shown on the proxy card. Authorizing a proxy is important to ensure a quorum at the GBDC Special Meeting. Proxies may be revoked at any time before they are exercised by submitting a written notice of revocation or a subsequently executed proxy, or by attending the GBDC Special Meeting and voting in person.

Important notice regarding the availability of proxy materials for the GBDC Special Meeting, GBDC’s joint proxy statement/prospectus and the proxy card are available at www.proxyvote.com.

Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This document is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state or jurisdiction where such offer or sale is not permitted.

PRELIMINARY — SUBJECT TO COMPLETION — DATED JULY 11, 2019

GOLUB CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION

666 Fifth Avenue, 18 th Floor
New York, NY 10103

[           ], 2019​

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “GCIC Special Meeting”) of Golub Capital Investment Corporation, a Maryland corporation (“GCIC”), to be held on September 4, 2019 at 8:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at the offices of Golub Capital LLC, located at 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York.

The notice of special meeting and joint proxy statement/prospectus accompanying this letter provide an outline of the business to be conducted at the GCIC Special Meeting. At the GCIC Special Meeting, you will be asked to approve the merger of GCIC with and into Fifth Ave Subsidiary Inc. (“Merger Sub”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Golub Capital BDC, Inc. (“GBDC”), with GCIC as the surviving company, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of November 27, 2018 (as amended, the “Merger Agreement”) by and among GBDC, Merger Sub, GCIC, GC Advisors LLC (“GC Advisors”), and, for certain limited purposes, Golub Capital LLC (such proposal is referred to herein as the “Merger Proposal”).

The Merger Agreement provides for a combination of GCIC and GBDC via a merger and related transactions in which Merger Sub would merge with and into GCIC with GCIC continuing as the surviving company (the “Initial Merger”). Immediately following the Initial Merger, in a subsequent merger, the surviving company would merge with and into GBDC with GBDC continuing as the surviving company (the Initial Merger, together with the subsequent merger, the “Merger”). An amended investment advisory agreement between GBDC and GC Advisors (the “New Investment Advisory Agreement”) would take effect upon the closing of the Merger. Closing of the Merger is contingent upon GBDC stockholder approval of each of an amendment to GBDC’s certificate of incorporation to increase the authorized capital stock of GBDC, the issuance of shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of GBDC (“GBDC Common Stock”), pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and the New Investment Advisory Agreement, as well as certain other closing conditions.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, if the Initial Merger is completed, each holder of GCIC common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“GCIC Common Stock”), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Initial Merger will have the right to receive, for each share of GCIC Common Stock, 0.865 shares (the “Exchange Ratio”) of GBDC Common Stock, provided, that the number of shares of GBDC Common Stock to be received (the “Merger Consideration”) shall be subject to adjustment if, between the date of the Merger Agreement and the effective time of the Initial Merger, the respective outstanding shares of GBDC Common Stock or GCIC Common Stock shall have been increased or decreased or changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or securities, in each case, as a result of any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, split-up, combination or exchange of shares, or if a stock dividend or dividend payable in any other securities shall be declared with a record date within such period.

The value of the Merger Consideration will fluctuate with changes in the market price of GBDC Common Stock. We urge you to obtain current market quotations of GBDC Common Stock. GBDC Common Stock trades on The Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”) under the ticker symbol “GBDC.” The following table shows the closing sale price of GBDC Common Stock, as reported on the Nasdaq on November 26, 2018, the last trading day before the execution of the Merger Agreement.

The holders of at least a majority of GCIC’s outstanding shares must be present at the GCIC Special Meeting in order for the Merger Proposal to be voted upon. The approval of the Merger Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of GCIC Common Stock entitled to vote at the GCIC Special Meeting.

Abstentions and broker non-votes will not count as affirmative votes cast and will therefore have the same effect as votes against the Merger Proposal.

GCIC’s board of directors, including, after separate meetings and discussion, all of the independent directors, unanimously recommends that GCIC stockholders vote FOR the Merger Proposal. No other business is expected to be presented at the GCIC Special Meeting.

It is very important that your shares be represented at the GCIC Special Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the meeting in person, we urge you to complete, date and sign the enclosed proxy card and promptly return it in the envelope provided. If you prefer, you can save time by voting through the Internet or by telephone as described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and on the enclosed proxy card. We encourage you to vote via the Internet, if possible, as it saves us significant time and processing costs. Your vote and participation in the governance of GCIC are very important to us.

This joint proxy statement/prospectus is dated [           ], 2019 and it is first being mailed or otherwise delivered to GCIC stockholders on or about [           ], 2019.

GOLUB CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION
666 Fifth Avenue, 18 th Floor
New York, NY 10103

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2019

Notice is hereby given to the owners of shares of common stock (the “GCIC Stockholders”) of Golub Capital Investment Corporation, a Maryland corporation (“GCIC”), that:

A Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “GCIC Special Meeting”) of GCIC will be held at the offices of Golub Capital LLC, located at 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York, on September 4, 2019 at 8:00 a.m., Eastern Time, for the purpose of approving the merger of GCIC with and into Fifth Ave Subsidiary Inc. (“Merger Sub”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Golub Capital BDC, Inc. (“GBDC”), with GCIC as the surviving company (the “Initial Merger”), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of November 27, 2018 (as amended, the “Merger Agreement”) by and among GBDC, Merger Sub, GCIC, GC Advisors LLC (“GC Advisors”), and, for certain limited purposes, Golub Capital LLC. The Initial Merger will be followed immediately by the merger of GCIC with and into GBDC, with GBDC surviving the second merger (collectively with the Initial Merger, the “Merger”). Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, if the Initial Merger is completed, each holder of shares of GCIC common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“GCIC Common Stock”), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Initial Merger will have the right to receive, in respect of each share of GCIC Common Stock, 0.865 shares of GBDC common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“GBDC Common Stock”), provided, that the number of shares of GBDC Common Stock to be received shall be subject to adjustment if, between the date of the Merger Agreement and the effective time of the Initial Merger, the respective outstanding shares of GBDC Common Stock or GCIC Common Stock shall have been increased or decreased or changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or securities, in each case, as a result of any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, split-up, combination or exchange of shares, or if a stock dividend or dividend payable in any other securities shall be declared with a record date within such period.

Enclosed is a copy of the joint proxy statement/prospectus and the proxy card. You have the right to receive notice of, and to vote at, the GCIC Special Meeting if you were a GCIC Stockholder of record at the close of business on July 12, 2019. Whether or not you expect to be present in person at the GCIC Special Meeting, please sign the enclosed proxy and return it promptly in the envelope provided, or authorize your proxy via the Internet or telephone. Instructions are shown on the proxy card.

Your vote is extremely important to us. In the event there are not sufficient votes for a quorum or to approve the proposal at the time of the GCIC Special Meeting, the GCIC Special Meeting may be adjourned in order to permit further solicitation of proxies by GCIC.

THE GCIC BOARD OF DIRECTORS, INCLUDING, AFTER SEPARATE MEETINGS AND DISCUSSION, ALL OF THE INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS, UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE MERGER PROPOSAL.

By Order of the Board of Directors,
 
Joshua M. Levinson
Secretary

[           ], 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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ii

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

This document, which forms part of a registration statement on Form N-14 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by GBDC (File No. 333-228998), constitutes a prospectus of GBDC under Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with respect to the shares of GBDC Common Stock to be issued to GCIC stockholders as required by the Merger Agreement.

This document also constitutes joint proxy statements of GBDC and GCIC under Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). It also constitutes a notice of meeting with respect to: (1) the GBDC Special Meeting, at which GBDC stockholders will be asked to vote upon the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal, the Merger Stock Issuance Proposal and the Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal; and (2) the GCIC Special Meeting, at which GCIC stockholders will be asked to vote on the Merger Proposal.

You should rely only on the information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. No one has been authorized to provide you with information that is different from that contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. This joint proxy statement/prospectus is dated [           ], 2019. You should not assume that the information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is accurate as of any date other than that date. Neither the mailing of this joint proxy statement/prospectus to GBDC stockholders or GCIC stockholders nor the issuance of GBDC Common Stock in connection with the Merger will create any implication to the contrary.

This joint proxy statement/prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, or the solicitation of a proxy, in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom it is unlawful to make any such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.

Except where the context otherwise indicates, information contained in this joint proxy statement/​prospectus regarding GBDC has been provided by GBDC and information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding GCIC has been provided by GCIC.

When used in this document, unless otherwise indicated in this document or the context otherwise requires:

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“Administration Agreement” refers to the administration agreement by and between GBDC and the Administrator;

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“Administrator” refers to Golub Capital LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, an affiliate of GC Advisors and the administrator of GBDC and GCIC;

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“Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement” refers to the Second Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement, dated August 4, 2014, by and between GBDC and GC Advisors;

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“Determination Date” refers to an agreed upon date no more than 48 hours (excluding Sundays and holidays) prior to the closing of the Initial Merger;

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“Effective Time” refers to the effective time of the Initial Merger;

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“GBDC” refers to Golub Capital BDC, Inc. and, where applicable, its consolidated subsidiaries;

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“GBDC Board” refers to the board of directors of GBDC;

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“GBDC Independent Directors” refers to the independent members of the GBDC Board in their capacity as such;

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“GCIC” refers to Golub Capital Investment Corporation and, where applicable, its consolidated subsidiaries;

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“GCIC Administration Agreement” refers to the Administration Agreement by and between GCIC and the Administrator;

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“GCIC Board” refers to the board of directors of GCIC;

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1

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“GCIC Independent Directors” refers to the independent members of the GCIC Board in their capacity as such;

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“GCIC Investment Advisory Agreement” refers to the Investment Advisory Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2014, by and between GCIC and GC Advisors;

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“Golub Capital” refers, collectively, to the activities and operations of Golub Capital LLC (formerly Golub Capital Management LLC), which entity employs all of Golub Capital’s investment professionals, GC Advisors and associated investment funds and their respective affiliates;

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“Initial Merger” refers to the merger of Merger Sub with and into GCIC, with GCIC as the surviving company;

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“KBW” refers to Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., the financial advisor to the GBDC Independent Directors (in their collective capacity as such);

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“Merger” refers to the Initial Merger, together with, unless the context otherwise requires, the Subsequent Merger;

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“Merger Agreement” refers to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated November 27, 2018, by and among GBDC, Merger Sub, GCIC, GC Advisors, and, for certain limited purposes, the Administrator, as amended by the First Amendment to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated December 21, 2018, by and among GBDC, Merger Sub, GCIC, GC Advisors, and the Administrator and the Second Amendment to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated July 11, 2019, by and among GBDC, Merger Sub, GCIC, GC Advisors, and the Administrator;

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“New Investment Advisory Agreement” refers to the proposed Third Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement by and between GBDC and GC Advisors;

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“Subsequent Merger” refers to the merger of GCIC, as the surviving company of the Initial Merger, with and into GBDC, with GBDC as the surviving company;

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“UBS” refers to UBS Securities LLC, the financial advisor to the GCIC Independent Directors;

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“2010 Debt Securitization” refers to the $350.0 million term debt securitization that GBDC completed on July 16, 2010, amended on October 20, 2016 and redeemed on July 20, 2018, in which Golub Capital BDC 2010-1 LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“LLC”) and GBDC’s indirect subsidiary (the “2010 Issuer”) issued an aggregate of  $350.0 million of notes (the “2010 Notes”), including $205.0 million of Class A-Refi 2010 Notes, which bore interest at a rate of three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 1.90%, $10.0 million of Class B-Refi 2010 Notes, which bore interest at a rate of three-month LIBOR plus 2.40%, and $135.0 million face amount of Subordinated 2010 Notes that did not bear interest;

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“2014 Debt Securitization” refers to the $402.6 million term debt securitization that GBDC completed on June 5, 2014, as most recently amended on March 23, 2018, in which Golub Capital BDC CLO 2014 LLC, a Delaware LLC and GBDC’s direct subsidiary (the “2014 Issuer”), issued an aggregate of  $402.6 million of notes (the “2014 Notes”) including $191.0 million of Class A-1-R 2014 Notes, which bear interest at a rate of three-month LIBOR, plus 0.95%, $20.0 million of Class A-2-R 2014 Notes, which bear interest at a rate of three-month LIBOR plus 0.95%, $35.0 million of Class B-R 2014 Notes, which bear interest at a rate of three-month LIBOR plus 1.40%, $37.5 million of Class C-R 2014 Notes, which bear interest at a rate of three-month LIBOR plus 1.55%, and $119.1 million of membership interests that do not bear interest;

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“2018 Debt Securitization” refers to the $602.4 million term debt securitization that GBDC completed on November 16, 2018, in which Golub Capital BDC CLO III LLC, a Delaware LLC and GBDC’s indirect subsidiary (the “2018 Issuer”), issued an aggregate of  $602.4 million of notes (the “2018 Notes”), including $327.0 million of Class A 2018 Notes, which bear interest at a rate of three-month LIBOR, plus 1.48%, $61.2 million of Class B 2018 Notes, which bear interest at a rate of three-month LIBOR plus 2.10%, $20.0 million of Class C-1 2018 Notes, which bear interest at a rate of three-month LIBOR plus 2.80%, $38.8 million of Class C-2 2018 Notes, which bear interest at a rate of three-month LIBOR plus 2.65%, $42.0 million of Class D 2018 Notes, which bear interest at a rate of three-month LIBOR plus 2.95%, and $113.4 million of Subordinated 2018 Notes that do not bear interest;

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“GBDC Credit Facility” refers to the amended and restated senior secured revolving credit facility that Golub Capital BDC Funding LLC, a Delaware LLC and GBDC’s direct subsidiary (“GBDC Funding”), originally entered into on July 21, 2011 and terminated on February 4, 2019, with Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as administrative agent, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as lender and collateral agent, that allowed for borrowing up to $170 million and that bore interest at a rate of one-month LIBOR plus 2.15% per annum through the reinvestment period, which would have ended on September 20, 2019, and would have matured on September 21, 2023;

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“MS Credit Facility” refers to the amended senior secured credit facility that the 2010 Issuer originally entered into on July 20, 2018 and terminated on November 16, 2018, with Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A., as lender, Morgan Stanley Senior Secured Funding, Inc. as administrative agent, and U.S. Bank National Association, as collateral agent for the administrative agent and the lenders, that allowed for borrowing up to $450 million and that bore interest at a rate of one-month LIBOR plus 1.90% per annum through the reinvestment period, which would have ended on January 18, 2019, and would have matured on March 20, 2019;

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“MS Credit Facility II” refers to the senior secured revolving credit facility that Golub Capital BDC Funding II LLC, a Delaware LLC and GBDC’s direct, wholly-owned, consolidated subsidiary (“GBDC Funding II”), entered into on February 1, 2019, with Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as the administrative agent, each of the lenders from time to time party thereto, each of the securitization subsidiaries from time to time party thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as collateral agent, account bank, and collateral custodian, that currently allows borrowing up to $200 million. The revolving period under the MS Credit Facility II will continue through February 1, 2021 unless there is an earlier termination or event of default, and the MS Credit Facility II has a scheduled maturity date of February 1, 2024. During the revolving period, borrowings under the MS Credit Facility II and, after any ramp-up period (as defined in the MS Credit Facility II), any undrawn amount under the MS Credit Facility II in excess of 35% of the maximum principal amount of the MS Credit Facility II (up to 65% of the maximum principal amount), will bear interest at the applicable base rate plus 2.05%. Following expiration of the revolving period, the interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the MS Credit Facility II will reset to the applicable base rate plus 2.55% for the remaining term of the MS Credit Facility II. The base rate under the MS Credit Facility II is (i) the one-month LIBOR with respect to any advances denominated in U.S. dollars or U.K. pound sterling, (ii) the one-month Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”) with respect to any advances denominated in euros, and (iii) the one-month Canadian Dollar Offered Rate with respect to any advances denominated in Canadian dollars;

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“Revolving Credit Facilities” refers collectively to, prior to its termination on February 4, 2019, the GBDC Credit Facility, prior to its termination on November 16, 2018, the MS Credit Facility and the MS Credit Facility II, and each a “Revolving Credit Facility”;

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“DB Credit Facility” refers to the senior secured revolving credit facility that GCIC Funding II LLC, a Delaware LLC and GCIC’s direct, wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary (“GCIC Funding II”), entered into on December 31, 2018, with GCIC, as equityholder and as servicer, Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, as facility agent, the other agents parties thereto, each of the entities from time to time party thereto as securitization subsidiaries and Wells Fargo

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Bank, National Association, as collateral agent and as collateral custodian, that as of March 31, 2019 allows for borrowing up to $250.0 million and that bears interest at a rate of the applicable base rate plus 1.90% per annum through the reinvestment period, which continues through December 31, 2021. Following expiration of the reinvestment period, the interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the DB Credit Facility will reset to the applicable base rate plus 2.00% for the remaining term of the DB Credit Facility, which is scheduled to mature on December 31, 2024. The base rate under the DB Credit Facility is (i) the three-month Canadian Dollar Offered Rate with respect to any advances denominated in Canadian dollars, (ii) the three-month EURIBOR with respect to any advances denominated in euros, (iii) the three-month Bank Bill Swap Rate with respect to any advances denominated in Australian dollars and (iv) the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate with respect to any other advances;

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“GCIC 2016 Debt Securitization” refers to the $410.1 million term debt securitization that GCIC completed on August 16, 2016 and redeemed on December 13, 2018, in which Golub Capital Investment Corporation CLO 2016(M) LLC, a Delaware LLC and GCIC’s direct subsidiary (the “GCIC 2016 Issuer”) issued notes (the “GCIC 2016 Notes”), consisting of  $220.0 million of Aaa/AAA Class A GCIC 2016 Notes, which bore interest at a rate of three-month LIBOR plus 2.15%, $32.5 million of Aa1 Class B GCIC 2016 Notes which bore interest at a rate of three-month LIBOR plus 3.00%, $42.3 million Class C GCIC 2016 Notes, which bore interest at a rate of three-month LIBOR plus 3.10%, and $28.6 million Class D GCIC 2016 Notes, which bore interest at a rate of three-month LIBOR plus 3.25%, and $86.7 million of LLC equity interests that did not bear interest;

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“GCIC Credit Facility” refers to the senior secured revolving credit facility that GCIC Funding LLC, a Delaware LLC and GCIC’s direct subsidiary (“GCIC Funding”), originally entered into on October 10, 2014 with Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as administrative agent, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as lender, as most recently amended on May 29, 2019, that as of March 31, 2019 and May 29, 2019 allowed for borrowing up to $200.0 million and $300.0 million, respectively, and that bears interest at a rate of one-month LIBOR plus 2.00% per annum through the maturity date, March 31, 2024;

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“GCIC 2018 Debt Securitization” refers to the $908.2 million term debt securitization that GCIC completed on December 13, 2018, in which GCIC CLO II LLC, a Delaware LLC and GCIC’s indirect subsidiary (the “GCIC 2018 Issuer”) issued notes (the “GCIC 2018 Notes”), consisting of approximately $490.0 million of AAA(sf)/AAAsf Class A-1 GCIC 2018 Notes, which bear interest at the three-month LIBOR plus 1.48%; $38.5 million of AAA(sf) Class A-2 GCIC 2018 Notes, which bear interest at a fixed interest rate of 4.665%; $18.0 million of AA(sf) Class B-1 GCIC 2018 Notes, which bear interest at the three-month LIBOR plus 2.25%; $27.0 million of AA(sf) Class B-2 GCIC 2018 Notes, which bear interest at the three-month LIBOR plus 1.75%; $95.0 million of A(sf) Class C GCIC 2018 Notes, which bear interest at the three-month LIBOR plus 2.30%; $60.0 million of BBB-(sf) Class D GCIC 2018 Notes, which bear interest at the three-month LIBOR plus 2.75% (with the Class A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2 and C GCIC 2018 Notes, referred to collectively as the “Secured GCIC 2018 Notes”); and $179.7 million of Subordinated GCIC 2018 Notes, which do not bear interest; and

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“SMBC Revolver” refers to the revolving credit facility that GCIC entered into on May 17, 2018 with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, as administrative agent, sole lead arranger and sole manager as amended, which, as of March 31, 2019, permitted up to $44.4 million in borrowings, that bore interest, at GCIC’s election, at a rate of either one-month LIBOR plus 1.50% per annum or prime through the maturity date. On May 3, 2019, GCIC entered into an amendment to the SMBC Revolver to extend the maturity date from May 17, 2019 to August 17, 2019.

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETINGS AND THE MERGER

The questions and answers below highlight only selected information from this joint proxy statement/​prospectus. They do not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should read carefully this entire document to fully understand the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby (including the Merger) and the voting procedures for each of the GBDC Special Meeting and the GCIC Special Meeting.

Questions and Answers about the Special Meetings

Q:

Why am I receiving these materials?

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A:

GBDC is furnishing these materials in connection with the solicitation of proxies by GBDC’s board of directors (the “GBDC Board”) for use at the special meeting of GBDC stockholders to be held at 8:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on September 4, 2019 at the offices of Golub Capital LLC, located at 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York, and any adjournments or postponements thereof  (the “GBDC Special Meeting”).

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GCIC is furnishing these materials in connection with the solicitation of proxies by GCIC’s board of directors (the “GCIC Board”) for use at the special meeting of GCIC stockholders to be held at 8:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on September 4, 2019 at the offices of Golub Capital LLC, located at 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York, and any adjournments or postponements thereof  (the “GCIC Special Meeting”).

This joint proxy statement/prospectus and the accompanying materials are being mailed on or about [           ], 2019 to stockholders of record of GBDC and GCIC described below and are available at www.proxyvote.com.

Q:

What items will be considered and voted on at the GBDC Special Meeting?

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A:

At the GBDC Special Meeting, GBDC stockholders will be asked to approve (i) an amendment to the GBDC certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of capital stock from 101,000,000 shares to 201,000,000 shares, consisting of 200,000,000 shares of GBDC common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“GBDC Common Stock”), and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (such proposal, the “Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal”) (ii) the issuance of the shares of GBDC Common Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement (such proposal, the “Merger Stock Issuance Proposal”), which proposal is contingent upon approval of the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal, and (iii) approval of a new investment advisory agreement between GBDC and GC Advisors to take effect upon closing of the Merger (such proposal, the “Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal”), which proposal is contingent upon approval of each of the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal and the Merger Stock Issuance Proposal.

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Q:

What items will be considered and voted on at the GCIC Special Meeting?

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A:

At the GCIC Special Meeting, GCIC stockholders will be asked to approve the Initial Merger and the Merger Agreement (such proposal, the “Merger Proposal”).

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Q:

How does the GBDC Board recommend voting on the proposals at the GBDC Special Meeting?

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A:

The GBDC Board, including, after separate meetings and discussion, the GBDC Independent Directors, has unanimously approved the Merger Agreement, including the Merger and the related transactions, and the New Investment Advisory Agreement. The GBDC Board, including each of the GBDC Independent Directors, has unanimously approved the amendment to the GBDC certificate of incorporation to increase the authorized capital stock of GBDC and has declared such amendment to be advisable and directed that the amendment be submitted to the stockholders of GBDC for approval at the GBDC Special Meeting. The GBDC Board, including each of the GBDC Independent Directors, recommends that GBDC stockholders vote “FOR” each of the Certificate of Incorporation Proposal, the Merger Stock Issuance Proposal and the Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal.

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Q:

How does the GCIC Board recommend voting on the Merger Proposal at the GCIC Special Meeting?

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A:

The GCIC Board, including, after separate meetings and discussion, the GCIC Independent Directors, has unanimously approved the Initial Merger and the Merger Agreement and recommends that GCIC stockholders vote “FOR” the Merger Proposal.

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Q:

If I am a GBDC stockholder, what is the “Record Date” and what does it mean?

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A:

The record date for the GBDC Special Meeting is July 12, 2019 (the “GBDC Record Date”). The GBDC Record Date is established by the GBDC Board, and only holders of record of shares of GBDC Common Stock at the close of business on the GBDC Record Date are entitled to receive notice of the GBDC Special Meeting and vote at the GBDC Special Meeting. As of the GBDC Record Date, there were [    ] shares of GBDC Common Stock outstanding.

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Q:

If I am a GCIC stockholder, what is the “Record Date” and what does it mean?

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A:

The record date for the GCIC Special Meeting is July 12, 2019 (the “GCIC Record Date”). The GCIC Record Date is established by the GCIC Board, and only holders of record of shares of GCIC common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“GCIC Common Stock”) at the close of business on the GCIC Record Date are entitled to receive notice of the GCIC Special Meeting and vote at the GCIC Special Meeting. As of the GCIC Record Date, there were [    ] shares of GCIC Common Stock outstanding.

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Q:

If I am a GBDC stockholder, how many votes do I have?

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A:

Each share of GBDC Common Stock held by a holder of record as of the GBDC Record Date has one vote on each matter to be considered at the GBDC Special Meeting.

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Q:

If I am a GCIC stockholder, how many votes do I have?

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A:

Each share of GCIC Common Stock held by a holder of record as of the GCIC Record Date has one vote on each matter to be considered at the GCIC Special Meeting.

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Q:

If I am a GBDC stockholder, how do I vote?

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A:

A GBDC stockholder may vote in person at the GBDC Special Meeting or by proxy in accordance with the instructions provided below. A GBDC stockholder may also authorize a proxy by telephone or through the Internet using the toll-free telephone numbers or web address printed on your proxy card. Authorizing a proxy by telephone or through the Internet requires you to input the control number located on your proxy card. After inputting the control number, you will be prompted to direct your proxy to vote on each proposal. You will have an opportunity to review your directions and make any necessary changes before submitting your directions and terminating the telephone call or Internet link.

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By Internet:     Log on to www.proxyvote.com, or scan the Quick Response Code or “QR Code” on your proxy card.

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By telephone:     (800) 690-6903 to reach a toll-free, automated touchtone voting line, or (844) 804-1641 Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time to reach a toll-free, live operator line.

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By mail:    You may vote by proxy by following the directions and indicating your instructions on the enclosed proxy card, dating and signing the proxy card, and promptly returning the proxy card in the envelope provided, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States. Please allow sufficient time for your proxy card to be received on or prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on September 3, 2019.

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In person:    You may vote in person at the GBDC Special Meeting by requesting a ballot when you arrive. If your shares of GBDC Common Stock are held through a broker and you attend the GBDC Special Meeting in person, please bring a letter from your broker identifying you as the beneficial owner of the shares and authorizing you to vote your shares at the GBDC Special Meeting.

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Important notice regarding the availability of proxy materials for the GBDC Special Meeting. GBDC’s joint proxy statement/prospectus and the proxy card are available at www.proxyvote.com.

Q:

If I am a GCIC stockholder, how do I vote?

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A:

A GCIC stockholder may vote in person at the GCIC Special Meeting or by proxy in accordance with the instructions provided below. A GCIC stockholder may also authorize a proxy by telephone or through the Internet using the toll-free telephone numbers or web address printed on your proxy card. Authorizing a proxy by telephone or through the Internet requires you to input the control number located on your proxy card. After inputting the control number, you will be prompted to direct your proxy to vote on each proposal. You will have an opportunity to review your directions and make any necessary changes before submitting your directions and terminating the telephone call or Internet link.

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By telephone:     (888) 227-9349 to reach a toll-free, automated touchtone voting line, or (866) 416-0565 Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time to reach a toll-free, live operator line.

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By mail:    You may authorize a proxy by following the directions and indicating your instructions on the enclosed proxy card, dating and signing the proxy card, and promptly returning the proxy card in the envelope provided, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States. Please allow sufficient time for your proxy card to be received on or prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on September 3, 2019.

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In person:    You may vote in person at the GCIC Special Meeting by requesting a ballot when you arrive. If your shares of GCIC Common Stock are held through a broker and you attend the GCIC Special Meeting in person, please bring a letter from your broker identifying you as the beneficial owner of the shares and authorizing you to vote your shares at the GCIC Special Meeting.

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Important notice regarding the availability of proxy materials for the GCIC Special Meeting. GCIC’s joint proxy statement/prospectus and the proxy card are available at www.proxyvote.com.

Q:

What if a GBDC stockholder does not specify a choice for a matter when authorizing a proxy?

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A:

All properly executed proxies representing shares of GBDC Common Stock received prior to the GBDC Special Meeting will be voted in accordance with the instructions marked thereon. If a proxy card is signed and returned without any instructions marked, the shares of GBDC Common Stock will be voted “FOR” the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal, “FOR” the Merger Stock Issuance Proposal and “FOR” the Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal.

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Q:

What if a GCIC stockholder does not specify a choice for a matter when authorizing a proxy?

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A:

All properly executed proxies representing shares of GCIC Common Stock at the GCIC Special Meeting will be voted in accordance with the directions given. If the enclosed proxy card is signed and returned without any directions given, the shares of GCIC Common Stock will be voted “FOR” the Merger Proposal.

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Q:

If I am a GBDC stockholder, how can I change my vote or revoke a proxy?

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A:

You may revoke your proxy and change your vote by giving notice at any time before your proxy is exercised. A revocation may be effected by resubmitting voting instructions via the Internet voting site,

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by telephone, by obtaining and properly completing another proxy card that is dated later than the original proxy card and returning it, by mail, in time to be received before the GBDC Special Meeting, by attending the GBDC Special Meeting and voting in person, or by a notice, provided in writing and signed by you, delivered to GBDC’s Secretary on any business day before the date of the GBDC Special Meeting.

Q:

If I am a GCIC stockholder, how can I change my vote or revoke a proxy?

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A:

You may revoke your proxy and change your vote by giving notice at any time before your proxy is exercised. A revocation may be effected by resubmitting voting instructions via the Internet voting site, by telephone, by obtaining and properly completing another proxy card that is dated later than the original proxy card and returning it, by mail, in time to be received before the GCIC Special Meeting, by attending the GCIC Special Meeting and voting in person, or by a notice, provided in writing and signed by you, delivered to GCIC’s Secretary on any business day before the date of the GCIC Special Meeting.

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Q:

If my shares of GBDC Common Stock or GCIC Common Stock, as applicable, are held in a broker-controlled account or in “street name,” will my broker vote my shares for me?

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A:

No. You should follow the instructions provided by your broker on your voting instruction form. It is important to note that your broker will vote your shares only if you provide instructions on how you would like your shares to be voted at the applicable special meeting.

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Q:

What constitutes a “quorum” for the GBDC Special Meeting?

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A:

The presence at the GBDC Special Meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares of GBDC Common Stock outstanding on the GBDC Record Date will constitute a quorum. Shares held by a broker or other nominee for which the nominee has not received voting instructions from the record holder and does not have discretionary authority to vote the shares on non-routine proposals (which are considered “broker non-votes” with respect to such proposals) will be treated as shares present for quorum purposes. If there are not enough votes for a quorum, the presiding officer or GBDC stockholders who are represented in person or by proxy may vote to adjourn the GBDC Special Meeting to permit the further solicitation of proxies.

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If there appear not to be enough votes for a quorum or to approve the proposals at the GBDC Special Meeting, the GBDC Special Meeting may also be adjourned for such periods as the presiding officer of the GBDC Special Meeting shall direct. The holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the GBDC stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have the power to adjourn the GBDC Special Meeting from time to time without notice other than announcement at the GBDC Special Meeting. Joshua M. Levinson and Ross A. Teune are the persons named as proxy and will vote proxies held by one of them for such adjournment, unless marked to be voted against any proposal for which an adjournment is sought, to permit the further solicitation of proxies.

If sufficient votes in favor of any of the proposals to be considered at the GBDC Special Meeting have been received at the time of the GBDC Special Meeting, the applicable proposal or proposals will be acted upon and such action will be final, regardless of any subsequent adjournments to consider other proposals.

Q:

What constitutes a “quorum” for the GCIC Special Meeting?

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A:

The presence at the GCIC Special Meeting, in person or by proxy, of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of votes entitled to be cast at the GCIC Special Meeting will constitute a quorum. If there are not enough votes for a quorum, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the GCIC Special Meeting to permit the further solicitation of proxies.

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If there appears not to be enough votes for a quorum or to approve the proposals at the GCIC Special Meeting, the chairman of the GCIC Special Meeting shall have the power to conclude or adjourn the GCIC Special Meeting from time to time to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date without notice other than announcement at the GCIC Special Meeting.

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Q:

What vote is required to approve each of the proposals at the GBDC Special Meeting?

​

A:

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of GBDC Common Stock entitled to vote at the GBDC Special Meeting is required for approval of the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote “against” this proposal.

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The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast by GBDC stockholders at the Special Meeting in person or by proxy is required for approval of the Merger Stock Issuance Proposal (meaning that the number of shares voted “for” the proposal must exceed the number of shares voted “against” such proposal). Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be included in determining the number of votes cast and, as a result, will have no effect on this proposal.

The affirmative vote of  “a majority of the outstanding voting securities” of GBDC Common Stock is required to approve the Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal. Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” of GBDC is the lesser of: (1) 67% of the GBDC Common Stock at the GBDC Special Meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of GBDC Common Stock are present or represented by proxy or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of GBDC Common Stock. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote “against” this proposal.

Broker non-votes are described as votes cast by a broker or other nominee on behalf of a beneficial holder who does not provide explicit voting instructions to such broker or nominee and who does not attend the meeting. Each of the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal, the Merger Stock Issuance Proposal and the Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal is a non-routine matter for GBDC. As a result, if a GBDC stockholder hold shares in “street name” through a broker, bank or other nominee, the broker, bank or nominee will not be permitted to exercise voting discretion with respect to either the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal, the Merger Stock Issuance Proposal or the Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal. As a result, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the Merger Stock Issuance Proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not count as affirmative votes cast and will therefore have the same effect as votes against each of the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal and the Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal.

Q:

What vote is required to approve each of the proposals being considered at the GCIC Special Meeting?

​

A:

The affirmative vote of the holders of outstanding shares of GCIC Common Stock entitled to cast a majority of votes entitled to be cast at the GCIC Special Meeting is required to approve the Merger Proposal.

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Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote “against” this proposal.

Q:

What will happen if all of the proposals being considered at the GBDC Special Meeting and the GCIC Special Meeting are not approved by the required vote?

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A:

As discussed in more detail in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, closing of the Merger is conditioned on, among other things, (i) approval of the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal, the Merger Stock Issuance Proposal and the Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal by GBDC stockholders at the GBDC Special Meeting, (ii) approval of the Merger Proposal by GCIC stockholders at the GCIC Special Meeting, and (iii) the receipt of any required regulatory and other approvals.

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If the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal is approved by the requisite vote of GBDC stockholders, the amendment to the GBDC certificate of incorporation will be filed with the Delaware Secretary of State regardless of the results of the voting on the other proposals at the GBDC Special Meeting. If the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal is not approved by the GBDC stockholders, then the Merger will not close. If the Merger Stock Issuance Proposal is not approved by the GBDC stockholders, then the Merger will not close. If the Advisory Agreement Amendment

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Proposal is not approved by the GBDC stockholders and the closing condition in the Merger Agreement in respect of such approval is not waived by the parties to the Merger Agreement, then the Merger will not close. If the Merger Proposal is not approved by the GCIC stockholders, then the Merger will not close.

If the Merger does not close because either the GBDC stockholders or the GCIC stockholders do not approve the applicable proposals or any of the other conditions to the closing of the Merger are not satisfied or waived, each of GBDC and GCIC will continue to operate pursuant to the current agreements in place for each, including, in the case of GBDC, the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement, and each of GBDC’s and GCIC’s respective directors and executive officers will continue to serve as its directors and officers, respectively, until their successors are duly elected and qualified or their resignation.

Q:

How will the final voting results be announced?

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A:

Preliminary voting results will be announced at each special meeting. Final voting results will be published by GBDC and GCIC in a current report on Form 8-K within four business days after the date of the GBDC Special Meeting and the GCIC Special Meeting, respectively.

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Q:

Will GBDC and GCIC incur expenses in soliciting proxies?

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A:

GBDC and GCIC will equally bear the cost of preparing, printing and mailing this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the applicable accompanying Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders and proxy card. GBDC and GCIC intend to use the services of GC Advisors to aid in the distribution and collection of proxy votes. GBDC and GCIC expect to pay market rates for such services. No additional compensation will be paid to directors, officers or regular employees for such services. GBDC has also retained Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions Inc. to assist in the solicitation of proxies for an estimated fee of approximately $100,000, plus out-of-pocket expenses.

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For more information regarding expenses related to the Merger, see “Questions and Answers about the Merger — Who is responsible for paying the expenses relating to completing the Merger?’”

Q:

What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card?

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A:

Some of your shares of GBDC Common Stock or GCIC Common Stock, as applicable, may be registered differently or held in different accounts. You should authorize a proxy to vote the shares in each of your accounts by mail, by telephone or via the Internet. If you mail proxy cards, please sign, date and return each proxy card to guarantee that all of your shares are voted.

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Q:

Are the proxy materials available electronically?

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A:

In accordance with regulations promulgated by the SEC, GBDC and GCIC have made the registration statement (of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus forms a part), the applicable Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders and the applicable proxy card available to stockholders of GBDC and GCIC on the Internet. Stockholders may (i) access and review the proxy materials of GBDC and GCIC, as applicable, (ii) authorize their proxies, as described in “The GBDC Special Meeting — Voting of Proxies” and “The GCIC Special Meeting — Voting of Proxies” and/or (iii) elect to receive future proxy materials by electronic delivery via the Internet address provided below.

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The registration statement (of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus forms a part), each Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders and each proxy card are available at www.proxyvote.com.

Q:

Will my vote make a difference?

​

A:

Yes. Your vote is needed to ensure the proposals can be acted upon. Your vote is very important. Your immediate response will help avoid potential delays and may save significant additional expenses associated with soliciting stockholder votes.

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10

Q:

Whom can I contact with any additional questions?

​

A:

If you are a GBDC stockholder or a GCIC stockholder, you can contact GBDC’s or GCIC’s Investor Relations Departments at the below contact information with any additional questions:

​

Golub Capital BDC, Inc. or Golub Capital Investment Corporation
Investor Relations
666 Fifth Avenue, 18 th Floor
New York, New York 10103
(212) 750-6060

Q:

Where can I find more information about GBDC and GCIC?

​

A:

You can find more information about GBDC and GCIC in the documents described under the caption “Where You Can Find More Information.”

​

Q:

What do I need to do now?

​

A:

We urge you to read carefully this entire document, including its annexes. You should also review the documents referenced under “Where You Can Find More Information” and consult with your accounting, legal and tax advisors.

​

Questions and Answers about the Merger

Q:

What will happen in the Initial Merger and Subsequent Merger?

​

A:

GCIC will be the surviving company of the Initial Merger and will continue its existence as a corporation under the laws of the State of Maryland until the Subsequent Merger. As of the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub will cease. Immediately after the Effective Time, pursuant to the Subsequent Merger, the surviving company will merge with and into GBDC, with GBDC as the surviving entity.

​

Q:

What will GCIC stockholders receive in the Merger?

​

A:

Each GCIC stockholder will be entitled to receive, for each share of GCIC Common Stock, 0.865 shares of GBDC Common Stock (the “Exchange Ratio”); provided, that the number of shares of GBDC Common Stock to be received by GCIC stockholders (the “Merger Consideration”) will be subject to adjustment solely to the extent described below.

​

Q:

How was the Exchange Ratio determined and what impact will a change in the market price of GBDC Common Stock have on the Merger Consideration to be received by GCIC stockholders?

​

A:

The GBDC Independent Directors and GCIC Independent Directors determined the exchange ratio, taking into account advice from their respective independent financial and legal advisors. The independent directors of both boards considered a range of exchange ratios that they believed would be acceptable with respect to each company. The overlap of these acceptable ranges, in terms of premiums to GCIC’s NAV as of September 30, 2018, was a 5 – 7.5% premium. The independent directors of both boards of directors considered the benefits of the transaction to each company and determined that an exchange ratio corresponding to a 6.25% premium to GCIC’s September 30, 2018 NAV, was fair to the stockholders of each company. That 6.25% premium to GCIC’s September 30, 2018 NAV was then adjusted to 7.05% to reflect the $0.12 special distribution declared by the GBDC Board but not paid until after establishing the Exchange Ratio. The final Exchange Ratio of 0.865 shares of GBDC Common Stock for each share of GCIC Common Stock was calculated based on the 7.05% premium to GCIC’s NAV per share as of September 30, 2018 and the closing market price of GBDC Common Stock on the Nasdaq of  $18.57 on November 26, 2018, the last trading day prior to execution of the Merger Agreement, which market price represented an approximately 15% premium to GBDC’s NAV per share of  $16.10 as of September 30, 2018, the most recent date as of which GBDC had calculated its NAV per share. Both boards of directors considered whether the exchange ratio should be a fixed exchange ratio or a floating exchange ratio. The GBDC Independent Directors

​

11

considered that a fixed exchange ratio, as compared to a floating exchange ratio, could help establish a fixed accretion to GBDC NAV upon closing of the Merger. The GCIC Independent Directors considered that a fixed exchange ratio would permit GCIC stockholders to benefit from any possible share price appreciation of GBDC Common Stock between announcement and closing of the Merger. With a fixed exchange ratio, any change in the market price of GBDC Common Stock prior to completion of the Merger will affect the market value of the Merger Consideration that GCIC stockholders will receive upon completion of the Merger, and GCIC stockholders will not know or be able to calculate the market price of the Merger Consideration they would receive upon completion of the Merger at the time of the GCIC Special Meeting. In addition, if the market price of GBDC Common Stock were to decrease such that the product of the Exchange Ratio and the greater of  (i) the closing market price and (ii) the NAV per share of the GBDC Common Stock is less than the NAV per share of GCIC Common Stock the conditions to closing of the Initial Merger would not be satisfied, and the Merger would not close, even if all of the proposals considered at the GBDC Special Meeting and the GCIC Special Meeting were approved by the stockholders of GBDC and GCIC, respectively. As of July 2, 2019, the closing market price of GBDC Common Stock on the Nasdaq was $17.73, which market price represented an approximately 11% premium to GBDC’s NAV per share of  $15.95 as of March 31, 2019, the most recent date as of which GBDC had calculated its NAV per share.

Q:

Is the Exchange Ratio subject to any adjustment?

​

A:

Yes. The Exchange Ratio will be adjusted only if, between the date of the Merger Agreement and the effective time of the Merger, the respective outstanding shares of GBDC Common Stock or GCIC Common Stock has been increased or decreased or changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or securities, in each case, as a result of any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, split-up, combination or exchange of shares, or if a stock dividend or dividend payable in any other securities has been declared with a record date within such period.

​

Q:

Who is responsible for paying the expenses relating to completing the Merger?

​

A:

In general, all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Merger will be paid by the person incurring such fees and expenses, whether or not the Merger is consummated. However, GBDC and GCIC will equally bear the costs and expenses of printing and mailing this joint proxy statement/​prospectus, all filing and other fees paid to the SEC in connection with the Merger, all filings and other fees in connection with any filing under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “HSR Act”) and the fees and expenses of legal services to GCIC, GBDC and Merger Sub in connection with the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. See “Description of the Merger Agreement — Expenses and Fees.” It is anticipated that GBDC will bear expenses of approximately $2.8 million in connection with the Merger ($0.8 million of which has been paid by GBDC as of March 31, 2019), and GCIC will bear expenses of approximately $2.8 million in connection with the Merger (of which approximately $0.6 million has been paid by GCIC as of March 31, 2019).

​

Q:

Will I receive dividends after the Merger?

​

A:

Subject to applicable legal restrictions and the sole discretion of the GBDC Board, GBDC intends to declare and pay regular cash distributions to its stockholders on a quarterly basis. The GBDC Board intends to increase GBDC’s quarterly dividend to $0.33 per share after closing of the Merger; provided that the GBDC Board reserves the right to revisit this intention if market conditions or GBDC’s prospects meaningfully change. For a history of the dividends and distributions paid by GBDC since September 30, 2016, see “Market Price, Dividend and Distribution Information — GBDC.” The amount and timing of past dividends and distributions are not a guarantee of any future dividends or distributions, or the amount thereof, the payment, timing and amount of which will be determined by the GBDC Board and depend on GBDC’s cash requirements, its financial condition and earnings, contractual restrictions, legal and regulatory considerations and other factors. See “Golub Capital BDC, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment Plan” for additional information regarding GBDC’s dividend reinvestment plan.

​

Following the Effective Time, the record holders of shares of GCIC Common Stock will be entitled to receive dividends or other distributions declared by the GBDC Board with a record date after the

12

Effective Time theretofore payable with respect to the whole shares of GBDC Common Stock represented by such shares of GCIC Common Stock. For a history of the dividends and distributions paid by GCIC since September 30, 2016, see “Market Price, Dividend and Distribution Information  — GCIC.”

Q:

Is the Merger subject to any third-party consents?

​

A:

Under the Merger Agreement, GBDC and GCIC have agreed to cooperate with each other and use their reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, in good faith, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, including to obtain as promptly as practicable all permits, consents, approvals, confirmations and authorizations of all third parties, in each case, that are necessary or advisable, to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger, in the most expeditious manner practicable. As of the date of this joint proxy statement/​prospectus, GBDC and GCIC believe that, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, they have obtained all necessary third-party consents other than stockholder approval and derivative counterparty consents. There can be no assurance that any permits, consents, approvals, confirmations or authorizations will be obtained or that such permits, consents, approvals, confirmations or authorizations will not impose conditions or requirements that, individually or in the aggregate, would or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations, assets or business of the combined company following the Merger.

​

Q:

How does GBDC’s investment objective and strategy differ from GCIC’s?

​

A:

The investment objectives and strategies of GBDC and GCIC are identical. The investment objective of each of GBDC and GCIC is to generate current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in one stop (a loan that combines characteristics of traditional first lien senior secured loans and second lien or subordinated loans and that are often referred to by other middle-market lenders as unitranche loans) and other senior secured loans of middle-market companies that are, in most cases, sponsored by private equity firms. GBDC may also selectively invest in second lien and subordinated loans of, and warrants and minority equity securities in, U.S. middle-market companies. GBDC and GCIC each use the term “middle-market” to generally refer to companies having earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of less than $100.0 million annually.

​

As a result of these commonalities, GC Advisors does not anticipate any significant portfolio repositioning in connection with the Merger.

Q:

How do the distribution procedures, purchase procedures, redemption procedures and exchange rights of GBDC differ from those of GCIC?

​

A:

GBDC and GCIC have substantially identical distribution, purchase and redemption procedures. Neither GBDC nor GCIC offers exchange rights with respect to its common stock, and neither GBDC nor GCIC has the right to redeem its common stock. Shares of GBDC Common Stock trade on the Nasdaq under the symbol “GBDC.” Shares of GCIC Common Stock are not listed on a national stock exchange. From time to time, GBDC may offer shares of its securities in public offerings registered under the Securities Act, and each of GBDC and GCIC may offer its respective securities in private placements in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Both GBDC and GCIC have adopted “opt out” dividend reinvestment plans, which provide for the reinvestment of the applicable entity’s distributions on behalf of its stockholders unless a stockholder elects to receive such distributions in cash. GBDC anticipates that the combined company will maintain the distribution, purchase and redemption procedures of GBDC following the closing of the Merger.

​

Q:

How will the combined company be managed following the Merger?

​

A:

GBDC and GCIC have the same directors and officers. The directors of GBDC immediately prior to the Subsequent Merger will remain the directors of GBDC and will hold office until their respective successors are duly elected and qualify, or their earlier death, resignation or removal. The officers of GBDC immediately prior to the Subsequent Merger will remain the officers of GBDC and will hold

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13

office until their respective successors are duly appointed and qualify, or their earlier death, resignation or removal. Following the Subsequent Merger, GC Advisors will continue to be the investment adviser of GBDC and the New Investment Advisory Agreement will be effective at the Effective Time if the Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal is approved by GBDC stockholders.

Q:

How will the base management fee and incentive fees change under the New Investment Advisory Agreement?

​

A:

Base Management Fee.    The base management fee payable under the New Investment Advisory Agreement will not change from the base management fee payable under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement. In addition, the base management fee under the New Investment Advisory Agreement is calculated in the same manner as the base management fee payable under the GCIC Investment Advisory Agreement would be calculated following a Liquidity Event.

​

As described more fully in “GBDC Proposal 3: Approval of Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal,” the New Investment Advisory Agreement would not change the calculation of the capital gain incentive fee or the rates of the incentive fees payable under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement. The New Investment Advisory Agreement would (i) change the calculation of the cap on incentive fees from an aggregate calculation under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement to a per share calculation under the New Investment Advisory Agreement and (ii) exclude any amounts resulting solely from the purchase accounting for any premium or discount paid for the acquisition of assets in a merger, such as the premium to net asset value to be paid for the shares of GCIC Common Stock in the Merger, from the calculation of the income component of incentive fees and from the calculation of the incentive fee cap.

Income Incentive Fee.    Other than the adjustment to exclude any amounts resulting solely from the purchase accounting for any premium or discount paid for the acquisition of assets in a merger from the calculation of the income incentive fee, the incentive fee on income calculated under the New Investment Advisory Agreement is the same as the corresponding calculation under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement. As described more fully in “Accounting Treatment of the Merger,” we expect to amortize the purchase premium resulting from purchase accounting for the premium paid in the Merger that is allocated to the investments in loan securities acquired from GCIC over the life of such loans through interest income in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (‘‘GAAP’’). This amortization does not result in a decrease to net earnings from operations recognized by GBDC following the Merger as any decrease to net investment income is offset with a corresponding reversal of the unrealized depreciation on the GCIC loans acquired. The adjustment to exclude amounts resulting solely from the purchase accounting for any premium or discount paid for the acquisition of assets in a merger from the income component of the incentive fee would result in higher incentive fees payable under the New Investment Advisory Agreement as compared to the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement. However, excluding amounts recognized as a result of the purchase accounting for any acquisition of assets in a merger when calculating the income incentive fee aligns with the economic reality of the Merger in which GBDC stockholders will garner NAV appreciation post-closing, and GCIC stockholders receive liquid common stock consideration at a premium to the NAV of their illiquid GCIC Common Stock.

Incentive Fee Cap.    The incentive fee cap under the New Investment Advisory Agreement will be calculated on a per share basis, rather than aggregate basis, and will be adjusted to exclude any amounts resulting solely from the purchase accounting for any premium or discount paid for the acquisition of assets in a merger. This change to calculating the cap on a per share basis preserves the intent of the incentive fee cap under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement and will appropriately reflect the larger size of the combination of GBDC and GCIC after the Merger while retaining the same percentage incentive fee cap that applied prior to the Merger and the same “look back” to GBDC’s inception in calculating the incentive fee cap. While the change to a per share incentive fee cap may result in a higher incentive fee cap on a gross basis, this ensures that GC Advisors’ incentives remain aligned with the long-term growth of GBDC following the Merger.

Capital Gain Incentive Fee.    The calculation of the incentive fee payable on net capital gains of GBDC under the New Investment Advisory Agreement will not change from the capital gain incentive fee payable under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement. Furthermore, the capital gain

14

incentive fee payable under the New Investment Advisory Agreement is calculated in the same manner as the post-Liquidity Event calculation of the capital gain incentive fee payable under the GCIC Investment Advisory Agreement.

Q:

Are GBDC stockholders able to exercise appraisal rights?

​

A:

No. GBDC stockholders will not be entitled to exercise appraisal rights with respect to any matter to be voted upon at the GBDC Special Meeting. Any GBDC stockholder may abstain from voting or vote against any of such matters.

​

Q:

Are GCIC stockholders able to exercise appraisal rights?

​

A:

No. GCIC stockholders will not be entitled to exercise rights of objecting stockholders with respect to any matter to be voted upon at the GCIC Special Meeting. Any GCIC stockholder may abstain from voting or vote against any of such matters.

​

Q:

When do you expect to complete the Merger?

​

A:

While there can be no assurance as to the exact timing, or that the Merger will be completed at all, GBDC and GCIC are working to complete the Merger in the third quarter of calendar year 2019. It is currently expected that the Merger will be completed promptly following receipt of the required stockholder approvals at the GBDC Special Meeting and the GCIC Special Meeting and satisfaction of the other closing conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. The Subsequent Merger will occur immediately after the Initial Merger is completed.

​

Q:

Is the Merger expected to be taxable to GBDC stockholders?

​

A:

No. The Initial Merger and Subsequent Merger are not expected to be a taxable event for GBDC stockholders.

​

Q:

Is the Merger expected to be taxable to GCIC stockholders?

​

A:

No. The Initial Merger and Subsequent Merger are intended to qualify as a “reorganization,” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). It is a condition to GBDC’s and GCIC’s respective obligations to complete the Merger that each of them receives a legal opinion to that effect. GCIC stockholders are not expected to recognize any gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes on the exchange of shares of GCIC Common Stock for shares of GBDC Common Stock pursuant to the Initial Merger, except with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares of GBDC Common Stock. GCIC stockholders should read the section captioned “Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger” for a more complete discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger. Tax matters can be complicated and the tax consequences of the Merger to a GCIC stockholder will depend on the particular tax situation of such stockholder. GCIC stockholders should consult with their own tax advisors to determine the tax consequences of the Merger to them.

​

Q:

What happens if the Merger is not consummated?

​

A:

If the Initial Merger is not approved by the requisite vote of GCIC’s stockholders, or any of the amendment to GBDC’s certificate of incorporation, the issuance of shares of GBDC Common Stock in connection with the Merger or the New Investment Advisory Agreement is not approved by the requisite vote of GBDC’s stockholders, or if the Merger is not completed for any other reason, GCIC’s stockholders will not receive any payment for their shares of GCIC Common Stock in connection with the Merger. Instead, GCIC will remain an independent company.

​

Q:

Did the GBDC Board receive an opinion from the financial advisor to the GBDC Independent Directors regarding the Exchange Ratio?

​

A:

Yes. For more information, see the section entitled “The Merger — Opinion of the Financial Advisor to the GBDC Independent Directors.”

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15

Q:

Did the GCIC Board receive an opinion from the financial advisor to the GCIC Independent Directors regarding the Exchange Ratio?

​

A:

Yes. On November 27, 2018, at a meeting of the GCIC Board, including a meeting of the GCIC Independent Directors separately as a group, held to evaluate the proposed Merger, UBS delivered to each of the GCIC Independent Directors as a group and the GCIC Board an oral opinion, confirmed by delivery of a written opinion, dated November 27, 2018, to the effect that, as of that date and based on and subject to various assumptions made, matters considered and limitations described in its opinion, the Exchange Ratio provided for in the Initial Merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of GCIC Common Stock (other than any shares held by GBDC and its consolidated subsidiaries).

​

The full text of UBS’ opinion describes the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken by UBS. UBS’ opinion is attached as Annex D to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. GCIC stockholders are encouraged to read UBS’ opinion carefully in its entirety. UBS’ opinion was provided for the benefit of the GCIC Independent Directors and the GCIC Board (in their capacity as such) in connection with and for the purpose of their evaluation of the Exchange Ratio in the Initial Merger, and does not address any other aspect of the Initial Merger or any other transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement. UBS’ opinion does not address the relative merits of the Initial Merger or any related transaction as compared to other business strategies or transactions that might be available to GCIC or GCIC’s underlying business decision to effect the Initial Merger or any related transactions. UBS’ opinion does not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder as to how such stockholder should vote or act with respect to the Initial Merger or any related transaction.

For more information, see the section entitled “The Merger — Opinion of the Financial Advisor to the GCIC Independent Directors.”

16

17

18

19

​

​

​

GBDC Common Stock

​

​

GCIC Common Stock

​

NAV per Share at September 30, 2018

​

​

​

$

16.10

​

​

​

​

$

15.00

​

​

Closing Nasdaq Sales Price at November 26, 2018

​

​

​

$

18.57

​

​

​

​

​

N/A

​

​

NAV per Share at March 31, 2019

​

​

​

$

15.95

​

​

​

​

$

15.00

​

​

Closing Nasdaq Sales Price at March 29, 2019

​

​

​

$

17.88

​

​

​

​

​

N/A

​

​

Closing Nasdaq Sales Price at July 2, 2019

​

​

​

$

17.73

​

​

​

​

​

N/A

​

​

​

20

21

22

23

​

24

25

RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information included in this document, stockholders should carefully consider the matters described below in determining whether to approve (i) in the case of GCIC stockholders, the Merger Proposal and (ii) in the case of GBDC stockholders, the Merger Stock Issuance Proposal. The risks associated with an investment in GBDC and GCIC are substantially identical because GBDC and GCIC have the same investment adviser and co-invest in transactions together and with affiliates of GC Advisors and have the same investment objectives and strategies. The risks set out below are not the only risks GBDC and GCIC and, following the Merger, the combined company, face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to GBDC or GCIC or that they currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect their or, following the Merger, the combined company’s, business, financial condition or operating results. If any of the following events occur, GBDC or GCIC or, following the Merger, the combined company’s, business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Risks Relating to the Merger

Because the market price of GBDC Common Stock will fluctuate, GCIC common stockholders cannot be sure of the market value of the Merger Consideration they will receive until the Closing Date.

The market value of the Merger Consideration may vary from the closing price of GBDC Common Stock on the date the Merger was announced, on the date that this joint proxy statement/prospectus was mailed to stockholders, on the date of the GCIC Special Meeting or the date of the GBDC Special Meeting and on the date the Merger is completed and thereafter. Any change in the market price of GBDC Common Stock prior to completion of the Merger will affect the market value of the Merger Consideration that GCIC stockholders will receive upon completion of the Merger. In addition, if the market price of GBDC Common Stock were to decrease such that the product of the Exchange Ratio and the greater of (i) the closing market price and (ii) the NAV per share of the GBDC Common Stock is less than the NAV per share of GCIC Common Stock the conditions to closing of the Initial Merger would not be satisfied, and the Merger would not close, even if all of the proposals considered at the GBDC Special Meeting and the GCIC Special Meeting were approved by the stockholders of GBDC and GCIC, respectively.

Accordingly, at the time of the GCIC Special Meeting, GCIC stockholders will not know or be able to calculate the market price of the Merger Consideration they would receive upon completion of the Merger. Neither GCIC nor GBDC is permitted to terminate the Merger Agreement or resolicit the vote of their respective stockholders solely because of changes in the market price of shares of GBDC Common Stock after the GCIC Special Meeting.

The market price and liquidity of the market for GBDC Common Stock may be significantly affected by numerous factors, some of which are beyond GBDC’s control and may not be directly related to GBDC’s operating performance. These factors include:

•

significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of securities of business development companies or other companies in GBDC’s sector, which are not necessarily related to the operating performance of the companies;

​

•

changes in regulatory policies, accounting pronouncements or tax guidelines, particularly with respect to RICs and business development companies;

​

•

loss of GBDC’s qualification as a RIC or business development company;

​

•

changes in market interest rates and decline in the prices of debt,

​

•

changes in earnings or variations in operating results;

​

•

changes in the value of GBDC’s portfolio investments;

​

•

changes in accounting guidelines governing valuation of GBDC’s investments;

​

•

any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels expected by investors or securities analysts;

​

•

departure of GC Advisors’ or any of its affiliates’ key personnel;

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26

•

operating performance of companies comparable to GBDC;

​

•

general economic trends and other external factors; and

​

•

loss of a major funding source.

​

See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for other factors that could cause the market price of GBDC Common Stock to change.

Closing sales prices of GBDC Common Stock as reported on Nasdaq for the three months ended March 31, 2019, ranged from a low of  $16.62 to a high of  $18.65 and for the three months ended June 30, 2019 from a low of $17.34 to a high of $18.43. However, historical trading prices are not necessarily indicative of future performance. You should obtain current market quotations for shares of GBDC Common Stock prior to the special meetings.

Sales of shares of GBDC Common Stock after the completion of the Merger may cause the market price of GBDC Common Stock to decline.

Based on the number of outstanding shares of GCIC Common Stock as of July 2, 2019, GBDC would issue approximately 67,516,700 shares of GBDC Common Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Former GCIC stockholders may decide not to hold the shares of GBDC Common Stock that they will receive pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Certain GCIC stockholders, such as funds with limitations on their permitted holdings of stock in individual issuers, may be required to sell the shares of GBDC Common Stock that they receive pursuant to the Merger Agreement. In addition, GBDC stockholders may decide not to hold their shares of GBDC Common Stock after completion of the Merger. In each case, such sales of GBDC Common Stock could have the effect of depressing the market price for GBDC Common Stock and may take place promptly following the completion of the Merger.

GCIC stockholders and GBDC stockholders will experience a reduction in percentage ownership and voting power in the combined company as a result of the Merger.

GCIC stockholders will experience a substantial reduction in their respective percentage ownership interests and effective voting power in respect of the combined company relative to their respective percentage ownership interests in GCIC prior to the Merger. Consequently, GCIC stockholders should expect to exercise less influence over the management and policies of the combined company following the Merger than they currently exercise over the management and policies of GCIC. GBDC stockholders will experience a substantial reduction in their respective percentage ownership interests and effective voting power in respect of the combined company relative to their respective ownership interests in GBDC prior to the Merger. Consequently, GBDC stockholders should expect to exercise less influence over the management and policies of the combined company following the Merger than they currently exercise over the management and policies of GBDC.

If the Merger were consummated as of July 2, 2019, based on the pro forma number of shares of GBDC Common Stock to be issued and outstanding as of such date, GBDC stockholders would own approximately 47.3% of the outstanding GBDC Common Stock, and GCIC stockholders would own approximately 52.7% of the outstanding GBDC Common Stock. Prior to completion of the Merger, subject to certain restrictions in the Merger Agreement, GBDC and GCIC may each issue additional shares of common stock, which would further reduce the percentage ownership of the combined company held by current GBDC stockholders or to be held by GCIC stockholders, as applicable. After completion of the Merger, GBDC may issue additional shares of GBDC Common Stock, including, subject to certain restrictions under the 1940 Act, including stockholder approval of such issuance, at prices below GBDC Common Stock’s then-current net asset value per share. The issuance or sale by GBDC of shares of GBDC Common Stock at a discount to net asset value poses a risk of dilution to GBDC and former GCIC stockholders.

GBDC may be unable to realize the benefits anticipated by the Merger, including estimated cost savings, or it may take longer than anticipated to achieve such benefits.

The realization of certain benefits anticipated as a result of the Merger will depend in part on the integration of GCIC’s investment portfolio with GBDC’s and the integration of GCIC’s business with

27

GBDC’s business. There can be no assurance that GCIC’s investment portfolio or business can be operated profitably or integrated successfully into GBDC’s operations in a timely fashion or at all. The dedication of management resources to such integration may detract attention from the day-to-day business of the combined company, and there can be no assurance that there will not be substantial costs associated with the transition process or that there will not be other material adverse effects as a result of these integration efforts. Such effects, including incurring unexpected costs or delays in connection with such integration and failure of GCIC’s investment portfolio to perform as expected, could have a material adverse effect on the financial results of the combined company.

GBDC also expects to achieve certain cost savings from the Merger when the two companies have fully integrated their portfolios. It is possible that the estimates of the potential cost savings could ultimately be incorrect. The cost savings estimates also assume GBDC will be able to combine the operations of GBDC and GCIC in a manner that permits those cost savings to be fully realized. If the estimates turn out to be incorrect or if GBDC is not able to combine GCIC’s investment portfolio or business with the operations of GBDC successfully, the anticipated cost savings may not be fully realized or realized at all or may take longer to realize than expected.

The Merger may trigger certain “change of control” provisions and other restrictions in contracts of GBDC, GCIC or their affiliates and the failure to obtain any required consents or waivers could adversely impact the combined company.

Certain agreements of GBDC and GCIC or their affiliates, which may include agreements governing indebtedness of GBDC or GCIC, will or may require the consent or waiver of one or more counterparties in connection with the Merger. The failure to obtain any such consent or waiver may permit such counterparties to terminate, or otherwise increase their rights or GBDC’s or GCIC’s obligations under, any such agreement because the Merger or other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement may violate an anti-assignment, change of control or other similar provision relating to any of such transactions. If this occurs, GBDC may have to seek to replace that agreement with a new agreement or seek an amendment to such agreement. GBDC and GCIC cannot assure you that GBDC will be able to replace or amend any such agreement on comparable terms or at all. If these types of provisions are triggered in agreements governing indebtedness of GBDC or GCIC, the lender or holder of the debt instrument could accelerate repayment under such indebtedness and negatively affect GBDC’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. See “Risks Relating to GBDC — Risks Related to GBDC’s Business and Structure — GBDC intends to finance its investments with borrowed money, which will accelerate and increase the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing in GBDC.”

If any such agreement is material, the failure to obtain consents, amendments or waivers under, or to replace on similar terms or at all, any of these agreements could adversely affect the financial performance or results of operations of the combined company following the Merger, including preventing GBDC from operating a material part of GCIC’s business.

In addition, the consummation of the Merger may violate, conflict with, result in a breach of provisions of, or the loss of any benefit under, constitute a default (or an event that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination, cancellation, acceleration or other change of any right or obligation (including any payment obligation) under, certain agreements of GBDC or GCIC. Any such violation, conflict, breach, loss, default or other effect could, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations, assets or business of the combined company following completion of the Merger.

The opinions delivered to the GBDC Board and the GCIC Board by the financial advisors to the GBDC Independent Directors and the GCIC Independent Directors, respectively, prior to signing the Merger Agreement do not reflect changes in circumstances after the date of the opinions.

The opinions of the financial advisors to the GBDC Independent Directors and the GCIC Independent Directors, respectively, were delivered to the parties’ respective boards on, and dated, November 27, 2018. Changes in the operations and prospects of GCIC or GBDC, general market and economic conditions and other factors that may be beyond the control of GCIC or GBDC may

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significantly alter the value of GCIC or the price of shares of GBDC Common Stock by the time the Merger is completed. The opinions do not speak as of the time the Merger will be completed or as of any date other than the date of such opinions. For a description of the opinion that the GCIC Board and the GCIC Independent Directors received from the financial advisor to the GCIC Independent Directors, see “The Merger — Opinion of the Financial Advisor to the GCIC Independent Directors.” For a description of the opinion that the GBDC Board and the GBDC Independent Directors received from the financial advisor to the GBDC Independent Directors, see “The Merger — Opinion of the Financial Advisor to the GBDC Independent Directors.”

If the Merger does not close, neither GBDC nor GCIC will benefit from the expenses incurred in its pursuit.

The Merger may not be completed. If the Merger is not completed, GBDC and GCIC will have incurred substantial expenses for which no ultimate benefit will have been received. Both companies have incurred out-of-pocket expenses in connection with the Merger for investment banking, legal and accounting fees and financial printing and other related charges, much of which will be incurred even if the Merger is not completed.

The termination of the Merger Agreement could negatively impact GCIC and GBDC.

If the Merger Agreement is terminated, there may be various consequences, including:

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GCIC’s and GBDC’s businesses may have been adversely impacted by the failure to pursue other beneficial opportunities due to the focus of management on the Merger, without realizing any of the anticipated benefits of completing the Merger;

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the market price of GBDC Common Stock might decline to the extent that the market price prior to termination reflects a market assumption that the Merger will be completed; and

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in the case of GCIC, it may not be able to find a party willing to pay an equivalent or more attractive price than the price GBDC agreed to pay in the Merger.

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The Merger Agreement limits the ability of GBDC and GCIC to pursue alternatives to the Merger.

The Merger Agreement contains provisions that limit each of GBDC’s and GCIC’s ability to discuss, facilitate or commit to competing third-party proposals to acquire all or a significant part of GBDC or GCIC, as applicable. These provisions, which are typical for transactions of this type, might discourage a potential competing acquiror that might have an interest in acquiring all or a significant part of GBDC or GCIC from considering or proposing that acquisition even if it were prepared to pay consideration with a higher per share market price than that proposed in the Merger or might result in a potential competing acquiror proposing to pay a lower per share price to acquire GBDC or GCIC than it might otherwise have proposed to pay.

The Merger is subject to closing conditions, including stockholder approvals, that, if not satisfied or waived, will result in the Merger not being completed, which may result in material adverse consequences to GCIC’s and GBDC’s business and operations.

The Merger is subject to closing conditions, including certain approvals of GCIC’s and GBDC’s respective stockholders that, if not satisfied, will prevent the Merger from being completed. The closing condition that GCIC’s stockholders approve the Merger Proposal may not be waived under applicable law and must be satisfied for the Merger to be completed. GCIC currently expects that all directors and executive officers of GCIC will vote their shares of GCIC Common Stock in favor of the proposals presented at the GCIC Special Meeting. If GCIC’s stockholders do not approve the Merger Proposal and the Merger is not completed, the resulting failure of the Merger could have a material adverse impact on GCIC’s business and operations. The closing condition that GBDC’s stockholders approve the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal and the Merger Stock Issuance Proposal may not be waived under applicable law and must be satisfied for the Merger to be completed. In addition, closing of the Merger is conditioned upon approval of the Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal by GBDC Stockholders. GBDC currently expects that all directors and executive officers of GBDC will vote their shares of GBDC Common Stock in favor of the proposals presented at the GBDC Special Meeting. If GBDC’s stockholders

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do not approve each of the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal, the Merger Stock Issuance Proposal and the Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal and the Merger is not completed, the resulting failure of the Merger could have a material adverse impact on GBDC’s business and operations. In addition to the required approvals of GCIC’s and GBDC’s stockholders, the Merger is subject to a number of other conditions beyond GCIC’s and GBDC’s control that may prevent, delay or otherwise materially adversely affect its completion. Neither GCIC nor GBDC can predict whether and when these other conditions will be satisfied.

GBDC and GCIC will be subject to operational uncertainties and contractual restrictions while the Merger is pending.

Uncertainty about the effect of the Merger may have an adverse effect on GBDC and GCIC and, consequently, on the combined company following completion of the Merger. These uncertainties may cause those that deal with GBDC and GCIC to seek to change their existing business relationships with GBDC and GCIC, respectively. In addition, the Merger Agreement restricts GBDC and GCIC from taking actions that they might otherwise consider to be in their best interests. These restrictions may prevent GBDC and GCIC from pursuing certain business opportunities that may arise prior to the completion of the Merger. Please see the section entitled “Description of the Merger Agreement — Conduct of Business Pending Completion of the Merger” for a description of the restrictive covenants to which GCIC is subject.

GBDC and GCIC may waive one or more conditions to the Merger without resoliciting stockholder approval.

Certain conditions to GBDC’s and GCIC’s obligations to complete the Merger may be waived, in whole or in part, to the extent legally allowed, either unilaterally or by agreement of GBDC and GCIC. In the event that any such waiver does not require resolicitation of stockholders, the parties to the Merger Agreement will have the discretion to complete the Merger without seeking further stockholder approval. The conditions requiring the approval of each of the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal and the Merger Stock Issuance Proposal by GBDC’s stockholders and the Merger Proposal by GCIC’s stockholders, however, cannot be waived.

The shares of GBDC Common Stock to be received by GCIC stockholders as a result of the Merger will have different rights associated with them than shares of GCIC Common Stock currently held by them.

The rights associated with GCIC Common Stock are different from the rights associated with GBDC Common Stock. See “Comparison of GBDC and GCIC Stockholder Rights.”

The market price of GBDC Common Stock after the Merger may be affected by factors different from those affecting GBDC Common Stock currently.

The businesses of GBDC and GCIC differ in some respects and, accordingly, the results of operations of the combined company and the market price of GBDC Common Stock after the Merger may be affected by factors different from those currently affecting the independent results of operations of each of GBDC and GCIC. These factors include a larger stockholder base and a different capital structure.

Accordingly, the historical trading prices and financial results of GBDC may not be indicative of these matters for the combined company following the Merger. For a discussion of the business of GBDC and of certain factors to consider in connection with its business, see “Business of Golub Capital BDC, Inc.” For a discussion of the business of GCIC and of certain factors to consider in connection with its business, see “Business of Golub Capital Investment Corporation.” As described elsewhere in the joint proxy statement/​prospectus, the risks associated with an investment in GBDC and GCIC are substantially identical.

Risks Relating to GBDC

Risks Relating to GBDC’s Business and Structure

GBDC is subject to risks associated with the current interest rate environment and to the extent GBDC uses debt to finance its investments, changes in interest rates will affect GBDC’s cost of capital and net investment income.

Since the economic downturn that began in mid-2007, interest rates have remained low. Because longer-term inflationary pressure is likely to result from the U.S. government’s fiscal policies and challenges

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during this time, GBDC will likely experience rising interest rates, rather than falling rates, and has experienced increases to LIBOR in 2018.

To the extent GBDC borrows money or issues debt securities or preferred stock to make investments, GBDC’s net investment income depends, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which GBDC borrows funds or pays interest or dividends on such debt securities or preferred stock and the rate at which GBDC invests these funds. In addition, many of GBDC’s debt investments and borrowings have floating interest rates that reset on a periodic basis, and many of GBDC’s investments are subject to interest rate floors. As a result, a change in market interest rates could have a material adverse effect on GBDC’s net investment income, in particular with respect to increases from current levels to the level of the interest rate floors on certain investments. In periods of rising interest rates, GBDC’s cost of funds increases because the interest rates on the majority of amounts GBDC has borrowed are floating, which could reduce GBDC’s net investment income to the extent any debt investments have fixed interest rates, and the interest rate on investments with an interest rate floor will not increase until interest rates exceed the applicable floor. GBDC may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit its exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Such techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and applicable commodities laws. These activities may limit GBDC’s ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to the hedged borrowings. Adverse developments resulting from changes in interest rates or hedging transactions could have a material adverse effect on GBDC’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

You should also be aware that a rise in the general level of interest rates typically leads to higher interest rates applicable to GBDC’s debt investments, which may result in an increase of the amount of incentive fees payable to GC Advisors. Also, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make an investment in GBDC Common Stock less attractive if GBDC is not able to increase its distribution rate, which could reduce the value of GBDC Common Stock.

In July 2017, the head of the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority announced the desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. There is currently no definitive information regarding the future utilization of LIBOR or of any particular replacement rate. As such, the potential effect of any such event on GBDC’s cost of capital and net investment income cannot yet be determined. In addition, any further changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of LIBOR may result in a sudden or prolonged increase or decrease in reported LIBOR, which could have an adverse impact on the market value for or value of any LIBOR-linked securities, loans, and other financial obligations or extensions of credit held by or due to GBDC and could have a material adverse effect on GBDC’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Global capital markets could enter a period of severe disruption and instability. These conditions have historically affected and could again materially and adversely affect debt and equity capital markets in the United States and around the world and GBDC’s business.

The U.S. and global capital markets have in the past and may in the future experience periods of extreme volatility and disruption during economic downturns and recessions. Increases to budget deficits or direct and contingent sovereign debt, may create concerns about the ability of certain nations to service their sovereign debt obligations, and risks resulting from any such debt crisis in Europe, the United States or elsewhere could have a detrimental impact on the global economy, sovereign and non-sovereign debt in certain countries and the financial condition of financial institutions generally. Austerity measures that certain countries may agree to as part of any debt crisis or disruptions to major financial trading markets may adversely affect world economic conditions and have an adverse impact on GBDC’s business and that of its portfolio companies. In June 2016, the United Kingdom held a referendum in which voters approved an exit from the European Union, and the implications of the United Kingdom’s pending withdrawal from the European Union are unclear at present. Market and economic disruptions, which may be caused by political trends and government actions in the United States or elsewhere, have in the past and may in the future affect, the U.S. capital markets, which could adversely affect GBDC’s business and that of its portfolio companies and the broader financial and credit markets and reduce the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole and to financial firms, in particular. At various times, such disruptions have resulted in, and may in the future result, a lack of liquidity in parts of the debt capital

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markets, significant write-offs in the financial services sector and the repricing of credit risk. Such conditions may occur for a prolonged period of time again and may materially worsen in the future, including as a result of U.S. government shutdowns or further downgrades to the U.S. government’s sovereign credit rating or the perceived credit worthiness of the United States or other large global economies. Unfavorable economic conditions, including future recessions, also could increase GBDC’s funding costs, limit GBDC’s access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to GBDC. GBDC may in the future have difficulty accessing debt and equity capital on attractive terms, or at all, and a severe disruption and instability in the global financial markets or deteriorations in credit and financing conditions may cause GBDC to reduce the volume of loans it originates and/or funds, adversely affect the value of GBDC’s portfolio investments or otherwise have a material adverse effect on GBDC’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

GBDC is dependent upon GC Advisors for its success and upon their access to the investment professionals and partners of Golub Capital and its affiliates.

GBDC does not have any internal management capacity or employees. GBDC depends on the diligence, skill and network of business contacts of the senior investment professionals of GC Advisors to achieve its investment objective. GC Advisors’ investment committee, which consists of two members of the GBDC Board and two additional employees of Golub Capital LLC, provides oversight over GBDC’s investment activities. GBDC also cannot assure you that GBDC will replicate the historical results achieved for other Golub Capital funds by members of the investment committee. GBDC cautions you that its investment returns could be substantially lower than the returns achieved by them in prior periods. GBDC expects that GC Advisors will evaluate, negotiate, structure, close and monitor GBDC’s investments in accordance with the terms of the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement. GBDC can offer no assurance, however, that the senior investment professionals of GC Advisors will continue to provide investment advice to GBDC. If these individuals do not maintain their existing relationships with Golub Capital LLC and its affiliates and do not develop new relationships with other sources of investment opportunities, GBDC may not be able to identify appropriate replacements or grow its investment portfolio. The loss of any member of GC Advisors’ investment committee or of other senior investment professionals of GC Advisors and its affiliates would limit GBDC’s ability to achieve its investment objective and operate as it anticipates. This could have a material adverse effect on GBDC’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The Staffing Agreement provides that Golub Capital LLC makes available to GC Advisors experienced investment professionals and provides access to the senior investment personnel of Golub Capital LLC for purposes of evaluating, negotiating, structuring, closing and monitoring GBDC’s investments. GBDC is not a party to the Staffing Agreement and cannot assure you that Golub Capital LLC will fulfill its obligations under the agreement. If Golub Capital LLC fails to perform, GBDC cannot assure you that GC Advisors will enforce the Staffing Agreement, that such agreement will not be terminated by either party or that GBDC will continue to have access to the investment professionals of Golub Capital LLC and its affiliates or their information and deal flow.

GBDC’s business model depends to a significant extent upon strong referral relationships with sponsors. Any inability of GC Advisors to maintain or develop these relationships, or the failure of these relationships to generate investment opportunities, could adversely affect GBDC’s business.

GBDC depends upon Golub Capital LLC’s relationships with sponsors, and GBDC intends to rely to a significant extent upon these relationships to provide it with potential investment opportunities. If Golub Capital LLC fails to maintain such relationships, or to develop new relationships with other sponsors or sources of investment opportunities, GBDC cannot grow its investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom the principals of Golub Capital LLC have relationships are not obligated to provide GBDC with investment opportunities, and, therefore, GBDC can offer no assurance that these relationships will generate investment opportunities for it.

GBDC’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows depend on its ability to manage its business effectively.

GBDC’s ability to achieve its investment objective depends on its ability to manage its business and to grow. This depends, in turn, on GC Advisors’ ability to identify, invest in and monitor companies that meet

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GBDC’s investment criteria. The achievement of GBDC’s investment objectives on a cost-effective basis depends upon GC Advisors’ execution of GBDC’s investment process, its ability to provide competent, attentive and efficient services to GBDC and, to a lesser extent, on GBDC’s access to financing on acceptable terms. GC Advisors has substantial responsibilities under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement, as well as responsibilities in connection with the management of other accounts sponsored or managed by GC Advisors, members of GC Advisors’ investment committee or Golub Capital LLC and its affiliates. The personnel of the Administrator and its affiliates may be called upon to provide managerial assistance to GBDC’s portfolio companies. These activities may distract them or slow GBDC’s rate of investment. Any failure to manage GBDC’s business and its future growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on GBDC’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

There are significant potential conflicts of interest that could affect GBDC’s investment returns.

As a result of GBDC’s arrangements with GC Advisors and its affiliates and GC Advisors’ investment committee, there may be times when GC Advisors or such persons have interests that differ from those of GBDC’s securityholders, giving rise to a conflict of interest.

Conflicts related to obligations GC Advisors’ investment committee, GC Advisors or its affiliates have to other clients and conflicts related to fees and expenses of such other clients.

The members of GC Advisors’ investment committee serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same or a related line of business as GBDC does or of accounts sponsored or managed by GC Advisors or its affiliates. Currently, GBDC’s officers and directors also serve as officers and directors of GCIC and Golub Capital BDC 3, Inc. (“GBDC 3”), each a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the 1940 Act. Similarly, GC Advisors or its affiliates currently manage and may have other clients with similar or competing investment objectives. In serving in these multiple capacities, they may have obligations to other clients or investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which may not be in the best interests of GBDC or its stockholders. For example, Lawrence E. Golub and David B. Golub have management responsibilities for other accounts managed or sponsored by GC Advisors or its affiliates, including GCIC and GBDC 3. GBDC’s investment objective may overlap with the investment objectives of such affiliated accounts. For example, GC Advisors currently manages GCIC, GBDC 3 and several private funds, some of which may seek additional capital from time to time, that are pursuing an investment strategy similar to GBDC’s, and GBDC may compete with these and other accounts sponsored or managed by GC Advisors and its affiliates for capital and investment opportunities. As a result, those individuals may face conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities among GBDC and other accounts advised by or affiliated with GC Advisors. Certain of these accounts may provide for higher management or incentive fees, greater expense reimbursements or overhead allocations, or permit GC Advisors and its affiliates to receive higher origination and other transaction fees, all of which may contribute to this conflict of interest and create an incentive for GC Advisors to favor such other accounts. For example, the 1940 Act restricts GC Advisors from receiving more than a 1% fee in connection with loans that GBDC acquires, or originates, a limitation that does not exist for certain other accounts. GC Advisors seeks to allocate investment opportunities among eligible accounts in a manner that is fair and equitable over time and consistent with its allocation policy. However, GBDC can offer no assurance that such opportunities will be allocated to GBDC fairly or equitably in the short-term or over time, and there can be no assurance that GBDC will be able to participate in all investment opportunities that are suitable to it.

GC Advisors’ investment committee, GC Advisors or its affiliates may, from time to time, possess material non-public information, limiting GBDC’s investment discretion.

Principals of GC Advisors and its affiliates and members of GC Advisors’ investment committee may serve as directors of, or in a similar capacity with, companies in which GBDC invests, the securities of which are purchased or sold on GBDC’s behalf. In the event that material nonpublic information is obtained with respect to such companies, or GBDC becomes subject to trading restrictions under the internal trading policies of those companies or as a result of applicable law or regulations, GBDC could be prohibited for a period of time from purchasing or selling the securities of such companies, and this prohibition may have an adverse effect on GBDC.

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GBDC’s management and incentive fee structure may create incentives for GC Advisors that are not fully aligned with the interests of GBDC’s stockholders and may induce GC Advisors to make certain investments, including speculative investments.

In the course of GBDC’s investing activities, GBDC pays management and incentive fees to GC Advisors. The management fee is based on GBDC’s average adjusted gross assets and the incentive fee is computed and paid on income, both of which include leverage. As a result, investors in GBDC Common Stock will invest on a “gross” basis and receive distributions on a “net” basis after expenses, resulting in a lower rate of return than one might achieve through direct investments. Because these fees are based on GBDC’s average adjusted gross assets, GC Advisors benefits when GBDC incurs debt or use leverage. Under certain circumstances, the use of leverage may increase the likelihood of default, which would negatively impact GBDC’s securityholders.

Additionally, the incentive fee payable by GBDC to GC Advisors may create an incentive for GC Advisors to cause GBDC to realize capital gains or losses that may not be in the best interests of GBDC or its stockholders. Under the incentive fee structure, GC Advisors benefits when GBDC recognizes capital gains and, because GC Advisors determines when an investment is sold, GC Advisors controls the timing of the recognition of such capital gains. The GBDC Board is charged with protecting its stockholders’ interests by monitoring how GC Advisors addresses these and other conflicts of interest associated with its management services and compensation.

The part of the management and incentive fees payable to GC Advisors that relates to GBDC’s net investment income is computed and paid on income that may include interest income that has been accrued but not yet received in cash, such as market discount, debt instruments with payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest, preferred stock with PIK dividends, zero coupon securities, and other deferred interest instruments and may create an incentive for GC Advisors to make investments on GBDC’s behalf that are riskier or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement. This fee structure may be considered to give rise to a conflict of interest for GC Advisors to the extent that it may encourage GC Advisors to favor debt financings that provide for deferred interest, rather than current cash payments of interest. Under these investments, GBDC accrues the interest over the life of the investment but does not receive the cash income from the investment until the end of the term. GBDC’s net investment income used to calculate the income portion of its investment fee, however, includes accrued interest. GC Advisors may have an incentive to invest in deferred interest securities in circumstances where it would not have done so but for the opportunity to continue to earn the fees even when the issuers of the deferred interest securities would not be able to make actual cash payments to GBDC on such securities. This risk could be increased because GC Advisors is not obligated to reimburse GBDC for any fees received even if GBDC subsequently incurs losses or never receives in cash the deferred income that was previously accrued.

The valuation process for certain of GBDC’s portfolio holdings creates a conflict of interest.

The majority of GBDC’s portfolio investments are expected to be made in the form of securities that are not publicly traded. As a result, the GBDC Board determines the fair value of these securities in good faith. In connection with that determination, investment professionals from GC Advisors may provide the GBDC Board with portfolio company valuations based upon the most recent portfolio company financial statements available and projected financial results of each portfolio company. In addition, Lawrence E. Golub and David B. Golub have an indirect pecuniary interest in GC Advisors. The participation of GC Advisors’ investment professionals in GBDC’s valuation process, and the indirect pecuniary interest in GC Advisors by Lawrence E. Golub and David B. Golub, could result in a conflict of interest as GC Advisors’ management fee is based, in part, on GBDC’s average adjusted gross assets and GBDC’s incentive fees are based, in part, on unrealized gains and losses.

Conflicts related to other arrangements with GC Advisors or its affiliates.

GBDC has entered into a license agreement with Golub Capital LLC under which Golub Capital LLC has granted GBDC a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the name “Golub Capital.” In addition, GBDC pays to the Administrator GBDC’s allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, such as rent and GBDC’s allocable portion of the cost of its chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and their respective staffs. These arrangements create conflicts of interest that the GBDC Board must monitor.

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

The Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement were negotiated between related parties. Consequently, their terms, including fees payable to GC Advisors, may not be as favorable to GBDC as if they had been negotiated with an unaffiliated third party. For example, certain accounts managed by GC Advisors have lower management, incentive or other fees than those charged under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement and/or a reduced ability to recover expenses and overhead than may be recovered by the Administrator under the Administration Agreement. In addition, GBDC may choose not to enforce, or to enforce less vigorously, its rights and remedies under these agreements and its unsecured revolving credit facility with GC Advisors (the “Adviser Revolver”) because of GBDC’s desire to maintain its ongoing relationship with GC Advisors, the Administrator and their respective affiliates. Any such decision, however, would breach GBDC’s fiduciary obligations to its stockholders.

GBDC’s ability to enter into transactions with its affiliates is restricted, which limits the scope of investments available to GBDC.

GBDC is prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with its affiliates without the prior approval of the GBDC Independent Directors and, in some cases, the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, five percent or more of GBDC’s outstanding voting securities is GBDC’s affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act, and GBDC is generally prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such affiliate, absent the prior approval of the GBDC Independent Directors. GBDC’s considers GC Advisors and its affiliates to be GBDC’s affiliates for such purposes. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain “joint” transactions with certain of GBDC’s affiliates, which could include investments in the same portfolio company, without prior approval of the GBDC Independent Directors and, in some cases, the SEC. GBDC is prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to, among others, any person who owns more than 25% of its voting securities or certain of that person’s affiliates, or entering into prohibited joint transactions with such persons, absent the prior approval of the SEC.

GBDC may, however, invest alongside GC Advisors’ and its affiliates’ other clients in certain circumstances where doing so is consistent with applicable law and SEC staff interpretations. For example, GBDC may invest alongside such accounts consistent with guidance promulgated by the SEC staff permitting GBDC and such other accounts to purchase interests in a single class of privately placed securities so long as certain conditions are met, including that GC Advisors, acting on GBDC’s behalf and on behalf of its other clients, negotiates no term other than price. GBDC may also invest alongside GC Advisors’ other clients as otherwise permissible under regulatory guidance, applicable regulations and GC Advisors’ allocation policy. Under this allocation policy, if an investment opportunity is appropriate for GBDC and another similar eligible account, the opportunity will be allocated pro rata based on the relative capital available for investment of each of GBDC and such other eligible accounts, subject to minimum and maximum investment size limits. However, GBDC can offer no assurance that investment opportunities will be allocated to it fairly or equitably in the short-term or over time.

In situations in which co-investment with other accounts sponsored or managed by GC Advisors or its affiliates is not permitted or appropriate, such as when, in the absence of exemptive relief described below, GBDC and such other entities may make investments in the same issuer or where the different investments could be expected to result in a conflict between GBDC’s interests and those of other GC Advisors clients, GC Advisors needs to decide whether GBDC or such other entity or entities will proceed with such investments. GC Advisors makes these determinations based on its policies and procedures, which generally require that such investment opportunities be offered to eligible accounts on a basis that is fair and equitable over time, including, for example, through random or rotational methods. Moreover, in certain circumstances, GBDC may be unable to invest in an issuer in which an account sponsored or managed by GC Advisors or its affiliates has previously invested. Similar restrictions limit GBDC’s ability to transact business with its officers or directors or their affiliates. These restrictions may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to GBDC.

On February 27, 2017, GC Advisors and certain other funds and accounts sponsored or managed by GC Advisors and its affiliates, received exemptive relief from the SEC that permits GBDC greater flexibility

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to negotiate the terms of co-investments if the GBDC Board determines that it would be advantageous for GBDC to co-invest with other accounts sponsored or managed by GC Advisors or its affiliates in a manner consistent with GBDC’s investment objectives, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors. Under the terms of this exemptive relief, a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of the GBDC Independent Directors is required to make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the proposed transaction are reasonable and fair to GBDC and its stockholders and do not involve overreaching of GBDC or its stockholders on the part of any person concerned and (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of GBDC’s stockholders and is consistent with its investment strategies and policies.

GBDC may be the target of litigation.

GBDC may be the target of securities litigation in the future, particularly if the trading price of the GBDC Common Stock fluctuates significantly. GBDC could also generally be subject to litigation, including derivative actions by its stockholders. Any litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources from GBDC’s business and cause a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

GBDC operates in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities, which could reduce returns and result in losses.

A number of entities compete with GBDC to make the types of investments that GBDC plans to make. GBDC competes with public and private funds, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity and hedge funds. Many of GBDC’s competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than GBDC does. For example, GBDC believes some of its competitors may have access to funding sources that are not available to GBDC. In addition, some of GBDC’s competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than GBDC. Furthermore, many of GBDC’s competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on GBDC as a business development company or the source of income, asset diversification and distribution requirements GBDC must satisfy to maintain its qualification as a RIC. The competitive pressures GBDC faces may have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. As a result of this competition, GBDC may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities from time to time, and GBDC may not be able to identify and make investments that are consistent with its investment objective.

With respect to the investments GBDC makes, GBDC does not seek to compete based primarily on the interest rates GBDC offers, and GBDC believes that some of its competitors may make loans with interest rates that are lower than the rates GBDC offers. In the secondary market for acquiring existing loans, GBDC competes generally on the basis of pricing terms. With respect to all investments, GBDC may lose some investment opportunities if GBDC does not match its competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. However, if GBDC matches its competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, GBDC may experience decreased net interest income, lower yields and increased risk of credit loss. GBDC may also compete for investment opportunities with accounts managed or sponsored by GC Advisors or its affiliates. Although GC Advisors allocates opportunities in accordance with its allocation policy, allocations to such other accounts will reduce the amount and frequency of opportunities available to GBDC and may not be in the best interests of GBDC and its securityholders. Moreover, the performance of investments will not be known at the time of allocation.

GBDC will be subject to corporate-level income tax if it is unable to qualify as a RIC.

In order to be subject to tax as a RIC under the Code, GBDC must meet certain source-of-income, asset diversification and distribution requirements. The distribution requirement for a RIC is satisfied if GBDC distributes to its stockholders dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes of an amount generally at least equal to 90% of its investment company taxable income, which is generally GBDC’s net

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ordinary income plus the excess of its net short-term capital gains in excess of its net long-term capital losses, determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid, to GBDC stockholders on an annual basis. GBDC is subject, to the extent it uses debt financing, to certain asset coverage ratio requirements under the 1940 Act and financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict GBDC from making distributions necessary to qualify as a RIC. If GBDC is unable to obtain cash from other sources, GBDC may fail to be subject to tax as a RIC and, thus, may be subject to corporate-level income tax. To qualify as a RIC, GBDC must also meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter of its taxable year. Failure to meet these requirements may result in GBDC having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of its qualification as a RIC. Because most of GBDC’s investments are in private or thinly traded public companies, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and may result in substantial losses. If GBDC fails to qualify as a RIC for any reason and become subject to corporate-level income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce its net assets, the amount of income available for distributions to stockholders and the amount of its distributions and the amount of funds available for new investments. Such a failure would have a material adverse effect on GBDC and its securityholders. See “Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger — U.S. Federal Income Taxation of an Investment in GBDC Common Stock — Election to be Taxed as a RIC.”

GBDC may need to raise additional capital to grow because it must distribute most of its income.

GBDC may need additional capital to fund new investments and grow its portfolio of investments. GBDC intends to access the capital markets periodically to issue debt or equity securities or borrow from financial institutions in order to obtain such additional capital. Unfavorable economic conditions could increase GBDC’s funding costs, limit its access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to GBDC. A reduction in the availability of new capital could limit GBDC’s ability to grow. In addition, GBDC is required to distribute each taxable year an amount at least equal to 90% of its investment company taxable income, determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to its stockholders to maintain its ability to be subject to tax as a RIC. As a result, these earnings are not available to fund new investments. An inability to access the capital markets successfully could limit GBDC’s ability to grow its business and execute its business strategy fully and could decrease its earnings, if any, which may have an adverse effect on the value of its securities. Furthermore, to the extent GBDC is not able to raise capital and is at or near its targeted leverage ratios, GBDC may receive smaller allocations, if any, on new investment opportunities under GC Advisors’ allocation policy and has, in the past, received such smaller allocations under similar circumstances.

GBDC may have difficulty paying its required distributions if it recognizes income before, or without, receiving cash representing such income.

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, GBDC includes in income certain amounts that it has not yet received in cash, such as the accretion of original issue discount. This arises if GBDC receives warrants in connection with the making of a loan and in other circumstances, or through contracted PIK interest, which represents contractual interest added to the loan balance and due at the end of the loan term. Such original issue discount, which could be significant relative to GBDC’s overall investment activities, or increases in loan balances as a result of contracted PIK arrangements, is included in income before GBDC receives any corresponding cash payments. GBDC also may be required to include in income certain other amounts that it does not receive in cash.

That part of the incentive fee payable by GBDC that relates to its net investment income is computed and paid on income that may include interest that has been accrued but not yet received in cash, such as market discount, debt instruments with PIK interest, preferred stock with PIK dividends and zero coupon securities. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan that is structured to provide accrued interest, it is possible that accrued interest previously used in the calculation of the incentive fee will become uncollectible, and GC Advisors will have no obligation to refund any fees it received in respect of such accrued income.

Since in certain cases GBDC may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, GBDC may have difficulty meeting the annual distribution requirement applicable to RICs. In such a case, GBDC may have to sell some of its investments at times it would not consider advantageous, raise

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additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements. If GBDC is not able to obtain such cash from other sources, GBDC may fail to qualify as a RIC and thus be subject to corporate-level income tax. See “Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger — U.S. Federal Income Taxation of an Investment in GBDC Common Stock — Election to be Taxed as a RIC.”

Regulations governing GBDC’s operation as a business development company affect its ability to, and the way in which it, raises additional capital. As a business development company, the necessity of raising additional capital exposes GBDC to risks, including the typical risks associated with leverage.

GBDC may issue debt securities or preferred stock and/or borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, which GBDC refers to collectively as “senior securities,” up to the maximum amount permitted by the 1940 Act. Following the approval of GBDC’s stockholders of the reduced asset coverage requirements in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act and subject to GBDC’s compliance with certain disclosure requirements, effective as of February 6, 2019, under the provisions of the 1940 Act, GBDC is permitted as a business development company to issue senior securities in amounts such that its asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 150% of gross assets (other than the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) debentures of a small business investment company (“SBIC”) subsidiary, as permitted by exemptive relief GBDC has been granted by the SEC) less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, after each issuance of senior securities (other than the SBA debentures of an SBIC subsidiary, as permitted by exemptive relief GBDC has been granted by the SEC). If the value of GBDC’s assets declines, GBDC may be unable to satisfy this ratio. If that happens, GBDC may be required to sell a portion of its investments and, depending on the nature of its leverage, repay a portion of its indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous. This could have a material adverse effect on GBDC’s operations and GBDC may not be able to make distributions in an amount sufficient to be subject to tax as a RIC, or at all. Also, any amounts that GBDC uses to service its indebtedness are not available for distributions to GBDC stockholders. If GBDC issues senior securities, GBDC will be exposed to typical risks associated with leverage, including an increased risk of loss. As of March 31, 2019, GBDC had $1,051.2 million of outstanding borrowings, including $179.4 million outstanding under the 2014 Debt Securitization and $408.2 million outstanding under the 2018 Debt Securitization.

In the absence of an event of default, no person or entity from which GBDC borrows money has a veto right or voting power over its ability to set policy, make investment decisions or adopt investment strategies. If GBDC issues preferred stock, which is another form of leverage, the preferred stock would rank “senior” to common stock in GBDC’s capital structure, preferred stockholders would have separate voting rights on certain matters and might have other rights, preferences or privileges more favorable than those of the GBDC common stockholders, and the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change of control that might involve a premium price for holders of GBDC Common Stock or otherwise be in the best interest of GBDC’s common stockholders. Holders of GBDC Common Stock will directly or indirectly bear all of the costs associated with offering and servicing any preferred stock that GBDC issues. In addition, any interests of preferred stockholders may not necessarily align with the interests of holders of GBDC Common Stock and the rights of holders of shares of preferred stock to receive distributions would be senior to those of holders of shares of GBDC Common Stock. GBDC does not, however, anticipate issuing preferred stock in the next 12 months.

GBDC is not generally able to issue and sell GBDC Common Stock at a price below net asset value per share. GBDC may, however, sell GBDC Common Stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire GBDC Common Stock, at a price below the then-current net asset value per share of GBDC Common Stock if the GBDC Board determines that such sale is in the best interests of GBDC and its stockholders, and if GBDC’s stockholders approve such sale. In any such case, the price at which GBDC’s securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price that, in the determination of the GBDC Board, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount). If GBDC raises additional funds by issuing common stock or senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, GBDC Common Stock, then the percentage ownership of GBDC’s stockholders at that time will decrease, and holders of GBDC Common Stock might experience dilution.

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GBDC intends to finance its investments with borrowed money, which will accelerate and increase the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing in GBDC.

The use of leverage accelerates and increases the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested. The use of leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique and increases the risks associated with investing in GBDC’s securities. The amount of leverage that GBDC employs will depend on GC Advisors’ and the GBDC Board’s assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. GBDC cannot assure you that it will be able to obtain credit at all or on terms acceptable to it. GBDC may issue senior debt securities to banks, insurance companies and other lenders. Lenders of these senior securities will have fixed dollar claims on GBDC’s assets that are superior to the claims of GBDC’s common stockholders, and GBDC would expect such lenders to seek recovery against GBDC’s assets in the event of a default. GBDC may pledge up to 100% of its assets and may grant a security interest in all of its assets under the terms of any debt instruments GBDC may enter into with lenders. The terms of GBDC’s existing indebtedness require GBDC to comply with certain financial and operational covenants, and GBDC expects similar covenants in future debt instruments. Failure to comply with such covenants could result in a default under the applicable credit facility or debt instrument if GBDC is unable to obtain a waiver from the applicable lender or holder, and such lender or holder could accelerate repayment under such indebtedness and negatively affect GBDC’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, under the terms of any credit facility or other debt instrument GBDC enters into, GBDC is likely to be required by its terms to use the net proceeds of any investments that GBDC sells to repay a portion of the amount borrowed under such facility or instrument before applying such net proceeds to any other uses. If the value of GBDC’s assets decreases, leveraging would cause GBDC’s net asset value to decline more rapidly and to a greater extent than it otherwise would have had GBDC not leveraged, thereby accelerating and increasing losses or eliminating GBDC’s equity stake in a leveraged investment. Similarly, any decrease in GBDC’s net investment income will cause its net income to decline more rapidly and to a greater extent than it would have had GBDC not borrowed. Such a decline would also negatively affect GBDC’s ability to make distributions on GBDC Common Stock or any outstanding preferred stock. GBDC’s ability to service its debt depends largely on its financial performance and is subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. GBDC’s common stockholders bear the burden of any increase in GBDC’s expenses as a result of its use of leverage, including interest expenses and any increase in the base management fee payable to GC Advisors.

On September 13, 2011, GBDC received exemptive relief from the SEC allowing GBDC to modify the asset coverage requirement to exclude the SBA debentures from this calculation. As such, GBDC’s ratio of total consolidated assets to outstanding indebtedness may be less than the 150% minimum asset coverage requirement permitted by Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act. This exemptive relief provides GBDC with increased investment flexibility but also increases GBDC’s risks related to leverage.

Following the approval of the GBDC’s stockholders of the reduced asset coverage requirements in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act and subject to GBDC's compliance with certain disclosure requirements, effective as of February 6, 2019, the reduced asset coverage requirement permits GBDC to double the maximum amount of leverage that it is permitted to incur, which provides GBDC with increased investment flexibility but also increases GBDC’s risks related to leverage.

The following table illustrates the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in GBDC Common Stock as of March 31, 2019, assuming various annual returns on GBDC’s portfolio as of March 31, 2019, 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.

(1)

Assumes $2,039.6 million in total assets, $1,051.2 million in debt outstanding and $966.2 million in net assets as of March 31, 2019, and an average cost of funds of 4.20%, which is the GBDC’s annualized average borrowing cost, including all interest and amortization of debt issuance costs on the GBDC’s term debt securitizations, for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

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Based on the GBDC’s outstanding indebtedness of  $1,051.2 million as of March 31, 2019, GBDC’s investment portfolio would have been required to experience an annual return of at least 2.16% to cover annual interest payments on the outstanding debt.

New legislation permits GBDC to incur additional leverage.

Business development companies are generally able to issue senior securities such that their asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% of gross assets less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, after each issuance of senior securities. In March 2018, the Small Business Credit Availability Act (“SBCAA”) amended Section 61(a) of the 1940 Act to add a new Section 61(a)(2) that reduces the asset coverage requirement applicable to business development companies from 200% to 150% so long as the business development company meets certain disclosure requirements and obtains certain approvals. On February 5, 2019, GBDC’s stockholders voted to approve the application of the reduced asset coverage requirements in Section 61(a)(2) to GBDC effective as of February 6, 2019. As a result of the stockholder approval, effective February 6, 2019, the asset coverage ratio under the 1940 Act applicable to GBDC decreased to 150% from 200%. In other words, under the 1940 Act, GBDC is now able to borrow $2 for investment purposes for every $1 of investor equity, as opposed to borrowing $1 for investment purposes for every $1 of investor equity. As a result, GBDC will be able to incur additional indebtedness in the future and investors in GBDC may face increased investment risk. In addition, GBDC’s management fee is based on its average adjusted gross assets, which includes leverage and, as a result, if GBDC were to incur additional leverage, management fees paid to GC Advisors would increase.

GBDC is subject to risks associated with the 2014 Debt Securitization and 2018 Debt Securitization.

As a result of the 2014 Debt Securitization and the 2018 Debt Securitization, GBDC is subject to a variety of risks, including those set forth below. GBDC uses the term “debt securitization” in this joint proxy statement/prospectus to describe a form of secured borrowing under which an operating company (sometimes referred to as an “originator” or “sponsor”) acquires or originates mortgages, receivables, loans or other assets that earn income, whether on a one-time or recurring basis (collectively, “income producing assets”), and borrows money on a non-recourse basis against a legally separate pool of loans or other income producing assets. In a typical debt securitization, the originator transfers the loans or income producing assets to a single-purpose, bankruptcy-remote subsidiary (also referred to as a “special purpose entity”), which is established solely for the purpose of holding loans and income producing assets and issuing debt secured by these income producing assets. The special purpose entity completes the borrowing through the issuance of notes secured by the loans or other assets. The special purpose entity may issue the notes in the capital markets to a variety of investors, including banks, non-bank financial institutions and other investors. In each of the 2014 Debt Securitization and 2018 Debt Securitization, institutional investors purchased certain of the 2014 Notes and the 2018 Notes, respectively, in private placements.

GBDC is subject to certain risks as a result of its direct interests in the junior notes and membership interests of the 2014 Issuer and its indirect interests in the junior notes and membership interests of the 2018 Debt Securitization.

Under the terms of the loan sale agreement governing the 2014 Debt Securitization, GBDC sold and/or contributed to the 2014 Issuer all of its ownership interest in GBDC’s portfolio loans and participations for the purchase price and other consideration set forth in such loan sale agreement. Following this transfer, the 2014 Issuer held all of the ownership interest in such portfolio loans and participations. As a result of the 2014 Debt Securitization and as of March 31, 2019, GBDC held the Class C-R 2014 Notes as well as all of the membership interests of the 2014 Issuer. As a result, GBDC consolidates the financial statements of the 2014 Issuer, as well as its other subsidiaries, in its consolidated financial statements.

Two loan sale agreements govern the 2018 Debt Securitization. Under the terms of the loan sale agreement entered into upon closing on November 16, 2018 (the “Loan Closing Date”) of the 2018 Debt Securitization (the “Closing Date Loan Sale Agreement”), which provides for the sale of assets on the Loan Closing Date to satisfy risk retention requirements, (1) GBDC transferred to GC Advisors a portion of its ownership interest in the portfolio company investments securing the 2018 Debt Securitization for the

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purchase price and other consideration set forth in the Closing Date Loan Sale Agreement and (2) immediately thereafter, GC Advisors sold to the 2018 Issuer all of its ownership interest in such portfolio loans for the purchase price and other consideration set forth in the Closing Date Loan Sale Agreement. Under the terms of the other loan sale agreement governing the 2018 Debt Securitization (the “Depositor Loan Sale Agreement”), which provides for the sale of assets on the Loan Closing Date as well as future sales from GBDC to the 2018 Issuer through Golub Capital BDC CLO III Depositor LLC (the “CLO Depositor”), (1) GBDC sold and/or contributed to the CLO Depositor the remainder of its ownership interest in the portfolio company investments securing the 2018 Debt Securitization and participations for the purchase price and other consideration set forth in the Depositor Loan Sale Agreement and (2) CLO Depositor, in turn, sold to the 2018 Issuer all of its ownership interest in such portfolio loans and participations for the purchase price and other consideration set forth in one of the loan sale agreements. Following these transfers, the 2018 Issuer, and not GC Advisors, CLO Depositor or GBDC, held all of the ownership interest in such portfolio company investments and participations. As a result of the 2018 Debt Securitization, GBDC held indirectly through the CLO Depositor, as of March 31, 2019, the Class C-2 2018 Notes, the Class D 2018 Notes and the Subordinated 2018 Notes as well as 100% of the membership interests in the 2018 Issuer. As a result, GBDC consolidates the financial statements of the 2018 Issuer, as well as its other subsidiaries, in its consolidated financial statements.

Because each of the 2014 Issuer, the CLO Depositor and the 2018 Issuer is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the sale or contribution by GBDC to the 2014 Issuer and the sale and contribution by GBDC to the CLO Depositor and the CLO Depositor to the 2018 Issuer did not constitute a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the U.S. Internal Revenue Service were to take a contrary position, there could be a material adverse effect on GBDC’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. GBDC may, from time to time, hold asset-backed securities, or the economic equivalent thereof, issued by a securitization vehicle sponsored by another business development company to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act.

The Class C-R 2014 Notes are subordinated obligations of the 2014 Issuer and the Class C-2 2018 Notes, the Class D 2018 Notes, Subordinated 2018 Notes, and membership interests are subordinated obligations of the 2018 Issuer and GBDC may not receive cash from the 2014 Issuer or the 2018 Issuer.

The Class C-R 2014 Notes are the most junior class of notes issued by the 2014 Issuer, are subordinated in priority of payment to the Class A-R 2014 Notes and the Class B-R 2014 Notes and are subject to certain payment restrictions set forth in the indenture governing the 2014 Notes. Therefore, GBDC only receives cash distributions on the Class C-R 2014 Notes if the 2014 Issuer has made all cash interest payments to all other notes it has issued. Consequently, to the extent that the value of the 2014 Issuer’s portfolio of loan investments has been reduced as a result of conditions in the credit markets, or as a result of defaulted loans or individual fund assets, the value of the Class C-R 2014 Notes at their redemption could be reduced. If the 2014 Issuer does not meet the asset coverage tests or the interest coverage test set forth in the documents governing the 2014 Debt Securitization, cash would be diverted from the Class C-R 2014 Notes to first pay the Class A-R 2014 Notes and Class B-R 2014 Notes in amounts sufficient to cause such tests to be satisfied.

The 2014 Issuer is the residual claimant on funds, if any, remaining after holders of all classes of 2014 Notes have been paid in full on each payment date or upon maturity of such notes under the 2014 Debt Securitization documents. The membership interests in the 2014 Issuer represent all of the equity interest in the 2014 Issuer. As the holder of the membership interests, GBDC may receive distributions, if any, only to the extent that the 2014 Issuer makes distributions out of funds remaining after holders of all classes of 2014 Notes have been paid in full on each payment date any amounts due and owing on such payment date or upon maturity of such 2014 Notes. In the event that GBDC fails to receive cash directly from the 2014 Issuer, GBDC could be unable to make such distributions in amounts sufficient to maintain its ability to be subject to tax as a RIC, or at all.

The Class C-2 2018 Notes are subordinated in priority of payment to the each of the Class A 2018 Notes and the Class B 2018 Notes issued by the 2018 Issuer, generally receive payments pro-rata with the Class C-1 2018 Notes and are subject to certain payment restrictions set forth in the indenture governing the 2018 Notes. Therefore, the CLO Depositor only receives cash distributions on the Class C-2 2018 Notes

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if the 2018 Issuer has made all cash interest payments in respect of the issued Class A 2018 Notes and Class B 2018 Notes, and GBDC only receives cash distributions in respect of its indirect ownership of the Class C-2 2018 Notes to the extent that the CLO Depositor receives any cash distributions in respect of its direct ownership of the Class C-2 2018 Notes. Consequently, to the extent that the value of the 2018 Issuer’s portfolio of loan investments has been reduced as a result of conditions in the credit markets, or as a result of defaulted loans or individual fund assets, the value of the Class C-2 2018 Notes at their redemption could be reduced. In addition, if the 2018 Issuer does not meet the asset coverage tests or the interest coverage test set forth in the documents governing the 2018 Debt Securitization, cash would be diverted from the Class C-2 2018 Notes to first pay the Class A 2018 Notes and the Class B 2018 Notes in amounts sufficient to cause such tests to be satisfied.

The Class D 2018 Notes are subordinated in priority of payment to the each of the Class A 2018 Notes, the Class B 2018 Notes, the Class C-1 2018 Notes and the Class C-2 2018 Notes issued by the 2018 Issuer and are subject to certain payment restrictions set forth in the indenture governing the 2018 Notes. Therefore, the CLO Depositor only receives cash distributions on the Class D 2018 Notes if the 2018 Issuer has made all cash interest payments in respect of the issued Class A 2018 Notes, Class B 2018 Notes, Class C-1 2018 Notes and Class C-2 2018 Notes, and GBDC only receives cash distributions in respect of its indirect ownership of the Class D 2018 Notes to the extent that the CLO Depositor receives any cash distributions in respect of its direct ownership of the Class D 2018 Notes. Consequently, to the extent that the value of the 2018 Issuer’s portfolio of loan investments has been reduced as a result of conditions in the credit markets, or as a result of defaulted loans or individual fund assets, the value of the Class D 2018 Notes at their redemption could be reduced. In addition, if the 2018 Issuer does not meet the asset coverage tests or the interest coverage test set forth in the documents governing the 2018 Debt Securitization, cash would be diverted from the Class D 2018 Notes to first pay the Class A 2018 Notes, the Class B 2018 Notes, Class C-1 2018 Notes and the Class C-2 2018 Notes in amounts sufficient to cause such tests to be satisfied.

The Subordinated 2018 Notes are the most junior class of notes issued by the 2018 Issuer, are subordinated in priority of payment to every other class of notes issued by the 2018 Issuer and are subject to certain payment restrictions set forth in the indenture governing the 2018 Notes. Therefore, the CLO Depositor only receives cash distributions on the Subordinated 2018 Notes if the 2018 Issuer has made all cash interest payments to all other notes it has issued. GBDC only receives cash distributions in respect of its indirect ownership of the Subordinated 2018 Notes to the extent that the CLO Depositor receives any cash distributions in respect of its direct ownership of the Subordinated 2018 Notes. The Subordinated 2018 Notes are also unsecured and rank behind all of the secured creditors, known or unknown, of the 2018 Issuer, including the holders of the senior notes it has issued. Consequently, to the extent that the value of the 2018 Issuer’s portfolio of loan investments has been reduced as a result of conditions in the credit markets, or as a result of defaulted loans or individual fund assets, the value of the Subordinated 2018 Notes at their redemption could be reduced. In addition, if the 2018 Issuer does not meet the asset coverage tests or the interest coverage test set forth in the documents governing the 2018 Debt Securitization, cash would be diverted from the Subordinated 2018 Notes to first pay the Class A 2018 Notes, Class B 2018 Notes, Class C-1 2018 Notes, the Class C-2 2018 Notes and the Class D 2018 Notes in amounts sufficient to cause such tests to be satisfied.

For so long as they are outstanding, the Subordinated 2018 Notes represent the residual interest payee under the documents governing the 2018 Debt Securitization. As such, the holder of the Subordinated 2018 Notes is the residual claimant on distributions, if any, made by the 2018 Issuer after holders of all other 2018 Notes have been paid in full on each payment date or upon maturity of such notes under the 2018 Debt Securitization documents. Such payments may be made by the 2018 Issuer only to the extent permitted under the 2018 Debt Securitization documents on any payment date or upon payment in full of the notes issued by the 2018 Issuer.

The interests of holders of the senior classes of securities issued by the 2014 Issuer and 2018 Issuer may not be aligned with GBDC’s interests.

The Class A-R 2014 Notes are the debt obligations ranking senior in right of payment to other securities issued by the 2014 Issuer in the 2014 Debt Securitization. As such, there are circumstances in which the interests of holders of the Class A-R 2014 Notes may not be aligned with the interests of holders

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of the other classes of notes issued by, and membership interests of, the 2014 Issuer. For example, under the terms of the Class A-R 2014 Notes, holders of the Class A-R 2014 Notes have the right to receive payments of principal and interest prior to holders of the Class B-R 2014 Notes, the Class C-R 2014 Notes and the 2014 Issuer.

The Class A 2018 Notes are the debt obligations ranking senior in right of payment to other securities issued by the 2018 Issuer in the 2018 Debt Securitization. As such, there are circumstances in which the interests of holders of the Class A 2018 Notes may not be aligned with the interests of holders of the other classes of notes issued by, and membership interests of, the 2018 Issuer. For example, under the terms of the Class A 2018 Notes, holders of the Class A 2018 Notes have the right to receive payments of principal and interest prior to holders of the Class B 2018 Notes, the Class C-1 2018 Notes, the Class C-2 2018 Notes, the Class D 2018 Notes, the Subordinated 2018 Notes and the 2018 Issuer.

For as long as the Class A-R 2014 Notes remain outstanding, holders of the Class A-R 2014 Notes the Controlling Class under the 2014 Debt Securitization. As used herein, “Controlling Class” refers to the most senior class of notes then outstanding of the 2014 Issuer or the 2018 Issuer, as applicable. If the Class A-R 2014 Notes are paid in full, the Class B-R 2014 Notes would comprise the Controlling Class under the 2014 Debt Securitization. For as long as the Class A 2018 Notes remain outstanding, holders of the Class A 2018 Notes comprise the Controlling Class under the 2018 Debt Securitization. If the Class A 2018 Notes are paid in full, the Class B 2018 Notes would comprise the Controlling Class under the 2018 Debt Securitization. Holders of the Controlling Class under the 2014 Debt Securitization and 2018 Debt Securitization have the right to act in certain circumstances with respect to the portfolio loans in ways that may benefit their interests but not the interests of holders of more junior classes of notes and membership interests, including by exercising remedies under the indenture in the 2014 Debt Securitization and the 2018 Debt Securitization, as applicable.

If an event of default has occurred and acceleration occurs in accordance with the terms of the indenture for either the 2014 Debt Securitization or the 2018 Debt Securitization, the Controlling Class of such debt securitization, as the most senior class of notes then outstanding in such debt securitization will be paid in full before any further payment or distribution on the more junior classes of notes and membership interests. In addition, if an event of default under the 2014 Debt Securitization or the 2018 Debt Securitization, as applicable, occurs, holders of a majority of the Controlling Class of the applicable debt securitization may be entitled to determine the remedies to be exercised under the applicable indenture, subject to the terms of such indenture. For example, upon the occurrence of an event of default with respect to the notes issued by the 2014 Issuer, the trustee or holders of a majority of the Controlling Class may declare the principal, together with any accrued interest, of all the notes of such class and any junior classes to be immediately due and payable. This would have the effect of accelerating the principal on such notes, triggering a repayment obligation on the part of the 2014 Issuer. If at such time the portfolio loans were not performing well, the 2014 Issuer may not have sufficient proceeds available to enable the trustee under the indenture to repay the obligations of holders of the Class C-R 2014 Notes, or to pay a dividend to holders of the membership interests.

Remedies pursued by the Controlling Class could be adverse to the interests of the holders of the notes that are subordinated to the Controlling Class (which would include the Class C-R 2014 Notes to the extent the Class A-R 2014 Notes or Class B-R 2014 Notes constitute the Controlling Class and the Class C-2 2018 Notes, Class D 2018 Notes and Subordinated 2018 Notes to the extent the Class A 2018 Notes, Class B 2018 Notes, Class C-1 2018 Notes and Class C-2 2018 Notes, or Class D 2018 Notes constitute the Controlling Class), and the Controlling Class will have no obligation to consider any possible adverse effect on such other interests. Thus, GBDC cannot assure you that any remedies pursued by the Controlling Class will be in the best interests of the CLO Depositor or GBDC, or that the CLO Depositor or GBDC will receive any payments or distributions upon an acceleration of the notes. In a liquidation under the 2014 Debt Securitization, the Class C-R 2014 Notes will be subordinated to payment of the Class A-R 2014 Notes and Class B-R 2014 Notes and may not be paid in full to the extent funds remaining after payment of the Class A-R 2014 Notes and Class B-R 2014 Notes are insufficient. In addition, under the 2014 Debt Securitization, after the Class A-R 2014 Notes and Class B-R 2014 Notes are paid in full, the holder of the Class C-R 2014 Notes will be the only remaining noteholder and may amend the applicable indenture to, among other things, direct the assignment of any remaining assets to other wholly-owned subsidiaries for a

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price less than the fair market value of such assets with the difference in price to be considered an equity contribution to such subsidiaries. In a liquidation under the 2018 Debt Securitization, the Class C-2 2018 Notes, Class D 2018 Notes and Subordinated 2018 Notes will be subordinated to payment of the Class A 2018 Notes, Class B 2018 Notes and, in the case of the Class D 2018 Notes and Subordinated 2018 Notes only, the Class C-1 2018 Notes, and may not be paid in full to the extent funds remaining after payment of the Class A 2018 Notes, Class B 2018 Notes and, in the case of the Class D 2018 Notes and Subordinated 2018 Notes only, the Class C-1 2018 Notes are insufficient. In addition, under the 2018 Debt Securitization, after the Class A 2018 Notes, Class B 2018 Notes and Class C-1 2018 Notes are paid in full, the CLO Depositor will be the only remaining noteholder and may amend the applicable indenture to, among other things, direct the assignment of any remaining assets to other wholly-owned subsidiaries for a price less than the fair market value of such assets with the difference in price to be considered an equity contribution to such subsidiaries. Any failure of the 2014 Issuer or the 2018 Issuer to make distributions on the notes GBDC indirectly or directly holds, whether as a result of an event of default, liquidation or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on GBDC’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and may result in an inability of GBDC to make distributions sufficient to maintain its ability to be subject to tax as a RIC, or at all.

The 2014 Issuer and 2018 Issuer may fail to meet certain asset coverage tests.

Under the documents governing the 2014 Debt Securitization, there are two asset coverage tests applicable to the Class A-R 2014 Notes, the Class B-R 2014 Notes and the Class C-R 2014 Notes, and the documents governing the 2018 Debt Securitization provide for the same two asset coverage tests applicable to the Class A 2018 Notes, the Class B 2018 Notes, the Class C-1 2018 Notes, the Class C-2 2018 Notes and the Class D 2018 Notes.

The first such test compares the amount of interest received on the portfolio loans held by the 2014 Issuer or the 2018 Issuer, as applicable, to the amount of interest payable in respect of the Class A-R 2014 Notes, the Class B-R 2014 Notes and the Class C-R 2014 Notes, with respect to the 2014 Issuer, and the Class A 2018 Notes, the Class B 2018 Notes, the Class C-1 2018 Notes, the Class C-2 2018 Notes and the Class D 2018 Notes, with respect to the 2018 Issuer. To meet this first test, in the case of the 2014 Debt Securitization, interest received on the portfolio loans must equal at least 120% of the interest payable in respect of the Class A-R 2014 Notes and Class B-R 2014 Notes, taken together, and at least 110% of the interest payable in respect of the Class C-R 2014 Notes, and, in the case of the 2018 Debt Securitization, interest received on the portfolio loans must equal at least 120% of the interest payable in respect of the Class A 2018 Notes and Class B 2018 Notes, taken together, at least 110% of the interest payable in respect of the Class C-1 2018 Notes and the Class C-2 2018 Notes, taken together, and at least 105% of the interest payable in respect of the Class D 2018 Notes.

The second such test compares the principal amount of the portfolio loans of the applicable debt securitization to the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Class A-R 2014 Notes, the Class B-R 2014 Notes and the Class C-R 2014 Notes, with respect to the 2014 Debt Securitization, and the Class A 2018 Notes, the Class B 2018 Notes, the Class C-1 2018 Notes, the Class C-2 2018 Notes and the Class D 2018 Notes, with respect to the 2018 Debt Securitization. To meet this second test at any time in the case of the 2014 Debt Securitization, the aggregate principal amount of the portfolio loans must equal at least 153.6% of the Class A-R 2014 Notes and the Class B-R 2014 Notes, taken together, and 136.1% of the Class C-R 2014 Notes. To meet this second test at any time in the case of the 2018 Debt Securitization, the aggregate principal amount of the portfolio loans must equal at least 145.6% of the Class A 2018 Notes and Class B 2018 Notes, taken together, at least 126.7% of the Class C-1 2018 Notes and Class C-2 2018 Notes, taken together, and at least 116.7% of the Class D 2018 Notes.

If any asset coverage test with respect to the Class A-R 2014 Notes, the Class B-R 2014 Notes or Class C-R 2014 Notes is not met, proceeds from the portfolio of loan investments that otherwise would have been distributed to the holders of the Class C-R 2014 Notes and the 2014 Issuer will instead be used to redeem first the Class A-R 2014 Notes and then the Class B-R 2014 Notes, to the extent necessary to satisfy the applicable asset coverage tests on a pro forma basis after giving effect to all payments made in respect of the notes, which GBDC refers to as a mandatory redemption, or to obtain the necessary ratings confirmation. If any asset coverage test with respect to the Class A 2018 Notes, the Class B 2018 Notes,

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Class C-1 2018 Notes, Class C-2 2018 Notes or Class D 2018 Notes is not met, proceeds from the portfolio of loan investments that otherwise would have been distributed to the holders of the Class C-1 2018 Notes, Class C-2 2018 Notes, Class D 2018 Notes or Subordinated 2018 Notes and the 2018 Issuer will instead be used to redeem first the Class A 2018 Notes, then the Class B 2018 Notes and then the Class C-1 2018 Notes and Class C-2 2018 Notes, to the extent necessary to satisfy the applicable asset coverage tests on a pro forma basis after giving effect to all payments made in respect of the notes, which GBDC refers to as a mandatory redemption, or to obtain the necessary ratings confirmation.

The value of the Class B-R 2014 Notes, Class C-2 2018 Notes, Class D 2018 Notes, or Subordinated 2018 Notes could be adversely affected by a mandatory redemption because such redemption could result in the applicable notes being redeemed at par at a time when they are trading in the secondary market at a premium to their stated principal amount and when other investments bearing the same rate of interest may be difficult or expensive to acquire. A mandatory redemption could also result in a shorter investment duration than a holder of such notes may have wanted or anticipated, which could, in turn, result in such a holder incurring breakage costs on related hedging transactions. In addition, the reinvestment period under the 2018 Debt Securitization may extend through as late as January 15, 2023. During this reinvestment period, market conditions and restrictions on investment under the indenture governing the 2018 Debt Securitization could result in periods of time in which the 2018 Issuer is not able to fully invest its available collateral or during which collateral available is not of comparable quality or yield, which could affect the value of the collateral securing the Class C-2 2018 Notes, Class D 2018 Notes, or Subordinated 2018 Notes.

GBDC may be required to assume liabilities of the 2014 Issuer and 2018 Issuer and is indirectly liable for certain representations and warranties in connection with the 2014 Debt Securitization and 2018 Debt Securitization.

The structure of the 2014 Debt Securitization is intended to prevent, in the event of the 2014 Issuer’s bankruptcy, the consolidation of the 2014 Issuer with GBDC’s operations. The structure of the 2018 Debt Securitization is intended to prevent, in the event of GBDC’s bankruptcy or the bankruptcy of the CLO Depositor, the consolidation of the 2018 Issuer with GBDC’s operations or those of the CLO Depositor. If the true sale of the assets in the 2014 Debt Securitization and the 2018 Debt Securitization, as applicable, were not respected in the event of GBDC’s insolvency, a trustee or debtor-in-possession might reclaim the assets of the 2014 Issuer and 2018 Issuer for GBDC’s estate. However, in doing so, GBDC would become directly liable for all of the indebtedness then outstanding under the 2014 Debt Securitization and 2018 Debt Securitization, which would equal the full amount of debt of the 2014 Issuer and 2018 Issuer reflected on GBDC’s consolidated balance sheet. In addition, GBDC cannot assure you that the recovery in the event GBDC were consolidated with the 2014 Issuer or the 2018 Issuer for purposes of any bankruptcy proceeding would exceed the amount to which GBDC would otherwise be entitled as the holder of the Class C-R 2014 Notes, and the indirect holder of the Class C-2 2018 Notes and Class D 2018 Notes had GBDC not been consolidated with the 2014 Issuer and 2018 Issuer.

In addition, in connection with each of the 2014 Debt Securitization and 2018 Debt Securitization, GBDC indirectly gave the trustee for the benefit of investors certain customary representations with respect to the legal structure of the 2014 Issuer and 2018 Issuer, respectively, and the quality of the assets transferred to each entity. GBDC remains indirectly liable for any breach of such representations for the life of the 2014 Debt Securitization and 2018 Debt Securitization, respectively.

The 2018 Issuer may issue additional Subordinated 2018 Notes.

Under the terms of the 2018 Debt Securitization documents, the 2018 Issuer could issue additional Subordinated 2018 Notes and use the net proceeds of such issuance to purchase additional portfolio loans. Any such additional issuance, however, would require the consent of the collateral manager to the 2018 Debt Securitization, the CLO Depositor and a supermajority of the Subordinated 2018 Notes. Among the other conditions that must be satisfied in connection with an additional issuance of Subordinated 2018 Notes, the aggregate principal amount of all additional issuances of Subordinated 2018 Notes may not exceed 100% of the respective original outstanding principal amount of the Subordinated 2018 Notes; the 2018 Issuer must notify each rating agency of such issuance prior to the issuance date; and the terms of the Subordinated 2018 Notes to be issued must be identical to the terms of previously issued Subordinated

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2018 Notes. GBDC does not expect to cause the 2018 Issuer to issue any additional Subordinated 2018 Notes at this time. GBDC may amend the 2018 Debt Securitization documents from time to time, and without amendment, the 2018 Debt Securitization documents do not provide for additional issuances of Class A 2018 Notes. The total purchase price for any additional Subordinated 2018 Notes that may be issued may not always equal 100% of the par value of such 2018 Notes, depending on several factors, including fees and closing expenses.

GBDC is subject to risks associated with the Revolving Credit Facilities.

As a result of the Revolving Credit Facilities, GBDC is subject to a variety of risks, including those set forth below.

GBDC’s interests in GBDC Funding and GBDC Funding II are subordinated, and GBDC may not receive cash on its equity interests from GBDC Funding and GBDC Funding II.

GBDC owns directly or indirectly 100% of the equity interests in GBDC Funding and GBDC Funding II. GBDC consolidates the financial statements of GBDC Funding and GBDC Funding II in its consolidated financial statements and treats the indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facilities as GBDC’s leverage. GBDC’s interests in GBDC Funding and GBDC Funding II are subordinated in priority of payment to every other obligation of GBDC Funding and GBDC Funding II and are subject to certain payment restrictions set forth in each Revolving Credit Facility. GBDC receives cash distributions on its equity interests in GBDC Funding and GBDC Funding II only if GBDC Funding and GBDC Funding II have made all required cash interest payments to the respective lenders and no default exists under the respective Revolving Credit Facility. GBDC cannot assure you that distributions on the assets held by GBDC Funding or GBDC Funding II will be sufficient to make any distributions to GBDC or that such distributions will meet GBDC’s expectations.

GBDC receives cash from GBDC Funding or GBDC Funding II only to the extent that GBDC receives distributions on its equity interests in GBDC Funding and GBDC Funding II. GBDC Funding and GBDC Funding II each may make distributions on their equity interests only to the extent permitted by the payment priority provisions of the applicable Revolving Credit Facility. Each of the Revolving Credit Facilities generally provides that payments on the respective interests may not be made on any payment date unless all amounts owing to the lenders and other secured parties are paid in full. In addition, if GBDC Funding or GBDC Funding II do not meet the borrowing base tests set forth in the documents of the applicable Revolving Credit Facility, a default would occur. In the event of a default under either Revolving Credit Facility document, cash would be diverted from GBDC to pay the applicable lender and other secured parties in amounts sufficient to cause such tests to be satisfied. In the event that GBDC fails to receive cash from GBDC Funding and/or GBDC Funding II, GBDC could be unable to make distributions to GBDC Stockholders in amounts sufficient to maintain its status as a RIC, or at all. GBDC also could be forced to sell investments in portfolio companies at less than their fair value in order to continue making such distributions.

GBDC’s equity interests in GBDC Funding and GBDC Funding II rank behind all of the secured and unsecured creditors, known or unknown, of GBDC Funding and GBDC Funding II, as applicable, including the lenders in the respective Revolving Credit Facility. Consequently, to the extent that the value of GBDC Funding’s or GBDC Funding II’s portfolio of loan investments has been reduced as a result of conditions in the credit markets, defaulted loans, capital gains and losses on the underlying assets, prepayment or changes in interest rates, the returns on GBDC’s investments in GBDC Funding or GBDC Funding II could be reduced. Accordingly, GBDC’s investments in each of GBDC Funding and GBDC Funding II may be subject to up to 100% loss.

The ability to sell investments held by GBDC Funding, GBDC Funding II, the 2014 Issuer and the 2018 Issuer is limited.

Each of the Revolving Credit Facilities, the 2014 Debt Securitization and the 2018 Debt Securitization place significant restrictions on GBDC’s ability, as servicer or collateral manager, as applicable, to sell investments. As a result, there may be times or circumstances during which GBDC is unable to sell investments or take other actions that might be in its best interests.

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GBDC is subject to risks associated with its SBIC Funds.

As a result of GBDC’s consolidated subsidiaries, GC SBIC IV, L.P. (“SBIC IV”), GC SBIC V, L.P. (“SBIC V”) and GC SBIC VI, L.P. (“SBIC VI”, and collectively with SBIC IV and SBIC V, the “SBIC Funds”), GBDC is subject to a variety of risks, including those set forth below.

GBDC’s interests in the SBIC Funds are subordinated, and GBDC may not receive cash on its equity interests from either of the SBIC Funds.

GBDC owns 100% of the equity interests in SBIC IV, SBIC V and SBIC VI. GBDC consolidates the financial statements of each of the SBIC Funds in its consolidated financial statements. GBDC’s interests in the SBIC Funds are subordinated in priority of payment to the SBA-guaranteed debentures issued by the respective SBIC Fund. GBDC receives cash from SBIC IV, SBIC V and SBIC VI only to the extent that GBDC receives distributions on its equity interests in each such SBIC Fund. GBDC’s SBIC Funds may be limited by SBA regulations governing SBICs from making certain distributions to GBDC unless GBDC requests a waiver of the SBA restrictions. GBDC cannot assure you that the SBA would grant any such waiver. In the event that GBDC fails to receive cash from its SBIC Funds, GBDC could be unable to make distributions to GBDC Stockholders in amounts sufficient to maintain its status as a RIC, or at all. GBDC also could be forced to sell investments in portfolio companies at less than their fair value in order to continue making such distributions.

GBDC’s SBIC Funds are licensed by the SBA and are subject to SBA regulations which limit the scope of investments available to the SBIC Funds.

GBDC’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, SBIC IV, SBIC V and SBIC VI, received licenses to operate as SBICs under the Small Business Act of 1958, as amended (the “1958 Act”), and are regulated by the SBA. The SBA places certain limitations on the financing terms of investments by SBICs in portfolio companies and regulates the types of financings and prohibits investing in certain industries. Compliance with SBIC requirements may cause GBDC’s SBIC Funds to invest at less competitive rates in order to qualify investments under the SBA regulations.

Further, SBA regulations require that a licensed SBIC be periodically examined and audited by the SBA to determine its compliance with the relevant regulations. If GBDC’s SBIC Funds fail to comply with applicable regulations, the SBA could, depending on the severity of the violation, limit or prohibit their use of debentures, declare outstanding debentures immediately due and payable, and/or limit them from making new investments. In addition, the SBA could revoke or suspend GBDC’s SBIC Funds’ licenses for willful or repeated violation of, or willful or repeated failure to observe, any provision of the 1958 Act or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder. These actions by the SBA could have a material adverse effect on GBDC’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

GBDC’s ability to invest in public companies may be limited in certain circumstances.

To maintain its status as a business development company, GBDC is not permitted to acquire any assets other than “qualifying assets” specified in the 1940 Act unless, at the time the acquisition is made, at least 70% of GBDC’s total assets are qualifying assets (with certain limited exceptions). Subject to certain exceptions for follow-on investments and investments in distressed companies, an investment in an issuer that has outstanding securities listed on a national securities exchange may be treated as qualifying assets only if such issuer has a common equity market capitalization that is less than $250.0 million at the time of such investment.

GBDC may enter into reverse repurchase agreements, which are another form of leverage.

GBDC may enter into reverse repurchase agreements as part of its management of its temporary investment portfolio. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, GBDC will effectively pledge its assets as collateral to secure a short-term loan. Generally, the other party to the agreement makes the loan in an amount equal to a percentage of the fair value of the pledged collateral. At the maturity of the reverse repurchase agreement, GBDC would be required to repay the loan and correspondingly receive back its collateral. While used as collateral, the assets continue to pay principal and interest which are for the benefit of GBDC.

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GBDC’s use of reverse repurchase agreements, if any, involves many of the same risks involved in its use of leverage, as the proceeds from reverse repurchase agreements generally will be invested in additional securities. There is a risk that the market value of the securities acquired in the reverse repurchase agreement may decline below the price of the securities that GBDC has sold but remain obligated to purchase. In addition, there is a risk that the market value of the securities retained by GBDC may decline. If a buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement were to file for bankruptcy or experience insolvency, GBDC may be adversely affected. Also, in entering into reverse repurchase agreements, GBDC would bear the risk of loss to the extent that the proceeds of such agreements at settlement are less than the fair value of the underlying securities being pledged. In addition, due to the interest costs associated with reverse repurchase agreements, GBDC’s net asset value would decline, and, in some cases, GBDC may be worse off than if it had not used such agreements.

Adverse developments in the credit markets may impair GBDC’s ability to enter into new debt financing arrangements.

During the economic downturn in the United States that began in mid-2007, many commercial banks and other financial institutions stopped lending or significantly curtailed their lending activity. In addition, in an effort to stem losses and reduce their exposure to segments of the economy deemed to be high risk, some financial institutions limited routine refinancing and loan modification transactions and even reviewed the terms of existing facilities to identify bases for accelerating the maturity of existing lending facilities. To the extent these circumstances arise again in the future, it may be difficult for GBDC to finance the growth of its investments on acceptable economic terms, or at all, and one or more of GBDC’s leverage facilities could be accelerated by the lenders.

If GBDC does not invest a sufficient portion of its assets in qualifying assets, GBDC could fail to qualify as a business development company or be precluded from investing according to its current business strategy.

As a business development company, GBDC may not acquire any assets other than “qualifying assets” unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such acquisition, at least 70% of its total assets are qualifying assets. In the future, GBDC believes that most of its investments will constitute qualifying assets. However, GBDC may be precluded from investing in what GBDC believes are attractive investments if such investments are not qualifying assets for purposes of the 1940 Act. If GBDC does not invest a sufficient portion of its assets in qualifying assets, GBDC could violate the 1940 Act provisions applicable to business development companies. As a result of such violation, specific rules under the 1940 Act could prevent GBDC, for example, from making follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies (which could result in the dilution of its position) or could require GBDC to dispose of investments at inappropriate times in order to come into compliance with the 1940 Act. If GBDC needs to dispose of such investments quickly, it could be difficult to dispose of such investments on favorable terms. GBDC may not be able to find a buyer for such investments and, even if GBDC does find a buyer, GBDC may have to sell the investments at a substantial loss. Any such outcomes would have a material adverse effect on GBDC’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Failure to qualify as a business development company would decrease GBDC’s operating flexibility

If GBDC does not maintain its status as a business development company, GBDC would be subject to regulation as a registered closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act. As a registered closed-end investment company, GBDC would be subject to substantially more regulatory restrictions under the 1940 Act which would significantly decrease its operating flexibility.

The majority of GBDC’s portfolio investments are recorded at fair value as determined in good faith by the GBDC Board and, as a result, there may be uncertainty as to the value of GBDC’s portfolio investments.

The majority of GBDC’s portfolio investments take the form of securities that are not publicly traded. The fair value of securities and other investments that are not publicly traded may not be readily determinable, and GBDC values these securities at fair value as determined in good faith by the GBDC Board, including to reflect significant events affecting the value of GBDC’s securities. As discussed in more detail under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Golub Capital BDC, Inc. — Critical Accounting Policies,” most, if not all, of GBDC’s investments (other

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than cash and cash equivalents) are classified as Level 3 under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure, as amended (“ASC Topic 820”). This means that GBDC’s portfolio valuations are based on unobservable inputs and GBDC’s own assumptions about how market participants would price the asset or liability in question. Inputs into the determination of fair value of GBDC’s portfolio investments require significant management judgment or estimation. Even if observable market data are available, such information may be the result of consensus pricing information or broker quotes, which may include a disclaimer that the broker would not be held to such a price in an actual transaction. The non-binding nature of consensus pricing and/or quotes accompanied by disclaimers materially reduces the reliability of such information.

GBDC has retained the services of several independent service providers to review the valuation of these securities. At least once annually, the valuation for each portfolio investment for which a market quote is not readily available is reviewed by an independent valuation firm. The types of factors that the GBDC Board may take into account in determining the fair value of GBDC’s investments generally include, as appropriate, comparison to publicly traded securities, including such factors as yield, maturity and measures of credit quality, the enterprise value of a portfolio company, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow, the markets in which the portfolio company does business and other relevant factors. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates, GBDC’s determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these securities existed. GBDC’s net asset value could be adversely affected if its determinations regarding the fair value of its investments were materially higher than the values that GBDC ultimately realizes upon the disposal of such securities.

GBDC adjusts quarterly the valuation of its portfolio to reflect the GBDC Board’s determination of the fair value of each investment in its portfolio. Any changes in fair value are recorded in GBDC’s consolidated statement of operations as net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation.

GBDC may experience fluctuations in its quarterly operating results.

GBDC could experience fluctuations in its quarterly operating results due to a number of factors, including the interest rate payable on the debt securities GBDC acquires, the default rate on such securities, the number and size of investments GBDC originates or acquires, the level of GBDC’s expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which GBDC encounters competition in its markets and general economic conditions. In light of these factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of GBDC’s performance in future periods.

New or modified laws or regulations governing GBDC’s operations may adversely affect its business.

GBDC and its portfolio companies are subject to regulation by laws at the U.S. federal, state and local levels. These laws and regulations, as well as their interpretation, may change from time to time, including as the result of interpretive guidance or other directives from the U.S. President and others in the executive branch, and new laws, regulations and interpretations may also come into effect. Any such new or changed laws or regulations could have a material adverse effect on GBDC’s business.

In particular the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”) impacts many aspects of the financial services industry, and it requires the development and adoption of many implementing regulations over the next several years. The effects of Dodd-Frank on the financial services industry will depend, in large part, upon the extent to which regulators exercise the authority granted to them and the approaches taken in implementing regulations. President Trump and certain members of Congress have indicated that they will seek to amend or repeal portions of Dodd-Frank and to overhaul the Code, among other federal laws, which may create regulatory uncertainty in the near term, and in March 2018 the U.S. Senate passed a bill that eased financial regulations and reduced oversight for certain entities. While the impact of Dodd-Frank and any federal tax reform legislation on GBDC and its portfolio companies may not be known for an extended period of time, Dodd-Frank and any tax reform enacted as law, including future rules implementing its provisions and the interpretation of those rules, along with other legislative and regulatory proposals directed at the financial services industry or affecting

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taxation that are proposed or pending in the U.S. Congress, may negatively impact the operations, cash flows or financial condition of GBDC or its portfolio companies, impose additional costs on GBDC or its portfolio companies, intensify the regulatory supervision of GBDC or its portfolio companies or otherwise adversely affect GBDC’s business or the business of its portfolio companies. In addition, if GBDC does not comply with applicable laws and regulations, GBDC could lose any licenses that it then holds for the conduct of its business and may be subject to civil fines and criminal penalties.

Additionally, changes to the laws and regulations governing GBDC’s operations, including those associated with RICs, may cause GBDC to alter its investment strategy in order to avail itself of new or different opportunities or result in the imposition of corporate-level taxes on GBDC. Such changes could result in material differences to GBDC’s strategies and plans and may shift GBDC’s investment focus from the areas of expertise of GC Advisors to other types of investments in which GC Advisors may have little or no expertise or experience. Any such changes, if they occur, could have a material adverse effect on GBDC’s results of operations and the value of your investment. If GBDC invests in commodity interests in the future, GC Advisors may determine not to use investment strategies that trigger additional regulation by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) or may determine to operate subject to CFTC regulation, if applicable. If GBDC or GC Advisors were to operate subject to CFTC regulation, GBDC may incur additional expenses and would be subject to additional regulation.

On October 21, 2014, U.S. risk retention rules adopted pursuant to Section 941 of Dodd-Frank (the “U.S. Risk Retention Rules”) were issued and became effective with respect to collateralized loan obligation (“CLOs”) on December 24, 2016. The U.S. Risk Retention Rules require the sponsor (directly or through a majority-owned affiliate) of a debt securitization subject to such rules, such as CLOs, in the absence of an exemption, to retain an economic interest (the “Retention Interest”) in the credit risk of the assets being securitized in the form of an eligible horizontal residual interest, an eligible vertical interest, or a combination thereof, in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Risk Retention Rules. Due to the interplay of the 1940 Act restrictions on principal and joint transactions and the U.S. Risk Retention Rules, GBDC sought no-action relief to ensure that GBDC could engage in CLO financing under the 1940 Act and the risk retention rules mandated by Section 941 of Dodd-Frank. On September 7, 2018 GBDC received a no-action letter from the staff  (the “Staff”) of the Division of Investment Management of the SEC that states that the Staff would not recommend that the SEC take any enforcement action under Section 57(a) of the 1940 Act, or Rule 17d-1 under the 1940 Act against GBDC or GC Advisors if GBDC were to acquire CLO equity as a Retention Interest in the manner described in a letter submitted to the Staff on behalf of GBDC.

However, the no-action relief GBDC received did not address whether or not the CLO transactions described therein would satisfy the requirements of the U.S. Risk Retention Rules. As a general matter, available interpretive authority to date addressing the U.S. Risk Retention Rules applicable to CLOs is limited, and there is limited judicial decisional authority or applicable agency interpretation that has directly addressed any of the risk retention approaches taken with respect to CLOs. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the applicable federal agencies will agree that any CLO transaction GBDC undertakes, or the manner in which GBDC holds any retention interests, complies with the U.S. Risk Retention Rules. If GBDC ever determined that undertaking CLO transactions would subject it or any of its affiliates to unacceptable regulatory risk, GBDC’s ability to execute CLOs may be limited or otherwise curtailed. Given the more attractive financing costs associated with these types of debt securitization as opposed to other types of financing available (such as traditional senior secured facilities), this would, in turn, increase GBDC’s financing costs. Any associated increase in financing costs would ultimately be borne by GBDC’s common stockholders.

On February 3, 2017, President Trump signed Executive Order 13772 (the “Executive Order”) announcing the Administration’s policy to regulate the U.S. financial system in a manner consistent with certain “Core Principles,” including regulation that is efficient, effective and appropriately tailored. The Executive Order directed the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the heads of the member agencies of the Financial Stability Oversight Council, to report to the President on the extent to which existing laws, regulations and other government policies promote the Core Principles and to identify any laws, regulations or other government policies that inhibit federal regulation of the U.S. financial system. On June 12, 2017, the U.S. Department of the Treasury published the first of several reports in response to

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the Executive Order on the depository system covering banks and other savings institutions. On October 6, 2017, the Treasury released a second report outlining ways to streamline and reform the U.S. regulatory system for capital markets, followed by a third report, on October 26, 2017, examining the current regulatory framework for the asset management and insurance industries. Subsequent reports are expected to address: retail and institutional investment products and vehicles; non-bank financial institutions; financial technology; and financial innovation.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was enacted into law. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act makes significant changes to the U.S. income tax rules applicable to both individuals and entities, including corporations. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act includes provisions that, among other things, reduce the U.S. corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, introduce a capital investment deduction, limit the interest deduction, limit the use of net operating losses to offset future taxable income, repeal the corporate alternative minimum tax and make extensive changes to the U.S. international tax system. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is complex and far-reaching, and GBDC cannot predict the impact its enactment will have on it, its subsidiaries, its portfolio companies and the holders of its securities.

On May 24, 2018, President Trump signed into law the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, which increased from $50 billion to $250 billion the asset threshold for designation of  “systemically important financial institutions” (“SIFIs”) subject to enhanced prudential standards set by the Federal Reserve Board, staggering application of this change based on the size and risk of the covered bank holding company. On May 30, 2018, the Federal Reserve Board voted to consider changes to the Volcker Rule that would loosen compliance requirements for all banks. The effect of this change and any further rules or regulations are and could be complex and far-reaching, and the change and any future laws or regulations or changes thereto could negatively impact GBDC’s operations, cash flows or financial condition, impose additional costs on GBDC, intensify the regulatory supervision of GBDC or otherwise adversely affect GBDC’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Over the last several years, there also has been an increase in regulatory attention to the extension of credit outside of the traditional banking sector, raising the possibility that some portion of the non-bank financial sector will be subject to new regulation. While it cannot be known at this time whether any regulation will be implemented or what form it will take, increased regulation of non-bank credit extension could negatively impact GBDC’s operations, cash flows or financial condition, impose additional costs on GBDC, intensify the regulatory supervision of GBDC or otherwise adversely affect GBDC’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Changes to U.S. tariff and import/export regulations may have a negative effect on GBDC’s portfolio companies and, in turn, harm GBDC.

There has been ongoing discussion and commentary regarding potential significant changes to U.S. trade policies, treaties and tariffs. The current U.S. presidential administration, along with the U.S. Congress, has created significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United States and other countries with respect to trade policies, treaties and tariffs. These developments, or the perception that any of them could occur, may have a material adverse effect on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets, and may significantly reduce global trade and, in particular, trade between the impacted nations and the United States. Any of these factors could depress economic activity and restrict GBDC’s portfolio companies’ access to suppliers or customers and have a material adverse effect on their business, financial condition and results of operations, which in turn would negatively impact GBDC.

The GBDC Board may change GBDC’s investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval.

The GBDC Board has the authority, except as otherwise provided in the 1940 Act, to modify or waive GBDC’s investment objective and certain of GBDC’s operating policies and strategies without prior notice and without stockholder approval. However, absent stockholder approval, GBDC may not change the nature of its business so as to cease to be, or withdraw its election as, a business development company. Under Delaware law, GBDC also cannot be dissolved without prior stockholder approval. GBDC cannot

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predict the effect any changes to its current investment objective, operating policies and strategies would have on its business, operating results and the price of GBDC Common Stock. Nevertheless, any such changes could adversely affect GBDC’s business and impair its ability to make distributions.

Provisions of the DGCL and GBDC’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse effect on the price of GBDC Common Stock.

The DGCL contains provisions that may discourage, delay or make more difficult a change in control of GBDC or the removal of GBDC’s directors. GBDC’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that limit liability and provide for indemnification of its directors and officers. These provisions and others also may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management. GBDC is 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 GBDC from engaging in mergers and other business combinations with stockholders that beneficially own 15% or more of its voting stock, or with their affiliates, unless GBDC’s directors or stockholders approve the business combination in the prescribed manner. If the GBDC Board does not approve a business combination, Section 203 of the DGCL may discourage third parties from trying to acquire control of GBDC and increase the difficulty of consummating such an offer.

GBDC has also adopted measures that may make it difficult for a third party to obtain control of GBDC, including provisions of its certificate of incorporation classifying the GBDC Board into three classes serving staggered three-year terms, and provisions of GBDC’s certificate of incorporation authorizing the GBDC Board to classify or reclassify shares of its preferred stock in one or more classes or series, to cause the issuance of additional shares of its stock, and to amend its certificate of incorporation, without stockholder approval, in certain instances. These provisions, as well as other provisions of GBDC’s 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 its securityholders.

GC Advisors can resign on 60 days’ notice, and GBDC may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in GBDC’s operations that could adversely affect its financial condition, business and results of operations.

GC Advisors has the right to resign under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement at any time upon not less than 60 days’ written notice, whether GBDC has found a replacement or not. If GC Advisors resigns, GBDC may not be able to find a new investment adviser or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms within 60 days, or at all. If GBDC is unable to do so quickly, GBDC’s operations are likely to experience a disruption, its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows as well as its ability to pay distributions are likely to be adversely affected and the market price of its shares may decline. In addition, the coordination of GBDC’s internal management and investment activities is likely to suffer if it is unable to identify and reach an agreement with a single institution or group of executives having the expertise possessed by GC Advisors and its affiliates. Even if GBDC is able to retain comparable management, whether internal or external, the integration of such management and their lack of familiarity with GBDC’s investment objective may result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The Administrator can resign on 60 days’ notice, and GBDC may not be able to find a suitable replacement, resulting in a disruption in its operations that could adversely affect its financial condition, business and results of operations.

The Administrator has the right to resign under the Administration Agreement at any time upon not less than 60 days’ written notice, whether GBDC has found a replacement or not. If the Administrator resigns, GBDC may not be able to find a new administrator or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms, or at all. If GBDC is unable to do so quickly, its operations are likely to experience a disruption, its financial condition, business and results of operations as well as its ability to pay distributions are likely to be adversely affected and the market price of its shares may decline. In addition, the coordination of GBDC’s internal management and administrative activities is likely to suffer if GBDC is unable to identify and reach an agreement with a

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service provider or individuals with the expertise possessed by the Administrator. Even if GBDC is able to retain a comparable service provider or individuals to perform such services, whether internal or external, their integration into GBDC’s business and lack of familiarity with GBDC’s investment objective may result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect GBDC’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

GBDC incurs significant costs as a result of being a publicly traded company.

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

GBDC’s compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act involves significant expenditures, and non-compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act would adversely affect GBDC and the market price of GBDC Common Stock.

GBDC is required to report on its internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related rules and regulations of the SEC. As a result, GBDC incurs expenses that may negatively impact its financial performance and its ability to make distributions. This process also results in a diversion of management’s time and attention. GBDC cannot ensure that its evaluation, testing and remediation process is effective or that its internal control over financial reporting will be effective. In the event that GBDC is unable to maintain compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related rules, GBDC and the market price of its securities would be adversely affected.

GBDC is highly dependent on information systems and systems failures or cyberattacks could significantly disrupt GBDC’s business, which may, in turn, negatively affect the market price of GBDC Common Stock and GBDC’s ability to pay dividends and other distributions.

GBDC’s business depends on the communications and information systems of GC Advisors and its affiliates. These systems are subject to potential attacks, including through adverse events that threaten the confidentiality, integrity or availability of GBDC’s information resources (i.e., cyber incidents). These attacks could involve gaining unauthorized access to GBDC’s information systems for purposes of misappropriating assets, stealing confidential information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption and result in disrupted operations, misstated or unreliable financial data, liability for stolen assets or information, increased cybersecurity protection and insurance costs, litigation and damage to GBDC’s business relationships, any of which could, in turn, have a material adverse effect on GBDC’s operating results and negatively affect the market price of its securities and its ability to pay dividends and other distributions to its securityholders. As GBDC’s reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to its information systems, both internal and those provided by GC Advisors and third-party service providers.

GBDC’s business and operations could be negatively affected if GBDC becomes subject to stockholder activism, which could cause GBDC to incur significant expense, hinder the execution of its investment strategy or impact its stock price.

Stockholder activism, which could take many forms, including making public demands that GBDC consider certain strategic alternatives, engaging in public campaigns to attempt to influence GBDC’s corporate governance and/or its management, and commencing proxy contests to attempt to elect the activists’ representatives or others to the GBDC Board, or arise in a variety of situations, has been increasing in the business development company space recently. While GBDC is currently not subject to any stockholder activism, due to the potential volatility of GBDC’s stock price and for a variety of other reasons, GBDC may in the future become the target of stockholder activism. Stockholder activism could result in substantial costs and divert management’s and the GBDC Board’s attention and resources from GBDC’s business. Additionally, such stockholder activism could give rise to perceived uncertainties as to GBDC’s future and adversely affect GBDC’s relationships with service providers and its portfolio

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companies. Also, GBDC may be required to incur significant legal and other expenses related to any activist stockholder matters. Further, GBDC’s stock price could be subject to significant fluctuation or otherwise be adversely affected by the events, risks and uncertainties of any stockholder activism.

Risks Relating to GBDC’s Investments

Economic recessions or downturns could impair GBDC’s portfolio companies and defaults by GBDC’s portfolio companies will harm its operating results.

Many of GBDC’s portfolio companies are susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may be unable to repay GBDC’s loans during these periods. Therefore, GBDC’s non-performing assets are likely to increase and the value of its portfolio is likely to decrease during these periods. Adverse economic conditions may decrease the value of collateral securing some of GBDC’s loans and the value of its equity investments. Economic slowdowns or recessions could lead to financial losses in GBDC’s portfolio and a decrease in revenues, net income and assets. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase GBDC’s funding costs, limit its access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to GBDC. These events could prevent GBDC from increasing its investments and harm its operating results.

A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by GBDC or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of GBDC’s loans and foreclosure on its assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize GBDC’s portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt securities that GBDC holds. GBDC may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting portfolio company. In addition, lenders in certain cases can be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by them when they become too involved in the borrower’s business or exercise control over a borrower. It is possible that GBDC could become subject to a lender’s liability claim, including as a result of actions taken if it renders managerial assistance to the borrower.

GBDC’s debt investments may be risky and GBDC could lose all or part of its investments.

The debt that GBDC invests in is typically not initially rated by any rating agency, but GBDC believes that if such investments were rated, they would be below investment grade (rated lower than “Baa3” by Moody’s Investors Service, lower than “BBB-” by Fitch Ratings or lower than “BBB-” by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services), which under the guidelines established by these entities is an indication of having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Bonds that are rated below investment grade are sometimes referred to as “high yield bonds” or “junk bonds.” Therefore, GBDC’s investments may result in an above average amount of risk and volatility or loss of principal.

GBDC’s investments in leveraged portfolio companies may be risky, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Investment in leveraged companies involves a number of significant risks. Leveraged companies in which GBDC invests may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt securities that GBDC holds. Such developments may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of GBDC’s realizing any guarantees that it may have obtained in connection with its investment. Smaller leveraged companies also may have less predictable operating results and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance their expansion or maintain their competitive position.

GBDC’s investments in private and middle-market portfolio companies are risky, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Investment in private and middle-market companies involves a number of significant risks. Generally, little public information exists about these companies, and GBDC relies on the ability of GC Advisors’ investment professionals to obtain adequate information to evaluate the potential returns from investing in these companies. If GC Advisors is unable to uncover all material information about these companies, GBDC may not make a fully informed investment decision, and it may lose money on its investments.

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Middle-market companies generally have less predictable operating results and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance expansion or maintain their competitive position. Middle-market companies may have limited financial resources, may have difficulty accessing the capital markets to meet future capital needs and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt securities that GBDC holds, which may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of GBDC’s realizing any guarantees it may have obtained in connection with its investment. In addition, such companies typically have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns. Additionally, middle-market companies are more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons. Therefore, the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on GBDC’s portfolio company and, in turn, on GBDC. Middle-market companies also may be parties to litigation and may be engaged in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence. In addition, GBDC’s executive officers, directors and GC Advisors may, in the ordinary course of business, be named as defendants in litigation arising from GBDC’s investments in the portfolio companies.

The lack of liquidity in GBDC’s investments may adversely affect its business.

GBDC may invest all of its assets in illiquid securities, and a substantial portion of its investments in leveraged companies are and will be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or will otherwise be less liquid than more broadly traded public securities. The illiquidity of these investments may make it difficult for GBDC to sell such investments if the need arises. In addition, if GBDC is required to liquidate all or a portion of its portfolio quickly, it may realize significantly less than the value at which it has previously recorded its investments. GBDC may also face other restrictions on its ability to liquidate an investment in a portfolio company to the extent that GBDC, GC Advisors, Golub Capital or any of GBDC’s affiliates have material nonpublic information regarding such portfolio company.

Price declines and illiquidity in the corporate debt markets may adversely affect the fair value of GBDC’s portfolio investments, reducing its net asset value through increased net unrealized depreciation.

As a business development company, GBDC is required to carry its investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at fair value as determined in good faith by the GBDC Board. As part of the valuation process, GBDC may take into account the following types of factors, if relevant, in determining the fair value of its investments:

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a comparison of the portfolio company’s securities to publicly traded securities;

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the enterprise value of the portfolio company;

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the nature and realizable value of any collateral;

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the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow;

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the markets in which the portfolio company does business; and

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changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets generally that may affect the price at which similar investments may be made in the future and other relevant factors.

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When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, GBDC uses the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate its valuation. GBDC records decreases in the market values or fair values of its investments as unrealized depreciation. Declines in prices and liquidity in the corporate debt markets may result in significant net unrealized depreciation in its portfolio. The effect of all of these factors on GBDC’s portfolio may reduce GBDC’s net asset value by increasing net unrealized depreciation in its portfolio. Depending on market conditions, GBDC could incur substantial realized losses and may suffer additional unrealized losses in future periods, which could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

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GBDC’s portfolio companies may prepay loans, which may reduce its yields if capital returned cannot be invested in transactions with equal or greater expected yields.

The loans in GBDC’s investment portfolio may be prepaid at any time, generally with little advance notice. Whether a loan is prepaid will depend both on the continued positive performance of the portfolio company and the existence of favorable financing market conditions that allow such company the ability to replace existing financing with less expensive capital. As market conditions change, GBDC does not know when, and if, prepayment may be possible for each portfolio company. In some cases, the prepayment of a loan may reduce GBDC’s achievable yield if the capital returned cannot be invested in transactions with equal or greater expected yields, which could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

GBDC’s portfolio companies may be unable to repay or refinance outstanding principal on their loans at or prior to maturity, and rising interests rates may make it more difficult for portfolio companies to make periodic payments on their loans.

GBDC’s portfolio companies may be unable to repay or refinance outstanding principal on their loans at or prior to maturity. This risk and the risk of default is increased to the extent that the loan documents do not require the portfolio companies to pay down the outstanding principal of such debt prior to maturity. In addition, if general interest rates rise, there is a risk that GBDC’s portfolio companies will be unable to pay escalating interest amounts, which could result in a default under their loan documents with GBDC. Rising interest rates could also cause portfolio companies to shift cash from other productive uses to the payment of interest, which may have a material adverse effect on their business and operations and could, over time, lead to increased defaults. Any failure of one or more portfolio companies to repay or refinance its debt at or prior to maturity or the inability of one or more portfolio companies to make ongoing payments following an increase in contractual interest rates could have a material adverse effect on GBDC’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

GBDC has not yet identified the portfolio company investments GBDC will acquire.

While GBDC currently holds a portfolio of investments, GBDC has not yet identified additional potential investments for its portfolio that GBDC will acquire with the proceeds of any offering of securities or repayments of investments currently in its portfolio. Privately negotiated investments in illiquid securities or private middle-market companies require substantial due diligence and structuring, and GBDC cannot assure you that it will achieve its anticipated investment pace. As a result, you will be unable to evaluate any future portfolio company investments prior to purchasing its shares of common stock. Additionally, GC Advisors selects all of its investments, and its stockholders will have no input with respect to such investment decisions. These factors increase the uncertainty, and thus the risk, of investing in its securities. GBDC anticipates that it will use substantially all of the net proceeds of any offering of its securities within approximately six months following the completion of any offering of its securities, depending on the availability of appropriate investment opportunities consistent with its investment objectives and market conditions. Until such appropriate investment opportunities can be found, GBDC may also invest the net proceeds in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment. GBDC expects these temporary investments to earn yields substantially lower than the income that it expects to receive in respect of its targeted investment types. As a result, any distributions GBDC makes during this period may be substantially smaller than the distributions that it expects to pay when its portfolio is fully invested.

GBDC is a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and therefore GBDC is not limited with respect to the proportion of its assets that may be invested in securities of a single issuer.

GBDC is classified as a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, which means that GBDC is not limited by the 1940 Act with respect to the proportion of its assets that it may invest in securities of a single issuer. To the extent that GBDC assumes large positions in the securities of a small number of issuers, its net asset value may fluctuate to a greater extent than that of a diversified investment company as a result of changes in the financial condition or the market’s assessment of the issuer. GBDC may also be more susceptible to any single economic or regulatory occurrence than a diversified investment company. Beyond its asset diversification requirements as a RIC under the Code,

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GBDC does not have fixed guidelines for diversification, and its investments could be concentrated in relatively few portfolio companies. Although GBDC is classified as a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, it maintains the flexibility to operate as a diversified investment company and has done so for an extended period of time. To the extent that GBDC operates as a non-diversified investment company in the future, it may be subject to greater risk.

GBDC’s portfolio may be concentrated in a limited number of portfolio companies and industries, which will subject GBDC to a risk of significant loss if any of these companies defaults on its obligations under any of its debt instruments or if there is a downturn in a particular industry.

GBDC’s portfolio may be concentrated in a limited number of portfolio companies and industries. As a result, the aggregate returns GBDC realizes may be significantly and adversely affected if a small number of investments perform poorly or if GBDC needs to write down the value of any one investment. Additionally, while GBDC is not targeting any specific industries, its investments may be concentrated in relatively few industries. For example, although GBDC classifies the industries of its portfolio companies by end-market (such as healthcare or business services) and not by the products or services (such as software) directed to those end-markets, many of its portfolio companies principally provide software products or services, which exposes GBDC to downturns in that sector. As a result, a downturn in any particular industry in which GBDC is invested could also significantly impact the aggregate returns it realizes.

GBDC may hold the debt securities of leveraged companies that may, due to the significant volatility of such companies, enter into bankruptcy proceedings.

Leveraged companies may experience bankruptcy or similar financial distress. The bankruptcy process has a number of significant inherent risks. Many events in a bankruptcy proceeding are the product of contested matters and adversary proceedings and are beyond the control of the creditors. A bankruptcy filing by an issuer may adversely and permanently affect the issuer. If the proceeding is converted to a liquidation, the value of the issuer may not equal the liquidation value that was believed to exist at the time of the investment. The duration of a bankruptcy proceeding is also difficult to predict, and a creditor’s return on investment can be adversely affected by delays until the plan of reorganization or liquidation ultimately becomes effective. The administrative costs of a bankruptcy proceeding are frequently high and would be paid out of the debtor’s estate prior to any return to creditors. Because the standards for classification of claims under bankruptcy law are vague, GBDC’s influence with respect to the class of securities or other obligations it owns may be lost by increases in the number and amount of claims in the same class or by different classification and treatment. In the early stages of the bankruptcy process, it is often difficult to estimate the extent of, or even to identify, any contingent claims that might be made. In addition, certain claims that have priority by law (for example, claims for taxes) may be substantial.

Depending on the facts and circumstances of its investments and the extent of GBDC’s involvement in the management of a portfolio company, upon the bankruptcy of a portfolio company, a bankruptcy court may recharacterize GBDC’s debt investments as equity interests and subordinate all or a portion of its claim to that of other creditors. This could occur even though GBDC may have structured its investment as senior debt.

GBDC’s failure to make follow-on investments in its portfolio companies could impair the value of its portfolio.

Following an initial investment in a portfolio company, GBDC may make additional investments in that portfolio company as “follow-on” investments, in seeking to:

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increase or maintain in whole or in part its position as a creditor or equity ownership percentage in a portfolio company;

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exercise warrants, options or convertible securities that were acquired in the original or subsequent financing; or

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preserve or enhance the value of its investment.

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GBDC has discretion to make follow-on investments, subject to the availability of capital resources. Failure on GBDC’s part to make follow-on investments may, in some circumstances, jeopardize the continued viability of a portfolio company and GBDC’s initial investment, or may result in a missed

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opportunity for GBDC to increase its participation in a successful portfolio company. Even if GBDC has sufficient capital to make a desired follow-on investment, it may elect not to make a follow-on investment because it may not want to increase its level of risk, because it prefers other opportunities or because of regulatory or other considerations. GBDC’s ability to make follow-on investments may also be limited by GC Advisors’ allocation policy.

Because GBDC generally does not hold controlling equity interests in its portfolio companies, GBDC may not be able to exercise control over its portfolio companies or to prevent decisions by management of its portfolio companies that could decrease the value of its investments.

To the extent GBDC does not hold controlling equity positions in its portfolio companies, it is subject to the risk that a portfolio company may make business decisions with which GBDC disagrees, and that the management and/or stockholders of a portfolio company may take risks or otherwise act in ways that are adverse to GBDC’s interests. Due to the lack of liquidity of the debt and equity investments that GBDC typically holds in its portfolio companies, GBDC may not be able to dispose of its investments in the event it disagrees with the actions of a portfolio company and may therefore suffer a decrease in the value of its investments.

GBDC’s portfolio companies may incur debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, its investments in such companies and such portfolio companies may not generate sufficient cash flow to service their debt obligations to GBDC.

GBDC has invested a portion of its capital in second lien and subordinated loans issued by its portfolio companies and intends to continue to do so in the future. GBDC’s portfolio companies may have, or be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the debt securities in which GBDC invests. Such subordinated investments are subject to greater risk of default than senior obligations as a result of adverse changes in the financial condition of the obligor or in general economic conditions. If GBDC makes a subordinated investment in a portfolio company, the portfolio company may be highly leveraged, and its relatively high debt-to-equity ratio may create increased risks that its operations might not generate sufficient cash flow to service all of its debt obligations. By their terms, such debt instruments may provide that the holders are entitled to receive payment of interest or principal on or before the dates on which GBDC is entitled to receive payments in respect of the securities in which it invests. These debt instruments would usually prohibit the portfolio companies from paying interest on or repaying its investments in the event of and during the continuance of a default under such debt. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of securities ranking senior to GBDC’s investment in that portfolio company would typically be entitled to receive payment in full before GBDC receives any distribution in respect of its investment. After repaying senior creditors, the portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to GBDC where GBDC is junior creditor. In the case of debt ranking equally with debt securities in which GBDC invests, GBDC would have to share any distributions on an equal and ratable basis with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.

Additionally, certain loans that GBDC makes to portfolio companies may be secured on a second priority basis by the same collateral securing senior secured debt of such companies. The first priority liens on the collateral will secure the portfolio company’s obligations under any outstanding senior debt and may secure certain other future debt that may be permitted to be incurred by the portfolio company under the agreements governing the loans. The holders of obligations secured by first priority liens on the collateral will generally control the liquidation of, and be entitled to receive proceeds from, any realization of the collateral to repay their obligations in full before GBDC. In addition, the value of the collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from sales of all of the collateral would be sufficient to satisfy the loan obligations secured by the second priority liens after payment in full of all obligations secured by the first priority liens on the collateral. If such proceeds were not sufficient to repay amounts outstanding under the loan obligations secured by the second priority liens, then GBDC, to the extent not repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the collateral, will only have an unsecured claim against the portfolio company’s remaining assets, if any.

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GBDC has made in the past, and may make in the future, unsecured loans to portfolio companies, meaning that such loans will not benefit from any interest in collateral of such companies. Liens on a portfolio company’s collateral, if any, will secure the portfolio company’s obligations under its outstanding secured debt and may secure certain future debt that is permitted to be incurred by the portfolio company under its secured loan agreements. The holders of obligations secured by such liens will generally control the liquidation of, and be entitled to receive proceeds from, any realization of such collateral to repay their obligations in full before GBDC. In addition, the value of such collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from sales of such collateral would be sufficient to satisfy its unsecured loan obligations after payment in full of all loans secured by collateral. If such proceeds were not sufficient to repay the outstanding secured loan obligations, then its unsecured claims would rank equally with the unpaid portion of such secured creditors’ claims against the portfolio company’s remaining assets, if any.

The rights GBDC may have with respect to the collateral securing any junior priority loans GBDC makes to its portfolio companies may also be limited pursuant to the terms of one or more intercreditor agreements that it enters into with the holders of senior debt. Under a typical intercreditor agreement, at any time that obligations that have the benefit of the first priority liens are outstanding, any of the following actions that may be taken in respect of the collateral will be at the direction of the holders of the obligations secured by the first priority liens:

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the ability to cause the commencement of enforcement proceedings against the collateral;

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•

the ability to control the conduct of such proceedings;

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the approval of amendments to collateral documents;

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•

releases of liens on the collateral; and

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•

waivers of past defaults under collateral documents.

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GBDC may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if its rights as junior lenders are adversely affected.

The disposition of GBDC’s investments may result in contingent liabilities.

A significant portion of GBDC’s investments involve private securities. In connection with the disposition of an investment in private securities, GBDC may be required to make representations about the business and financial affairs of the portfolio company typical of those made in connection with the sale of a business. GBDC may also be required to indemnify the purchasers of such investment to the extent that any such representations turn out to be inaccurate or with respect to potential liabilities. These arrangements may result in contingent liabilities that ultimately result in funding obligations that GBDC must satisfy through its return of distributions previously made to GBDC.

GC Advisors’ liability is limited, and GBDC has agreed to indemnify GC Advisors against certain liabilities, which may lead GC Advisors to act in a riskier manner on GBDC’s behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

Under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement and the collateral management agreements for each of the 2014 Debt Securitization and 2018 Debt Securitization, GC Advisors does not assume any responsibility to GBDC other than to render the services called for under those agreements, and GBDC is not responsible for any action of its board of directors in following or declining to follow GC Advisors’ advice or recommendations. Under the terms of the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement and each of the collateral management agreements GC Advisors, its officers, members, personnel, and any person controlling or controlled by GC Advisors are not liable to GBDC, any subsidiary of GBDC, GBDC’s directors, GBDC’s stockholders or any subsidiary’s stockholders or partners for acts or omissions performed in accordance with and pursuant to the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement and the collateral management agreements, except those resulting from acts constituting gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or, under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement, reckless disregard of GC Advisors’ duties under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement and the collateral management agreements. In addition, GBDC has agreed to indemnify GC Advisors and each of its officers,

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directors, members, managers and employees from and against any claims or liabilities, including reasonable legal fees and other expenses reasonably incurred, arising out of or in connection with its business and operations or any action taken or omitted on its behalf pursuant to authority granted by the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement and the collateral management agreements, except where attributable to gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or, under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement, reckless disregard of such person’s duties under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement and the collateral management agreements. These protections may lead GC Advisors to act in a riskier manner when acting on GBDC’s behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

GBDC’s investments in foreign companies may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.

GBDC’s investment strategy contemplates potential investments in foreign companies. Investing in foreign companies may expose GBDC to additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These risks include changes in exchange control regulations, political and social instability, expropriation, imposition of foreign taxes (potentially at confiscatory levels), less liquid markets, less available information than is generally the case in the United States, higher transaction costs, less government supervision of exchanges, brokers and issuers, less developed bankruptcy laws, difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and greater price volatility. Although GBDC expects most of its investments will be U.S. dollar denominated, its investments that are denominated in a foreign currency will be subject to the risk that the value of a particular currency will change in relation to one or more other currencies. Among the factors that may affect currency values are trade balances, the level of short-term interest rates, differences in relative values of similar assets in different currencies, long-term opportunities for investment and capital appreciation and political developments. GBDC may employ hedging techniques to minimize these risks, but GBDC cannot assure you that such strategies will be effective or without risk to GBDC. As of March 31, 2019, GBDC was invested in securities of three non-U.S. companies. Securities issued by non-U.S. companies are not “qualifying assets” under the 1940 Act, and GBDC may invest in non-U.S. companies, including emerging market issuers, to the limited extent such investments are permitted under the 1940 Act.

GBDC may expose itself to risks if GBDC engages in hedging transactions.

GBDC has and may in the future enter into hedging transactions, which may expose it to risks associated with such transactions. GBDC may utilize instruments such as forward contracts, currency options and interest rate swaps, caps, collars and floors to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the relative values of its portfolio positions from changes in currency exchange rates and market interest rates. Use of these hedging instruments may include counter-party credit risk. Hedging against a decline in the values of GBDC’s portfolio positions does not eliminate the possibility of fluctuations in the values of such positions or prevent losses if the values of such positions decline. However, such hedging can establish other positions designed to gain from those same developments, thereby offsetting the decline in the value of such portfolio positions. Such hedging transactions may also limit the opportunity for gain if the values of the underlying portfolio positions should increase. Moreover, it may not be possible to hedge against an exchange rate or interest rate fluctuation that is so generally anticipated that GBDC is not able to enter into a hedging transaction at an acceptable price.

The success of GBDC’s hedging transactions will depend on its ability to correctly predict movements in currencies and interest rates. Therefore, while GBDC may enter into such transactions to seek to reduce currency exchange rate and interest rate risks, unanticipated changes in currency exchange rates or interest rates may result in poorer overall investment performance than if GBDC had not engaged in any such hedging transactions. In addition, the degree of correlation between price movements of the instruments used in a hedging strategy and price movements in the portfolio positions being hedged may vary. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, GBDC may not seek to (or be able to) establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent GBDC from achieving the intended hedge and expose GBDC to risk of loss. In addition, it may not be possible to hedge fully or perfectly against currency fluctuations affecting the value of securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies because the value of those securities is likely to fluctuate as a result of factors not related to currency fluctuations. GBDC’s ability to engage in hedging transactions may also be adversely affected by rules adopted by the CFTC.

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GBDC may not realize gains from its equity investments.

When GBDC invests in one stop, second lien and subordinated loans, it may acquire warrants or other equity securities of portfolio companies as well. GBDC may also invest in equity securities directly. To the extent GBDC holds equity investments, it will attempt to dispose of them and realize gains upon its disposition of them. However, the equity interests GBDC receives may not appreciate in value and may decline in value. As a result, GBDC may not be able to realize gains from its equity interests, and any gains that GBDC does realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses it experiences.

Risks Relating to GBDC Common Stock

Investing in GBDC Common Stock may involve an above average degree of risk.

The investments GBDC makes in accordance with its investment objective may result in a higher amount of risk than alternative investment options and a higher risk of volatility or loss of principal. GBDC’s investments in portfolio companies involve higher levels of risk, and therefore, an investment in its shares may not be suitable for someone with lower risk tolerance.

Shares of closed-end investment companies, including business development companies, often trade at a discount to their net asset value.

Shares of closed-end investment companies, including business development companies, may trade at a discount from net asset value. This characteristic of closed-end investment companies and business development companies is separate and distinct from the risk that its net asset value per share may decline. GBDC cannot predict whether GBDC Common Stock will trade at, above or below net asset value.

There is a risk that investors in its equity securities may not receive distributions or that its distributions may not grow over time and a portion of its distributions may be a return of capital.

GBDC intends to make distributions on a quarterly basis to its stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. GBDC cannot assure you that it will achieve investment results that will allow it to make a specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. GBDC’s ability to pay distributions might be adversely affected by the impact of one or more of the risk factors described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Due to the asset coverage test applicable to GBDC under the 1940 Act as a business development company, GBDC may be limited in its ability to make distributions. If GBDC declares a distribution and if more stockholders opt to receive cash distributions rather than participate in its dividend reinvestment plan, GBDC may be forced to sell some of its investments in order to make cash distribution payments. To the extent GBDC makes distributions to stockholders that include a return of capital, such portion of the distribution essentially constitutes a return of the stockholder’s investment. Although such return of capital may not be taxable, such distributions would generally decrease a stockholder’s basis in GBDC Common Stock and may therefore increase such stockholder’s tax liability for capital gains upon the future sale of such stock. A return of capital distribution may cause a stockholder to recognize a capital gain from the sale of GBDC Common Stock even if the stockholder sells its shares for less than the original purchase price.

The market price of GBDC Common Stock may fluctuate significantly.

The market price and liquidity of the market for GBDC’s securities may be significantly affected by numerous factors, some of which are beyond GBDC’s control and may not be directly related to its operating performance. These factors include:

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significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of securities of business development companies or other companies in its sector, which are not necessarily related to the operating performance of the companies;

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changes in regulatory policies, accounting pronouncements or tax guidelines, particularly with respect to RICs and business development companies;

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loss of its qualification as a RIC or business development company;

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•

changes in market interest rates and decline in the prices of debt,

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changes in earnings or variations in operating results;

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changes in the value of GBDC’s portfolio investments;

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changes in accounting guidelines governing valuation of GBDC’s investments;

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any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels expected by investors or securities analysts;

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departure of GC Advisors’ or any of its affiliates’ key personnel;

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operating performance of companies comparable to GBDC;

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general economic trends and other external factors; and

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loss of a major funding source.

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GBDC’s stockholders will experience dilution in their ownership percentage if they do not participate in GBDC’s dividend reinvestment plan.

All distributions declared in cash payable to stockholders that are participants in GBDC’s dividend reinvestment plan are automatically reinvested in shares of GBDC Common Stock. As a result, GBDC’s stockholders that do not participate in its dividend reinvestment plan will experience dilution in their ownership percentage of GBDC Common Stock over time.

GBDC’s stockholders may receive shares of GBDC Common Stock as dividends, which could result in adverse tax consequences to them.

In order to satisfy the annual distribution requirement applicable to RICs, GBDC has the ability to declare a large portion of a dividend in shares of GBDC Common Stock instead of in cash. As long as a portion of such dividend is paid in cash (which portion may be as low as 20% of such dividend) 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 dividend on the date the dividend is received by the stockholder in the same manner as a cash dividend, even though most of the dividend was paid in shares of GBDC Common Stock. GBDC currently does not intend to pay dividends in shares of GBDC Common Stock.

Sales of substantial amounts of GBDC Common Stock in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of GBDC Common Stock.

Sales of substantial amounts of GBDC Common Stock, or the availability of such common stock for sale, could adversely affect the prevailing market prices for GBDC Common Stock. If this occurs and continues, it could impair GBDC’s ability to raise additional capital through the sale of securities should GBDC desire to do so.

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COMPARATIVE FEES AND EXPENSES

Comparative Fees and Expenses Relating to the Merger

The following tables are intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that an investor in the common stock of GBDC or GCIC bears directly or indirectly, and, based on the assumptions set forth below, the pro forma costs and expenses estimated to be incurred by the combined company in the first year following the Merger. GBDC and GCIC caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this document refers to fees or expenses paid or to be paid by “you,” “GBDC” or “GCIC,” stockholders will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as investors in GBDC or GCIC, as applicable.

(1)

Purchases of shares of GBDC Common Stock on the secondary market are not subject to sales charges, but may be subject to brokerage commissions or other charges. The table does not include any sales load (underwriting discount or commission) that stockholders may have paid in connection with their purchase of shares of GBDC Common Stock. Purchases of shares of GCIC Common Stock in its private placement are not subject to sales charges.

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(2)

The estimated expenses associated with the respective dividend reinvestment plans are included in “Other expenses.”

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(3)

“Net assets attributable to common stock” equals net assets as of March 31, 2019. For the pro forma columns, the net assets of GBDC on a pro forma basis as of March 31, 2019 were used. See “Unaudited Selected Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Data” for more information.

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(4)

GBDC’s management fee is calculated at an annual rate equal to 1.375% and is based on GBDC’s average adjusted gross assets (including assets purchased with borrowed funds and securitization-related assets, leverage, unrealized depreciation or appreciation on derivative instruments and cash collateral on deposit with custodian but adjusted to exclude cash and cash equivalents so that investors do not pay the base management fee on such assets) at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters and is payable quarterly in arrears. See “Golub Capital BDC, Inc. Management Agreements — Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement — Management Fee.” The GBDC management fee referenced in the table above is annualized and based on actual amounts incurred by GBDC during the three months ended March 31, 2019. The estimate of GBDC’s annualized base management fees based on actual expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 assumes net assets of  $966.2 million and leverage of  $1,051.2 million, which reflects GBDC’s net assets and leverage as of March 31, 2019.

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GCIC’s management fee is calculated at an annual rate equal to the lesser of  (a) 1.50% or (b) the base management fee of GBDC (currently 1.375%), in either case on the fair value of GCIC’s average adjusted gross assets at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters (excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds and leverage) and is payable quarterly in arrears. For periods prior to the closing of a Liquidity Event, GC Advisors has irrevocably agreed to waive any base management fee in excess of 1.00% of the fair value of GCIC’s average adjusted gross assets as calculated in accordance with the GCIC Investment Advisory Agreement. See “Golub Capital Investment Corporation Management Agreements — GCIC Investment Advisory Agreement — Management Fee.” The GCIC management fee referenced in the table above is annualized and based on actual amounts incurred by GCIC during the three months ended March 31, 2019, net of waivers. The estimate of GCIC’s annualized base management fees based on actual expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 assumes net assets of  $1,098.6 million and leverage of $993.7 million, which reflects GCIC’s net assets and leverage as of March 31, 2019.

The pro forma base management fee has been calculated in accordance with the terms of the New Investment Advisory Agreement and assuming that the Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal is approved by GBDC stockholders. The base management fee under the New Investment Advisory Agreement is calculated in the same manner and at the same annual rate (1.375%) as the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement described above. See “GBDC Proposal 3: Approval of Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal — Base Management Fee.” The pro forma base management fee referenced in the table above is annualized and based on actual amounts incurred by GBDC and GCIC during the three months ended March 31, 2019. The estimate of the pro forma annualized base management fees based on actual expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 assumes net assets of  $2,056.9 million and leverage of  $2,039.9 million, which reflects net assets and leverage of GBDC and GCIC on a pro forma basis as of March 31, 2019.

GC Advisors, as collateral manager for the 2018 Issuer, under a collateral management agreement (the “2018 GBDC Collateral Management Agreement”), is entitled to receive an annual fee in an amount equal to 0.25% of the principal balance of the portfolio loans held by the 2018 Issuer at the beginning of the collection period relating to each payment date, which is payable in arrears on each payment date. This fee, which is less than the management fee payable under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement, is paid directly by the 2018 Issuer to GC Advisors and offset against such management fee. Accordingly, the 1.375% base management fee paid by GBDC to GC Advisors under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement and under the New Investment Advisory Agreement on all of GBDC’s assets, including those indirectly held through the 2018 Issuer, is reduced, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, by an amount equal to such 0.25% fee paid to GC Advisors by the GBDC 2018 Issuer. Under the 2018 GBDC Collateral Management Agreement, the term “collection period” refers to the quarterly period running from the end of the prior collection period to the tenth business day prior to the payment date. This fee may be waived by the collateral manager. The 2018 GBDC Collateral Management Agreement does not include any incentive fee payable to GC Advisors.

GC Advisors, as collateral manager for the GCIC 2016 Issuer, under a collateral management agreement (the “2016 GCIC Collateral Management Agreement”), is entitled to receive an annual fee in an amount equal to 0.25% of the principal balance of the portfolio loans held by the GCIC 2016 Issuer at the beginning of the collection period relating to each payment date, which is payable in arrears on each payment date. This fee, which is less than the management fee payable under either the GCIC Investment Advisory Agreement and, after closing of the Merger, the New Investment Advisory Agreement, is paid directly by the GCIC 2016 Issuer to GC Advisors and offset against such management fee. Accordingly, the base management fee paid to GC Advisors under the GCIC Investment Advisory Agreement and, after closing of the Merger, under the New Investment Advisory Agreement on all of GCIC’s or GBDC’s assets, as applicable, including those indirectly held through the GCIC 2016 Issuer, is and will be reduced, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, by an amount equal to such 0.25% fee paid to GC Advisors by the GCIC 2016 Issuer. Under the 2016 GCIC Collateral Management Agreement, the term “collection period” refers to a quarterly period running from the day after the end of the prior collection period to the tenth business day prior to the payment date. This fee may be waived by the collateral manager. The 2016 GCIC Collateral Management Agreement does not include any incentive fee payable to GC Advisors.

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GC Advisors, as collateral manager for the 2014 Issuer, under a collateral management agreement (the “2014 GBDC Collateral Management Agreement”) is entitled to receive an annual fee in an amount equal to 0.25% of the principal balance of the portfolio loans held by the GBDC 2014 Issuer at the beginning of the collection period relating to each payment date, which is payable in arrears on each payment date. This fee, which is less than the management fee payable under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement and the New Investment Advisory Agreement, is paid directly by the 2014 Issuer to GC Advisors and offset against such management fee. Accordingly, the 1.375% base management fee paid by GBDC to GC Advisors under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement and the New Investment Advisory Agreement on all of GBDC’s assets, including those indirectly held through the GBDC 2014 Issuer, is reduced, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, by an amount equal to such 0.25% fee paid to GC Advisors by the GBDC 2014 Issuer. Under the 2014 GBDC Collateral Management Agreement, the term “collection period” refers to a quarterly period running from the day after the end of the prior collection period to the tenth business day prior to the payment date. This fee may be waived by the collateral manager. The 2014 GBDC Collateral Management Agreement does not include any incentive fee payable to GC Advisors.

For purposes of this table, the SEC requires that the “Base management fees” percentage be calculated as a percentage of net assets attributable to common stock, rather than total assets, including assets that have been funded with borrowed monies, because common stockholders bear all of this cost. If the base management fee portion of the “Management fees” percentage were calculated instead as a percentage of total assets, GBDC’s, GCIC’s and the pro forma base management fee portion of the “Base management fees” percentage would be approximately 1.29%, 0.91% and 1.28% of total assets, respectively.

(5)

The incentive fee referenced in the table above for each of GBDC and GCIC is based on actual amounts of the income component of the incentive fee incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2019, annualized for a full year, and the amount payable under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement and the GCIC Investment Advisory Agreement, respectively, for the capital gains component as of March 31, 2019. The pro forma incentive fee referenced in the table above is calculated under the New Investment Advisory Agreement based on actual amounts of the income component of the incentive fee for GBDC and GCIC on a pro forma bases for the three months ended March 31, 2019, annualized for a full year and calculated under the New Investment Advisory Agreement and the amount payable under the New Investment Advisory Agreement for the capital gains component as of March 31, 2019, assuming that the Merger closed on September 30, 2017.

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Incentive Fees under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement:    GBDC has structured the calculation of the incentive fee under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement to include a fee limitation such that no incentive fee will be paid to GC Advisors for any quarter if, after such payment, the cumulative incentive fees paid to GC Advisors since the effective date of GBDC’s election to become a business development company would be greater than 20.0% of GBDC’s Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income (as defined below).

GBDC accomplishes this limitation by subjecting each quarterly incentive fee payable under the Current GBDC Income and Capital Gains Incentive Fee Calculation (as defined below) to a cap (the “Current GBDC Incentive Fee Cap”). The Current GBDC Incentive Fee Cap in any quarter is equal to the difference between (a) 20.0% of Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income and (b) cumulative incentive fees of any kind paid to GC Advisors by GBDC since April 13, 2010, the effective date of its election to become a business development company. To the extent the Current GBDC Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value in any quarter, no incentive fee would be payable in that quarter. “Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income” under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement is equal to the sum of (a) Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (as defined below) for each period since April 13, 2010 and (b) cumulative aggregate realized capital gains, cumulative aggregate realized capital losses, cumulative aggregate unrealized capital depreciation and cumulative aggregate unrealized capital appreciation since April 13, 2010.

“Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income” under each of the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement and the GCIC Investment Advisory Agreement means for each quarter (or portion thereof)

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interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that GBDC or GCIC, as applicable, receives from portfolio companies, but excluding fees for providing managerial assistance) accrued during the period, minus operating expenses for the calendar quarter (including the base management fee, taxes, any expenses payable under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement or the GCIC Investment Advisory Agreement, as applicable, and the Administration Agreement or GCIC Administration Agreement, as applicable, any expenses of securitizations and any interest expense and dividends paid on any outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the applicable incentive fees). Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature such as market discount, debt instruments with PIK interest, preferred stock with PIK dividends and zero coupon securities, accrued income that GBDC or GCIC, as applicable, has not yet received in cash. Under each of the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement, the GCIC Investment Advisory Agreement and the New Investment Advisory Agreement, GC Advisors does not return amounts paid to it on accrued income that GBDC or GCIC, as applicable, has not yet received in cash if such income is not ultimately received by GBDC or GCIC, as applicable, in cash. If GBDC or GCIC, as applicable, does not ultimately receive income, a loss would be recognized, reducing future fees.

The income and capital gains incentive fee calculation under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Current GBDC Income and Capital Gain Incentive Fee Calculation”) has two parts. The income component is calculated quarterly in arrears based on GBDC’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter, calculated as described above. Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. Because of the structure of the income component, it is possible that an incentive fee may be calculated under this formula with respect to a period in which GBDC has incurred a loss. For example, if GBDC receives Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income in excess of the hurdle rate (as defined below) for a calendar quarter, the income component will result in a positive value and an incentive fee will be paid subject to the Current GBDC Incentive Fee Cap.

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of GBDC’s net assets (defined as total assets less indebtedness and before taking into account any incentive fees payable during the period) at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, is compared to a fixed “hurdle rate” of 2.0% quarterly. If market interest rates rise, GBDC may be able to invest its funds in debt instruments that provide for a higher return, which would increase GBDC’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income and make it easier for GC Advisors to surpass the fixed hurdle rate and receive an incentive fee based on such net investment income. GBDC’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income used to calculate this part of the incentive fee is also included in the amount of GBDC’s total assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds and securitization-related assets and cash collateral on deposit with custodian) used to calculate the 1.375% base management fee, which fee is payable on all of GBDC’s assets managed by GC Advisors.

GBDC calculates the income component of the Current GBDC Income and Capital Gain Incentive Fee Calculation with respect to its Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income quarterly, in arrears, as follows:

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zero in any calendar quarter in which the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed the hurdle rate;

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100.0% of GBDC’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income with respect to that portion of such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 2.5% in any calendar quarter. GBDC refers to this portion of its Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (which exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 2.5%) as the “catch-up” provision. The catch-up is meant to provide GC Advisors with 20.0% of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income as if a hurdle rate did not apply if this net investment income exceeds 2.5% in any calendar quarter; and

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•

20.0% of the amount of GBDC’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds 2.5% in any calendar quarter.

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The sum of these calculations yields the “GBDC Income Incentive Fee.” This amount is appropriately adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the quarter.

The second part of the GBDC Income and Capital Gain Incentive Fee Calculation equals (a) 20.0% of GBDC’s Capital Gain Incentive Fee Base, if any, calculated in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement, as of the termination date), commencing with the calendar year ending December 31, 2010, less (b) the aggregate amount of any previously paid Capital Gain Incentive Fees. GBDC’s “Capital Gain Incentive Fee Base” under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement equals (1) the sum of (i) GBDC’s realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative positive basis from April 13, 2010 through the end of each calendar year, (ii) all realized capital losses on a cumulative basis and (iii) all unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis less (2) all unamortized deferred financing costs, if and to the extent such costs exceed all unrealized capital appreciation on a cumulative basis.

•

The cumulative aggregate realized capital losses are calculated as the sum of the amounts by which (a) the net sales price of each investment in GBDC’s portfolio when sold is less than (b) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.

​

•

The cumulative aggregate realized capital gains are calculated as the sum of the differences, if positive, between (a) the net sales price of each investment in GBDC’s portfolio when sold and (b) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.

​

•

The aggregate unrealized capital depreciation is calculated as the sum of the differences, if negative, between (a) the valuation of each investment in GBDC’s portfolio as of the applicable Capital Gain Incentive Fee calculation date and (b) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.

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Incentive Fees under the GCIC Investment Advisory Agreement:    The incentive fee in the GCIC Investment Advisory Agreement (the “GCIC Incentive Fee”) is comprised of three parts: the “GCIC Income Incentive Fee” component, the “GCIC Capital Gain Incentive Fee” component, and the “GCIC Subordinated Liquidation Incentive Fee” component. The GCIC Income Incentive Fee component is calculated quarterly in arrears based on GCIC’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (calculated as described above) for the immediately preceding calendar quarter.

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. Because of the structure of the GCIC Income Incentive Fee component, it is possible that a GCIC Incentive Fee may be calculated under this formula with respect to a period in which GCIC has incurred a loss. For example, if GCIC receives Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income in excess of its hurdle rate (as defined below) for a calendar quarter, the income component will result in a positive value and a GCIC Incentive Fee will be paid even if GCIC has incurred a loss in that quarter due to realized and/or unrealized capital losses unless the payment of such GCIC Incentive Fee would be subject to the GCIC Incentive Fee Cap defined below.

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of GCIC’s net assets (defined as total assets less indebtedness and before taking into account any incentive fees payable during the period) at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, is compared to a fixed “hurdle rate” of 1.5% quarterly. If market interest rates rise, GCIC may be able to invest its funds in debt instruments that provide for a higher return, which would increase its Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income and make it easier for GC Advisors to surpass the fixed hurdle rate and receive an Income Incentive Fee. GCIC’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income used to calculate this part of the Incentive Fee is also included in the amount of GCIC’s total assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds and leverage) used to calculate its base management fee.

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GCIC calculates the GCIC Income Incentive Fee component of the “GCIC Income and Capital Gains Incentive Fee Calculation” with respect to its Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income quarterly, in arrears, as follows:

•

zero in any calendar quarter in which the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed the hurdle rate;

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•

50.0% of GCIC’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income with respect to that portion of such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than the percentage at which amounts payable to GC Advisors pursuant to the Income Incentive Fee equals 20.0% of GCIC’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income as if a hurdle rate did not apply. GCIC refers to this portion of its Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income as the “catch-up” provision; and

​

•

20.0% of the amount of GCIC’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds the catch-up provision in any calendar quarter.

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The sum of these calculations yields the GCIC Income Incentive Fee. This amount is appropriately adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the quarter. For periods prior to the closing of a Liquidity Event (as defined below), GC Advisors agreed to waive that portion of the Income Incentive Fee calculated in excess of the GCIC Income Incentive Fee calculated with respect to GCIC’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income quarterly, in arrears, as follows:

•

zero in any calendar quarter in which the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed the hurdle rate;

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•

50.0% of GCIC’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income with respect to that portion of such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than the percentage at which amounts payable to GC Advisors pursuant to the Income Incentive Fee equals 15.0% of GCIC’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income as if a hurdle rate did not apply. GCIC refers to this portion of its Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income as the “catch-up” provision; and

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•

15.0% of the amount of GCIC’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds the catch-up provision in any calendar quarter.

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GCIC defined a “Liquidity Event” as any of the following: (1) an initial public offering of GCIC Common Stock or the listing of GCIC Common Stock on a national securities exchange, (2) a distribution to GCIC stockholders of either (a) cash proceeds from an orderly liquidation of GCIC’s investments or (b) securities or other assets of GCIC’s as a distribution-in-kind, or (3) a sale of some or all of GCIC’s assets to, or other liquidity event with, an entity for consideration of either cash and/or publicly listed securities of the acquirer, which potential acquirers may include other business development companies, including business development companies affiliated with GC Advisors, and entities that are not business development companies.

The GCIC Capital Gain Incentive Fee equals (a) 20.0% of GCIC’s Capital Gain Incentive Fee Base, if any, calculated in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of the GCIC Investment Advisory Agreement, as of the termination date), commencing with the calendar year ending December 31, 2015, less (b) the aggregate amount of any previously paid GCIC Capital Gain Incentive Fees. GCIC’s “Capital Gain Incentive Fee Base” equals (1) the sum of  (A) GCIC’s realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative positive basis from December 31, 2014 through the end of each calendar year, (B) all realized capital losses on a cumulative basis and (C) all unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less (2) GCIC’s unamortized deferred debt issuance costs as of the date of calculation, if and to the extent such costs exceed all unrealized capital appreciation on a cumulative basis.

•

The cumulative aggregate realized capital losses are calculated as the sum of the amounts by which (a) the net sales price of each investment in GCIC’s portfolio when sold is less than (b) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.

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•

The cumulative aggregate realized capital gains are calculated as the sum of the differences, if positive, between (a) the net sales price of each investment in GCIC’s portfolio when sold and (b) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.

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•

The aggregate unrealized capital depreciation is calculated as the sum of the differences, if negative, between (a) the valuation of each investment in GCIC’s portfolio as of the applicable GCIC Capital Gain Incentive Fee calculation date and (b) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.

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Prior to the closing a Liquidity Event, GC Advisors has agreed to waive that portion of the GCIC Capital Gain Incentive Fee, calculated as described above, in excess of 15.0% of the Capital Gain Incentive Fee Base, provided that any amounts so waived shall be deemed to have been paid to GC Advisors for purposes of determining the Capital Gain Incentive fee payable after the closing of a Liquidity Event.

Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, the GCIC Investment Advisory Agreement will terminate immediately following the Initial Merger and prior to the Subsequent Merger, and, as a result, GCIC will incur a GCIC Capital Gain Incentive Fee to the extent payable under the terms of the GCIC Investment Advisory Agreement as of such termination. Assuming the Initial Merger and Subsequent Merger had been completed on March 31, 2019 and based on financial statements as of such date for GCIC, GCIC would owe a payment to GC Advisors for a Capital Gain Incentive Fee of $1.2 million pursuant to the terms of the GCIC Investment Advisory Agreement upon the termination of the GCIC Investment Advisory Agreement immediately following the closing of the Initial Merger. See “Accounting Treatment of the Merger.”

GCIC has structured the calculation of the GCIC Income Incentive Fee and GCIC Capital Gain Incentive Fee to include a fee limitation such that a GCIC Incentive Fee for any quarter can only be paid to GC Advisors if, after such payment, the cumulative GCIC Incentive Fees paid to GC Advisors since December 31, 2014, would be less than or equal to 20.0% of GCIC’s Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income (the “GCIC Incentive Fee Cap”). GCIC’s Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income is equal to the sum of  (a) Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for each period from December 31, 2014 and (b) cumulative aggregate realized capital gains, cumulative aggregate realized capital losses, cumulative aggregate unrealized capital depreciation and cumulative aggregate unrealized capital appreciation from December 31, 2014. For periods prior to a Liquidity Event, GC Advisors has agreed to irrevocably waive any GCIC Incentive Fee payable in excess of 15.0% of GCIC Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income; provided that any amounts so waived shall be deemed to have been paid to GC Advisors for purposes of the GCIC Incentive Fee Cap after the closing of such Liquidity Event.

The third part of the Incentive Fee, the GCIC Subordinated Liquidation Incentive Fee, equals 20.0% of the net proceeds from a liquidation of GCIC in excess of adjusted capital, as calculated immediately prior to a liquidation. For purposes of this calculation, “liquidation” includes any merger of GCIC with another entity or the acquisition of all or substantially all of the shares of GCIC Common Stock in a single or series of related transactions. The GCIC Investment Advisory Agreement provides that no Subordinated Liquidation Incentive Fee shall be payable for any liquidation that occurs more than six months after the date of a Liquidity Event. For periods prior to the closing of a Liquidity Event, GC Advisors has agreed to waive that portion of the Subordinated Liquidation Incentive Fee in excess of 10.0% of the net proceeds from a liquidation in excess of adjusted capital, as calculated immediately prior to liquidation. Assuming the Initial Merger and Subsequent Merger had been completed on March 31, 2019 and based on financial statements as of such date for each of GBDC and GCIC and the closing market price of GBDC Common Stock on the Nasdaq of $17.73 on July 2, 2019, the Exchange Ratio would result in a purchase premium of 2.2% per share of GCIC Common Stock. Based on these assumptions, GCIC would pay to GC Advisors a Subordinated Liquidation Incentive Fee in the amount of  $2.5 million as a result of this purchase premium.

GCIC deposits one-third of each GCIC Incentive Fee payment into an escrow account (the “Escrow Account”) administered by The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Escrow Agent”). Assets in the Escrow Account will be held by the Escrow Agent until the closing of a Liquidity Event, including the Merger, and upon closing of the Merger, the Escrow Agent will release the assets to GC Advisors. If no

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Liquidity Event occurs prior to December 31, 2020, the Escrow Agent will return all assets in the Escrow Account to GCIC for the benefit of GCIC’s stockholders. For the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, GCIC deposited approximately $4.0 million, $2.8 million and $1.2 million, respectively, into the Escrow Account. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2019, GCIC has deposited $1.1 million and $2.4 million, respectively, into the Escrow Account. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2018, GCIC deposited $1.0 and $1.8, respectively, into the Escrow Account. As of March 31, 2019, GCIC has made deposits totaling $10.6 million in the Escrow Account.

Incentive Fees under the New Investment Advisory Agreement:    Following completion of the Merger, the combined company will be externally managed by GC Advisors. The pro forma incentive fees have been calculated in a manner consistent with the terms and conditions of the New Investment Advisory Agreement and assuming that the Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal is approved by GBDC stockholders.

The incentive fee in the New Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Pro Forma Incentive Fee”) will be comprised of two parts: the “New Income Incentive Fee” component and the “New Capital Gain Incentive Fee” component. The calculation of the Pro Forma Incentive Fees (the “New Income and Capital Gains Incentive Fee Calculation”) will have two parts. The New Income Incentive Fee will be calculated in the same manner as the Income Incentive Fee under the Current GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement described above, provided that Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income under the New Investment Advisory Agreement will be determined in the same manner as described above for the GBDC Investment Advisory Agreement with the following adjustment: Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income under the New Investment Advisory Agreement will not include any amortization or accretion of any purchase premium or purchase discount to interest income resulting solely from the purchase accounting for any premium or discount paid for the acquisition of assets in a merger, such as the Merger.

The second part of the New Income and Capital Gains Incentive Fee Calculation, the New Capital Gain Incentive Fee, equals (a) 20.0% of GBDC’s New Capital Gain Incentive Fee Base, if any, calculated in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of the New Investment Advisory Agreement, as of the termination date), commencing with the calendar year ending December 31, 2010 less (b) the aggregate amount of any previously paid Capital Gain Incentive Fees. The “New Capital Gain Incentive Fee Base” under the New Investment Advisory Agreement equals (1) the sum of  (i) GBDC’s realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative positive basis from April 13, 2010 through the end of each calendar year, (ii) all realized capital losses on a cumulative basis and (iii) all unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis less (2) all unamortized deferred financing costs, if and to the extent such costs exceed all unrealized capital appreciation on a cumulative basis.

•

The cumulative aggregate realized capital losses are calculated as the sum of the amounts by which (a) the net sales price of each investment in GBDC’s portfolio when sold is less than (b) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.

​

•

The cumulative aggregate realized capital gains are calculated as the sum of the differences, if positive, between (a) the net sales price of each investment in GBDC’s portfolio when sold and (b) the accreted or amortized cost basis of such investment.

​

The New Investment Advisory Agreement includes a fee limitation such that no incentive fee will be paid to GC Advisors for any quarter if, after such payment, cumulative incentive fees paid to GC Advisors, calculated on a per share basis as described below, since the effective date of GBDC’s election to become a business development company would be greater than 20.0% of GBDC’s Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income Per Share (as defined below).

Each quarterly incentive fee payable under the New Income and Capital Gains Incentive Fee Calculation (as defined below) is subject to a cap (the “New GBDC Incentive Fee Cap”). The New GBDC Incentive Fee Cap in any quarter is equal to the difference between (a) 20.0% of Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income Per Share and (b) Cumulative Incentive Fees Paid Per Share (as defined below). To the extent the New GBDC Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value in any quarter, no

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incentive fee would be payable in that quarter. “Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income Per Share” under the New Investment Advisory Agreement is equal to the sum of  Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income Per Share (as defined below) for each quarter since April 13, 2010. “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income Per Share” for any quarter is equal to (a) the sum of  (i) Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income and (ii) Adjusted Capital Returns (as defined below) for the quarter divided by (b) the weighted average number of shares of GBDC Common Stock outstanding during such quarter. “Adjusted Capital Returns” for any quarter shall be the sum of the realized aggregate capital gains, realized aggregate capital losses, aggregate unrealized capital depreciation and aggregate unrealized capital appreciation for such quarter; provided that the calculation of realized aggregate capital gains, realized aggregate capital losses, aggregate unrealized capital depreciation and aggregate unrealized capital appreciation shall not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation resulting solely from the purchase accounting for any premium or discount paid for the acquisition of assets in a merger. “Cumulative Incentive Fees Paid Per Share” is equal to the sum of Incentive Fees Paid Per Share for each quarter (or portion thereof) since April 13, 2010. “Incentive Fees Paid Per Share” for any quarter is equal to the incentive fees accrued and/or payable by GBDC for such period divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock of GBDC outstanding during such period.

(6)

Interest payments on borrowed funds for GBDC is based on the annualized cost of funds on its outstanding indebtedness for the three months ended March 31, 2019, which consisted of $176.5 million of indebtedness outstanding under revolving credit facilities, $287.0 million of debentures issued through its SBIC subsidiaries, and $587.6 million in notes issued through term debt securitizations as of March 31, 2019. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, the annualized cost of funds for GBDC’s total debt outstanding, which includes all interest and amortization of debt issuance costs on its term debt securitizations, debt was 4.2%. Debt issuance costs represent fees and other direct incremental costs incurred in connection with GBDC’s debt securitizations. These fees include a structuring and placement fee paid to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC for its services in connection with the initial structuring of the 2014 Debt Securitization of   $1.81 million, certain fees in an aggregate amount of  $0.35 million paid to J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. in connection with subsequent amendments and legal fees, accounting fees, rating agency fees and all other costs associated with the 2014 Debt Securitization. These fees also include a structuring and placement fee paid to Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC for its services in connection with the initial structuring of the 2018 Debt Securitization of  $1.20 million and legal fees, accounting fees, rating agency fees and all other costs associated with the 2018 Debt Securitization.

​

Interest payments on borrowed funds for GCIC represents GCIC’s the annualized cost of funds on its outstanding indebtedness for the three months ended March 31, 2019, which consisted of $447.3 million of indebtedness outstanding under revolving credit facilities and $546.5 million in notes issued through its term debt securitizations as of March 31, 2019. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, the annualized cost of funds for GCIC’s total debt outstanding, which includes all interest and amortization of debt issuance costs on its term debt securitization, debt was 4.8%. Debt issuance costs represent fees and other direct incremental costs incurred in connection with GCIC’s debt securitizations. These fees include a structuring and placement fee paid to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC of $1.9 million for its services in connection with the initial structuring of the GCIC 2018 Debt Securitization and $1.2 million for legal fees, accounting fees, rating agency fees and all other costs associated with the GCIC 2018 Debt Securitization.

Interest payments on borrowed funds for the Pro Forma column are based on the estimates for GBDC and GCIC described above for the combined company following the Merger.

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(7)

Includes overhead expenses for each of GBDC and GCIC, including payments under Administration Agreement and GCIC Administration Agreement based on each of GBDC and GCIC’s allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by the Administrator under the applicable administration agreement and any acquired fund fees and expenses that are not required to be disclosed. “Other expenses” are estimated based on the annualized amounts incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2019 for GBDC, GCIC, and the sum of amounts for GBDC and GCIC for the combined company following the Merger, as applicable.

​

(8)

GBDC and GCIC stockholders indirectly bear the expenses of their respective investments in GBDC Senior Loan Fund LLC (the “GBDC SLF”) and GCIC Senior Loan Fund LLC (the “GCIC SLF”) and following the Merger, stockholders of the combined company will indirectly bear the expenses of its investments in GBDC SLF and GCIC SLF. No management fee is charged by the Administrator in connection with the administrative services it provides to each of GBDC SLF and GCIC SLF. However, each of GBDC SLF and GCIC SLF does reimburse the Administrator for its costs related to providing accounting, bookkeeping, treasury, loan operations, reporting and administrative services for the applicable entity. Future expenses for each of GBDC SLF and GCIC SLF may be substantially higher or lower because certain expenses may fluctuate over time. The acquired fund fees and expenses assumes that the fees and expenses for GBDC SLF and GCIC SLF each remain consistent with those incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

​

(9)

“Total annual expenses” as a percentage of consolidated net assets attributable to common stock are higher than the total annual expenses percentage would be for a company that is not leveraged. GBDC and GCIC borrow money to leverage and increase their total assets. The SEC requires that the “Total annual expenses” percentage be calculated as a percentage of net assets (defined as total assets less indebtedness and before taking into account any incentive fees payable during the period), rather than the total assets, including assets that have been funded with borrowed monies. The reason for presenting expenses as a percentage of net assets attributable to common stockholders is that common stockholders of GBDC, GCIC or the combined company after the Merger, as applicable, bear all of such fees and expenses.

​

Example

The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in GBDC, GCIC or the combined company following the Merger on a pro forma basis. In calculating the following expense amounts, each of GBDC and GCIC has assumed that it would have no additional leverage and that its annual operating expenses would remain at the levels set forth in the tables above. Calculations for the pro forma combined company following the Merger assume that the Merger closed on March 31, 2019 and that the leverage and operating expenses of GBDC and GCIC remain at the levels set forth in the tables above Transaction expenses related to the Merger are not included in the following examples.

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This joint proxy statement/prospectus contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements, which relate to GBDC, GCIC or, following the Merger, the combined company, regarding future events or the future performance or future financial condition of GBDC, GCIC or, following the Merger, the combined company. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about GBDC, GCIC or, following the Merger, the combined company, their industry and their respective beliefs and assumptions. The forward-looking statements contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including:

•

the ability of the parties to consummate the Merger described in this joint proxy statement/​prospectus on the expected timeline, or at all;

​

•

the failure of the GBDC stockholders to approve the Certificate of Incorporation Amendment Proposal, the Merger Stock Issuance Proposal or the Advisory Agreement Amendment Proposal;

​

•

the failure of GCIC stockholders to approve the Merger Proposal;

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•

the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed Merger;

​

•

the effects of disruption on the business of GBDC and GCIC from the proposed Merger;

​

•

the effect that the announcement or consummation of the Merger may have on the trading price of GBDC Common Stock;

​

•

the combined company’s plans, expectations, objectives and intentions, as a result of the Merger;

​

•

any decision by GCIC to pursue continued operations;

​

•

any potential termination of the Merger Agreement or action of GCIC stockholders with respect to any proposed transaction;

​

•

the pursuit by GCIC of a liquidation or an alternative transaction upon the termination of the Merger Agreement;

​

•

changes in GBDC’s and/or GCIC’s NAV in the future;

​

•

GBDC’s and GCIC’s future operating results;

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•

GBDC’s and GCIC’s business prospects and the prospects of their portfolio companies;

​

•

the effect of investments that GBDC and GCIC expect to make and the competition for those investments;

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•

GBDC’s and GCIC’s contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties;

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•

actual and potential conflicts of interest with GC Advisors and other affiliates of Golub Capital;

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•

the dependence of GBDC’s and GCIC’s future success on the general economy and its effect on the industries in which they invest;

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•

the ability of GBDC’s and GCIC’s portfolio companies to achieve their objectives;

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•

the use of borrowed money to finance a portion of GBDC’s and GCIC’s investments;

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•

the adequacy of financing sources and working capital;

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•

the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of GBDC’s and GCIC’s portfolio companies;

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•

general economic and political trends and other external factors;

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•

the ability of GC Advisors to locate suitable investments for GBDC and GCIC and to monitor and administer their respective investments;

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the ability of GC Advisors or its affiliates to attract and retain highly talented professionals;

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•

GBDC’s and GCIC’s ability to qualify and maintain their respective qualifications as a RIC and as a business development company;

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•

general price and volume fluctuations in the stock markets;

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the impact on GBDC’s and GCIC’s business of Dodd-Frank and the rules and regulations issued thereunder and any actions toward repeal thereof; and

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•

the effect of changes to tax legislation and GBDC’s and GCIC’s respective tax position.

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Such forward-looking statements may include statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “may,” “might,” “will,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “can,” “would,” “expect,” “believe,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “potential,” “plan” or similar words. The forward-looking statements contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those implied or expressed in the forward-looking statements for any reason, including the factors set forth as “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

The forward-looking statements included in this joint proxy statement/prospectus are based on information available on the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance. You are advised to consult any additional disclosures that GBDC or GCIC may make directly to you or through reports that each has filed or in the future may file with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. This joint proxy statement/prospectus contains statistics and other data that have been obtained from or compiled from information made available by third-party service providers. GBDC and GCIC have not independently verified such statistics or data.

You should understand that, under Sections 27A(b)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E(b)(2)(B) of the Exchange Act, the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 do not apply to statements made in connection with any offering of securities pursuant to this joint proxy statement/prospectus, any prospectus supplement or in periodic reports GBDC files under the Exchange Act.

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*

Represents an amount less than $0.01 per share.

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(1)

Net investment income for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 is shown after a net expense of  $17 and $333, respectively, for U.S. federal excise tax.

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(2)

On October 1, 2015, GBDC adopted ASU 2015-03 which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability rather than as an asset. Adoption of ASU 2015-03 requires the changes to be applied retrospectively.

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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF GOLUB CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION

The following selected consolidated financial data of GCIC as of and for the six months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 are derived from the unaudited consolidated financial statements of GCIC, and the selected consolidated financial data as of and for the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and for the period from September 22, 2014 (inception) to September 30, 2014 is derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of GCIC. The financial data should be read in conjunction with GCIC’s consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Golub Capital Investment Corporation” included elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

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*

Represents an amount less than $0.01 per share.

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( 1 )

The per share data and dollar amount for distributions declared reflect the amount of distributions paid or payable with a record date during the applicable period.

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( 2 )

Includes the impact of different share amounts as a result of calculating certain per share data based on weighted average shares outstanding during the period and certain per share data based on the shares outstanding as of the period end.

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( 3 )

On October 1, 2015, GCIC adopted Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2015-03 which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability rather than as an asset. Adoption of ASU 2015-03 requires the changes to be applied retrospectively.

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