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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2011

Securities Act File No. 333-171330

 

 

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM N-2

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933  x

(Check appropriate box or boxes)

 

  Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2  x  
  Post-Effective Amendment No.  

 

 

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

 

500 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10022

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including Area Code: (212) 993-1670

 

Michael S. Gross

Chief Executive Officer

Solar Senior Capital Ltd.

500 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10022

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

 

COPIES TO:

Steven B. Boehm

John J. Mahon

Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP

1275 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20004

(202) 383-0100

 

Sarah E. Cogan

Joseph H. Kaufman

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017

(212) 455-2000

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Title of Securities Being Registered

 

Proposed Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price(1)

 

Amount of

Registration

Fee(1)(2)

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share

  $184,000,000   $14,643
 
 
(1)   Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933 solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee.
(2)   A filing fee of $10,695 was previously paid in connection with the registration of $150,000,000 of the Company’s common stock in connection with the initial filing of this registration statement on December 22, 2010.

 

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 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 14, 2011

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

LOGO

8,000,000 Shares

Solar Senior Capital Ltd.

Common Stock

 

We are a newly organized externally managed finance company. Our investment objective is to seek to maximize current income consistent with the preservation of capital. We will seek to achieve our investment objective by investing primarily in senior secured loans, including first lien, unitranche and second lien debt instruments, made to private middle-market companies whose debt is rated below investment grade, which we refer to collectively as “senior loans.” We may also invest in debt of public companies that are thinly traded. Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the value of our net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) will be invested in senior loans. Securities rated below investment grade, including the senior loans we intend to target, are often referred to as “leveraged loans” or “high yield” securities, and may be considered “high risk” compared to debt instruments that are rated above investment grade.

We were formed in December 2010 as a Maryland corporation structured as an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company. We intend to elect to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the 1940 Act, prior to pricing of this offering. We will be managed by Solar Capital Partners, LLC. Solar Capital Management, LLC will provide the administrative services necessary for us to operate.

This is our initial public offering and our shares have no history of public trading.

We currently expect that the initial public offering price of our common stock will be $20.00 per share. We have applied to have our common stock approved for listing on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “SLSC.” Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC, an entity controlled by Michael S. Gross, our chairman and chief executive officer, and Bruce Spohler, our chief operating officer, has committed to purchase 500,000 shares of our common stock in connection with the consummation of this offering at the initial public offering price.

This prospectus contains important information about us that a prospective investor should know before investing in our common stock. Please read this prospectus before investing, and keep it for future reference. Upon the completion of this offering, we will file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information about us with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This information will be available free of charge by contacting us by mail at 500 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022, by telephone at (212) 993-1670 or on our website at http://www.solarseniorcap.com . The Securities and Exchange Commission also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains such information. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider that information to be part of this prospectus.

 

An investment in our common stock is very risky and highly speculative. Shares of closed-end investment companies, including business development companies, frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value. If our shares trade at a discount to our net asset value, it may increase the risk of loss for purchasers in this offering. In addition, the companies in which we invest are subject to special risks. See “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 17 to read about factors you should consider, including the risk of leverage, before investing in our common stock.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

     Per Share    Total(1)

Public Offering Price

   $                $            

Sales Load (Underwriting Discounts and Commissions)

   $    $

Proceeds to Solar Senior Capital Ltd. (before expenses)(2)

   $    $

 

(1)   We have granted the underwriters a 30-day option, which we refer to as the over-allotment option, to purchase up to an additional 1,200,000 shares of our common stock at the public offering price, less sales load (underwriting discounts and commissions). If the over-allotment option is exercised in full, the total public offering price will be $             and the total sales load (underwriting discounts and commissions) will be $            . The proceeds to us would be $            , before deducting expenses payable by us. See “Underwriting.”
(2)   We estimate that we will incur approximately $808,543 in offering expenses in connection with this offering. Stockholders will indirectly bear such expenses as investors in Solar Senior Capital Ltd.

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares on or about                     , 2011.

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

Citi   Wells Fargo Securities   Deutsche Bank Securities    SunTrust Robinson Humphrey

 

Lead Manager

RBC Capital Markets

 

Junior Co-Managers

BB&T Capital Markets   Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.   Lazard Capital Markets
A division of Scott & Stringfellow, LLC    

                    , 2011.


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You should rely on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information or to make representations as to matters not stated in this prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, securities only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus. This prospectus will be amended to reflect material changes to the information contained herein.

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

       Page  

Summary

     1   

Fees and Expenses

     14   

Risk Factors

     17   

Forward-Looking Statements and Projections

     33   

Use of Proceeds

     34   

Distributions

     35   

Capitalization

     36   

Dilution

     37   

Discussion of Management’s Expected Operating Plans

     38   

Business

     43   

Management

     56   

Portfolio Management

     64   

Investment Advisory and Management Agreement

     65   

Administration Agreement

     71   

License Agreement

     71   

Certain Relationships and Transactions

     72   

Control Persons and Principal Stockholders

     73   

Regulation as a Business Development Company

     74   

Determination of Net Asset Value

     79   

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

     81   

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

     82   

Description of Securities

     89   

Shares Eligible for Future Sale

     96   

Underwriting

     97   

Custodian, Transfer and Distribution Paying Agent and Registrar

     101   

Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices

     101   

Legal Matters

     101   

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     101   

Available Information

     101   

Index to Financial Statements

     F-1   


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SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights some of the information in this prospectus. It is not complete and may not contain all of the information that you may want to consider. You should read carefully the more detailed information set forth under “Risk Factors” and the other information included in this prospectus and the documents to which we have referred.

 

Except where the context suggests otherwise, the terms “we,” “us,” “our” and “Solar Senior Capital” refer to Solar Senior Capital Ltd. In addition, the terms “Solar Capital Partners” and “investment adviser” refer to Solar Capital Partners, LLC, and “Solar Capital Management” and the “administrator” refer to Solar Capital Management, LLC.

 

In this prospectus, we use the term “leveraged” to refer to companies of any size with non-investment grade debt outstanding or, if not explicitly rated, those which we believe would be rated as non-investment grade based on their leverage levels and other terms. In addition, we use the term “middle-market” to refer to companies with annual revenues between $50 million and $1 billion. We also use the term “unitranche” to refer to debt instruments that combine both senior and subordinated debt into one debt instrument. Unitranche debt instruments typically pay a higher rate of interest than traditional senior debt instruments, but also pose greater risk associated with a lesser amount of asset coverage.

 

Unless indicated otherwise or the context requires, all information in this prospectus assumes (i) no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of our common stock and (ii) an initial public offering price of $20.00 per share. In this prospectus, the terms “pro forma” or “on a pro forma basis” are used to give effect to the impact on historical financial information due to a proposed transaction or event.

 

Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC, an entity controlled by Michael S. Gross, our chairman and chief executive officer, and Bruce Spohler, our chief operating officer, has committed to purchase 500,000 shares of our common stock in connection with the consummation of this offering at the initial public offering price. The shares will be sold to Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC at the same offering price paid by investors in this offering in a private placement transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the “Securities Act,” which we refer to as the “Concurrent Private Placement.”

 

Solar Senior Capital

 

We are a newly organized externally managed finance company. We were formed in December 2010 as a Maryland corporation structured as an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company. We intend to elect to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the 1940 Act, prior to pricing of this offering. In addition, for tax purposes we intend to elect to be treated as a regulated investment company, or RIC, under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code.

 

Our investment objective is to seek to maximize current income consistent with the preservation of capital. We will seek to achieve our investment objective by investing primarily in senior secured loans, including first lien, unitranche and second lien debt instruments, made to private middle-market companies whose debt is rated below investment grade, which we refer to collectively as “senior loans.” We may also invest in debt of public companies that are thinly traded. Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the value of our net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) will be invested in senior loans.

 

Senior loans typically pay interest at rates which are determined periodically on the basis of a floating base lending rate, primarily the London-Interbank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR,” plus a premium. Senior loans in which we expect to invest are typically made to U.S. and, to a limited extent, non-U.S. corporations, partnerships and

 

 

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other business entities which operate in various industries and geographical regions. Senior loans typically are rated below investment grade. Securities rated below investment grade are often referred to as “leveraged loans” or “high yield” securities, and may be considered “high risk” compared to debt instruments that are rated above investment grade.

 

We expect to invest in senior loans made primarily to private leveraged middle market companies with approximately $20 million to $60 million of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization or “EBITDA.” Our business model is focused primarily on the direct origination of investments through portfolio companies or their financial sponsors. We expect that our investments will generally range between $5 million and $30 million each, although we expect that this investment size will vary proportionately with the size of our capital base. In addition, we may invest a portion of our portfolio in other types of investments, which we refer to as opportunistic investments, which are not our primary focus but are intended to enhance our overall returns. These opportunistic investments may include, but are not limited to, direct investments in public companies that are not thinly traded and securities of leveraged companies located in select countries outside of the United States. We may invest up to 30% of our total assets in such opportunistic investments, including senior loans issued by non-U.S. issuers, subject to compliance with our regulatory obligations as a business development company under the 1940 Act. See “Regulation as a Business Development Company.”

 

We will be managed by Solar Capital Partners. Solar Capital Management will provide the administrative services we expect to be necessary for us to operate. We believe that our ability to leverage the existing investment management and administrative support platforms of Solar Capital Partners and Solar Capital Management, respectively, will enable us to operate more efficiently and with lower overhead costs than other newly formed funds of comparable size.

 

In addition, we have received commitments to enter into a senior secured revolving credit facility with Citibank, N.A. and various other lenders, or the “Senior Credit Facility,” which is expected to become effective shortly after completion of this offering. The Senior Credit Facility is expected to initially provide for borrowings up to $210 million, which may be increased up to $600 million, and is expected to expire in March 2016. Base rate borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility are expected to bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.25%.

 

About Solar Capital Partners

 

Solar Capital Partners is controlled by Michael S. Gross, our chairman and chief executive officer, and is led by Mr. Gross and Bruce Spohler, our chief operating officer, and is supported by a team of dedicated investment professionals, including Brian Gerson, Cedric Henley and David Mait. We refer to Messrs. Gross, Spohler, Gerson, Henley and Mait as Solar Capital Partners’ senior investment professionals. Solar Capital Partners’ investment team has extensive experience in the private equity and leveraged lending industries, as well as significant contacts with financial sponsors operating in those industries.

 

In addition, Solar Capital Partners presently serves as investment adviser to Solar Capital Ltd., or “Solar Capital,” a publicly traded business development company with over $1.25 billion of investable capital that invests in mezzanine debt and equity securities of leveraged middle-market companies similar to those we intend to target for investment. The investment team led by Messrs. Gross and Spohler has invested approximately $2.0 billion in 62 different portfolio companies for Solar Capital and its predecessor fund, which investments involved an aggregate of more than 50 different financial sponsors, through December 31, 2010. Since Solar Capital’s inception, these investment professionals have used their relationships in the middle-market financial sponsor and financial intermediary community to originate direct investment opportunities.

 

Mr. Gross has over 20 years of experience in the mezzanine lending, private equity and distressed debt businesses and has been involved in originating, structuring, negotiating, consummating and managing mezzanine lending, private equity and distressed debt transactions. Prior to his current role as chairman and chief executive officer of Solar Capital, Mr. Gross founded Apollo Investment Corporation, a publicly traded business

 

 

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development company. Under his management, Apollo Investment Corporation raised approximately $930 million in gross proceeds in an initial public offering in April 2004, built a dedicated investment team and infrastructure and invested approximately $2.3 billion in over 65 companies in conjunction with 50 different private equity sponsors.

 

We also rely on the more than 20 years of experience of Mr. Spohler, who currently serves as our chief operating officer and as the chief operating officer of Solar Capital and has been a partner of Solar Capital Partners since inception. Previously, Mr. Spohler was a managing director and a former co-head of U.S. Leveraged Finance for CIBC World Markets. As a co-head of U.S. Leveraged Finance, Mr. Spohler oversaw over 300 capital raising and merger and acquisition transactions, comprising over $40 billion in market capitalization.

 

In addition to Messrs. Gross and Spohler, Solar Capital Partners’ senior investment professionals include Messrs. Gerson, Henley and Mait, each of whom has extensive experience in originating, evaluating and structuring investments in the types of middle-market companies we intend to target. Solar Capital Partners’ senior investment professionals have an average of over 20 years of experience in the private equity and leveraged lending industries.

 

Market Opportunity

 

Solar Senior Capital intends to invest primarily in senior loans of private middle-market leveraged companies organized and located in the United States. We believe that the size of this market, coupled with the demands of these companies for flexible sources of capital at attractive terms and rates, create an attractive investment environment for us. See “Business — Market Opportunity.”

 

   

Disruptions within the credit markets have reduced middle-market companies’ access to the capital markets for senior debt.     While many middle-market companies were previously able to raise senior debt financing through traditional large financial institutions, we believe this approach to financing will become more difficult as implementation of U.S. and international financial reforms, such as Basel 3, are expected to limit the capacity of large financial institutions to hold non-investment grade leveraged loans on their balance sheets. In addition, we believe that the recent decline in the formation of new collateralized loan obligation, or CLO, vehicles, coupled with the upcoming expiration of the investment periods of the majority of existing CLOs by the end of 2011, have and will continue to restrict available capital for new middle-market senior loan originations.

 

   

There is a large pool of uninvested private equity capital likely to seek additional senior debt capital to finance strategic transactions.     We expect that middle-market private equity firms will continue to invest the approximately $195 billion raised since 2000 in middle-market companies and that these private equity firms will seek to support their investments with senior loans from other sources, such as Solar Senior Capital. Additionally, over $12.1 billion was raised by middle-market sponsors during 2010, which we believe demonstrates the continued appetite for middle-market acquisitions that will need senior debt financing.

 

   

The significant amount of leveraged loans maturing through 2015 will provide additional demand for senior debt capital.     Although many companies were able to refinance or amend their senior debt obligations during 2010, there remains over $325 billion of anticipated leveraged loans maturing before the end of 2015. We believe that the majority of the companies able to access the markets during 2010 were larger companies and thus the need to refinance capital structures of middle-market companies will remain particularly robust.

 

 

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Investing in private middle market senior secured debt provides an attractive risk reward profile.     In general, terms for illiquid, middle-market leveraged loans have been more attractive than leveraged loans for larger corporations which are typically more liquid. We believe this is because fewer institutions are able to invest in the illiquid asset class. In 2010, on average, the total debt to EBITDA ratio for middle-market LBOs was 4.2x, versus 4.7x for large capitalization LBOs. In addition, in 2010, the average discounted spread between mid-market loans over large-cap loans was approximately 2.6%. From 1995 through 2010, 3.6% of leveraged loans issued in tranches under $100 million in total aggregate amount defaulted and 7.0% of leveraged loans issued in tranches between $100 million and $249 million in total aggregate amount defaulted, versus a default rate of 7.6% on loan tranches $500 million or greater in total aggregate amount. Middle-market loans have also exhibited higher average recovery rates than all loans in the aggregate. We believe that middle-market companies in which we intend to invest will generally have loan tranches of less than $250 million. We also believe that the average new issue yield for leveraged loans made to middle-market companies is currently significantly higher than the yield for newly-issued loans made to companies with annual revenues above $1 billion.

 

Therefore, we believe that there is an opportunity to invest in senior loans of leveraged companies and that we are well positioned to serve this market.

 

Competitive Advantages

 

We believe that we have the following competitive advantages over other providers of senior financing to leveraged companies. See “Business — Competitive Advantages.”

 

Management Expertise

 

As managing partner, Mr. Gross has principal management responsibility for Solar Capital Partners, to which he currently dedicates substantially all of his time. Mr. Gross has over 20 years of experience in leveraged finance, private equity and distressed debt investing. Mr. Spohler, our chief operating officer and a partner of Solar Capital Partners, has over 20 years of experience in evaluating and executing leverage finance transactions. We believe that Messrs. Gross and Spohler have developed a strong reputation in the capital markets, and that this experience provides us with a competitive advantage in identifying and investing in leveraged companies with the potential to generate returns.

 

In addition to Messrs. Gross and Spohler, Solar Capital Partners’ senior investment professionals include Messrs. Gerson, Henley and Mait, each of whom has extensive experience in originating, evaluating and structuring investments in the types of middle-market companies we currently target. Solar Capital Partners’ senior investment professionals have an average of over 20 years of experience in the private equity and leveraged lending industries.

 

Proprietary Sourcing and Origination

 

We believe that Solar Capital Partners’ senior investment professionals’ longstanding relationships with financial sponsors, commercial and investment banks, management teams and other financial intermediaries provide us with a strong pipeline of origination opportunities. We believe the broad expertise of Solar Capital Partners’ senior investment professionals and their ability to draw upon their average of 20 years of investment experience enable us to identify, assess and structure investments successfully. We expect to continue leveraging the over 100 relationships with middle-market sponsors that Solar Capital Partners’ investment team established while sourcing and originating investments for Solar Capital, which will give us access to deals that are not available through large syndication processes.

 

Since its inception, Solar Capital Partners has sourced investments in 62 different portfolio companies for Solar Capital and its predecessor fund, which investments involved an aggregate of more than 50 different financial sponsors, through December 31, 2010.

 

 

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Greater Flexibility of Capital Versus Many of Our Competitors

 

While we will be subject to significant regulation as a business development company, we are not subject to many of the regulatory limitations that govern traditional lending institutions such as banks. As a result, we believe that we can be more flexible than such lending institutions in selecting and structuring investments, adjusting investment criteria and transaction structures. We believe financial sponsors, management teams and investment banks see this flexibility as a benefit, making us an attractive financing partner for senior debt. We believe that this approach will enable us to procure attractive senior loan investment opportunities throughout the economic cycle so that we can make investments consistent with our stated investment objective even during turbulent periods in the capital markets.

 

Emphasis on Achieving Strong Risk-Adjusted Returns

 

Solar Capital Partners uses a disciplined investment and risk management process that emphasizes a fundamental research and analysis framework. Solar Capital Partners will seek to build our portfolio on a “bottom-up” basis, choosing and sizing individual positions based on their relative risk/reward profiles as a function of the associated downside risk, volatility, correlation with the existing portfolio and liquidity. At the same time, Solar Capital Partners will seek to take into consideration a variety of factors in managing our portfolio and impose portfolio-based risk constraints promoting a more diverse portfolio of investments and limiting issuer and industry concentration. Our value-oriented investment philosophy will focus on preserving capital and ensuring that our investments have an appropriate return profile in relation to risk. When market conditions make it difficult for us to invest according to our criteria, we plan to be highly selective in deploying our capital and will not pursue short-term origination targets over our long-term strategies. We believe this approach will enable us to build an attractive investment portfolio that meets our return and value criteria over the long term.

 

We believe it is critical to conduct extensive due diligence on investment targets. In evaluating new investments we, through Solar Capital Partners, will conduct due diligence processes that draw upon the investment experience, industry expertise and network of contacts of our senior investment professionals, as well as the other members of our investment team.

 

Deep Industry Focus with Substantial Information Flow

 

We will concentrate our investing activities in industries characterized by strong cash flow and in which Solar Capital Partners’ investment professionals have deep investment experience. As a result of their investment experience, Messrs. Gross and Spohler, together with Solar Capital Partners’ other investment professionals, have long-term relationships with management consultants and management teams in the industries we intend to target, as well as substantial information concerning those industries.

 

Longer Investment Horizon

 

Unlike private equity and venture capital funds, we will not be subject to standard periodic capital return requirements. Such requirements typically stipulate that the capital of these funds, together with any capital gains on such invested funds, can only be invested once and must be returned to investors after a pre-agreed time period. We believe that our flexibility to make investments with a long-term view and without the capital return requirements of traditional private investment vehicles enables us to invest in private middle-market senior debt, which we believe provides a more attractive risk-return profile than the liquid senior debt market for larger companies. We also believe our longer investment horizon enables us to be a better long-term partner for our portfolio companies.

 

 

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Investment Strategy

 

Solar Senior Capital will seek to create a diverse portfolio of senior loans by investing approximately $5 to $40 million of capital, on average, in the securities of leveraged companies, including middle-market companies. We may also invest in debt of public companies that are thinly traded. Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the value of our net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) will be invested in senior loans.

 

Senior loans typically pay interest at rates which are determined periodically on the basis of a floating base lending rate, primarily LIBOR, plus a premium. Senior loans in which we intend to invest are typically made to U.S. and, to a limited extent, non-U.S. corporations, partnerships and other business entities which operate in various industries and geographical regions. Senior loans typically are rated below investment grade. Securities rated below investment grade are often referred to as “leveraged loans” or “high yield” securities, and may be considered “high risk” compared to debt instruments that are rated above investment grade. Senior secured loans, however are generally less risky than subordinated debt, bearing lower leverage, higher recovery statistics and over the past two years have yielded on average over 2% less than high yield bonds.

 

In addition to senior secured loans, we may invest a portion of our portfolio in opportunistic investments, which are not our primary focus, but are intended to enhance our returns to stockholders. These investments may include similar direct investments in public companies that are not thinly traded and securities of leveraged companies located in select countries outside of the United States. We may invest up to 30% of our total assets in such opportunistic investments, including senior loans issued by non-U.S. issuers, subject to compliance with our regulatory obligations as a business development company under the 1940 Act. See “Regulation as a Business Development Company.”

 

We intend to borrow funds to make investments, and may elect to do so before we have fully invested the proceeds of this offering. In particular, shortly after the completion of this offering, we intend to enter into the Senior Credit Facility, which we expect will provide us with access to $210 million in available borrowings. As a result, we will be exposed to the risks of leverage, which may be considered a speculative investment technique. The use of leverage magnifies the potential for gain and loss on amounts invested and therefore increases the risks associated with investing in our securities. In addition, the costs associated with our borrowings, including any increase in management fees payable to our investment adviser, Solar Capital Partners, will be borne by our common stockholders. Although we do not presently intend to do so during the twelve months following completion of this offering, we may also issue preferred stock, subject to our compliance with applicable requirements under the 1940 Act. We will not be generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, sell our common stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the then-current net asset value per share of our common stock if our board of directors determines that such sale is in the best interests of Solar Senior Capital and its stockholders, and our stockholders approve such sale. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price that, in the determination of our board of directors, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount). We do not presently intend to issue our common stock at a price below the then-current net asset value per share of our common stock during the twelve months following completion of this offering.

 

Additionally, we may in the future seek to securitize our loans to generate cash for funding new investments. To securitize loans, we may create a wholly owned subsidiary and contribute a pool of loans to the subsidiary. This could include the sale of interests in the subsidiary on a non-recourse basis to purchasers who we would expect to be willing to accept a lower interest rate to invest in investment grade loan pools, and we would retain a portion of the equity in the securitized pool of loans.

 

 

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Moreover, we may acquire investments in the secondary market and, in analyzing such investments, we will employ the same analytical process as we use for our primary investments.

 

We 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 our portfolio positions from changes in currency exchange rates and market interest rates. Hedging against a decline in the values of our 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. It may not be possible to hedge against an exchange rate or interest rate fluctuation that is so generally anticipated that we are not able to enter into a hedging transaction at an acceptable price. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, we may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent us from achieving the intended hedge and expose us 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.

 

Our principal focus will be to provide senior secured loans, including first lien, unitranche and second lien loans, to private middle-market companies in a variety of industries. We will generally seek to target companies that generate positive cash flows. We will generally seek to invest in companies from the broad variety of industries in which our investment adviser has direct expertise. The following is a representative list of the industries in which we may invest.

 

•Aerospace and defense

•Automotive

•Banking

•Beverage, food and tobacco

•Broadcasting and entertainment

•Business services

•Cable television

•Cargo transport

•Chemicals, plastics and rubber

•Consumer finance

•Consumer services

•Containers, packaging and glass

•Direct marketing

•Distribution

•Diversified/conglomerate manufacturing

•Diversified/conglomerate services

•Education

•Electronics

•Energy/utilities

•Equipment rental

•Farming and agriculture

•Finance

  

•Healthcare, education and childcare

•Home and office furnishing, consumer products

•Hotels, motels, inns and gaming

•Industrial

•Infrastructure

•Insurance

•Leisure, motion pictures and entertainment

•Logistics

•Machinery

•Media

•Mining, steel and nonprecious metals

•Oil and gas

•Personal, food and misc. services

•Printing, publishing and broadcasting

•Real estate

•Retail stores

•Specialty finance

•Technology

•Telecommunications

•Utilities

 

We may invest in other industries if we are presented with attractive opportunities.

 

 

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Risk Factors

 

The value of our assets, as well as the market price of our shares, will fluctuate. Our investments may be risky, and you may lose all or part of your investment in us. Investing in Solar Senior Capital involves other risks, including the following:

 

   

We have no operating history;

 

   

We are dependent upon Solar Capital Partners’ key personnel for our future success;

 

   

There are significant potential conflicts of interest, including Solar Capital Partners’ management of Solar Capital, which could impact our investment return; you will not be purchasing an investment in Solar Capital;

 

   

We will operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities;

 

   

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

 

   

We will borrow money, which will magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing in us;

 

   

To the extent we use debt to finance our investments, changes in interest rates will affect our cost of capital and net investment income;

 

   

There will be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments;

 

   

We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly results;

 

   

We will become subject to corporate-level income tax on all of our income if we are unable to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial performance;

 

   

We cannot assure you that shares of our common stock will not trade at a market price below our net asset value per share;

 

   

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

 

   

There is a risk that our stockholders may not receive distributions or that our distributions may not grow over time; and

 

   

Regulations governing our operation as a business development company affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital. As a business development company, the necessity of raising additional capital may expose us to risks, including the typical risks associated with leverage.

 

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 17 and the other information included in this prospectus for additional discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock.

 

 

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Operating and Regulatory Structure

 

Solar Senior Capital is a newly-formed Maryland corporation structured as an externally managed non-diversified closed-end management investment company. We intend to elect to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act prior to pricing of this offering. As a business development company, we will be required to meet regulatory tests, including the requirement to invest at least 70% of our total assets in “qualifying assets.” Qualifying assets generally include, among other things, securities of “eligible portfolio companies.” “Eligible portfolio companies” generally include U.S. companies that are not investment companies and that do not have securities listed on a national exchange. See “Regulation as a Business Development Company.” We may also borrow funds to make investments, including before we have fully invested the proceeds of this offering. In addition, we intend to elect to be treated for federal income tax purposes, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

 

Our investment activities are managed by Solar Capital Partners and supervised by our board of directors. Solar Capital Partners is an investment adviser that is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or the Advisers Act. Under our investment advisory and management agreement, which we refer to as the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement, we have agreed to pay Solar Capital Partners an annual base management fee based on our gross assets as well as an incentive fee based on our performance. See “Investment Advisory and Management Agreement.” We have also entered into an administration agreement, which we refer to as the Administration Agreement, under which we have agreed to reimburse Solar Capital Management for the allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by Solar Capital Management in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including furnishing us with office facilities, equipment and clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services at such facilities, as well as providing us with other administrative services. See “Administration Agreement.”

 

Our Corporate Information

 

Our offices are located at 500 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022, and our telephone number is (212) 993-1670.

 

 

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THE OFFERING

 

Common Stock Offered by Us

8,000,000 shares, plus 1,200,000 shares issuable pursuant to the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters.

 

Concurrent Private Placement

Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC, an entity controlled by Messrs. Gross and Spohler, has committed to purchase 500,000 shares in the Concurrent Private Placement at the initial public offering price.

 

Common Stock to be Outstanding After this Offering and the Concurrent Private Placement

Approximately 8,500,100 shares, plus 1,200,000 shares issuable pursuant to the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters.

 

Use of Proceeds

Our net proceeds from this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement will be approximately $157,991,457 (including 500,000 shares to be issued to Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC in the Concurrent Private Placement) or, approximately $180,311,457 if the underwriters fully exercise their over-allotment option, in each case assuming an initial offering price of $20.00 per share after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated organization and offering expenses. We plan to invest the net proceeds of this offering in portfolio companies in accordance with our investment objective and strategies as described in this prospectus. We will also pay operating expenses, including management and administrative fees, and may pay other expenses such as due diligence expenses of potential new investments, from the net proceeds of this offering. We anticipate that substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering will be used for the above purposes within three to six months from the consummation of this offering, depending on the availability of investment opportunities that are consistent with our investment objective and other market conditions. Pending such investments, we will invest the net proceeds primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality investment grade debt investments that mature 12 months or less from the date of investment. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Proposed Trading Symbol

We have applied to have our common stock listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “SLSC.”

 

Distributions

Subsequent to the completion of this offering, and to the extent that we have income available, we intend to distribute monthly dividends to our stockholders, beginning after our first full quarter following the completion of this offering. Prior to that time, to the extent that we have income available, we intend to distribute a quarterly dividend to our stockholders for our first full quarter following completion of this offering. The amount of our dividends, if any, will be determined by our board of directors. Any dividends to our stockholders will be declared out of assets legally available for distribution. We anticipate that our dividends will be paid from taxable earnings, including interest and capital gains generated by our investment portfolio. However, if we do not generate sufficient taxable earnings during any fiscal year, a portion of our dividends for such year may constitute a

 

 

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return of capital. The specific tax characteristics of our dividends will be reported to stockholders after the end of each calendar year.

 

Lock-up Agreements

We, our officers and directors, and certain other parties related to Solar Senior Capital, including Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC, have agreed that, for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., dispose of or hedge any shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock; provided that, the filing of a registration statement to register the resale of the shares of common stock issued in the Concurrent Private Placement, including any required amendments or supplements thereto, will not be prohibited by the foregoing. Citigroup Global Markets Inc. in its sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) during the last 17 days of the 180-day restricted period, we issue an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to our company occurs; or (ii) prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day restricted period, the restrictions described above shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.

 

Taxation

We intend to elect to be treated for federal income tax purposes, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders as dividends. To obtain and maintain our RIC tax treatment, we must meet specified source-of-income and asset diversification requirements and distribute annually at least 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. See “Distributions” and “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

 

Investment Advisory Fees

We will pay Solar Capital Partners a fee for its services under the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement consisting of two components — a base management fee and an incentive fee. The base management fee will be calculated at an annual rate of 1.00% of our gross assets, which includes any borrowings for investment purposes. Solar Capital Partners, however, has agreed to waive the portion of the base management fee payable on any net proceeds of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement that have not yet been invested in portfolio investments, exclusive of any temporary investments in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality investment grade debt investments that mature in 12 months or less from the date of investment.

 

 

The incentive fee will consist of two parts. The first part will be calculated and payable quarterly in arrears and equals 20% of our “pre-incentive fee net investment income” for the immediately

 

 

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preceding quarter, subject to a preferred return, or “hurdle,” and a “catch-up” feature. The second part will be determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement) in an amount equal to 20% of our realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from inception through the end of each calendar year, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gain incentive fees. See “Investment Advisory and Management Agreement.”

 

Administration Agreement

We will reimburse Solar Capital Management for the allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by Solar Capital Management in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including furnishing us with office facilities, equipment and clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services at such facilities, as well as providing us with other administrative services. In addition, we will reimburse Solar Capital Management for the fees and expenses associated with performing compliance functions, and our allocable portion of the compensation of our chief financial officer and any administrative support staff. See “Administration Agreement.”

 

Leverage

We intend to borrow funds to make investments, and may elect to do so before we have fully invested the proceeds of this offering. In particular, in shortly after the completion of this offering, we intend to enter into the Senior Credit Facility, which we expect will provide us with access to $210 million in available borrowings. As a result, we will be exposed to the risks of leverage, which may be considered a speculative investment technique. The use of leverage magnifies the potential for gain and loss on amounts invested and therefore increases the risks associated with investing in our securities. In addition, the costs associated with our borrowings, including any increase in the management fees payable to our investment adviser, Solar Capital Partners, will be borne by our common stockholders. Although we do not presently intend to do so during the twelve months following completion of this offering, we may also issue preferred stock, subject to our compliance with applicable requirements under the 1940 Act.

 

Trading

Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value. The risk that our shares may trade at a discount to our net asset value is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share may decline. We cannot predict whether our shares will trade above, at or below net asset value.

 

License Agreement

We have entered into a license agreement with Solar Capital Partners, pursuant to which Solar Capital Partners has agreed to grant us a non-exclusive license to use the name “Solar Senior Capital.” See “License Agreement.”

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

We have adopted an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan. If your shares of common stock are registered in your own name, your

 

 

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distributions will automatically be reinvested under our dividend reinvestment plan in additional whole and fractional shares of common stock, unless you “opt out” of our dividend reinvestment plan so as to receive cash dividends by delivering a written notice to our plan administrator. If your shares are held in the name of a broker or other nominee, you should contact the broker or nominee for details regarding opting out of our dividend reinvestment plan. Stockholders who receive distributions in the form of stock will be subject to the same federal, state and local tax consequences as stockholders who elect to receive their distributions in cash. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”

 

Certain Anti-Takeover Measures

Our charter and bylaws, as well as certain statutory and regulatory requirements, contain certain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging a third party from making an acquisition proposal for us. These anti-takeover provisions may inhibit a change in control in circumstances that could give the holders of our common stock the opportunity to realize a premium over the market price for our common stock. See “Description of Securities.”

 

Available Information

After the completion of this offering, we will be required to file periodic reports, current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. This information will be available at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549 and on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The public may obtain information on the operation of the SEC’s public reference room by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. This information will also be available free of charge by contacting us at Solar Senior Capital Ltd., 500 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022, by telephone at (212) 993-1670 or on our website at http://www.solarseniorcap.com.

 

 

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FEES AND EXPENSES

 

The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that you will bear directly or indirectly. We 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 prospectus contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by “us” or “Solar Senior Capital,” or that “we” will pay fees or expenses, you will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as an investor in Solar Senior Capital Ltd.

 

Stockholder transaction expenses:

  

Sales load (as a percentage of offering price)

     7.00 %(1) 

Offering expenses borne by us (as a percentage of offering price)

     0.51 %(2) 

Dividend reinvestment plan expenses

     None    (3) 
        

Total stockholder transaction expenses (as a percentage of offering price)

     7.51

Annual expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common stock):

  

Base management fee

     1.80 %(4) 

Incentive fees payable under our Investment Advisory and Management Agreement

     0.00 %(5) 

Interest payments on borrowed funds

     2.04 %(6) 

Other expenses (estimated)

     1.27 %(7) 
        

Total annual expenses (estimated)

     5.11

 

Example

 

The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in our common stock. In calculating the following expense amounts, we have assumed that our annual operating expenses would remain at the levels set forth in the table above and have excluded performance-based incentive fees. See Note 6 below for additional information regarding certain assumptions regarding our level of leverage.

 

     1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years  

You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return

   $ 122       $ 217       $ 311       $ 545   

 

(1)   The underwriting discounts and commissions (the sales load) with respect to shares sold in this offering, which is a one-time fee, is the only sales load paid in connection with this offering.
(2)   Amount reflects estimated offering expenses of approximately $808,543.
(3)   The expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan are included in “Other expenses.”
(4)   Our base management fee under the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement is based on our gross assets, which is defined as all the assets of Solar Senior Capital, including those acquired using borrowings for investment purposes. Solar Capital Partners, however, has agreed to waive the portion of the base management fee payable on any net proceeds of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement that have not yet been invested in portfolio investments, exclusive of any temporary investments in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality investment grade debt investments that mature in 12 months or less from the date of investment. See “Investment Advisory and Management Agreement.”
(5)   Reflects the aggregate amount of incentive fees we estimate will be payable under our Investment Advisory and Management Agreement during our first year of operations following consummation of this offering. Based on our current business plan, we anticipate that substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering will be invested within three to six months depending on the availability of investment opportunities that are consistent with our investment objective and other market conditions. As a result, during our first year of operations following consummation of this offering we expect that we will not have any capital gains and will only have interest income that exceeds our quarterly hurdle rate discussed below during the second half of our first year of operations following consummation of this offering. We expect that it will take more than three months to invest all of the proceeds of this offering, in part because privately negotiated investments in illiquid securities require substantial due diligence and structuring. The incentive fee consists of two parts:

 

The first part, which will be payable quarterly in arrears, commencing with the period ending March 31, 2011, will equal 20% of the excess, if any, of our “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income” that exceeds a

 

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1.75% quarterly (7.00% annualized) hurdle rate, which we refer to as the Hurdle, subject to a “catch-up” provision, measured at the end of each calendar quarter. The first part of the incentive fee is computed and paid on income that may include interest that is accrued but not yet received in cash. The operation of the first part of the incentive fee for each quarter is as follows:

 

   

no incentive fee is payable to our investment adviser in any calendar quarter in which our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed the Hurdle of 1.75%;

   

50% of our 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 but is less than 2.9167% in any calendar quarter (11.67% annualized) is payable to our investment adviser. We refer to this portion of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (which exceeds the Hurdle but is less than 2.9167%) as the “catch-up.” The “catch-up” is meant to provide our investment adviser with 20% of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, as if a Hurdle did not apply when our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income exceeds 2.9167% in any calendar quarter; and

   

20.0% of the amount of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds 2.9167% in any calendar quarter (11.67% annualized) is payable to our investment adviser (once the Hurdle is reached and the catch-up is achieved, 20.0% of all Pre-Incentive Fee Investment Income thereafter is allocated to our investment adviser).

 

The second part of the incentive fee will equal 20% of our “Incentive Fee Capital Gains,” if any, which will equal our realized capital gains on a cumulative basis from inception through the end of each calendar year, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gain incentive fees. The second part of the incentive fee will be payable, in arrears, at the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement, as of the termination date), commencing with the period ending December 31, 2011. For a more detailed discussion of the calculation of this fee, see “Investment Advisory and Management Agreement.”

 

(6)   We may borrow funds from time to time to make investments to the extent we determine that the economic situation is conducive to doing so. The costs associated with our outstanding borrowings will be indirectly born by our investors. We expect to initially have $210 million available under the Senior Credit Facility, which we expect to become effective shortly after the completion of this offering. For purposes of this section, we have estimated that we will borrow an amount equal to 80% of our net assets under the Senior Credit Facility at an assumed interest rate of 2.55%, which is calculated based upon the LIBOR rate as of December 31, 2010 and the base lending rate under the Senior Credit Facility of LIBOR plus 2.25%. Although we do not presently intend to do so during the twelve months following completion of this offering, we may also issue preferred stock, subject to our compliance with applicable requirements under the 1940 Act.
(7)   “Other expenses” ($2,000,000, including costs and expenses associated with our formation and organization) are based upon estimates of the first full year of operations.

 

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The example and the expenses in the tables above should not be considered a representation of our future expenses, and actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. While the example assumes, as required by the SEC, a 5% annual return, our performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5%. The incentive fee under the Investment Management Agreement, which, assuming a 5% annual return, would either not be payable or would have an insignificant impact on the expense amounts shown above, is not included in the example. This illustration assumes that we will not realize any capital gains (computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation) in any of the indicated time periods. If we achieve sufficient returns on our investments, including through the realization of capital gains, to trigger an incentive fee of a material amount, our expenses and returns to our investors would be higher. For example, if we assumed that we received our 5% annual return completely in the form of net realized capital gains on our investments, computed net of all cumulative unrealized depreciation on our investments, the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses set forth in the above illustration would be as follows:

 

     1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years  

You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return

   $ 132       $ 243       $ 351       $ 613   

 

In addition, the example assumes inclusion of the sales load of 7% and our estimated offering expenses in connection with this offering. Also, while the example assumes reinvestment of all dividends at net asset value, participants in our dividend reinvestment plan will receive a number of shares of our common stock, determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the dividend payable to a participant by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of trading on the dividend payment date, which may be at, above or below net asset value. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” for additional information regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

Before you invest in our common stock, you should be aware of various risks, including those described below. You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, before you decide whether to make an investment in our common stock. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such case, our net asset value could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

 

Risks Related to Our Investments

 

We will operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.

 

A number of entities will compete with us to make the types of investments that we will target in leveraged companies. We will compete with other BDCs, public and private funds, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity funds. Many of our potential competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that will not be available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than we do, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than us. Furthermore, many of our potential competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act will impose on us. We cannot assure you that the competitive pressures we will face will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Also, as a result of this competition, we may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities from time to time, and we can offer no assurance that we will be able to identify and make investments that are consistent with our investment objective.

 

We will not seek to compete primarily based on the interest rates we will offer, and we believe that some of our competitors may make loans with interest rates that will be comparable to or lower than the rates we will offer. We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. However, if we match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, we may experience decreased net interest income and increased risk of credit loss.

 

Our investments will be very risky and highly speculative.

 

We will invest primarily in senior secured loans, including first lien, unitranche and second lien debt instruments, made to middle-market companies whose debt is rated below investment grade. Securities rated below investment grade are often referred to as “leveraged loans” or “high yield” securities, and may be considered “high risk” compared to debt instruments that are rated above investment grade.

 

When we will make a senior secured term loan investment in a portfolio company, we generally will take a security interest in the available assets of the portfolio company, including the equity interests of its subsidiaries, which we expect to help mitigate the risk that we will not be repaid. However, there is a risk that the collateral securing our loans may decrease in value over time, may be difficult to sell in a timely manner, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based upon the success of the business and market conditions, including as a result of the inability of the portfolio company to raise additional capital, and, in some circumstances, our lien could be subordinated to claims of other creditors. In addition, deterioration in a portfolio company’s financial condition and prospects, including its inability to raise additional capital, may be accompanied by deterioration in the value of the collateral for the loan. Consequently, the fact that a loan is secured does not guarantee that we will receive principal and interest payments according to the loan’s terms, or at all, or that we will be able to collect on the loan should we be forced to enforce our remedies.

 

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In addition, investing in middle-market companies involves a number of significant risks, including:

 

   

these companies may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt securities that we hold, which may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of us realizing any guarantees we may have obtained in connection with our investment;

 

   

they typically have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns;

 

   

they 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 our portfolio company and, in turn, on us;

 

   

they generally have less predictable operating results, may from time to time be parties to litigation, may be engaged in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence, and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance expansion or maintain their competitive position. In addition, our executive officers, directors and our investment adviser may, in the ordinary course of business, be named as defendants in litigation arising from our investments in the portfolio companies; and

 

   

they may have difficulty accessing the capital markets to meet future capital needs, which may limit their ability to grow or to repay their outstanding indebtedness upon maturity.

 

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

 

We will generally make investments in private companies. Substantially all of these securities are subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or will otherwise be less liquid than publicly traded securities. The illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments if the need arises. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we have previously recorded our investments. In addition, we may face other restrictions on our ability to liquidate an investment in a portfolio company to the extent that we have material non-public information regarding such portfolio company.

 

We have not yet identified all of the portfolio companies we will invest in using the proceeds of this offering.

 

While Solar Capital Partners’ investment team has identified an initial group of potential investments for our portfolio, we have not yet identified all of the additional potential investments for our portfolio that we will acquire with the proceeds of the offering. Additionally, our investment adviser will select our investments subsequent to the closing of this offering, and our stockholders will have no input with respect to such investment decisions. These factors increase the uncertainty, and thus the risk, of investing in our common stock. In addition, pending such investments, we will invest the net proceeds primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality investment grade investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment. The income we earn on such temporary investments will generally be significantly less than what we would expect to receive from investments in the types of senior loans we intend to target for investment and if we are not able to identify or gain access to suitable investments our income may be limited. The management fee payable by us will not be reduced while our assets are invested in such securities.

 

Our portfolio may be concentrated in a limited number of portfolio companies and industries, which will subject us 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.

 

Although we do not intend to focus our investments in any specific industries, our portfolio may be concentrated in a limited number of portfolio companies and industries. Beyond the asset diversification

 

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requirements associated with our qualification as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, we will not have fixed guidelines for diversification, and while we will not target any specific industries, our investments may be concentrated in relatively few industries. As a result, the aggregate returns we will realize may be significantly adversely affected if a small number of investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one investment. Additionally, a downturn in any particular industry in which we are invested could also significantly impact the aggregate returns we realize.

 

Capital markets have recently been in a period of disruption and instability. These market conditions have materially and adversely affected debt and equity capital markets in the United States and abroad, which may in the future have a negative impact on our business and operations.

 

The global capital markets have recently been in a period of disruption as evidenced by a lack of liquidity in the debt capital markets, significant write-offs in the financial services sector, the re-pricing of credit risk in the broadly syndicated credit market and the failure of certain major financial institutions. Despite actions of the United States federal government and foreign governments, these events contributed to worsening general economic conditions that materially and adversely impacted the broader financial and credit markets and reduced the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole and financial services firms in particular. These conditions could continue for a prolonged period of time or worsen in the future. While these conditions persist, we and other companies in the financial services sector may have to access, if available, alternative markets for debt and equity capital. Equity capital may be difficult to raise because, subject to some limited exceptions which will apply to us, as a BDC we will generally not be able to issue additional shares of our common stock at a price less than net asset value. In addition, our ability to incur indebtedness (including by issued preferred stock) will be limited by applicable regulations such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, must equal at least 200% immediately after each time we incur indebtedness. The debt capital that will be available, if at all, may be at a higher cost and on less favorable terms and conditions in the future. Any inability to raise capital could have a negative effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

The illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments if required. As a result, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we will have recorded our investments. In addition, significant changes in the capital markets may have a negative effect on the valuations of our investments and on the potential for liquidity events involving our investments. An inability to raise capital, and any required sale of our investments for liquidity purposes, could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results.

 

Many of our potential portfolio companies may be susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may be unable to repay our loans during these periods. Therefore, our non-performing assets may increase and the value of our portfolio may decrease during these periods as we will be required to record the values of our investments. Adverse economic conditions also may decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity investments at fair value. Economic slowdowns or recessions could lead to financial losses in our portfolio and a decrease in revenues, net income and assets. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events could prevent us from increasing investments and harm our operating results.

 

A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, acceleration of the time when the loans are due and foreclosure on its secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize the portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt that we will hold. We may incur additional expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting portfolio company. In addition, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances,

 

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including the extent to which we will actually provide significant managerial assistance to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might recharacterize our debt holding and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors.

 

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

 

As a BDC, we will be required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of our board of directors. Decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments will be recorded as unrealized depreciation. The unprecedented declines in prices and liquidity in the corporate debt markets from 2008 through mid-2010 have resulted in significant net unrealized depreciation in the portfolios of many existing BDCs, reducing their net asset value. Depending on market conditions, we may face similar losses after we become a BDC, which could reduce our net asset value and have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

The affect of global climate change may impact the operations of our portfolio companies.

 

There may be evidence of global climate change. Climate change creates physical and financial risk and some of our portfolio companies may be adversely affected by climate change. For example, the needs of customers of energy companies vary with weather conditions, primarily temperature and humidity. To the extent weather conditions are affected by climate change, energy use could increase or decrease depending on the duration and magnitude of any changes. Increases in the cost of energy could adversely affect the cost of operations of our portfolio companies if the use of energy products or services is material to their business. A decrease in energy use due to weather changes may affect some of our portfolio companies’ financial condition, through decreased revenues. Extreme weather conditions in general require more system backup, adding to costs, and can contribute to increased system stresses, including service interruptions.

 

Our failure to make follow-on investments in our portfolio companies could impair the value of our portfolio.

 

Following an initial investment in a portfolio company, we may make additional investments in that portfolio company as “follow-on” investments, in order to: (i) increase or maintain in whole or in part our ownership percentage; (ii) exercise warrants, options or convertible securities that were acquired in the original or subsequent financing; or (iii) attempt to preserve or enhance the value of our investment. We may elect not to make follow-on investments or otherwise lack sufficient funds to make those investments. We will have the discretion to make any follow-on investments, subject to the availability of capital resources. The failure to make follow-on investments may, in some circumstances, jeopardize the continued viability of a portfolio company and our initial investment, or may result in a missed opportunity for us to increase our participation in a successful operation. Even if we have sufficient capital to make a desired follow-on investment, we may elect not to make a follow-on investment because we may not want to increase our concentration of risk, either because we will prefer other opportunities or because we will be subject to BDC requirements that would prevent such follow-on investments or the desire to maintain our RIC tax status.

 

Because we generally will not hold controlling equity interests in our portfolio companies, we may not be in a position to exercise control over our portfolio companies or to prevent decisions by management of our portfolio companies that could decrease the value of our investments.

 

Although we may do so in the future, initially we do not intend to hold controlling equity positions in our portfolio companies. As a result, we will be subject to the risk that a portfolio company may make business decisions with which we disagree, and that the management and/or stockholders of a portfolio company may take risks or otherwise act in ways that will be adverse to our interests. Due to the lack of liquidity of the investments

 

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that we will typically hold in our portfolio companies, we may not be able to dispose of our investments in the event we disagree with the actions of a portfolio company and may therefore suffer a decrease in the value of our investments.

 

An investment strategy focused primarily on privately held companies presents certain challenges, including the lack of available information about these companies, a dependence on the talents and efforts of only a few key portfolio company personnel and a greater vulnerability to economic downturns.

 

We will invest primarily in privately held companies. Generally, little public information exists about these companies, and we will be required to rely on the ability of Solar Capital Partners’ investment professionals to obtain adequate information to evaluate the potential returns from investing in these companies. If we will be unable to uncover all material information about these companies, we may not make a fully informed investment decision, and we may lose money on our investments. Also, privately held companies frequently have less diverse product lines and smaller market presence than larger competitors. These factors could adversely affect our investment returns as compared to companies investing primarily in the securities of public companies.

 

Our portfolio companies may incur debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, some of our investments in such companies.

 

We will invest primarily in senior secured loans, including unitranche, second lien, as well as unsecured debt instruments issued by our portfolio companies. If we invest in unitranche, second lien, or unsecured debt instruments, our portfolio companies typically may be permitted to incur other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, such debt instruments. 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 we will be entitled to receive payments in respect of the debt securities in which we will invest. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of debt instruments ranking senior to our investment in that portfolio company would typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any distribution in respect of our investment. In such cases, after repaying such senior creditors, such portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of debt ranking equally with debt securities in which we will invest, we would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.

 

Our investments in foreign securities may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.

 

Our investment strategy contemplates potential investments in debt securities of foreign companies. Investing in foreign companies may expose us to additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These risks include changes in exchange control regulations, political and social instability, expropriation, imposition of foreign taxes, less liquid markets and less available information than is generally the case in the United States, higher transaction costs, less government supervision of exchanges, brokers and issuers, less developed bankruptcy laws, difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and greater price volatility.

 

Although most of our investments will be U.S. dollar-denominated, any investments 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. We may employ hedging techniques to minimize these risks, but we can offer no assurance that we will, in fact, hedge currency risk, or that if we do, such strategies will be effective.

 

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We may expose ourselves to risks if we engage in hedging transactions.

 

If we engage in hedging transactions, we may expose ourselves to risks associated with such transactions. We 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 our portfolio positions from changes in currency exchange rates and market interest rates. Hedging against a decline in the values of our 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. It may not be possible to hedge against an exchange rate or interest rate fluctuation that is so generally anticipated that we are not able to enter into a hedging transaction at an acceptable price. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, we may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent us from achieving the intended hedge and expose us 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.

 

Our investment adviser may not be able to achieve the same or similar returns as those achieved by our senior investment professionals while they were employed at prior positions.

 

Although in the past Mr. Gross held senior positions at a number of investment firms, including Solar Capital, Apollo Investment Corporation and Apollo Management, L.P., Mr. Gross’ track record and achievements are not necessarily indicative of future results that will be achieved by our investment adviser. In his role at such other firms, Mr. Gross was part of an investment team, and he was not solely responsible for generating investment ideas. In addition, such investment teams arrived at investment decisions by consensus.

 

Risks Relating to an Investment in Our Securities

 

Our shares may trade at a substantial discount from net asset value and may continue to do so over the long term.

 

Shares of closed-end investment companies have frequently traded at a market price that is less than the net asset value that is attributable to those shares. The possibility that our shares of common stock will trade at a substantial discount from net asset value over the long term is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value will decrease. We cannot predict whether shares of our common stock will trade above, at or below our net asset value. If our common stock trades below its net asset value, we will generally not be able to issue additional shares or sell our common stock at its market price without first obtaining the approval for such issuance from our stockholders and our independent directors. If additional funds are not available to us, we could be forced to curtail or cease our new lending and investment activities, and our net asset value could decrease and our level of distributions could be impacted.

 

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

 

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

 

   

price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market from time to time;

 

   

investor demand for our shares;

 

   

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

 

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changes in regulatory policies or tax guidelines with respect to RICs or business development companies;

 

   

failure to qualify as a RIC, or the loss of RIC status;

 

   

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

 

   

changes, or perceived changes, in the value of our portfolio investments;

 

   

departures of Solar Capital Partners’ key personnel;

 

   

operating performance of companies comparable to us; or

 

   

general economic conditions and trends and other external factors.

 

In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been brought against that company. Due to the potential volatility of our stock price once a market for our stock is established, we may become the target of securities litigation in the future. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources from our business.

 

There is a risk that our stockholders may not receive distributions or that our distributions may not grow over time.

 

We intend to make distributions on a quarterly basis to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. In addition, due to the asset coverage test applicable to us as a business development company, we may be limited in our ability to make distributions.

 

We may choose to pay dividends in our own common stock, in which case our stockholders may be required to pay federal income taxes in excess of the cash dividends they receive.

 

We may distribute taxable dividends that are payable in cash or shares of our common stock at the election of each stockholder. IRS Revenue Procedure 2010-12 temporarily allows a RIC whose stock is publicly traded on an established securities market in the United States to distribute its own stock as a dividend for the purpose of fulfilling its distribution requirements. Pursuant to this revenue procedure, a RIC may treat a distribution of its own stock as fulfilling its distribution requirements if (i) the distribution is declared on or before December 31, 2012, with respect to a taxable year ending on or before December 31, 2011, and (ii) each shareholder may elect to receive his or her entire distribution in either cash or stock of the RIC subject to a limitation on the aggregate amount of cash to be distributed to all shareholders, which limitation must be at least 10% of the aggregate declared distribution. Under Revenue Procedure 2010-12, if too many shareholders elect to receive cash, each shareholder electing to receive cash will receive a pro rata amount of cash (with the balance of the distribution paid in stock). In no event will any shareholder, electing to receive cash, receive less than 10% of his or her entire distribution in cash. If the requirements of Revenue Procedure 2010-12 are met, for U.S federal income tax purposes, the amount of the dividend paid in stock will be equal to the amount of cash that could have been received instead of stock.

 

Where Revenue Procedure 2010-12 is not currently applicable, the Internal Revenue Service has also issued private letter rulings on cash/stock dividends paid by RICs and real estate investment trusts using a 20% cash standard (and, more recently, the 10% cash standard of Revenue Procedure 2010-12) if certain requirements are satisfied. Stockholders receiving such dividends will be required to include the full amount of the dividend (including the portion payable in stock) as ordinary income (or, in certain circumstances, long-term capital gain) to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits for federal income tax purposes. As a result, stockholders may be required to pay income taxes with respect to such dividends in excess of the cash dividends received. If a U.S. stockholder sells the common stock that it receives as a dividend in order to pay this tax, the

 

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sales proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the dividend, depending on the market price of our common stock at the time of the sale. Furthermore, with respect to non-U.S. stockholders, we may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to such dividends, including in respect of all or a portion of such dividend that is payable in common stock. In addition, if a significant number of our stockholders determine to sell shares of our common stock in order to pay taxes owed on dividends, it may put downward pressure on the trading price of our common stock. It is unclear whether and to what extent we will be able to pay taxable dividends of the type described in this paragraph (whether pursuant to Revenue Procedure 2010-12, a private letter ruling or otherwise). For a more detailed discussion, see “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

 

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

 

The 500,000 shares to be issued to Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC in the Concurrent Private Placement are subject to a 180 day lock-up period. Upon expiration of this lock-up period, or earlier upon the consent of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. such shares will generally be freely tradable in the public market, subject to the provisions of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, or the availability of such common stock for sale, could adversely affect the prevailing market prices for our common stock. If this occurs and continues, it could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of securities should we desire to do so.

 

We have also committed to file a registration statement within 60 days after this offering to register the resale of the shares of common stock to be issued in the Concurrent Private Placement to Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC. We have committed to use our commercially reasonable efforts to obtain effectiveness of such registration statement as soon as reasonably practicable after the filing of such registration statement. Assuming effectiveness of such registration statement, Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC will generally be able to resell its shares of common stock without restriction upon expiration of its 180 day lock-up period.

 

Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure

 

We have no operating history.

 

We were formed and commenced operations in December 2010. As a result of a lack of operating history, we are subject to many of the business risks and uncertainties associated with recently formed businesses, including the risk that we will not achieve our investment objective and that the value of your investment could decline substantially.

 

We will be dependent upon Solar Capital Partners’ key personnel for our future success.

 

We will depend on the diligence, skill and network of business contacts of Messrs. Gross and Spohler, who serve as the managing member and a partner of Solar Capital Partners, respectively, and who lead Solar Capital Partners’ investment team. Messrs. Gross and Spohler, together with the other dedicated investment professionals available to Solar Capital Partners, evaluate, negotiate, structure, close and monitor our investments. Our future success will depend on the continued service of Messrs. Gross and Spohler and the other investment professionals available to Solar Capital Partners. We cannot assure you that unforeseen business, medical, personal or other circumstances would not lead any such individual to terminate his relationship with us. The loss of Mr. Gross or Mr. Spohler, or any of the other senior investment professionals who serve on Solar Capital Partners’ investment team, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objective as well as on our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, we can offer no assurance that Solar Capital Partners will remain our investment adviser.

 

The senior investment professionals of Solar Capital Partners are and may in the future become affiliated with entities engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by us, and may have

 

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conflicts of interest in allocating their time. We expect that Messrs. Gross and Spohler will dedicate a significant portion of their time to the activities of Solar Senior Capital; however, they may be engaged in other business activities which could divert their time and attention in the future.

 

A disruption in the capital markets and the credit markets could negatively affect our business.

 

As a BDC, we will have to maintain our ability to raise additional capital for investment purposes. Without sufficient access to the capital markets or credit markets, we may be forced to curtail our business operations or we may not be able to pursue new business opportunities. Disruptive conditions in the financial industry and the impact of new legislation in response to those conditions could restrict our business operations and could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.

 

If the fair value of our assets declines substantially, we may fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios imposed upon us by the 1940 Act. Any such failure would affect our ability to issue senior securities, including borrowings, and pay dividends, which could materially impair our business operations. Our liquidity could be impaired further by an inability to access the capital markets. For example, we cannot be certain that we will be able to consummate new borrowing facilities to provide capital for normal operations, including new originations. Reflecting concern about the stability of the financial markets, many lenders and institutional investors have reduced or ceased providing funding to borrowers. This market turmoil and tightening of credit have led to increased market volatility and widespread reduction of business activity generally.

 

If we are unable to consummate new facilities on commercially reasonable terms, our liquidity will be reduced significantly. If we consummate new facilities but are then unable to repay amounts outstanding under such facilities, and are declared in default or are unable to renew or refinance these facilities, we would not be able to initiate significant originations or to operate our business in the normal course. These situations may arise due to circumstances that we may be unable to control, such as inaccessibility to the credit markets, a severe decline in the value of the U.S. dollar, a further economic downturn or an operational problem that affects third parties or us, and could materially damage our business. Moreover, we are unable to predict when economic and market conditions may become more favorable. Even if such conditions improve broadly and significantly over the long term, adverse conditions in particular sectors of the financial markets could adversely impact our business.

 

Our financial condition and results of operations will depend on our ability to manage future growth effectively.

 

Our ability to achieve our investment objective and to grow depends on Solar Capital Partners’ ability to identify, invest in and monitor companies that meet our investment criteria.

 

Accomplishing this result on a cost-effective basis is largely a function of Solar Capital Partners’ structuring of the investment process, its ability to provide competent, attentive and efficient services to us and its ability to access financing for us on acceptable terms. The investment team of Solar Capital Partners has substantial responsibilities under the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement, and they may also be called upon to provide managerial assistance to our portfolio companies as the principals of our administrator. In addition, the members of Solar Capital Partners’ investment team have similar responsibilities with respect to the management of Solar Capital’s investment portfolio. Such demands on their time may distract them or slow our rate of investment. In order to grow, we and Solar Capital Partners will need to retain, train, supervise and manage new investment professionals. However, we can offer no assurance that any such investment professionals will contribute effectively to the work of the investment adviser. Any failure to manage our future growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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We may need to raise additional capital to grow because we must distribute most of our income.

 

We may need additional capital to fund growth in our investments. Pursuant to this prospectus we expect to issue equity securities and expect to borrow from financial institutions in the future. A reduction in the availability of new capital could limit our ability to grow. We must distribute at least 90% of our investment company taxable income to our stockholders to maintain our regulated investment company status. As a result, any such cash earnings may not be available to fund investment originations. We expect to borrow from financial institutions and issue additional debt and equity securities. If we fail to obtain funds from such sources or from other sources to fund our investments, it could limit our ability to grow, which may have an adverse effect on the value of our securities. In addition, as a BDC, our ability to borrow or issue additional preferred stock may be restricted if our total assets are less than 200% of our total borrowings and preferred stock.

 

Any failure on our part to maintain our status as a BDC would reduce our operating flexibility and we may be limited in our investment choices as a BDC.

 

The 1940 Act imposes numerous constraints on the operations of BDCs. For example, BDCs are required to invest at least 70% of their total assets in specified types of “qualifying assets”, primarily in private companies or thinly-traded U.S. public companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. In addition, subject to certain limited exceptions, an investment in an issuer that has outstanding securities listed on a national exchange may be treated as a qualifying asset only if such issuer has a market capitalization that is less than $250 million at the time of such investment. Furthermore, any failure to comply with the requirements imposed on BDCs by the 1940 Act could cause the SEC to bring an enforcement action against us and/or expose us to claims of private litigants. In addition, upon approval of a majority of our stockholders, we may elect to withdraw our status as a BDC. If we decide to withdraw our election, or if we otherwise fail to qualify, or maintain our qualification, as a BDC, we may be subject to the substantially greater regulation under the 1940 Act as a closed-end investment company. Compliance with such regulations would significantly decrease our operating flexibility, and could significantly increase our costs of doing business.

 

Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to, and the way in which we will, raise additional capital. As a BDC, the necessity of raising additional capital may expose us to risks, including the typical risks associated with leverage.

 

We may issue debt securities or preferred stock and/or borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, which we refer to collectively as “senior securities,” up to the maximum amount permitted by the 1940 Act. Under the provisions of the 1940 Act, we will be permitted, as a BDC, to issue senior securities in amounts such that our asset coverage ratio, 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. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy this test. If that happens, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments and, depending on the nature of our leverage, repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous. Also, any amounts that we use to service our indebtedness would not be available for distributions to our common stockholders. Furthermore, as a result of issuing senior securities, we would also be exposed to typical risks associated with leverage, including an increased risk of loss.

 

If we issue preferred stock, the preferred stock would rank “senior” to common stock in our 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 our 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 our common stock or otherwise be in your best interest.

 

We will not be generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, sell our common stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price

 

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below the then-current net asset value per share of our common stock if our board of directors determines that such sale is in the best interests of Solar Senior Capital and its stockholders, and our stockholders approve such sale. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price that, in the determination of our board of directors, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount). We do not presently intend to issue our common stock at a price below the then-current net asset value per share of our common stock during the twelve months following completion of this offering. If we raise additional funds by issuing more common stock or senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, our common stock, then the percentage ownership of our stockholders at that time will decrease, and you might experience dilution.

 

We may borrow money, which would magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing in us.

 

The use of leverage magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and, therefore, increases the risks associated with investing in our securities. We may borrow from and issue senior debt securities to banks, insurance companies and other lenders in the future. Lenders of these senior securities will have fixed dollar claims on our assets that are superior to the claims of our common stockholders, and we would expect such lenders to seek recovery against our assets in the event of a default. If the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged. Similarly, any decrease in our income would cause net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline could also negatively affect our ability to make dividend payments on our common stock. Leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique. Our ability to service any debt that we incur will depend largely on our financial performance and will be subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. Moreover, as the management fee payable to our investment adviser, Solar Capital Partners, will be payable based on our gross assets, including those assets acquired through the use of leverage, Solar Capital Partners will have a financial incentive to incur leverage which may not be consistent with our stockholders’ interests. In addition, our common stockholders will bear the burden of any increase in our expenses as a result of leverage, including any increase in the management fee payable to Solar Capital Partners.

 

As a BDC, we generally will be required to meet a coverage ratio of total assets to total borrowings and other senior securities, which will include all of our borrowings and any preferred stock that we may issue in the future, of at least 200%. If this ratio declines below 200%, we may not be able to incur additional debt and could be required by law to sell a portion of our investments to repay some debt when it is disadvantageous to do so, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations, and we may not be able to make distributions. The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on our investment adviser’s and our board of directors’ assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain credit at all or on terms acceptable to us.

 

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

 

To the extent we use debt to finance our investments, changes in interest rates will affect our cost of capital and net investment income.

 

To the extent we borrow money to make investments, our net investment income will depend, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest those funds. As a result, we can offer no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income in the event we use debt to finance our investments. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds would increase, which could reduce our net investment income. We expect that our long-term fixed-rate investments will be financed primarily with equity and long-term debt. We may use interest rate

 

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risk management techniques in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Such techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.

 

You should also be aware that a rise in the general level of interest rates can be expected to lead to higher interest rates applicable to our debt investments. Accordingly, an increase in interest rates would make it easier for us to meet or exceed the incentive fee hurdle rate and may result in a substantial increase of the amount of incentive fees payable to our investment adviser with respect to our pre-incentive fee net investment income.

 

There will be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.

 

A large percentage of our portfolio investments will be in 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. We will value these securities on a quarterly basis in accordance with our valuation policy, which will be at all times consistent with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. Our board of directors will utilize the services of third-party valuation firms to aid it in determining the fair value of these securities. The board of directors will discuss valuations and determine the fair value in good faith based on the input of our investment adviser and the respective third-party valuation firms. The factors that may be considered in fair value pricing our investments include the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparisons to publicly traded companies, discounted cash flow 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, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these securities existed. Our net asset value could be adversely affected if our determinations regarding the fair value of our investments were materially higher than the values that we ultimately realize upon the disposal of such securities.

 

We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly results.

 

We could experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results due to a number of factors, including the interest rate payable on the debt securities we acquire, the default rate on such securities, the level of our expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets and general economic conditions. As a result of these factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.

 

There are significant potential conflicts of interest, including Solar Capital Partners’ management of Solar Capital, which could impact our investment returns; you will not be purchasing an investment in Solar Capital.

 

Our executive officers and directors, as well as the current and future partners of our investment adviser, Solar Capital Partners, may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same or a related line of business as we do. Currently, the executive officers and directors, as well as the current partners of our investment adviser, Solar Capital Partners, serve as officers and directors of Solar Capital, a publicly-traded BDC. Accordingly, they may have obligations to investors in those entities, including to investors of Solar Capital, the fulfillment of which obligations might not be in the best interests of us or our stockholders. In addition, we note that any affiliated investment vehicle currently existing, or formed in the future, and managed by our investment adviser or its affiliates may, notwithstanding different stated investment objectives, have overlapping investment objectives with our own and, accordingly, may invest in asset classes similar to those targeted by us. As a result, Solar Capital Partners may face conflicts in allocating investment opportunities between us and such other entities. Although Solar Capital Partners will endeavor to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner, it is possible that, in the future, we may not be given the opportunity to participate in investments made by investment funds managed by our investment adviser or an investment manager affiliated with our investment adviser. In any such case, when Solar Capital Partners identifies an investment, it will be forced to choose which investment fund should make the investment.

 

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We may co-invest on a concurrent basis with Solar Capital, and any other affiliates that our investment adviser forms in the future, subject to compliance with applicable regulations and regulatory guidance and our allocation procedures. In certain circumstances, negotiated co-investments may be made only if we receive an order from the SEC permitting us to do so. There can be no assurance that any such order will be obtained.

 

In the course of our investing activities, we will pay management and incentive fees to Solar Capital Partners and reimburse Solar Capital Partners for certain expenses it incurs. As a result, investors in our 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 an investor might achieve through direct investments. Accordingly, there may be times when the management team of Solar Capital Partners has interests that differ from those of our stockholders, giving rise to a conflict.

 

We have entered into a royalty-free license agreement with our investment adviser, pursuant to which our investment adviser has granted us a non-exclusive license to use the name “Solar Senior Capital.” Under the license agreement, we will have the right to use the “Solar Senior Capital” name for so long as Solar Capital Partners or one of its affiliates remains our investment adviser. In addition, we will pay Solar Capital Management, an affiliate of Solar Capital Partners, our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by Solar Capital Management in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent, the fees and expenses associated with performing compliance functions, and our allocable portion of the compensation of our chief financial officer and any administrative support staff. These arrangements create conflicts of interest that our board of directors must monitor.

 

We may be obligated to pay our investment adviser incentive compensation even if we incur a loss.

 

Our investment adviser will be entitled to incentive compensation for each fiscal quarter in an amount equal to a percentage of the excess of our pre-incentive fee net investment income for that quarter (before deducting incentive compensation) above a performance threshold for that quarter. Accordingly, since the performance threshold is based on a percentage of our net asset value, decreases in our net asset value make it easier to achieve the performance threshold. Our pre-incentive fee net investment income for incentive compensation purposes excludes realized and unrealized capital losses or depreciation that we may incur in the fiscal quarter, even if such capital losses or depreciation result in a net loss on our statement of operations for that quarter. Thus, we may be required to pay Solar Capital Partners incentive compensation for a fiscal quarter even if there is a decline in the value of our portfolio or we incur a net loss for that quarter.

 

Our incentive fee may induce Solar Capital Partners to pursue speculative investments.

 

The incentive fee payable by us to Solar Capital Partners may create an incentive for Solar Capital Partners to pursue investments on our behalf that are riskier or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement. The incentive fee payable to our investment adviser will be calculated based on a percentage of our return on invested capital. This may encourage our investment adviser to use leverage to increase the return on our investments. Under certain circumstances, the use of leverage may increase the likelihood of default, which would impair the value of our common stock. In addition, the investment adviser will receive the incentive fee based, in part, upon net capital gains realized on our investments. Unlike that portion of the incentive fee based on income, there is no hurdle rate applicable to the portion of the incentive fee based on net capital gains. As a result, the investment adviser may have a tendency to invest more capital in investments that are likely to result in capital gains as compared to income producing securities. Such a practice could result in our investing in more speculative securities than would otherwise be the case, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during economic downturns.

 

The incentive fee payable by us to our investment adviser also may induce Solar Capital Partners to invest on our behalf in instruments that have a deferred interest feature, even if such deferred payments would not provide cash necessary to enable us to pay current distributions to our shareholders. Under these investments, we

 

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would accrue interest over the life of the investment but would not receive the cash income from the investment until the end of the term. Our net investment income used to calculate the income portion of our investment fee, however, includes accrued interest. Thus, a portion of this incentive fee would be based on income that we have not yet received in cash. In addition, the “catch-up” portion of the incentive fee may encourage Solar Capital Partners to accelerate or defer interest payable by portfolio companies from one calendar quarter to another, potentially resulting in fluctuations in timing and dividend amounts.

 

We may invest, to the extent permitted by law, in the securities and instruments of other investment companies, including private funds, and, to the extent we so invest, will bear our ratable share of any such investment company’s expenses, including management and performance fees. We will also remain obligated to pay management and incentive fees to Solar Capital Partners with respect to the assets invested in the securities and instruments of other investment companies. With respect to each of these investments, each of our stockholders will bear his or her share of the management and incentive fee of Solar Capital Partners as well as indirectly bearing the management and performance fees and other expenses of any investment companies in which we invest.

 

We will become subject to corporate-level income tax if we are unable to qualify and maintain our qualification as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code.

 

Although we intend to elect to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code for 2011 and succeeding tax years, no assurance can be given that we will be able to qualify for and maintain RIC status. To obtain and maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code, we must meet the following annual distribution, income source and asset diversification requirements.

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

The asset diversification requirement will be satisfied if we meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter of our taxable year. Failure to meet those requirements may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of RIC status. Because most of our investments will be in private companies, and therefore will be relatively illiquid, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and could result in substantial losses.

 

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

 

We may have difficulty satisfying the annual distribution requirement in order to qualify and maintain RIC status if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.

 

For federal income tax purposes, we will include in income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as original issue discount, which may arise if we receive warrants in connection with the making of a loan or possibly in other circumstances, or contracted “payment in kind,” or PIK, interest, which represents contractual interest added to the loan balance and due at the end of the loan term. We also may be required to include in income certain other amounts that we will not receive in cash.

 

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Because in certain cases we may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we may have difficulty satisfying the annual distribution requirement applicable to RICs. Accordingly, we may have to sell some of our investments at times we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investments to meet these distribution requirements. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus be subject to corporate-level income tax.

 

Our board of directors is authorized to reclassify any unissued shares of common stock into one or more classes of preferred stock, which could convey special rights and privileges to its owners.

 

Under the Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter, our board of directors is authorized to classify and reclassify any authorized but unissued shares of stock into one or more classes of stock, including preferred stock. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, the board of directors is required by Maryland law and our charter to set the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Thus, the board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest. The cost of any such reclassification would be borne by our existing common stockholders. Certain matters under the 1940 Act require the separate vote of the holders of any issued and outstanding preferred stock. For example, holders of preferred stock would vote separately from the holders of common stock on a proposal to cease operations as a BDC. In addition, the 1940 Act provides that holders of preferred stock are entitled to vote separately from holders of common stock to elect two preferred stock directors. We currently have no plans to issue preferred stock. The issuance of preferred shares convertible into shares of common stock might also reduce the net income and net asset value per share of our common stock upon conversion, provided, that we will only be permitted to issue such convertible preferred stock to the extent we comply with the requirements of Section 61 of the 1940 Act, including obtaining common stockholder approval. These effects, among others, could have an adverse effect on your investment in our common stock.

 

Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and of our charter and bylaws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock.

 

The Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws contain provisions that may discourage, delay or make more difficult a change in control of Solar Senior Capital or the removal of our directors. We are subject to the Maryland Business Combination Act, subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. Our board of directors has adopted a resolution exempting from the Business Combination Act any business combination between us and any other person, subject to prior approval of such business combination by our board, including approval by a majority of our disinterested directors. If the resolution exempting business combinations is repealed or our board does not approve a business combination, the Business Combination Act may discourage third parties from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating such an offer. Our bylaws exempt from the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act acquisitions of our stock by any person. If we amend our bylaws to repeal the exemption from the Control Share Acquisition Act, the Control Share Acquisition Act also may make it more difficult for a third party to obtain control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating such a transaction. However, we will amend our bylaws to be subject to the Control Share Act only if our board of directors determines that it would be in our best interests and if the SEC staff does not object to our determination that our being subject to the Control Share Act does not conflict with the 1940 Act. The SEC staff has issued informal guidance setting forth its position that certain provisions of the Control Share Act would, if implemented, violate Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act.

 

We have also adopted measures that may make it difficult for a third party to obtain control of us, including provisions of our charter classifying our board of directors in three classes serving staggered three-year terms, and authorizing our board of directors to classify or reclassify shares of our stock in one or more classes or series,

 

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to cause the issuance of additional shares of our stock, to amend our charter without stockholder approval and to increase or decrease the number of shares of stock that we have authority to issue. These provisions, as well as other provisions of our charter and bylaws, may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.

 

Our board of directors may change our investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval.

 

Our board of directors has the authority to modify or waive certain of our operating policies and strategies without prior notice (except as required by the 1940 Act) and without stockholder approval. However, absent stockholder approval, we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or withdraw our election as, a BDC. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current operating policies and strategies would have on our business, operating results and value of our stock. Nevertheless, the effects may adversely affect our business and impact our ability to make distributions.

 

Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business.

 

We and our portfolio companies will be subject to regulation by laws at the local, state and federal levels. These laws and regulations, as well as their interpretation, may be changed from time to time. Accordingly, any change in these laws or regulations could have a material adverse affect on our business.

 

Our investment adviser can resign upon not more than 60 days’ notice, and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.

 

Our investment adviser has the right, under the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement, to resign at any time upon not more than 60 days’ written notice, whether we have found a replacement or not. If our investment adviser resigns, we 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 we are unable to do so quickly, our operations are likely to experience a disruption, our financial condition, business and results of operations as well as our ability to pay distributions are likely to be adversely affected and the market price of our shares may decline. In addition, the coordination of our internal management and investment activities is likely to suffer if we are unable to identify and reach an agreement with a single institution or group of executives having the expertise possessed by our investment adviser and its affiliates. Even if we are able to retain comparable management, whether internal or external, the integration of such management and their lack of familiarity with our investment objective may result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.

 

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

 

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

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND PROJECTIONS

 

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about Solar Senior Capital, our prospective portfolio investments, our industry, our beliefs, and our assumptions. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “would,” “should,” “targets,” “projects,” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements, including without limitation:

 

   

an economic downturn could impair our portfolio companies’ ability to continue to operate, which could lead to the loss of some or all of our investments in such portfolio companies;

 

   

a contraction of available credit and/or an inability to access the equity markets could impair our lending and investment activities;

 

   

interest rate volatility could adversely affect our results, particularly if we elect to use leverage as part of our investment strategy;

 

   

currency fluctuations could adversely affect the results of our investments in foreign companies, particularly to the extent that we receive payments denominated in foreign currency rather than U.S. dollars; and

 

   

the risks, uncertainties and other factors we identify in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus and in our filings with the SEC.

 

Although we believe that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate, and as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions also could be inaccurate. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this prospectus should not be regarded as a representation by us that our plans and objectives will be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include those described or identified in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this prospectus. The forward-looking statements and projections contained in this prospectus are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We estimate that the net proceeds we will receive from the sale of 8,000,000 shares of our common stock in this offering and the sale of 500,000 shares of our common stock in the Concurrent Private Placement will be approximately $157,991,457, or approximately $180,311,457 if the underwriters fully exercise their over-allotment option, in each case assuming an initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated organization and offering expenses of approximately $808,543 payable by us.

 

We plan to use the net proceeds of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement for investments in portfolio companies in accordance with our investment objective and strategies described in this prospectus and for general working capital purposes. We will also pay operating expenses, including management and administrative fees, and may pay other expenses such as due diligence expenses of potential new investments, from the net proceeds of this offering. We anticipate that substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering will be used for the above purposes within three to six months, depending on the availability of appropriate investment opportunities consistent with our investment objective and market conditions. We cannot assure you we will achieve our targeted investment pace.

 

Pending such investments, we will invest the net proceeds primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality investment grade investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment. The income we earn on such temporary investments will generally be significantly less than what we would expect to receive from investments in the types of senior loans we intend to target for investment. See “Regulation as a Business Development Company — Temporary Investments” for additional information about temporary investments we may make while waiting to make longer-term investments in pursuit of our investment objective.

 

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DISTRIBUTIONS

 

Subsequent to the completion of this offering, and to the extent that we have income available, we intend to distribute monthly dividends to our stockholders, beginning after our first full quarter following the completion of this offering. Prior to that time, to the extent that we have income available, we intend to distribute a quarterly dividend to our stockholders for our first full quarter following completion of this offering. The amount of our dividends, if any, will be determined by our board of directors.

 

We intend to elect to be taxed as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. To obtain and maintain our RIC status, we must distribute at least 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any, out of the assets legally available for distribution. In addition, although we currently intend to distribute realized net capital gains ( i.e. , net long-term capital gains in excess of short-term capital losses), if any, at least annually, out of the assets legally available for such distributions, we may in the future decide to retain such capital gains for investment.

 

We maintain an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for our common stockholders. As a result, if we declare a dividend, then stockholders’ cash dividends will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, unless they specifically “opt out” of the dividend reinvestment plan so as to receive cash dividends.

 

We may not be able to achieve operating results that will allow us to make dividends and distributions at a specific level or to increase the amount of these dividends and distributions from time to time. In addition, we may be limited in our ability to make dividends and distributions due to the asset coverage test for borrowings when applicable to us as a BDC under the 1940 Act and due to provisions in current and future credit facilities. If we do not distribute a certain percentage of our income annually, we will suffer adverse tax consequences, including possible loss of our RIC status. We cannot assure stockholders that they will receive any dividends and distributions or dividends and distributions at a particular level.

 

All dividends declared in cash payable to stockholders that are participants in our dividend reinvestment plan are generally automatically reinvested in shares of our common stock. As a result, stockholders that do not participate in the dividend reinvestment plan may experience dilution over time. Stockholders who do not elect to receive dividends in shares of common stock may experience accretion to the net asset value of their shares if our shares are trading at a premium and dilution if our shares are trading at a discount. The level of accretion or discount would depend on various factors, including the proportion of our stockholders who participate in the plan, the level of premium or discount at which our shares are trading and the amount of the dividend payable to a stockholder.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

 

The following table sets forth:

 

   

the actual capitalization of Solar Senior Capital at January 31, 2011; and

 

   

the capitalization of Solar Senior Capital as adjusted to reflect (a) the sale of 8,000,000 shares of our common stock in this offering at an expected public offering price of $20.00 per share, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated organization and offering expenses of approximately $808,543 payable by us, and (b) completion of the Concurrent Private Placement.

 

     As of January 31, 2011  
     Actual      As Adjusted(1)  

Assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,000       $ 157,993,457   
                 

Total assets

   $ 2,000       $ 157,993,457   
                 

Stockholders’ equity:

     

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 100 shares outstanding, actual; 8,500,100 shares outstanding, as adjusted

   $ 1       $ 85,001   

Additional paid-in capital

   $ 1,999       $ 157,908,456   
                 

Total stockholders’ equity

   $ 2,000       $ 157,993,457   
                 

 

(1)   Does not include the underwriters’ overallotment option of 1,200,000 shares of our common stock.

 

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DILUTION

 

The potential dilution to investors in this offering is represented by the amount by which the offering price per share exceeds our net asset value per share after the completion of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement. Net asset value per share is determined by dividing our net asset value, which is our total assets less total liabilities, by the number of outstanding shares.

 

As of January 31, 2011, our net asset value was approximately $2,000, or approximately $20.00 per share. After giving effect to (a) the sale of 8,000,000 shares of our common stock in this offering at an expected public offering price of $20.00 per share, and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions of approximately $11,200,000 and estimated offering expenses of approximately $808,543 payable by us, and (b) the sale of 500,000 shares of our common stock in the Concurrent Private Placement, our as adjusted net asset value is expected to be approximately $158 million, or approximately $18.59 per share, representing an immediate dilution of approximately $1.41 per share to investors in this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement. The foregoing assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. If the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, there would be an immediate decrease in net asset value of $1.41 per share, or 7.06%, to the shares sold in this offering.

 

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

 

Offering price per share

   $  20.00   

January 31, 2011 net asset value per share before this offering

   $  20.00   

Decrease per share attributable to investors in this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement

   $  0.00   

As adjusted net asset value per share immediately after this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement

   $  18.59   

Dilution per share attributable to investors in this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement

   $  1.41   

 

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DISCUSSION OF MANAGEMENT’S EXPECTED OPERATING PLANS

 

The following discussion and other parts of this prospectus contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking information due to factors discussed under “Risk Factors” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” appearing elsewhere in the prospectus.

 

Overview

 

We are a newly organized externally managed finance company. We were formed in December 2010 as a Maryland corporation structured as an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company. We intend to elect to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act prior to the pricing of this offering. In addition, for tax purposes we intend to elect to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.

 

Our investment objective is to seek to maximize current income consistent with the preservation of capital. We will seek to achieve our investment objective by investing primarily in senior loans. We may also invest in debt of public companies that are thinly traded. Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the value of our net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) will be invested in senior loans.

 

Senior loans typically pay interest at rates which are determined periodically on the basis of a floating base lending rate, primarily LIBOR, plus a premium. Senior loans in which we expect to invest are typically made to U.S. and, to a limited extent, non-U.S. corporations, partnerships and other business entities which operate in various industries and geographical regions. Senior loans typically are rated below investment grade. Securities rated below investment grade are often referred to as “leveraged loans” or “high yield” securities, and may be considered “high risk” compared to debt instruments that are rated above investment grade.

 

We expect to invest in senior loans made primarily to private leveraged middle market companies with approximately $20 million to $60 million of EBITDA. Our business model is focused primarily on the direct origination of investments through portfolio companies or their financial sponsors. We expect that our investments will generally range between $5 million and $30 million each, although we expect that this investment size will vary proportionately with the size of our capital base. In addition, we may invest a portion of our portfolio in other types of investments, which we refer to as opportunistic investments, which are not our primary focus but are intended to enhance our overall returns. These opportunistic investments may include, but are not limited to, direct investments in public companies that are not thinly traded and securities of leveraged companies located in select countries outside of the United States. We may invest up to 30% of our total assets in such opportunistic investments, including senior loans issued by non-U.S. issuers, subject to compliance with our regulatory obligations as a business development company under the 1940 Act. See “Regulation as a Business Development Company.”

 

We will be managed by Solar Capital Partners. Solar Capital Management will provide the administrative services we expect to be necessary for us to operate. We believe that our ability to leverage the existing investment management and administrative support platforms of Solar Capital Partners and Solar Capital Management, respectively, will enable us to operate more efficiently and with lower overhead costs than other newly formed funds of comparable size.

 

In addition, we have received commitments to enter into the Senior Credit Facility, which is expected to become effective shortly after completion of this offering. The Senior Credit Facility is expected to initially provide for borrowings up to $210 million, which may be increased up to $600 million, and is expected to expire in March 2016. Base rate borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility are expected to bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.25%.

 

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Revenues

 

We plan to generate revenue in the form of interest payable and capital gains, if any, on our portfolio investments. We generally expect our portfolio investments, whether in the form of senior loans or investments with similar economic characteristics, to have stated terms of four to seven years and typically to bear interest at a floating rate. Interest will generally be payable quarterly or semiannually, with some amortization of principal. The principal amount of our debt securities and any accrued but unpaid interest will generally become due at the maturity date. We expect to originate portfolio investments to a greater extent over time and may generate revenue from origination or structuring fees. In addition, we may generate revenue in the form of commitment or diligence fees, fees for providing managerial assistance and possibly consulting fees. Any such fees will be generated in connection with our investments and recognized as earned.

 

Expenses

 

Our primary operating expenses will include the payment of: (i) investment advisory fees to our investment adviser, Solar Capital Partners, pursuant to our Investment Advisory and Management Agreement; (ii) the allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by Solar Capital Management in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement; and (iii) other operating expenses as detailed below. Our investment advisory fee will compensate our investment adviser for its work in identifying, evaluating, negotiating, closing, monitoring and servicing our investments. See “Investment Advisory and Management Agreement.” We will bear all other expenses of our operations and transactions, including (without limitation):

 

   

the cost of our organization and this offering;

 

   

the cost of calculating our net asset value, including the cost of any third-party valuation services;

 

   

the cost of effecting sales and repurchases of our shares and other securities;

 

   

interest payable on debt, if any, to finance our investments;

 

   

fees payable to third parties relating to, or associated with, making investments, including fees and expenses associated with performing due diligence reviews of prospective investments and advisory fees;

 

   

transfer agent and custodial fees;

 

   

fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts;

 

   

federal and state registration fees, any stock exchange listing fees;

 

   

federal, state and local taxes;

 

   

independent directors’ fees and expenses;

 

   

brokerage commissions;

 

   

fidelity bond, directors and officers errors and omissions liability insurance and other insurance premiums;

 

   

direct costs and expenses of administration, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone and staff;

 

   

fees and expenses associated with independent audits and outside legal costs;

 

   

costs associated with our reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act and applicable federal and state securities laws; and

 

   

all other expenses incurred by either Solar Capital Management or us in connection with administering our business, including payments under the Administration Agreement that will be based upon our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by Solar Capital Management in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent, the fees and expenses associated with performing compliance functions, and our allocable portion of the costs of compensation and related expenses of our chief compliance officer and our chief financial officer and any administrative support staff.

 

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Hedging

 

To the extent that any of our senior loans and other investments are denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars, we may enter into currency hedging contracts to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. We may also enter into interest rate hedging agreements. Such hedging activities, which will be subject to compliance with applicable legal requirements, may include the use of futures, options, swaps and forward contracts. Costs incurred in entering into such contracts or in connection with settling them will be borne by us.

 

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We will generate cash primarily from the net proceeds of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement and any future offerings of securities and cash flows from operations, including interest earned from the temporary investment of cash in U.S. Government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less.

 

In addition, we have received commitments to enter into the Senior Credit Facility, which will become effective shortly after completion of this offering. The Senior Credit Facility is expected to initially provide for borrowings up to $210 million, which may be increased up to $600 million, and expires in March 2016. Base rate borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility will bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.25%.

 

Our primary use of funds will be investments in portfolio companies, cash distributions to holders of our common stock, and the payment of operating expenses, including debt service. Immediately after this offering, assuming an initial offering price of $20.00 per share, we expect to have cash resources of approximately $158 million and no indebtedness. This amount does not take into account the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Distribution Policy

 

Subsequent to the completion of this offering, and to the extent that we have income available, we intend to distribute monthly dividends to our stockholders, beginning after our first full quarter following the completion of this offering. Prior to that time, to the extent that we have income available, we intend to distribute a quarterly dividend to our stockholders for our first full quarter following completion of this offering. The amount of our dividends, if any, will be determined by our board of directors. Any dividends to our stockholders will be declared out of assets legally available for distribution.

 

We intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code beginning with our 2011 taxable year. To obtain and maintain RIC tax treatment, we must, among other things, distribute at least 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. In order to avoid certain excise taxes imposed on RICs, we currently intend to distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of: (1) 98% of our ordinary income for the calendar year; (2) 98.2% of our capital gains in excess of capital losses for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year; and, (3) any ordinary income and net capital gains for preceding years that were not distributed during such years and on which we paid no federal income tax. In addition, although we currently intend to distribute realized net capital gains (i.e., net long term capital gains in excess of short term capital losses), if any, at least annually, we may in the future decide to retain such capital gains for investment and elect to treat such gains as deemed distributions to you. If this happens, you will be treated as if you had received an actual distribution of the capital gains we retained and reinvested the net after tax proceeds in us. In this situation, you would be eligible to claim a tax credit (or, in certain circumstances, a tax refund) equal to your allocable share of the tax we paid on the capital gains deemed distributed to you. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.” We can offer no assurance that we will achieve results that will permit the payment of any cash distributions and, to the extent that we issue senior securities, we will be prohibited from making distributions if doing so causes us to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the 1940 Act or if distributions are limited by the terms of any of our borrowings.

 

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Our current intention is to make any distributions in additional shares of our common stock under our dividend reinvestment plan out of assets legally available therefore, unless you elect to receive your dividends and/or long-term capital gains distributions in cash. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.” If you hold shares in the name of a broker or financial intermediary, you should contact the broker or financial intermediary regarding your election to receive distributions in cash. We can offer no assurance that we will achieve results that will permit the payment of any cash distributions and, if we issue senior securities, we will be prohibited from making distributions if doing so causes us to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the 1940 Act or if distributions are limited by the terms of any of our borrowings.

 

Senior Credit Facility

 

We have received commitments to enter into the Senior Credit Facility, which will become effective shortly after completion of this offering. The Senior Credit Facility is expected to initially provide for borrowings up to $210 million, and expires in March 2016. Base rate borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility will bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.25%. The facility size may be increased up to $600 million with additional new lenders or the increase in commitments of current lenders. The Senior Credit Facility contains certain customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default, including the occurrence of a change of control. In addition, the Senior Credit Facility contains certain financial covenants that among other things, requires us to maintain a minimum stockholder’s equity and a minimum debt to total assets ratio.

 

Other Contractual Obligations

 

We will have certain commitments pursuant to our Investment Advisory and Management Agreement that we have entered into with Solar Capital Partners. We have agreed to pay a fee for investment advisory and management services consisting of two components — a base management fee and an incentive fee. Payments under the investment advisory and management agreement will equal to (1) a percentage of the value of our average gross assets and (2) a two-part incentive fee. See “Investment Advisory and Management Agreement.” We have also entered into a contract with Solar Capital Management, LLC to serve as our administrator. Payments under the Administration Agreement will equal to an amount based upon our allocable portion of Solar Capital Management’s overhead in performing its obligation under the agreement, including rent, fees, and other expenses inclusive of our allocable portion of the compensation of our chief financial officer and any administrative staff. See “Administration Agreement.”

 

Related Parties

 

We have entered into a number of business relationships with affiliated or related parties, including the following:

 

   

We have entered into an Investment Advisory and Management Agreement with Solar Capital Partners. Mr. Gross, our chairman and chief executive officer, is the managing member and a senior investment professional of, and has financial and controlling interests in, Solar Capital Partners. In addition, Mr. Spohler, our chief operating officer is a partner and a senior investment professional of, and has financial interests in, Solar Capital Partners.

 

   

Solar Capital Management provides us with the office facilities and administrative services necessary to conduct day-to-day operations pursuant to our Administration Agreement. We reimburse Solar Capital Management for the allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by it in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent, the fees and expenses associated with performing compliance functions, and the compensation of our chief compliance officer, our chief financial officer and any administrative support staff. Solar Capital Partners, our investment adviser, is the sole member of and controls Solar Capital Management.

 

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We have entered into a license agreement with Solar Capital Partners, pursuant to which Solar Capital Partners has granted us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the name “Solar Senior Capital.”

 

In addition, Solar Capital Partners presently serves as investment adviser to Solar Capital, a publicly-traded business development company with over $1.25 billion of investable capital that investments primarily in the mezzanine debt and equity securities of middle-market leveraged companies similar to those we intend to target for investment. In addition, Michael S. Gross, our chairman and chief executive officer, Bruce Spohler, our chief operating officer, and Nicholas Radesca, our chief financial officer, serve in similar capacities for Solar Capital. Solar Capital Partners and its affiliates may also manage other funds in the future that may have investment mandates that are similar, in whole and in part, with ours. Solar Capital Partners and its affiliates may determine that an investment is appropriate for us and for Solar Capital or one or more of those other funds. In such event, depending on the availability of such investment and other appropriate factors, Solar Capital Partners or its affiliates may determine that we should invest side-by-side with one or more other funds. Any such investments will be made only to the extent permitted by applicable law and interpretive positions of the SEC and its staff, and consistent with Solar Capital Partners’ allocation procedures. In addition, we have adopted a formal code of ethics that governs the conduct of our officers and directors. Our officers and directors also remain subject to the duties imposed by both the 1940 Act and the Maryland General Corporation Law.

 

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BUSINESS

 

Solar Senior Capital

 

We are a newly organized externally managed finance company. We were formed in December 2010 as a Maryland corporation structured as an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company. We intend to elect to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act prior to the pricing of this offering. In addition, for tax purposes we intend to elect to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.

 

Our investment objective is to seek to maximize current income consistent with the preservation of capital. We will seek to achieve our investment objective by investing primarily in senior loans. We may also invest in debt of public companies that are thinly traded. Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the value of our net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) will be invested in senior loans.

 

Senior loans typically pay interest at rates which are determined periodically on the basis of a floating base lending rate, primarily LIBOR, plus a premium. Senior loans in which we expect to invest are typically made to U.S. and, to a limited extent, non-U.S. corporations, partnerships and other business entities which operate in various industries and geographical regions. Senior loans typically are rated below investment grade. Securities rated below investment grade are often referred to as “leveraged loans” or “high yield” securities, and may be considered “high risk” compared to debt instruments that are rated above investment grade.

 

We expect to invest in senior loans made primarily to private leveraged middle market companies with approximately $20 million to $60 million of EBITDA. Our business model is focused primarily on the direct origination of investments through portfolio companies or their financial sponsors. We expect that our investments will generally range between $5 million and $30 million each, although we expect that this investment size will vary proportionately with the size of our capital base. In addition, we may invest a portion of our portfolio in other types of investments, which we refer to as opportunistic investments, which are not our primary focus but are intended to enhance our overall returns. These opportunistic investments may include, but are not limited to, direct investments in public companies that are not thinly traded and securities of leveraged companies located in select countries outside of the United States. We may invest up to 30% of our total assets in such opportunistic investments, including senior loans issued by non-U.S. issuers, subject to compliance with our regulatory obligations as a business development company under the 1940 Act. See “Regulation as a Business Development Company.”

 

We will be managed by Solar Capital Partners. Solar Capital Management will provide the administrative services we expect to be necessary for us to operate. We believe that our ability to leverage the existing investment management and administrative support platforms of Solar Capital Partners and Solar Capital Management, respectively, will enable us to operate more efficiently and with lower overhead costs than other newly formed funds of comparable size.

 

In addition, we have received commitments to enter into the Senior Credit Facility, which is expected to become effective shortly after completion of this offering. The Senior Credit Facility is expected to initially provide for borrowings up to $210 million, which may be increased up to $600 million, and is expected to expire in March 2016. Base rate borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility are expected to bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.25%.

 

 

About Solar Capital Partners

 

Solar Capital Partners is controlled by Michael S. Gross, our chairman and chief executive officer, and is led by Mr. Gross and Bruce Spohler, our chief operating officer, and is supported by a team of dedicated investment professionals, including Brian Gerson, Cedric Henley and David Mait. We refer to Messrs. Gross, Spohler, Gerson, Henley and Mait as Solar Capital Partners’ senior investment professionals. Solar Capital Partners’ investment team has extensive experience in the private equity and leveraged lending industries, as well as significant contacts with financial sponsors operating in those industries.

 

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In addition, Solar Capital Partners presently serves as investment adviser to Solar Capital, a publicly traded business development company with over $1.25 billion of investable capital that invests in mezzanine debt and equity securities of leveraged middle-market companies similar to those we intend to target for investment. The investment team led by Messrs. Gross and Spohler has invested approximately $2.0 billion in 62 different portfolio companies for Solar Capital and its predecessor fund, which investments involved an aggregate of more than 50 different financial sponsors, through December 31, 2010. Since Solar Capital’s inception, these investment professionals have used their relationships in the middle-market financial sponsor and financial intermediary community to originate direct investment opportunities.

 

Mr. Gross has over 20 years of experience in the mezzanine lending, private equity and distressed debt businesses and has been involved in originating, structuring, negotiating, consummating and managing mezzanine lending, private equity and distressed debt transactions. Prior to his current role as chairman and chief executive officer of Solar Capital, Mr. Gross founded Apollo Investment Corporation, a publicly traded business development company. He served as its chairman from February 2004 to July 2006 and its chief executive officer from February 2004 to February 2006. Under his management, Apollo Investment Corporation raised approximately $930 million in gross proceeds in an initial public offering in April 2004, built a dedicated investment team and infrastructure and invested approximately $2.3 billion in over 65 companies in conjunction with 50 different private equity sponsors. Mr. Gross is also a founder and a former senior partner of Apollo Management, L.P., a leading private equity firm. During his tenure at Apollo Management, L.P., Mr. Gross was a member of the investment committee that was responsible for overseeing more than $13 billion of investments in over 150 companies.

 

Mr. Gross also currently serves on the boards of directors of four public companies, and in the past has served on the boards of directors of more than 20 public and private companies. As a result, Mr. Gross has developed an extensive network of private equity sponsor relationships as well as relationships with management teams of public and private companies, investment bankers, attorneys and accountants that we believe should provide us with significant business opportunities.

 

We also rely on the more than 20 years of experience of Mr. Spohler, who currently serves as our chief operating officer and as the chief operating officer of Solar Capital and has been a partner of Solar Capital Partners since inception. Previously, Mr. Spohler was a managing director and a former co-head of U.S. Leveraged Finance for CIBC World Markets. He held numerous senior roles at CIBC World Markets, including serving on the U.S. Management Committee, Global Executive Committee and the Deals Committee, which approves all of CIBC World Markets’ U.S. corporate finance debt capital decisions. During Mr. Spohler’s tenure, he was responsible for senior loan, high yield and mezzanine origination and execution, as well as CIBC World Markets’ below investment grade loan portfolio in the United States. As a co-head of U.S. Leveraged Finance, Mr. Spohler oversaw over 300 capital raising and merger and acquisition transactions, comprising over $40 billion in market capitalization.

 

In addition to Messrs. Gross and Spohler, Solar Capital Partners’ senior investment professionals include Messrs. Gerson, Henley and Mait, each of whom has extensive experience in originating, evaluating and structuring investments in the types of middle-market companies we intend to target. Solar Capital Partners’ senior investment professionals have an average of over 20 years of experience in the private equity and leveraged lending industries.

 

Solar Capital Partners’ senior investment professionals have been active participants in the primary and secondary leveraged credit markets throughout their careers. They have effectively managed portfolios of senior loans and mezzanine debt as well as other investment types. The depth of their experience and credit market expertise has led them through various stages of the economic cycle as well as several market disruptions.

 

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Market Opportunity

 

Solar Senior Capital intends to invest primarily in senior loans of private middle-market leveraged companies organized and located in the United States. We believe that the size of this market, coupled with the demands of these companies for flexible sources of capital at attractive terms and rates, create an attractive investment environment for us.

 

   

Disruptions within the credit markets have reduced middle-market companies’ access to the capital markets for senior debt.     While many middle-market companies were previously able to raise senior debt financing through traditional large financial institutions, we believe this approach to financing will become more difficult as implementation of U.S. and international financial reforms, such as Basel 3, are expected to limit the capacity of large financial institutions to hold non-investment grade leveraged loans on their balance sheets. We believe that many of these financial institutions have de-emphasized their service and product offerings to middle-market companies in particular. In addition, we believe that the recent decline in the formation of new collateralized loan obligation, or CLO, vehicles coupled with the upcoming expiration of the investment periods of the majority of existing CLOs by the end of 2011, have and will continue to restrict available capital for new middle-market senior loan originations.

 

   

There is a large pool of uninvested private equity capital likely to seek additional senior debt capital to finance strategic transactions.     We believe there is a large pool of uninvested private equity capital available to middle-market companies. We expect that middle-market private equity firms will continue to invest the approximately $195 billion raised since 2000 in middle-market companies and that these private equity firms will seek to support their investments with senior loans from other sources, such as Solar Senior Capital. Additionally, over $12.1 billion was raised by middle-market sponsors during 2010, which we believe demonstrates the continued appetite for middle-market acquisitions that will need senior debt financing.

 

   

The significant amount of leveraged loans maturing through 2015 will provide additional demand for senior debt capital.     Although many companies were able to refinance or amend their senior debt obligations during 2010, there remains over $325 billion of anticipated leveraged loans maturing before the end of 2015. We believe that the majority of the companies able to access the markets during 2010 were larger companies and thus the need to refinance capital structures of middle-market companies will remain particularly robust.

 

   

Investing in private middle market senior secured debt provides an attractive risk reward profile.     In general, terms for illiquid, middle-market leveraged loans have been more attractive than leveraged loans for larger corporations which are typically more liquid. We believe this is because fewer institutions are able to invest in the illiquid asset class. In 2010, on average, the total debt to EBITDA ratio for middle-market LBOs was 4.2x, versus 4.7x for large capitalization LBOs. In addition, in 2010, the average discounted spread between mid-market loans over large-cap loans was approximately 2.6%. From 1995 through 2010, 3.6% of leveraged loans issued in tranches under $100 million in total aggregate amount defaulted and 7.0% of leveraged loans issued in tranches between $100 million and $249 million in total aggregate amount defaulted, versus a default rate of 7.6% on loan tranches $500 million or greater in total aggregate amount. Middle-market loans have also exhibited higher average recovery rates than all loans in the aggregate. We believe that middle-market companies in which we intend to invest will generally have loan tranches of less than $250 million. We also believe that the average new issue yield for leveraged loans made to middle-market companies is currently significantly higher than the yield for newly-issued loans made to companies with annual revenues above $1 billion.

 

   

The decrease in competition and continued robust supply provide us with significant leverage in negotiating terms for private middle-market senior debt financings.     Due to the factors listed above, we believe we will be able to negotiate favorable terms. Such favorable terms may include higher debt yields with LIBOR floors and lower leverage levels with more significant covenant protection than typical transactions involving larger companies.

 

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Therefore, we believe that there is an opportunity to invest in senior loans of leveraged companies and that we are well positioned to serve this market.

 

Competitive Advantages

 

We believe that we have the following competitive advantages over other providers of senior financing to leveraged companies:

 

Management Expertise

 

As managing partner, Mr. Gross has principal management responsibility for Solar Capital Partners, to which he currently dedicates substantially all of his time. Mr. Gross has over 20 years of experience in leveraged finance, private equity and distressed debt investing. Mr. Spohler, our chief operating officer and a partner of Solar Capital Partners, has over 20 years of experience in evaluating and executing leverage finance transactions. We believe that Messrs. Gross and Spohler have developed a strong reputation in the capital markets, and that this experience provides us with a competitive advantage in identifying and investing in leveraged companies with the potential to generate returns. We believe that our investment team has extensive experience in the private equity and leveraged lending industries, as well as significant contacts with financial sponsors operating in those industries. We believe that our investment team has a proven track record of valuing companies and assets and negotiating transactions.

 

In addition to Messrs. Gross and Spohler, Solar Capital Partners’ senior investment professionals include Messrs. Gerson, Henley and Mait, each of whom has extensive experience in originating, evaluating and structuring investments in the types of middle-market companies we currently target. Solar Capital Partners’ senior investment professionals have an average of over 20 years of experience in the private equity and leveraged lending industries.

 

Throughout their careers, Solar Capital Partners’ senior investment professionals have been active participants in the primary and secondary leveraged credit markets, managing portfolios of senior and mezzanine debt as well as other investment types. The depth of their experience and credit market expertise has led them through various stages of the economic cycle as well as several market disruptions.

 

Proprietary Sourcing and Origination

 

We believe that Solar Capital Partners’ senior investment professionals’ longstanding relationships with financial sponsors, commercial and investment banks, management teams and other financial intermediaries provide us with a strong pipeline of origination opportunities. We believe the broad expertise of Solar Capital Partners’ senior investment professionals and their ability to draw upon their average of 20 years of investment experience enable us to identify, assess and structure investments successfully. We expect to continue leveraging the over 100 relationships with middle-market sponsors that Solar Capital Partners’ investment team established while sourcing and originating investments for Solar Capital, which will give us access to deals that are not available through large syndication processes.

 

We believe our investment team’s strong relationship network will be enhanced by the collaborative role Solar Senior Capital intends to play in the private equity industry, similar to our investment team’s efforts on behalf of Solar Capital. Similar to Solar Capital, we will offer tailored solutions to our portfolio companies, and we believe that this role will provide us with greater deal flow as opposed to being viewed as a competitor bidding for control stakes. Because Solar Senior Capital is not associated with a private equity firm, we will not be precluded from partnering with most of the top tier financial sponsors.

 

These direct investments will enable us to perform more in-depth due diligence and play an active role in structuring financings. We believe that effectuating the transaction terms and having greater insight into a portfolio company’s operations and financial picture will assist Solar Senior Capital in minimizing downside

 

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potential, while reinforcing Solar Senior Capital as a trusted partner who delivers comprehensive financing solutions. For example, Solar Capital Partners has sourced investments in 62 different portfolio companies for Solar Capital and its predecessor fund, which investments involved an aggregate of more than 50 different financial sponsors, through December 31, 2010.

 

Greater Flexibility of Capital Versus Many of Our Competitors

 

While we will be subject to significant regulation as a business development company, we are not subject to many of the regulatory limitations that govern traditional lending institutions such as banks. As a result, we believe that we can be more flexible than such lending institutions in selecting and structuring investments, adjusting investment criteria and transaction structures. We believe financial sponsors, management teams and investment banks see this flexibility as a benefit, making us an attractive financing partner for senior debt. We believe that this approach will enable us to procure attractive senior loan investment opportunities throughout the economic cycle so that we can make investments consistent with our stated investment objective even during turbulent periods in the capital markets.

 

Emphasis on Achieving Strong Risk-Adjusted Returns

 

Solar Capital Partners uses a disciplined investment and risk management process that emphasizes a fundamental research and analysis framework. Solar Capital Partners will seek to build our portfolio on a “bottom-up” basis, choosing and sizing individual positions based on their relative risk/reward profiles as a function of the associated downside risk, volatility, correlation with the existing portfolio and liquidity. At the same time, Solar Capital Partners will seek to take into consideration a variety of factors in managing our portfolio and impose portfolio-based risk constraints promoting a more diverse portfolio of investments and limiting issuer and industry concentration. Our value-oriented investment philosophy will focus on preserving capital and ensuring that our investments have an appropriate return profile in relation to risk. When market conditions make it difficult for us to invest according to our criteria, we plan to be highly selective in deploying our capital and will not pursue short-term origination targets over our long-term strategies. We believe this approach will enable us to build an attractive investment portfolio that meets our return and value criteria over the long term.

 

We believe it is critical to conduct extensive due diligence on investment targets. In evaluating new investments we, through Solar Capital Partners, will conduct due diligence processes that draw upon investment experience, industry expertise and network of contacts of our senior investment professionals, as well as the other members of our investment team. Among other things, our due diligence will focus on asset coverage, as well as a prospective portfolio company’s ability to meet its debt service obligations. We will also focus on downside protection and preservation of capital throughout the structuring process.

 

Deep Industry Focus with Substantial Information Flow

 

We will concentrate our investing activities in industries characterized by strong cash flow and in which Solar Capital Partners’ investment professionals have deep investment experience. As a result of their investment experience, Messrs. Gross and Spohler, together with Solar Capital Partners’ other investment professionals, have long-term relationships with management consultants and management teams in the industries we intend to target, as well as substantial information concerning those industries. Solar Capital Partners’ investment team also has significant experience in evaluating and making investments in the industries we target. We believe that the in-depth experience of Solar Capital Partners’ investment team in investing throughout various stages of the economic cycle provides our investment adviser with access to ongoing market insights in addition to a powerful asset for investment sourcing.

 

Longer Investment Horizon

 

Unlike private equity and venture capital funds, we will not be subject to standard periodic capital return requirements. Such requirements typically stipulate that the capital of these funds, together with any capital gains

 

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on such invested funds, can only be invested once and must be returned to investors after a pre-agreed time period. We believe that our flexibility to make investments with a long-term view and without the capital return requirements of traditional private investment vehicles enables us to invest in private middle-market senior debt, which we believe provides a more attractive risk-return profile than the liquid senior debt market for larger companies. We also believe our longer investment horizon enables us to be a better long-term partner for our portfolio companies.

 

Investment Strategy

 

Solar Senior Capital will seek to create a diverse portfolio of senior loans by investing approximately $5 to $40 million of capital, on average, in the securities of leveraged companies, including middle-market companies. We may also invest in debt of public companies that are thinly traded. Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the value of our net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) will be invested in senior loans.

 

Senior loans typically pay interest at rates which are determined periodically on the basis of a floating base lending rate, primarily LIBOR, plus a premium. Senior loans in which we intend to invest are typically made to U.S. and, to a limited extent, non-U.S. corporations, partnerships and other business entities which operate in various industries and geographical regions. Senior loans typically are rated below investment grade. Securities rated below investment grade are often referred to as “leveraged loans” or “high yield” securities, and may be considered “high risk” compared to debt instruments that are rated above investment grade. Senior secured loans, however are generally less risky than subordinated debt, bearing lower leverage, higher recovery statistics and over the past two years have yielded on average over 2% less than high yield bonds.

 

In addition to senior secured loans, we may invest a portion of our portfolio in opportunistic investments, which are not our primary focus, but are intended to enhance our returns to stockholders. These investments may include similar direct investments in public companies that are not thinly traded and securities of leveraged companies located in select countries outside of the United States. We may invest up to 30% of our total assets in such opportunistic investments, including senior loans issued by non-U.S. issuers, subject to compliance with our regulatory obligations as a business development company under the 1940 Act. See “Regulation as a Business Development Company.”

 

We intend to borrow funds to make investments, and may elect to do so before we have fully invested the proceeds of this offering. In particular, in connection with the completion of this offering, we intend to enter into the Senior Credit Facility, which will provide us with access to $210 million in available borrowings. As a result, we will be exposed to the risks of leverage, which may be considered a speculative investment technique. The use of leverage magnifies the potential for gain and loss on amounts invested and therefore increases the risks associated with investing in our securities. In addition, the costs associated with our borrowings, including any increase in management fees payable to our investment adviser, Solar Capital Partners, will be borne by our common stockholders. Although we do not presently intend to do so during the twelve months following completion of this offering, we may also issue preferred stock, subject to our compliance with applicable requirements under the 1940 Act. We will not be generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, sell our common stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the then-current net asset value per share of our common stock if our board of directors determines that such sale is in the best interests of Solar Senior Capital and its stockholders, and our stockholders approve such sale. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price that, in the determination of our board of directors, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount). We do not presently intend to issue our common stock at a price below the then-current net asset value per share of our common stock during the twelve months following completion of this offering.

 

Additionally, we may in the future seek to securitize our loans to generate cash for funding new investments. To securitize loans, we may create a wholly owned subsidiary and contribute a pool of loans to the

 

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subsidiary. This could include the sale of interests in the subsidiary on a non-recourse basis to purchasers who we would expect to be willing to accept a lower interest rate to invest in investment grade loan pools, and we would retain a portion of the equity in the securitized pool of loans.

 

Moreover, we may acquire investments in the secondary market and, in analyzing such investments, we will employ the same analytical process as we use for our primary investments.

 

We 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 our portfolio positions from changes in currency exchange rates and market interest rates. Hedging against a decline in the values of our 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. It may not be possible to hedge against an exchange rate or interest rate fluctuation that is so generally anticipated that we are not able to enter into a hedging transaction at an acceptable price. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, we may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent us from achieving the intended hedge and expose us 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.

 

Our principal focus will be to provide senior secured loans, including first lien, unitranche and second lien loans, to private middle-market companies in a variety of industries. We will generally seek to target companies that generate positive cash flows. We will generally seek to invest in companies from the broad variety of industries in which our investment adviser has direct expertise. The following is a representative list of the industries in which we may invest.

 

•Aerospace and defense

•Automotive

•Banking

•Beverage, food and tobacco

•Broadcasting and entertainment

•Business services

•Cable television

•Cargo transport

•Chemicals, plastics and rubber

•Consumer finance

•Consumer services

•Containers, packaging and glass

•Direct marketing

•Distribution

•Diversified/conglomerate manufacturing

•Diversified/conglomerate services

•Education

•Electronics

•Energy/utilities

•Equipment rental

•Farming and agriculture

•Finance

  

•Healthcare, education and childcare

•Home and office furnishing, consumer products

•Hotels, motels, inns and gaming

•Industrial

•Infrastructure

•Insurance

•Leisure, motion pictures and entertainment

•Logistics

•Machinery

•Media

•Mining, steel and nonprecious metals

•Oil and gas

•Personal, food and misc. services

•Printing, publishing and broadcasting

•Real estate

•Retail stores

•Specialty finance

•Technology

•Telecommunications

•Utilities

 

We may invest in other industries if we are presented with attractive opportunities.

 

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Investment Selection Process

 

Solar Capital Partners utilizes a value-oriented investment philosophy with a focus on the preservation of capital and a commitment to managing downside exposure.

 

Portfolio Company Characteristics

 

We have identified several criteria that we believe are important in identifying and investing in prospective portfolio companies. These criteria provide general guidelines for our investment decisions; however, not all of these criteria will be met by each prospective portfolio company in which we choose to invest.

 

Value Orientation/Positive Cash Flow.     Our investment philosophy places a premium on fundamental analysis from an investor’s perspective and has a distinct value orientation. We intend to focus on companies in which we can invest at relatively low multiples of operating cash flow and that are profitable at the time of investment on an operating cash flow basis. Additionally, we will look for companies with a demonstrated ability to de-lever. Typically, we would not invest in start-up companies or companies having speculative business plans.

 

Value of Assets.     The prospective value of the assets, if any, that collateralizes the loans in which we invest, will be an important factor in our credit analysis. Our analysis emphasizes both tangible assets, such as accounts receivable, inventory, equipment and real estate, and intangible assets, such as intellectual property, customer lists, networks and databases. In some of our senior loan transactions, the company’s fundings may be derived from a borrowing base determined by the value of the company’s assets.

 

Strong Competitive Position in Industry.     We will seek to invest in target companies that have developed leading market positions within their respective markets and are well positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities.

 

We will seek companies that demonstrate significant competitive advantages versus their competitors, which we believe should help to protect their market position and profitability.

 

Diversified Customer and Supplier Base.     We will seek to acquire businesses that have a diversified customer and supplier base. We believe that companies with a diversified customer and supplier base are generally better able to endure economic downturns, industry consolidation, changing business preferences and other factors that may negatively impact their customers, suppliers and competitors.

 

Growth.     We will seek to invest primarily in companies with strong prospects for growth. These companies are usually in stable industries or have a competitive advantage that creates the potential to increase market share.

 

Exit Strategy.     We will seek to predominantly invest in companies which provide multiple alternatives for an eventual exit. We will look for opportunities that provide an exit typically within three years of the initial capital commitment.

 

We will seek companies that we believe will provide a steady stream of cash flow to repay our loans and reinvest in their respective businesses. We believe that such internally generated cash flow, leading to the payment of interest on, and the repayment of the principal of, our investments in portfolio companies represents a key means by which we will be able to exit from our investments over time.

 

In addition, we also will seek to invest in companies whose business models and expected future cash flows offer attractive exit possibilities. These companies include candidates for strategic acquisition by other industry participants and companies that may repay our investments through an initial public offering of common stock or another capital market transaction.

 

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Experienced and Committed Management.     We will generally require that portfolio companies have an experienced management team. We plan to also require portfolio companies have in place proper incentives to induce management to succeed and to act in concert with our interests as investors, including having significant equity interests.

 

Strong Sponsorship.     We will aim to invest alongside other sophisticated investors. We will seek to partner with successful financial sponsors who have historically generated high returns. We believe that investing in these sponsors’ portfolio companies enables us to benefit from their direct involvement and due diligence.

 

Due Diligence

 

In conducting due diligence, we will use publicly available information as well as information from relationships with former and current management teams, consultants, competitors and investment bankers. We believe that our due diligence methodology will allow us to screen a high volume of potential investment opportunities on a consistent and thorough basis.

 

Our due diligence will typically include:

 

   

review of historical and prospective financial information;

 

   

review and valuation of assets;

 

   

research relating to the company’s management, industry, markets, products and services and competitors;

 

   

on-site visits;

 

   

discussions with management, employees, customers or vendors of the potential portfolio company;

 

   

review of senior loan documents; and

 

   

background investigations.

 

We will also expect to evaluate the private equity sponsor making the investment. A private equity sponsor is typically the controlling shareholder upon completion of an investment and as such is considered critical to the success of the investment. The equity sponsor is evaluated along several key criteria, including:

 

   

Investment track record;

 

   

Industry experience;

 

   

Capacity and willingness to provide additional financial support to the company through additional capital contributions, if necessary; and

 

   

Reference checks.

 

Upon the completion of due diligence and a decision to proceed with an investment in a company, the investment professionals leading the investment will present the investment opportunity to Solar Capital Partners’ investment committee, which will then determines whether to pursue the potential investment. Additional due diligence with respect to any investment may be conducted on our behalf by attorneys and independent accountants prior to the closing of the investment, as well as other outside advisers, as appropriate.

 

The Investment Committee

 

All new investments will be required to be approved by a consensus of the investment committee of Solar Capital Partners, which is led by Messrs. Gross and Spohler. The members of Solar Capital Partners’ investment committee receive no compensation from us. Such members may be employees or partners of Solar Capital Partners and may receive compensation or profit distributions from Solar Capital Partners.

 

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Investment Structure

 

Once we determine that a prospective portfolio company is suitable for investment, we will seek to work with the management of that company and its other capital providers, including senior, junior and equity capital providers, to structure an investment. We will negotiate among these parties to agree on how our investment is expected to perform relative to the other capital in the portfolio company’s capital structure.

 

We will seek to invest in portfolio companies primarily in the form of senior loans. These senior loans typically have current cash pay interest with some amortization of principal. Interest is typically paid on a floating rate basis, often with a floor on the LIBOR rate. We will generally seek to obtain security interests in the assets of our portfolio companies that serve as collateral in support of the repayment of these loans. This collateral may take the form of first or second priority liens on the assets of a portfolio company.

 

Typically, we expect that our senior loans will have final maturities of four to seven years. However, we expect that our portfolio companies often may repay these loans early, generally within three years from the date of initial investment.

 

We will seek to tailor the terms of the investment to the facts and circumstances of the transaction and the prospective portfolio company, negotiating a structure that protects our rights and manages our risk while creating incentives for the portfolio company to achieve its business plan and improve its profitability. We will seek to limit the downside potential of our investments by negotiating covenants in connection with our investments that afford our portfolio companies as much flexibility in managing their businesses as possible, consistent with preservation of our capital. Such restrictions may include affirmative and negative covenants, default penalties, lien protection, change of control provisions and board rights, including either observation or participation rights.

 

We seek to hold most of our investments to maturity or repayment, but have the ability to sell our investments earlier.

 

Ongoing Relationships with Portfolio Companies

 

Monitoring.     Solar Capital Partners will monitor our portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. Solar Capital Partners will monitor the financial trends of each portfolio company to determine if it is meeting its business plan and to assess the appropriate course of action for each company.

 

Solar Capital Partners has several methods of evaluating and monitoring the performance and fair value of our investments, which include the following:

 

   

Assessment of success in adhering to each portfolio company’s business plan and compliance with covenants;

 

   

Periodic and regular contact with portfolio company management and, if appropriate, the financial or strategic sponsor, to discuss financial position, requirements and accomplishments;

 

   

Comparisons to other Solar Capital and Solar Senior Capital portfolio companies in the industry, if any; and

 

   

Review of monthly and quarterly financial statements, asset valuations, and financial projections for portfolio companies.

 

In addition to various risk management and monitoring tools, Solar Capital Partners will also use an investment rating system to characterize and monitor our expected level of returns on each investment in our portfolio.

 

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We will use an investment rating scale of 1 to 4. The following is a description of the conditions associated with each investment rating:

 

Investment

Rating

  

Summary Description

1

  

Involves the least amount of risk in our portfolio, the portfolio company is performing above expectations, and the trends and risk factors are generally favorable (including a potential exit)

2

  

Risk that is similar to the risk at the time of origination, the portfolio company is performing as expected, and the risk factors are neutral to favorable; all new investments are initially assessed a grade of 2

3

  

The portfolio company is performing below expectations, may be out of compliance with debt covenants, and requires procedures for closer monitoring

4

  

The investment is performing well below expectations and is not anticipated to be repaid in full

 

Solar Capital Partners will monitor and, when appropriate, change the investment ratings assigned to each investment in our portfolio. In connection with our valuation process, Solar Capital Partners will review these investment ratings on a quarterly basis, and our board of directors affirms such ratings.

 

Valuation Procedures

 

We will conduct the valuation of our assets, pursuant to which our net asset value shall be determined, at all times consistent with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and the 1940 Act. We will generally value our assets on a quarterly basis, or more frequently if required under the 1940 Act. Our valuation procedures are set forth in more detail below:

 

Securities for which market quotations are readily available on an exchange shall be valued at the closing price on the day of valuation. We may also obtain quotes with respect to certain of our investments from pricing services or brokers or dealers in order to value assets. When doing so, we determine whether the quote obtained is sufficient according to GAAP to determine the fair value of the security. If determined adequate, we use the quote obtained.

 

Securities for which reliable market quotations are not readily available or for which the pricing source does not provide a valuation or methodology or provides a valuation or methodology that, in the judgment of our investment adviser or board of directors, does not represent fair value, shall each be valued as follows: (i) each portfolio company or investment is initially valued by the investment professionals responsible for the portfolio investment; (ii) preliminary valuation conclusions are documented and discussed with our senior management; (iii) independent third-party valuation firms engaged by, or on behalf of, the board of directors will conduct independent appraisals and review management’s preliminary valuations and make their own assessment for (a) each portfolio investment that, when taken together with all other investments in the same portfolio company, exceeds 10% of our total assets, plus available borrowings, as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal quarter, and (b) each portfolio investment that is presently in default; (iv) the board of directors will discuss valuations and determine the fair value of each investment in our portfolio in good faith based on the input of the investment adviser and, where appropriate, the respective third-party valuation firms.

 

The recommendation of fair value will generally be based on the following factors, as relevant:

 

   

the nature and realizable value of any collateral;

 

   

the portfolio company’s ability to make payments;

 

   

the portfolio company’s earnings and discounted cash flow;

 

   

the markets in which the issuer does business; and

 

   

comparisons to publicly traded securities.

 

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Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or for which a pricing source is not sufficient may include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   

private placements and restricted securities that do not have an active trading market;

 

   

securities whose trading has been suspended or for which market quotes are no longer available;

 

   

debt securities that have recently gone into default and for which there is no current market;

 

   

securities whose prices are stale;

 

   

securities affected by significant events; and

 

   

securities that the investment adviser believes were priced incorrectly.

 

Determination of fair value involves subjective judgments and estimates. Accordingly, the notes to our financial statements express the uncertainty with respect to the possible effect of such valuations, and any change in such valuations, on our financial statements.

 

Competition

 

Our primary competitors provide financing to middle-market companies and include other business development companies, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity funds. Additionally, alternative investment vehicles, such as hedge funds, frequently invest in middle-market companies. As a result, competition for investment opportunities at middle-market companies can be intense. However, we believe that there has been a reduction in the amount of debt capital available since the downturn in the credit markets, which began in mid-2007, and that this has resulted in a less competitive environment for making new investments. While many middle-market companies were previously able to raise senior debt financing through traditional large financial institutions, we believe this approach to financing will become more difficult as implementation of U.S. and international financial reforms, such as Basel 3, will limit the capacity of large financial institutions to hold non-investment grade leveraged loans on their balance sheets. We believe that many of these financial institutions have de-emphasized their service and product offerings to middle-market companies in particular.

 

Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our 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 us. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a business development company. We use the industry information available to Messrs. Gross and Spohler and the other investment professionals of Solar Capital Partners to assess investment risks and determine appropriate pricing for our investments in portfolio companies. In addition, we believe that the relationships of Messrs. Gross and Spohler and the other investment professionals of our investment adviser enable us to learn about, and compete effectively for, financing opportunities with attractive leveraged companies in the industries in which we seek to invest.

 

Staffing

 

We do not currently have any employees. Mr. Gross, our chairman and chief executive officer, and Mr. Spohler, our chief operating officer, currently serve as the managing member and a partner, respectively, of our investment adviser, Solar Capital Partners. Nicholas Radesca, our chief financial officer and secretary, is an employee of Solar Capital Management, and performs his functions as chief financial officer under the terms of our Administration Agreement. Guy Talarico, our chief compliance officer, is the chief executive officer of Alaric Compliance Services, LLC, and performs his functions as our chief compliance officer under the terms of

 

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an agreement between Solar Capital Management and Alaric Compliance Services, LLC. Solar Capital Management has retained Mr. Talarico and Alaric Compliance Services, LLC pursuant to its obligations under our Administration Agreement.

 

Our day-to-day investment operations will be managed by Solar Capital Partners. Solar Capital Partners’ investment personnel currently consists of its senior investment professionals, Messrs. Gross, Spohler, Gerson, Henley and Mait, and a team of additional experienced investment professionals. Based upon its needs, Solar Capital Partners may hire additional investment professionals. In addition, we will reimburse Solar Capital Management for the allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by it in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent, the fees and expenses associated with performing compliance functions, and the compensation of our chief financial officer and any administrative support staff.

 

Properties

 

Our executive offices are located at 500 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022, and are provided by Solar Capital Management in accordance with the terms of the Administration Agreement. We believe that our office facilities are suitable and adequate for our business as it is contemplated to be conducted.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

None of us, our investment adviser or administrator, is currently subject to any material legal proceedings, nor, to our knowledge, is any material legal proceeding threatened against us, or against our investment adviser or administrator. From time to time, we, our investment adviser or administrator, may be a party to certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings relating to the enforcement of our rights under contracts with our portfolio companies. While the outcome of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not expect that these proceedings will have a material effect upon our financial condition or results of operations.

 

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MANAGEMENT

 

Our board of directors oversees our management. The board of directors currently consists of two members. Prior to the completion of this offering, we will elect three additional directors who are not “interested persons” of Solar Senior Capital Ltd. as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. We refer to these individuals as our independent directors. Our board of directors elects our officers, who serve at the discretion of the board of directors. The responsibilities of each director will include, among other things, the oversight of our investment activity, the quarterly valuation of our assets, and oversight of our financing arrangements. The board of directors will also establish an audit committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee and may establish additional committees in the future.

 

Board of Directors and Executive Officers

 

Directors

 

Information regarding the board of directors is as follows:

 

Name

   Age     

Position

   Director
Since
     Expiration
of Term
 

Interested Directors

           

Michael S. Gross

     49      

Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors

     2010         2014   

Bruce Spohler

     50       Chief Operating Officer and Director      2010         2013   

Independent Directors

           

Steven Hochberg

     49       Director      2011         2013   

David S. Wachter

     47       Director      2011         2012   

Leonard A. Potter

     49       Director      2011         2014   

 

The address for each of our directors is 500 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022.

 

Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors

 

Name

   Age     

Position

Nicholas Radesca

     45       Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

Guy Talarico

     55       Chief Compliance Officer

 

The address for each of our executive officers is 500 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022.

 

Biographical Information

 

Directors

 

Our directors will be divided into two groups — interested directors and independent directors. An interested director is an “interested person” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. As described below under “Committees of the Board of Directors — Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee,” the board of directors will identify certain desired attributes for director nominees. We believe each of our directors currently demonstrate high character and integrity, superior credentials and recognition in his respective field and the relevant expertise and experience upon which to be able to offer advice and guidance to our management. We believe each of our directors will also have sufficient time available to devote to the affairs of Solar Senior Capital, will be able to work with the other members of the board of directors and contribute to the success of Solar Senior Capital and will be able to represent the long-term interests of Solar Senior Capital’s stockholders as a whole. Our directors will be selected with the intent that the board of directors represents a range of

 

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backgrounds and experience. Set forth below is biographical information of each director, including a discussion of such director’s particular experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that lead us to conclude, as of the date of this prospectus, that such individual should serve as a director of Solar Senior Capital, in light of Solar Senior Capital’s business and structure.

 

Interested Directors

 

Michael S. Gross has been the chairman of the board of directors, chief executive officer and president of Solar Senior Capital since December 2010. In addition, Mr. Gross served as the managing member, the chairman of the board of directors and the chief executive officer of Solar Capital LLC since its inception in February 2007, and has been the chairman of the board of directors since December 2007, and chief executive officer and president since November 2007, of Solar Capital, its successor fund. Mr. Gross also currently serves as the managing member of our investment adviser, Solar Capital Partners. From July 2006 through approximately the first quarter of 2009, Mr. Gross was a partner in Magnetar Capital Partners, LP. Between February 2004 and February 2006, Mr. Gross was the president and chief executive officer of Apollo Investment Corporation, a publicly traded business development company that he founded and on whose board of directors and investment committee he served as chairman from February 2004 to July 2006, and was the managing partner of Apollo Investment Management, L.P., the investment adviser to Apollo Investment Corporation. Apollo Investment Corporation invests primarily in middle-market companies in the form of senior secured and mezzanine loans as well as by making direct equity investments in such companies. Under his management, Apollo Investment Corporation raised approximately $930 million in gross proceeds in an initial public offering in April 2004 and invested approximately $2.3 billion in over 65 companies in conjunction with 50 different private equity sponsors. From 1990 to February 2006, Mr. Gross was a senior partner at Apollo Management, L.P., a leading private equity firm which he founded in 1990 with five other persons. Since its inception, Apollo Management, L.P. has invested more than $13 billion in over 150 companies in the United States and Western Europe. During his tenure at Apollo Management, L.P., Mr. Gross was a member of an investment committee that was responsible for overseeing such investments. In addition, from 2003 to February 2006, Mr. Gross was the managing partner of Apollo Distressed Investment Fund, an investment fund he founded to invest principally in non-control oriented distressed debt and other investment securities of leveraged companies. Prior to his time at Apollo Management, L.P., Mr. Gross was employed by Drexel Burnham Lambert Incorporated. From June 2006 to August 2008, Mr. Gross served as the chief executive officer, chairman of the board of directors and secretary of Marathon Acquisition Corp., a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company. Mr. Gross currently serves on the boards of directors of Saks, Inc., Global Ship Lease Inc., United Rentals, Inc. and Jarden Corporation, and in the past has served on the boards of directors, including in certain cases, in the capacity as a lead director, of more than 20 public and private companies. He is a founding member, and serves on the executive committee, of the Youth Renewal Fund, is the chairman of the board of Mt. Sinai Children’s Center Foundation, and serves on the Board of Trustees of The Trinity School and the Board of Directors of New York Road Runners. Mr. Gross holds a B.B.A. in accounting from the University of Michigan and an M.M. from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Mr. Gross’ intimate knowledge of the business and operations of Solar Senior Capital, extensive familiarity with the financial industry and the investment management process in particular, and experience as a director of other public and private companies not only gives the board of directors valuable insight but also positions him well to continue to serve as the chairman of our board of directors.

 

Bruce Spohler has been the chief operating officer and a director of Solar Senior Capital since December 2010. In addition, Mr. Spohler served as a senior vice president of Solar Capital LLC from its inception in February 2007, and has been a director since September 2009, and the chief operating officer since December 2007, of Solar Capital, its successor fund. Mr. Spohler also currently serves as a partner of our investment adviser, Solar Capital Partners. Previously, Mr. Spohler was a managing director and a former co-head of U.S. Leveraged Finance for CIBC World Markets. He held numerous senior roles at CIBC World Markets, including serving on the U.S. Management Committee, Global Executive Committee and the Deals Committee, which approves all of CIBC World Markets’ U.S. corporate finance debt capital decisions. During his tenure, he was responsible for senior loan, high yield and mezzanine origination and execution, as well as CIBC World Markets’

 

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below investment grade loan portfolio in the U.S. As a co-head of U.S. Leveraged Finance, he oversaw over 300 capital raising and merger and acquisition transactions, comprising over $40 billion in market capitalization. He joined CIBC World Markets in 1995 when it acquired The Argosy Group, of which Mr. Spohler was a founding member and managing director. Founded in 1990, The Argosy Group was a middle-market financing business, in which Mr. Spohler and other principals of The Argosy Group raised third party capital as well as invested alongside their financial sponsor clients. Prior to The Argosy Group, Mr. Spohler was employed by Drexel Burnham Lambert Incorporated. Mr. Spohler earned a B.S. from Syracuse University and an M.M. from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Mr. Spohler’s depth of experience in managerial positions in investment management, leveraged finance and financial services, as well as his intimate knowledge of Solar Senior Capital’s business and operations, gives the board of directors valuable industry-specific knowledge and expertise on these and other matters.

 

Independent Directors

 

Steven Hochberg has been a director of Solar Senior Capital since January 2011. Mr. Hochberg has been a director of Solar Capital LLC from its inception in February 2007, and has been a director of Solar Capital since November 2007, its successor entity. Mr. Hochberg is the founder of Ascent Biomedical Ventures, a New York based venture investor in biomedical technology companies including medical devices and drugs. Since 1992, Mr. Hochberg has also been an active founder of early-stage medical technology companies, including Biomerix Corporation, Eminent Research Systems Inc., Clinsights, Inc., Med-E-Systems/AHT Corporation, and Physicians Online. Mr. Hochberg is the chairman of the board of directors of Biomerix Corporation, Crosstrees Medical, Inc. and Ouroboros, Inc., and serves on the board of directors of Synecor, LLC. Previously, Mr. Hochberg was an investment banker with Alex. Brown & Sons and a strategy consultant with Bain & Company in the technology and healthcare areas. Currently, Mr. Hochberg is a member of the Board of Trustees and Vice Chairman of Continuum Health Partners, one of the largest non-profit hospital systems in New York City. Mr. Hochberg is also a member of the Board of Governors of the New York Academy of Sciences. Mr. Hochberg holds a B.B.A. from the University of Michigan and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Mr. Hochberg’s varied experience in investing in medical technology companies provides the board of directors with particular knowledge of this field, and his role as chairman of other companies’ board of directors brings the perspective of a knowledgeable corporate leader.

 

Leonard A. Potter has been a director of Solar Senior Capital since January 2011. Mr. Potter has been a director of Solar Capital since September 2009. Mr. Potter is currently the Chief Investment Officer of Salt Creek Hospitality, a private acquirer and owner of hospitality related assets. From December 2002 through July 2009, Mr. Potter was a Managing Director for Soros Private Equity at Soros Fund Management LLC (“SFM”) where, from May 2005 through July 2009, Mr. Potter served as co-head of the Private Equity group and a member of the Private Equity Investment Committee. From September 1998 until joining SFM in 2002, Mr. Potter was a Managing Director of Alpine Consolidated LLC, a private merchant bank, and from April 1996 through September 1998, Mr. Potter founded and served as a Managing Director of Capstone Partners LLC, a private merchant bank. Prior to founding Capstone Partners, Mr. Potter was an attorney specializing in mergers, acquisitions and corporate finance at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius and Willkie Farr & Gallagher. Mr. Potter is currently a member of the board of directors of Next BDC Capital Corp., a newly-formed closed-end management investment company that has filed a notice of its intention to elect to be regulated as a business development company, and 57 th Street General Acquisition Corp. (“SQTC”), a special purpose acquisition company; has previously served as a board member of several other public companies and currently serves on the boards of several private companies. Mr. Potter has a B.A. from Brandeis University and a J.D. from the Fordham University School of Law. Mr. Potter’s experience practicing as a corporate lawyer provides valuable insight to the board of directors on regulatory and risk management issues. In addition, his tenure in private equity investing and service as a director of both public and private companies provide industry-specific knowledge and expertise to the board of directors.

 

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David S. Wachter has been a director of Solar Senior Capital since January 2011. Mr. Wachter has been a director of Solar Capital LLC from its inception in February 2007, and has been a director of Solar Capital since November 2007, its successor entity. Mr. Wachter is a founding partner, managing director and president of W Capital Partners. W Capital Partners is a private equity fund manager that acquires direct private equity portfolios in the secondary market. W Capital Partners manages over $1 billion of capital and is a leading participant in providing private equity firms, financial institutions and corporations with a liquidity alternative for their private equity investments. Prior to founding W Capital Partners, Mr. Wachter was a managing director at Jefferies & Co. from 1999 to 2001, a founding partner and managing director at C.E. Unterberg, Towbin from 1990 to 1999 and an investment banker at Lehman Brothers from 1986 to 1990. Mr. Wachter has a B.S. in Engineering, with a major in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, from Tufts University and an M.B.A. from New York University Graduate School of Business. Mr. Wachter’s extensive knowledge of private equity and investment banking provide the board of directors with the valuable insight of an experienced financial manager.

 

Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors

 

Nicholas Radesca CPA has been the chief financial officer and secretary of Solar Senior Capital since December 2010. In addition, Mr. Radesca was the chief financial officer of Solar Capital LLC from March 2008 and has been the chief financial officer and secretary of Solar Capital, its successor fund, since March 2008 and October 2009, respectively. Mr. Radesca joined Solar Capital from iStar Financial Inc. where he served from 2006 to 2008 as the chief accounting officer. His responsibilities at iStar Financial Inc., a publicly traded, diversified commercial real estate company, encompassed all aspects of accounting, tax and SEC reporting. Prior to iStar Financial Inc., Mr. Radesca was the vice president of financial reporting at Fannie Mae from 2005 to 2006 where he oversaw SEC, regulatory and internal reporting. From 2002 to 2005, he served as director of external reporting at Del Monte Foods Company, where he managed both the corporate accounting policy and the SEC reporting functions. Mr. Radesca also previously served as the vice president of financial reporting at Providian Financial from 1999 to 2002, where he was responsible for SEC reporting and accounting for securitizations and derivatives. He began his financial services career at Bank of America working in the mortgage and capital markets accounting groups. Mr. Radesca has more than 15 years of experience in accounting, tax and SEC reporting and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Radesca has a B.S. in Accounting from New York Institute of Technology and an M.B.A. from The California State University, East Bay.

 

Guy Talarico has been the chief compliance officer of Solar Senior Capital since December 2010. In addition, Mr. Talarico has been the chief compliance officer of Solar Capital since July 2008. Mr. Talarico founded and has served as chief executive officer of Alaric Compliance Services, LLC, (successor to EOS Compliance Services LLC) since June 2004. Mr. Talarico currently serves as chief compliance officer for a number of funds and investment advisers, including Keeley Funds Inc., The FBR Funds and PennantPark Investment Corporation. Prior to founding EOS Compliance Services LLC, Mr. Talarico served as the Senior Director of the Institutional Custody Division at Investors Bank & Trust Company from 2001 to 2004. Immediately prior to that, Mr. Talarico worked at JPMorgan Chase Bank where he was a Division Executive for Commercial Investment and Retirement Services in its Investment Services Group from 1995 to 2001. Mr. Talarico holds a B.S. ChE from Lehigh University, an M.B.A. from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a J.D. from New York Law School.

 

Board Leadership Structure

 

Our board of directors monitors and performs an oversight role with respect to the business and affairs of Solar Senior Capital, including with respect to investment practices and performance, compliance with regulatory requirements and the services, expenses and performance of service providers to Solar Senior Capital. Among other things, our board of directors approves the appointment of our investment adviser and officers, reviews and monitors the services and activities performed by our investment adviser and executive officers and approves the engagement, and reviews the performance of, our independent public accounting firm.

 

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Under Solar Senior Capital’s bylaws, our board of directors may designate a chairman to preside over the meetings of the board of directors and meetings of the stockholders and to perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the board. We do not have a fixed policy as to whether the chairman of the board should be an independent director and believe that we should maintain the flexibility to select the chairman and reorganize the leadership structure, from time to time, based on the criteria that is in the best interests of Solar Senior Capital at such times.

 

Presently, Mr. Gross serves as the chairman of our board of directors. Mr. Gross is an “interested person” of Solar Senior Capital as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act because he is the president and chief executive officer of Solar Senior Capital, serves on the investment committee of our investment adviser and is the managing member of our investment adviser. We believe that Mr. Gross’ history with Solar Senior Capital, familiarity with its investment platform, and extensive knowledge of the financial services industry and the investment valuation process in particular qualify him to serve as the chairman of our board of directors. We believe that Solar Senior Capital is best served through this existing leadership structure, as Mr. Gross’ relationship with Solar Senior Capital’s investment adviser provides an effective bridge and encourages an open dialogue between management and the board of directors, ensuring that both groups act with a common purpose.

 

Our board of directors does not currently have a designated lead independent director. We are aware of the potential conflicts that may arise when a non-independent director is chairman of the board, but believe these potential conflicts are offset by our strong corporate governance policies. Our corporate governance policies include regular meetings of the independent directors in executive session without the presence of interested directors and management, the establishment of audit and nominating and corporate governance committees comprised solely of independent directors and the appointment of a chief compliance officer, with whom the independent directors will meet regularly without the presence of interested directors and other members of management, for administering our compliance policies and procedures.

 

We recognize that different board leadership structures are appropriate for companies in different situations. We will re-examine our corporate governance policies on an ongoing basis to ensure that they continue to meet Solar Senior Capital’s needs.

 

Board’s Role In Risk Oversight

 

Our board of directors is expected to perform its risk oversight function primarily through (a) its two standing committees, the audit committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee, which will report to the entire board of directors and will be comprised solely of independent directors, and (2) active monitoring of our chief compliance officer and our compliance policies and procedures.

 

As described below in more detail under “Committees of the Board of Directors,” the audit committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee will assist the board of directors in fulfilling its risk oversight responsibilities. The audit committee’s risk oversight responsibilities will include overseeing Solar Senior Capital’s accounting and financial reporting processes, Solar Senior Capital’s systems of internal controls regarding finance and accounting, and audits of Solar Senior Capital’s financial statements. The nominating and corporate governance committee’s risk oversight responsibilities will include selecting, researching and nominating directors for election by our stockholders, developing and recommending to the board a set of corporate governance principles and overseeing the evaluation of the board and our management.

 

Our board of directors will also perform its risk oversight responsibilities with the assistance of the chief compliance officer. The board of directors expects to annually review a written report from the chief compliance officer discussing the adequacy and effectiveness of the compliance policies and procedures of Solar Senior Capital and its service providers. The chief compliance officer’s annual report will seek to address at a minimum (a) the operation of the compliance policies and procedures of Solar Senior Capital and its service providers since

 

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the last report; (b) any material changes to such policies and procedures since the last report; (c) any recommendations for material changes to such policies and procedures as a result of the chief compliance officer’s annual review; and (d) any compliance matter that has occurred since the date of the last report about which the board of directors would reasonably need to know to oversee our compliance activities and risks. In addition, the chief compliance officer will meet separately in executive session with the independent directors at least once each year.

 

We believe that our board’s role in risk oversight will be effective, and appropriate given the extensive regulation to which we will already be subject as a BDC. As a BDC, we will be required to comply with certain regulatory requirements that control the levels of risk in our business and operations. For example, our ability to incur indebtedness will be limited such that our asset coverage must equal at least 200% immediately after each time we incur indebtedness, we will generally have to invest at least 70% of our total assets in “qualifying assets” and we will not generally be permitted to invest in any portfolio company in which one of our affiliates currently has an investment. See “Regulation as a Business Development Company.”

 

We recognize that different board roles in risk oversight are appropriate for companies in different situations. We will re-examine the manners in which the board administers its oversight function on an ongoing basis to ensure that they continue to meet Solar Senior Capital’s needs.

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

An audit committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee will be established by our board of directors. All directors will be expected to attend at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the board of directors and of the respective committees on which they serve. We require each director to make a diligent effort to attend all board and committee meetings as well as each annual meeting of our stockholders.

 

Audit Committee

 

The audit committee operates pursuant to a charter approved by our board of directors. The charter sets forth the responsibilities of the audit committee. The audit committee’s responsibilities include selecting the independent registered public accounting firm for Solar Senior Capital, reviewing with such independent registered public accounting firm the planning, scope and results of their audit of Solar Senior Capital’s financial statements, pre-approving the fees for services performed, reviewing with the independent registered public accounting firm the adequacy of internal control systems, reviewing Solar Senior Capital’s annual financial statements and periodic filings and receiving Solar Senior Capital’s audit reports and financial statements. The audit committee also establishes guidelines and makes recommendations to our board of directors regarding the valuation of our investments. The audit committee is responsible for aiding our board of directors in determining the fair value of debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or for which current market values are not readily available. The board of directors and audit committee utilize the services of nationally recognized third-party valuation firms to help determine the fair value of these securities. The audit committee is currently composed of Messrs. Hochberg, Wachter and Potter, all of whom are considered independent under the rules of the NASDAQ Global Select Market and are not “interested persons” of Solar Senior Capital as that term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. Mr. Hochberg serves as chairman of the audit committee. Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Hochberg is an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined under Item 407 of Regulation S-K, as promulgated under the Exchange Act. Mr. Hochberg meets the current independence and experience requirements of Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act.

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

The nominating and corporate governance committee operates pursuant to a charter approved by our board of directors. The members of the nominating and corporate governance committee are Messrs. Hochberg,

 

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Wachter and Potter, all of whom are considered independent under the rules of the NASDAQ Global Select Market and are not “interested persons” of Solar Senior Capital as that term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. Mr. Wachter serves as chairman of the nominating and corporate governance committee. The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for selecting, researching and nominating directors for election by our stockholders, selecting nominees to fill vacancies on the board of directors or a committee thereof, developing and recommending to the board of directors a set of corporate governance principles and overseeing the evaluation of the board of directors and our management. The nominating and corporate governance committee currently does not consider nominees recommended by our stockholders.

 

The nominating and corporate governance committee seeks candidates who possess the background, skills and expertise to make a significant contribution to the board of directors, Solar Senior Capital and its stockholders. In considering possible candidates for election as a director, the nominating committee takes into account, in addition to such other factors as it deems relevant, the desirability of selecting directors who:

 

   

are of high character and integrity;

 

   

are accomplished in their respective fields, with superior credentials and recognition;

 

   

have relevant expertise and experience upon which to be able to offer advice and guidance to management;

 

   

have sufficient time available to devote to the affairs of Solar Senior Capital;

 

   

are able to work with the other members of the board of directors and contribute to the success of Solar Senior Capital;

 

   

can represent the long-term interests of Solar Senior Capital’s stockholders as a whole; and

 

   

are selected such that the board of directors represents a range of backgrounds and experience.

 

The nominating and corporate governance committee has not adopted a formal policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees. In determining whether to recommend a director nominee, the nominating and corporate governance committee considers and discusses diversity, among other factors, with a view toward the needs of the board of directors as a whole. The nominating and corporate governance committee generally conceptualizes diversity expansively to include, without limitation, concepts such as race, gender, national origin, differences of viewpoint, professional experience, education, skill and other qualities that contribute to the board of directors, when identifying and recommending director nominees. The nominating and corporate governance committee believes that the inclusion of diversity as one of many factors considered in selecting director nominees is consistent with the nominating and corporate governance committee’s goal of creating a board of directors that best serves the needs of Solar Senior Capital and the interest of its shareholders.

 

Compensation of Directors

 

Our independent directors will receive an annual fee of $50,000. They will also receive $1,250 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each board meeting attended in person and $500 for each telephonic meeting and will receive $500 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each committee meeting. In addition, the chairman of the audit committee will receive an annual fee of $3,750 and each chairman of any other committee will receive an annual fee of $1,250 for their additional services, if any, in these capacities. No compensation is expected to be paid to directors who are “interested persons” of Solar Senior Capital, as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

 

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Compensation of Executive Officers

 

None of our officers receives direct compensation from Solar Senior Capital. Mr. Radesca, our chief financial officer and secretary and, through Alaric Compliance Services, LLC, Guy Talarico, our chief compliance officer, are paid by Solar Capital Management, subject to reimbursement by us of an allocable portion of such compensation for services rendered by such persons to Solar Senior Capital. To the extent that Solar Capital Management outsources any of its functions we will pay the fees associated with such functions on a direct basis without profit to Solar Capital Management.

 

Indemnification Agreements

 

We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors. The indemnification agreements are intended to provide our directors the maximum indemnification permitted under Maryland law and the 1940 Act. Each indemnification agreement provides that Solar Senior Capital shall indemnify the director who is a party to the agreement, or an Indemnitee, including the advancement of legal expenses, if, by reason of his or her corporate status, the Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to or a witness in any threatened, pending, or completed proceeding, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and the 1940 Act.

 

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PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

 

The management of our investment portfolio is the responsibility of our investment adviser, Solar Capital Partners, and its investment committee, which is led by Messrs. Gross and Spohler. For more information regarding the business experience of Messrs. Gross and Spohler, see “Management — Board of Directors and Executive Officers — Interested Directors.” Solar Capital Partners’ investment committee must approve each new investment that we make. The members of Solar Capital Partners’ investment committee are not employed by us, and receive no compensation from us in connection with their portfolio management activities. However, Messrs. Gross and Spohler, through their financial interests in Solar Capital Partners, will be entitled to a portion of any investment advisory fees paid by Solar Senior Capital to Solar Capital Partners.

 

Investment Personnel

 

Solar Capital Partners’ investment team currently consists of its senior investment professionals, Messrs. Gross, Spohler, Gerson, Henley and Mait, and additional experienced investment professionals. We consider Messrs. Gross and Spohler, who lead Solar Capital Partners’ investment committee, to be our portfolio managers.

 

In addition to managing our investments, as of September 30, 2010, our portfolio managers also managed investments on behalf of the following entities:

 

Name

  

Entity

  

Investment Focus

   Gross Assets(1)  

Solar Capital Ltd.

   Business development
company
  

Primarily mezzanine debt and equity

investments in middle-market leveraged

companies

   $ 1,270   

 

(1)   Gross assets are calculated as of September 30, 2010, and are rounded to the nearest million.

 

The table below shows the dollar range of shares of common stock we estimate will be beneficially owned by each of our portfolio managers subsequent to completion of this offering.

 

Name of Portfolio Manager

   Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in Solar Senior Capital(1)(2)

Michael S. Gross

   Over $1 million

Bruce Spohler

   Over $1 million

 

(1)   Dollar ranges are as follows: None, $1-$10,000, $10,001-$50,000, $50,001-$100,000, $100,001-$500,000, $500,001-$1,000,000, or Over $1,000,000.
(2)   The dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned in us is based on an initial offering price per share of our common stock of $20.00.

 

Compensation

 

None of Solar Capital Partners’ investment professionals receive any direct compensation from us in connection with the management of our portfolio. Messrs. Gross and Spohler, through their financial interests in Solar Capital Partners, are entitled to a portion of any profits earned by Solar Capital Partners, which includes any fees payable to Solar Capital Partners under the terms of our Investment Advisory and Management Agreement, less expenses incurred by Solar Capital Partners in performing its services under our Investment Advisory and Management Agreement.

 

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INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

 

Management Services

 

Solar Capital Partners will serve as our investment adviser subsequent to completion of this offering. Solar Capital Partners is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. Subject to the overall supervision of our board of directors, our investment adviser will manage the day-to-day operations of, and provide investment advisory and management services to, Solar Senior Capital. Under the terms of our Investment Advisory and Management Agreement, Solar Capital Partners will:

 

   

determine the composition of our portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to our portfolio and the manner of implementing such changes;

 

   

identify, evaluate and negotiate the structure of the investments we make (including performing due diligence on our prospective portfolio companies);

 

   

close and monitor the investments we make; and

 

   

provide us with other investment advisory, research and related services as we may from time to time require.

 

Solar Capital Partners’ services under the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement are not exclusive, and it is free to furnish similar services to other entities so long as its services to us are not impaired. In particular, Solar Capital Partners currently serves as investment adviser to Solar Capital, and will continue to serve in such capacity subsequent to completion of this offering.

 

Management Fee

 

Pursuant to the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement, we have agreed to pay Solar Capital Partners a fee for investment advisory and management services consisting of two components — a base management fee and an incentive fee.

 

The base management fee will be calculated at an annual rate of 1.00% of our gross assets. Solar Capital Partners, however, has agreed to waive the portion of the base management fee payable on any net proceeds of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement that have not yet been invested in portfolio investments, exclusive of any temporary investments in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality investment grade debt investments that mature in 12 months or less from the date of investment. For services rendered under the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement, the base management fee will be payable quarterly in arrears. The base management fee will be calculated based on the average value of our gross assets at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters, and appropriately adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the current calendar quarter. Base management fees for any partial month or quarter will be appropriately pro-rated.

 

The incentive fee has two parts, as follows: one is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on our pre-incentive fee net investment income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter. For this purpose, pre-incentive fee net investment income means interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees (other than fees for providing managerial assistance), such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that we receive from portfolio companies) accrued during the calendar quarter, minus our operating expenses for the quarter (including the base management fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement to Solar Capital Management, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the incentive fee). Pre-incentive fee net investment income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as original issue discount, debt instruments with pay in kind interest and zero coupon securities), accrued income that we have not yet received in cash. Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, computed net of all realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. Pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of our net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, is compared to a hurdle of 1.75% per quarter (7.00% annualized). Our net investment income used to calculate this part of the incentive fee is also included in the amount of our gross assets used to

 

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calculate the 1.00% base management fee. We pay Solar Capital Partners an incentive fee with respect to our pre-incentive fee net investment income in each calendar quarter as follows:

 

   

no incentive fee in any calendar quarter in which our pre-incentive fee net investment income does not exceed the hurdle of 1.75%;

 

   

50% of our 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 but is less than 2.9167% in any calendar quarter (11.67% annualized). We refer to this portion of our pre-incentive fee net investment income (which exceeds the hurdle but is less than 2.9167%) as the “catch-up.” The “catch-up” is meant to provide our investment adviser with approximately 20% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income as if a hurdle did not apply if this net investment income exceeds 2.9167% in any calendar quarter; and

 

   

20% of the amount of our pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds 2.9167% in any calendar quarter (11.67% annualized) will be payable to Solar Capital Partners (once the hurdle is reached and the catch-up is achieved, 20% of all pre-incentive fee investment income thereafter is allocated to Solar Capital Partners).

 

The following is a graphical representation of the calculation of the income-related portion of the incentive fee:

 

Pre-incentive fee net investment income

(expressed as a percentage of the value of net assets)

 

LOGO

 

Percentage of pre-incentive fee net investment income

allocated to Solar Capital Partners

 

These calculations are appropriately pro-rated for any period of less than three months and adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the relevant quarter. You should be aware that a rise in the general level of interest rates can be expected to lead to higher interest rates applicable to our debt investments. Accordingly, an increase in interest rates would make it easier for us to meet or exceed the incentive fee hurdle rate and may result in a substantial increase of the amount of incentive fees payable to our investment adviser with respect to pre-incentive fee net investment income.

 

The second part of the incentive fee is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement, as of the termination date), and equals 20% of our realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from inception through the end of each calendar year, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gain incentive fees with respect to each of the investments in our portfolio, provided that, the incentive fee determined as of December 31, 2011 will be calculated for a period of shorter than twelve calendar months to take into account any realized capital gains computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation from the inception of Solar Senior Capital.

 

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Examples of Quarterly Incentive Fee Calculation

 

Example 1: Income Related Portion of Incentive Fee (*):

 

Alternative 1

 

Assumptions

 

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 1.25%

Hurdle rate (1) = 1.75%

Management fee (2) = 0.25%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.) (3) = 0.20%

Pre-incentive fee net investment income

(investment income – (management fee + other expenses)) = 0.80%

Pre-incentive net investment income does not exceed hurdle rate, therefore there is no incentive fee.

 

Alternative 2

 

Assumptions

 

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 2.70%

Hurdle rate (1) = 1.75%

Management fee (2) = 0.25%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.) (3) = 0.20%

Pre-incentive fee net investment income

(investment income – (management fee + other expenses)) = 2.25%

Incentive fee = 50% × pre-incentive fee net investment income, subject to the “catch-up” (4)

 

= 50% × (2.25% – 1.75%)

= 0.25%

 

Alternative 3

 

Assumptions

 

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 4.00%

Hurdle rate (1) = 1.75%

Management fee (2) = 0.25%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.) (3) = 0.20%

Pre-incentive fee net investment income

(investment income – (management fee + other expenses)) = 3.55%

Incentive fee = 20% × pre-incentive fee net investment income, subject to “catch-up” (4)

Incentive fee = 50% × “catch-up” + (20% × (pre-incentive fee net investment income – 2.9167%))

 

Catch-up = 2.9167% – 1.75%

= 1.1667%

Incentive fee = (50% × 1.1667%) + (20% × (3.55% – 2.9167%))

= 0.58334% + (20% × 0.6333%)

= 0.58334% + 0.12667%

= 0.71001%

 

(*)   The hypothetical amount of pre-incentive fee net investment income shown is based on a percentage of total net assets.
(1)   Represents 7.00% annualized hurdle rate.
(2)   Represents 1.00% annualized management fee.
(3)   Excludes organizational and offering expenses.
(4)   The “catch-up” provision is intended to provide our investment adviser with an incentive fee of approximately 20% on all of our pre-incentive fee net investment income as if a hurdle rate did not apply when our net investment income exceeds 2.9167% in any calendar quarter.

 

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Example 2: Capital Gains Portion of Incentive Fee:

 

Alternative 1:

 

Assumptions

 

   

Year 1: $20 million investment made in Company A (“Investment A”), and $30 million investment made in Company B (“Investment B”)

 

   

Year 2: Investment A sold for $50 million and fair market value (“FMV”) of Investment B determined to be $32 million

 

   

Year 3: FMV of Investment B determined to be $25 million

 

   

Year 4: Investment B sold for $31 million

 

The capital gains portion of the incentive fee, if any, would be:

 

   

Year 1: None

 

   

Year 2: $6 million capital gains incentive fee

 

$30 million realized capital gains on sale of Investment A multiplied by 20%

 

   

Year 3: None

 

$5 million cumulative fee (20% multiplied by $25 million ($30 million cumulative capital gains less $5 million cumulative capital depreciation)) less $6 million (previous capital gains fee paid in Year 2)

 

   

Year 4: $200,000 capital gains incentive fee

 

$6.2 million cumulative fee ($31 million cumulative realized capital gains multiplied by 20%) less $6 million (previous capital gains fee paid in Year 2)

 

Alternative 2

 

Assumptions

 

   

Year 1: $20 million investment made in Company A (“Investment A”), $30 million investment made in Company B (“Investment B”) and $25 million investment made in Company C (“Investment C”)

 

   

Year 2: Investment A sold for $50 million, FMV of Investment B determined to be $25 million and FMV of Investment C determined to be $25 million

 

   

Year 3: FMV of Investment B determined to be $27 million and Investment C sold for $30 million

 

   

Year 4: FMV of Investment B determined to be $35 million

 

   

Year 5: Investment B sold for $20 million

 

The capital gains portion of the incentive fee, if any, would be:

 

   

Year 1: None

 

   

Year 2: $5 million capital gains incentive fee

 

20% multiplied by $25 million ($30 million realized capital gains on sale of Investment A less $5 million unrealized capital depreciation on Investment B)

 

   

Year 3: $1.4 million capital gains incentive fee (1)

 

$6.4 million cumulative fee (20% multiplied by $32 million ($35 million cumulative realized capital gains less $3 million unrealized capital depreciation)) less $5 million (previous capital gains fee paid in Year 2)

 

   

Year 4: None

 

   

Year 5: None

 

$5 million cumulative fee (20% multiplied by $25 million ($35 million cumulative realized capital gains less $10 million realized capital losses)) less $6.4 million (previous cumulative capital gains fee paid in Year 2 and Year 3)

 

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(1)   As illustrated in Year 3 of Alternative 1 above, if Solar Senior Capital were to be wound up on a date other than December 31 of any year, Solar Senior Capital may have paid aggregate capital gain incentive fees that are more than the amount of such fees that would be payable if Solar Senior Capital had been wound up on December 31 of such year.

 

Payment of Our Expenses

 

All investment professionals of the investment adviser and their respective staffs, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses of such personnel allocable to such services, are provided and paid for by Solar Capital Partners. We bear all other costs and expenses of our operations and transactions, including (without limitation):

 

   

the cost of our organization and this offering;

 

   

the cost of calculating our net asset value, including the cost of any third-party valuation services;

 

   

the cost of effecting sales and repurchases of our shares and other securities;

 

   

interest payable on debt, if any, to finance our investments;

 

   

fees payable to third parties relating to, or associated with, making investments, including fees and expenses associated with performing due diligence reviews of prospective investments and advisory fees;

 

   

transfer agent and custodial fees;

 

   

fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts;

 

   

federal and state registration fees, any stock exchange listing fees;

 

   

federal, state and local taxes;

 

   

independent directors’ fees and expenses;

 

   

brokerage commissions;

 

   

fidelity bond, directors and officers errors and omissions liability insurance and other insurance premiums;

 

   

direct costs and expenses of administration, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone and staff;

 

   

fees and expenses associated with independent audits and outside legal costs;

 

   

costs associated with our reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act and applicable federal and state securities laws; and

 

   

all other expenses incurred by either Solar Capital Management or us in connection with administering our business, including payments under the Administration Agreement that will be based upon our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by Solar Capital Management in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent, the fees and expenses associated with performing compliance functions, and our allocable portion of the costs of compensation and related expenses of our chief compliance officer and our chief financial officer and any administrative support staff.

 

Duration and Termination

 

The Investment Advisory and Management Agreement was initially approved by the board of directors of Solar Senior Capital on February 7, 2011. Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement will remain in effect for a period of two years from the date it was approved by our board of directors and will remain in effect from year to year thereafter if approved annually by our board of directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities, including, in

 

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either case, approval by a majority of our directors who are not parties to such agreement or who are not “interested persons” of Solar Senior Capital, as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. The Investment Advisory and Management Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. The Investment Advisory and Management Agreement may also be terminated by either party without penalty upon not more than 60 days’ written notice to the other. See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure — Our investment adviser can resign upon not more than 60 days’ notice.”

 

Indemnification

 

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

 

Organization of the Investment Adviser

 

Solar Capital Partners is a Delaware limited liability company. The principal executive offices of Solar Capital Partners are located at 500 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022.

 

Board Approval of the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement

 

A discussion regarding the basis for our board of director’s approval of our Investment Advisory and Management Agreement will be included in our first annual report on Form 10-K filed subsequent to any such board approval, or incorporated by reference therein.

 

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ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT

 

Solar Capital Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, will serve as our administrator. The principal executive offices of Solar Capital Management are located at 500 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022. Pursuant to an Administration Agreement, Solar Capital Management will furnish us with office facilities, equipment and clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services at such facilities. Under the Administration Agreement, Solar Capital Management will also perform, or oversee the performance of, our required administrative services, which will include, among other things, being responsible for the financial records which we are required to maintain and preparing reports to our stockholders. In addition, Solar Capital Management will assist us in determining and publishing our net asset value, oversee the preparation and filing of our tax returns and the printing and dissemination of reports to our stockholder, and generally oversee the payment of our expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to us by others. Payments under the Administration Agreement will be equal to an amount based upon our allocable portion of Solar Capital Management’s overhead in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent, the fees and expenses associated with performing compliance functions and our allocable portion of the compensation of our chief financial officer and any administrative support staff. Under the Administration Agreement, Solar Capital Management will also provide on our behalf managerial assistance to those portfolio companies that request such assistance. The Administration Agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty upon not more than 60 days’ written notice to the other party.

 

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

 

LICENSE AGREEMENT

 

We have entered into a license agreement with Solar Capital Partners pursuant to which Solar Capital Partners has agreed to grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the name “Solar Senior Capital.” Under this agreement, we have a right to use the Solar Senior Capital name for so long as the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement with our investment adviser is in effect. Other than with respect to this limited license, we will have no legal right to the “Solar Senior Capital” name.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND TRANSACTIONS

 

We have entered into the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement with Solar Capital Partners. Mr. Gross, our chairman and chief executive officer, is the managing member and a senior investment professional of, and has financial and controlling interests in, Solar Capital Partners. In addition, Mr. Spohler, our chief operating officer and board member and Mr. Radesca, our chief financial officer and secretary, serve as a partner and chief financial officer, respectively, for Solar Capital Partners. Mr. Spohler also has financial interests in Solar Capital Partners.

 

In addition, Solar Capital Partners presently serves as investment adviser to Solar Capital, a publicly-traded business development company with over $1.25 billion of investable capital that investments primarily in the mezzanine debt and equity securities of middle-market leveraged companies similar to those we intend to target for investment. In addition, Michael S. Gross, our chairman and chief executive officer, Bruce Spohler, our chief operating officer, and Nicholas Radesca, our chief financial officer, serve in similar capacities for Solar Capital.

 

Solar Capital Partners and its affiliates may also manage other funds in the future that may have investment mandates that are similar, in whole and in part, with ours. Solar Capital Partners and its affiliates may determine that an investment is appropriate for us and for Solar Capital or one or more of those other funds. In such event, depending on the availability of such investment and other appropriate factors, Solar Capital Partners or its affiliates may determine that we should invest side-by-side with one or more other funds. Any such investments will be made only to the extent permitted by applicable law and interpretive positions of the SEC and its staff, and consistent with Solar Capital Partners’ allocation procedures. In addition, we have adopted a formal code of ethics that governs the conduct of our officers and directors. Our officers and directors also remain subject to the duties imposed by both the 1940 Act and the Maryland General Corporation Law.

 

We have entered into a license agreement with Solar Capital Partners, pursuant to which Solar Capital Partners has agreed to grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the name “Solar Senior Capital.” In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Administration Agreement, Solar Capital Management provides us with the office facilities and administrative services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations. Solar Capital Partners is the sole member of and controls Solar Capital Management.

 

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CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

 

Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, there will be 100 shares of common stock outstanding and one stockholder of record. At that time, we will have no other shares of capital stock outstanding. The following table sets out certain ownership information with respect to our common stock for those persons who directly or indirectly own, control or hold with the power to vote 5% or more of our outstanding common stock and all officers and directors as a group.

 

     Type of
Ownership
   Immediately Prior
to This Offering
    Immediately After
This Offering(1)
 

Name

      Shares
Owned
     Percentage     Shares
Owned
     Percentage  

Solar Capital Management, LLC(2)

   Direct      100         100     100         *   

Michael S. Gross(3)

   Indirect      100         100     500,100         5.88

Bruce J. Spohler(4)

   Indirect      0         0     500,000         5.88

Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC(5)

   Direct      0         0     500,000         5.88

All officers and directors as a group (7 persons)(6)(7)

   Indirect      100         100     500,100         5.88

 

(1)   Assumes the issuance of (a) 8,000,000 shares of common stock offered hereby and (b) 500,000 shares of common stock in the Concurrent Private Placement. Does not reflect shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option.
(2)   Michael S. Gross may be deemed to beneficially own the securities held by each of Solar Capital Management, LLC and Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC as a result of his ownership of and control over each of Solar Capital Management, LLC and Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC. The address for each of Solar Capital Management, LLC and Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC is 500 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
(3)   Includes shares held by Solar Capital Management, LLC and Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC.
(4)   Includes shares held by Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC. Bruce J. Spohler may be deemed to beneficially own the securities held by Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC as a result of his ownership and control over Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC. The address for Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC is 500 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
(5)   The address for Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC is 500 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
(6)   The address for all officers and directors is 500 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
(7)   Does not include any shares that may be acquired by officers and directors in connection with the directed share program.
*   Less than 1%.

 

The following table sets forth the dollar range of our equity securities we expect will be beneficially owned by each of our directors immediately after this offering. We are not part of a “family of investment companies,” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.

 

Name of Director

   Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in Solar Senior Capital(1)(2)(3)
 

Interested Directors

  

Michael S. Gross

     Over $100,000   

Bruce Spohler

     Over $100,000   

Independent Directors

  

Steven Hochberg

     None   

David S. Wachter

     None   

Leonard A. Potter

     None   

 

(1)   Dollar ranges are as follows: None, $1-$10,000, $10,001-$50,000, $50,001-$100,000, or Over $100,000.
(2)   The dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned in us is based on the initial offering price per share of our common stock of $20.00.
(3)   Does not include any shares that may be acquired by officers and directors in connection with the directed share program.

 

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REGULATION AS A BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

 

General

 

A business development company is regulated by the 1940 Act. A business development company must be organized in the United States for the purpose of investing in or lending to primarily private companies and making significant managerial assistance available to them. A business development company may use capital provided by public stockholders and from other sources to make long-term, private investments in businesses. A business development company provides stockholders the ability to retain the liquidity of a publicly-traded stock while sharing in the possible benefits, if any, of investing in primarily privately owned companies.

 

We may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or withdraw our election as, a business development company unless authorized by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, as required by the 1940 Act. A majority of the outstanding voting securities of a company is defined under the 1940 Act as the lesser of: (a) 67% or more of such company’s voting securities present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such company are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such company. We do not anticipate any substantial change in the nature of our business.

 

As with other companies regulated by the 1940 Act, a business development company must adhere to certain substantive regulatory requirements. A majority of our directors must be persons who are not interested persons, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. Additionally, we are required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company to protect the business development company. Furthermore, as a business development company, we are prohibited from protecting any director or officer against any liability to us or our stockholders arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.

 

As a business development company, we are required to meet a coverage ratio of the value of total assets to total senior securities, which include all of our borrowings and any preferred stock we may issue in the future, of at least 200%. We may also be prohibited under the 1940 Act from knowingly participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our directors who are not interested persons and, in some cases, prior approval by the SEC.

 

We are generally not be able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. See “Risk factors — Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure — Regulations governing our operation as a business development company affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital.” We may, however, sell our common stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the then-current net asset value of our common stock if our board of directors determines that such sale is in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders, and our stockholders approve such sale. In addition, we may generally issue new shares of our common stock at a price below net asset value in rights offerings to existing stockholders, in payment of dividends and in certain other limited circumstances.

 

As a business development company, we are generally limited in our ability to invest in any portfolio company in which our investment adviser or any of its affiliates currently have an investment or to make any co-investments with our investment adviser or its affiliates without an exemptive order from the SEC, subject to certain exceptions.

 

We expect to be periodically examined by the SEC for compliance with the 1940 Act.

 

As a business development company, we are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. See “Risk factors —Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure.”

 

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Qualifying Assets

 

Under the 1940 Act, a business development company may not acquire any asset other than assets of the type listed in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act, which are referred to as qualifying assets, unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the business development company’s total assets. The principal categories of qualifying assets relevant to our proposed business are the following:

 

(1) Securities purchased in transactions not involving any public offering from the issuer of such securities, which issuer (subject to certain limited exceptions) is an eligible portfolio company, or from any person who is, or has been during the preceding 13 months, an affiliated person of an eligible portfolio company, or from any other person, subject to such rules as may be prescribed by the SEC. An eligible portfolio company is defined in the 1940 Act as any issuer which:

 

(a) is organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in, the United States;

 

(b) is not an investment company (other than a small business investment company wholly owned by the business development company) or a company that would be an investment company but for certain exclusions under the 1940 Act; and

 

(c) satisfies any of the following:

 

i. does not have any class of securities that is traded on a national securities exchange;

 

ii. has a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange, but has an aggregate market value of outstanding voting and non-voting common equity of less then $250 million;

 

iii. is controlled by a business development company or a group of companies including a business development company and the business development company has an affiliated person who is a director of the eligible portfolio company; or

 

iv. is a small and solvent company having total assets of not more than $4.0 million and capital and surplus of not less than $2.0 million.

 

(2) Securities of any eligible portfolio company which we control.

 

(3) Securities purchased in a private transaction from a U.S. issuer that is not an investment company or from an affiliated person of the issuer, or in transactions incident thereto, if the issuer is in bankruptcy and subject to reorganization or if the issuer, immediately prior to the purchase of its securities, was unable to meet its obligations as they came due without material assistance other than conventional lending or financing arrangements.

 

(4) Securities of an eligible portfolio company purchased from any person in a private transaction if there is no ready market for such securities and we already own 60% of the outstanding equity of the eligible portfolio company.

 

(5) Securities received in exchange for or distributed on or with respect to securities described in (1) through (4) above, or pursuant to the exercise of warrants or rights relating to such securities.

 

(6) Cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment.

 

Managerial Assistance to Portfolio Companies

 

In addition, a business development company must have been organized and have its principal place of business in the United States and must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described in (1), (2) or (3) above. However, in order to count portfolio securities as qualifying assets for the purpose of the 70% test, the business development company must either control the issuer of the securities or must offer to make available to the issuer of the securities (other than small and solvent companies described above) significant managerial assistance; except that, where the business development company purchases such securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, one of the other persons in the group

 

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may make available such managerial assistance. Making available managerial assistance means, among other things, any arrangement whereby the business development company, through its directors, officers or employees, offers to provide, and, if accepted, does so provide, significant guidance and counsel concerning the management, operations or business objectives and policies of a portfolio company.

 

Temporary Investments

 

Pending investment in other types of “qualifying assets,” as described above, our investments may consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high-quality investment grade debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment, which we refer to, collectively, as temporary investments, so that 70% of our assets are qualifying assets. The income we earn on such temporary investments will generally be significantly less than what we would expect to receive from investments in the types of senior loans we intend to target for investment. Typically, we will invest in U.S. Treasury bills or in repurchase agreements, provided that such agreements are fully collateralized by cash or securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies. A repurchase agreement involves the purchase by an investor, such as us, of a specified security and the simultaneous agreement by the seller to repurchase it at an agreed-upon future date and at a price which is greater than the purchase price by an amount that reflects an agreed-upon interest rate. There is no percentage restriction on the proportion of our assets that may be invested in such repurchase agreements. However, if more than 25% of our total assets constitute repurchase agreements from a single counterparty, we would not meet the diversification tests in order to qualify as a RIC for federal income tax purposes. Thus, we do not intend to enter into repurchase agreements with a single counterparty in excess of this limit. Our investment adviser will monitor the creditworthiness of the counterparties with which we enter into repurchase agreement transactions.

 

Senior Securities

 

We are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of stock senior to our common stock if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least equal to 200% immediately after each such issuance. In addition, while any senior securities remain outstanding, we must make provisions to prohibit any distribution to our stockholders or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the distribution or repurchase. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes without regard to asset coverage. For a discussion of the risks associated with leverage, see “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure — We may borrow money, which would magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing in us.”

 

Code of Ethics

 

We and Solar Capital Partners have each adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, respectively, that establishes procedures for personal investments and restricts certain transactions by our personnel. Our codes of ethics generally do not permit investments by our employees in securities that may be purchased or held by us. You may read and copy these codes of ethics at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. In addition, each code of ethics is attached as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and is available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also obtain copies of the codes of ethics, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following Email address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.

 

Compliance Policies and Procedures

 

We and our investment adviser have adopted and implemented written policies and procedures reasonably designed to detect and prevent violation of the federal securities laws and are required to review these compliance policies and procedures annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation and designate a chief compliance officer to be responsible for administering the policies and procedures. Guy Talarico currently serves as our chief compliance officer.

 

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Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 imposes a wide variety of new regulatory requirements on publicly-held companies and their insiders. Many of these requirements affect us. For example:

 

   

pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Exchange Act, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer must certify the accuracy of the financial statements contained in our periodic reports;

 

   

pursuant to Item 307 of Regulation S-K, our periodic reports must disclose our conclusions about the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures;

 

   

pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act, beginning with our 2011 fiscal year our management will be required to prepare an annual report regarding its assessment of our internal control over financial reporting and, beginning with our 2012 fiscal year, obtain an audit of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting performed by our independent registered public accounting firm; and

 

   

pursuant to Item 308 of Regulation S-K and Rule 13a-15 of the 1934 Act, our periodic reports must disclose whether there were significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires us to review our current policies and procedures to determine whether we comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder. We will continue to monitor our compliance with all regulations that are adopted under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and will take actions necessary to ensure that we are in compliance therewith.

 

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

 

We have delegated our proxy voting responsibility to our investment adviser. The Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of our investment adviser are set forth below. The guidelines will be reviewed periodically by our investment adviser and our non-interested directors, and, accordingly, are subject to change. For purposes of these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures described below, “we,” “our” and “us” refers to our investment adviser.

 

Introduction

 

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

 

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

 

Proxy Policies

 

We will vote proxies relating to our portfolio securities in what we perceive to be the best interest of our clients’ stockholders. We will review on a case-by-case basis each proposal submitted to a stockholder vote to determine its impact on the portfolio securities held by our clients. Although we will generally vote against proposals that may have a negative impact on our clients’ portfolio securities, we may vote for such a proposal if there exist compelling long-term reasons to do so.

 

Our proxy voting decisions will be made by the senior officers who are responsible for monitoring each of the clients’ investments. To ensure that our vote is not the product of a conflict of interest, we will require that: (1) anyone involved in the decision making process disclose to our managing member any potential conflict that he or she is aware of and any contact that he or she has had with any interested party regarding a proxy vote; and

 

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(2) employees involved in the decision making process or vote administration are prohibited from revealing how we intend to vote on a proposal in order to reduce any attempted influence from interested parties.

 

Proxy Voting Records

 

You may obtain information about how we voted proxies by making a written request for proxy voting information to: Solar Capital Partners at 500 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022.

 

Privacy Principles

 

We are committed to maintaining the privacy of our stockholders and to safeguarding their non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information we collect, how we protect that information and why, in certain cases, we may share information with select other parties.

 

Generally, we do not receive any non-public personal information relating to our stockholders, although certain non-public personal information of our stockholders may become available to us. We do not disclose any non-public personal information about our stockholders or former stockholders to anyone, except as permitted by law or as is necessary in order to service stockholder accounts (for example, to a transfer agent or third party administrator).

 

We restrict access to non-public personal information about our stockholders to employees of our investment adviser and its affiliates with a legitimate business need for the information. We will maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to protect the non-public personal information of our stockholders.

 

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DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

 

We will determine the net asset value of our investment portfolio each quarter by subtracting our total liabilities from the fair value of our total assets.

 

We will conduct the valuation of our assets, pursuant to which our net asset value shall be determined, at all times consistent with GAAP and the 1940 Act. We will generally value our assets on a quarterly basis, or more frequently if required under the 1940 Act. Our valuation procedures are set forth in more detail below:

 

Securities for which market quotations are readily available on an exchange shall be valued at the closing price on the day of valuation. We may also obtain quotes with respect to certain of our investments from pricing services or brokers or dealers in order to value assets. When doing so, we determine whether the quote obtained is sufficient according to GAAP to determine the fair value of the security. If determined adequate, we use the quote obtained.

 

Securities for which reliable market quotations are not readily available or for which the pricing source does not provide a valuation or methodology or provides a valuation or methodology that, in the judgment of our investment adviser or board of directors, does not represent fair value, shall each be valued as follows: (i) each portfolio company or investment is initially valued by the investment professionals responsible for the portfolio investment; (ii) preliminary valuation conclusions are documented and discussed with our senior management; (iii) independent third-party valuation firms engaged by, or on behalf of, the board of directors will conduct independent appraisals and review management’s preliminary valuations and make their own assessment for (a) each portfolio investment that, when taken together with all other investments in the same portfolio company, exceeds 10% of our total assets, plus available borrowings, as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal quarter, and (b) each portfolio asset that is presently in default; (iv) the board of directors will discuss valuations and determine the fair value of each investment in our portfolio in good faith based on the input of the investment adviser and, where appropriate, the respective third-party valuation firms.

 

The recommendation of fair value will generally be based on the following factors, as relevant:

 

   

the nature and realizable value of any collateral;

 

   

the portfolio company’s ability to make payments;

 

   

the portfolio company’s earnings and discounted cash flow;

 

   

the markets in which the issuer does business; and

 

   

comparisons to publicly traded securities.

 

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or for which a pricing source is not sufficient may include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   

private placements and restricted securities that do not have an active trading market;

 

   

securities whose trading has been suspended or for which market quotes are no longer available;

 

   

debt securities that have recently gone into default and for which there is no current market;

 

   

securities whose prices are stale;

 

   

securities affected by significant events; and

 

   

securities that the investment adviser believes were priced incorrectly.

 

Determination of fair value involves subjective judgments and estimates. Accordingly, the notes to our financial statements express the uncertainty with respect to the possible effect of such valuations, and any change in such valuations, on our financial statements.

 

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Determinations in Connection with Offerings

 

In connection with future offerings of shares of our common stock, our board of directors or a committee thereof will be required to make the determination that we are not selling shares of our common stock at a price below the then current net asset value of our common stock at the time at which the sale is made. Our board of directors will consider the following factors, among others, in making such determination:

 

   

the net asset value of our common stock disclosed in the most recent periodic report that we filed with the SEC;

 

   

our management’s assessment of whether any material change in the net asset value of our common stock has occurred (including through the realization of gains on the sale of our portfolio securities) during the period beginning on the date of the most recently disclosed net asset value of our common stock and ending two days prior to the date of the sale of our common stock; and

 

   

the magnitude of the difference between (i) the net asset value of our common stock disclosed in the most recent periodic report that we filed with the SEC and our management’s assessment of any material change in the net asset value of our common stock since the date of the most recently disclosed net asset value of our common stock, and (ii) the offering price of the shares of our common stock in the proposed offering.

 

Importantly, this determination will not require that we calculate the net asset value of our common stock in connection with each offering of shares of our common stock, but instead it will involve the determination by our board of directors or a committee thereof that we are not selling shares of our common stock at a price below the then current net asset value of our common stock at the time at which the sale is made.

 

Moreover, to the extent that there is even a remote possibility that we may (i) issue shares of our common stock at a price below the then current net asset value of our common stock at the time at which the sale is made or (ii) trigger the undertaking (which we provide in certain registration statements we file with the SEC) to suspend the offering of shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus if the net asset value of our common stock fluctuates by certain amounts in certain circumstances until the prospectus is amended, our board of directors will elect, in the case of clause (i) above, either to postpone the offering until such time that there is no longer the possibility of the occurrence of such event or to undertake to determine the net asset value of our common stock within two days prior to any such sale to ensure that such sale will not be below our then current net asset value, and, in the case of clause (ii) above, to comply with such undertaking or to undertake to determine the net asset value of our common stock to ensure that such undertaking has not been triggered.

 

These processes and procedures are part of our compliance policies and procedures. Records will be made contemporaneously with all determinations described in this section and these records will be maintained with other records that we are required to maintain under the 1940 Act.

 

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DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

 

We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of our dividends and other distributions on behalf of our stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash as provided below. As a result, if our board of directors authorizes, and we declare, a cash distribution, then our stockholders who have not opted out of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the cash distributions.

 

No action will be required on the part of a registered stockholder to have his cash distribution reinvested in shares of our common stock. A registered stockholder may elect to receive an entire distribution in cash by notifying American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the plan administrator and our transfer agent and registrar, in writing so that such notice is received by the plan administrator no later than the record date for distributions to stockholders. The plan administrator will set up an account for shares acquired through the plan for each stockholder who has not elected to receive distributions in cash and hold such shares in non-certificated form. Upon request by a stockholder participating in the plan, received in writing not less than 10 days prior to the record date, the plan administrator will, instead of crediting shares to the participant’s account, issue a certificate registered in the participant’s name for the number of whole shares of our common stock and a check for any fractional share.

 

Those stockholders whose shares are held by a broker or other financial intermediary may receive distributions in cash by notifying their broker or other financial intermediary of their election.

 

We intend to use primarily newly issued shares to implement the plan, whether our shares are trading at a premium or at a discount to net asset value. However, we reserve the right to purchase shares in the open market in connection with our implementation of the plan. If we declare a distribution to stockholders, the plan administrator may be instructed not to credit accounts with newly-issued shares and instead to buy shares in the market if (i) the price at which newly-issued shares are to be credited does not exceed 110% of the last determined net asset value of the shares; or (ii) we have advised the plan administrator that since such net asset value was last determined, we have become aware of events that indicate the possibility of a material change in per share net asset value as a result of which the net asset value of the shares on the payment date might be higher than the price at which the plan administrator would credit newly-issued shares to stockholders. The number of shares to be issued to a stockholder is determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to such stockholder by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of regular trading on the valuation date for such distribution. Market price per share on that date will be the closing price for such shares on the national securities exchange on which our shares are then listed or, if no sale is reported for such day, at the average of their reported bid and asked prices. The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after giving effect to payment of the distribution cannot be established until the value per share at which additional shares will be issued has been determined and elections of our stockholders have been tabulated.

 

There will be no brokerage charges or other charges to stockholders who participate in the plan. The plan administrator’s fees under the plan will be paid by us. If a participant elects by written notice to the plan administrator to have the plan administrator sell part or all of the shares held by the plan administrator in the participant’s account and remit the proceeds to the participant, the plan administrator is authorized to deduct a transaction fee of $15 plus a per share brokerage commissions from the proceeds.

 

Stockholders who receive distributions in the form of stock are subject to the same federal, state and local tax consequences as are stockholders who elect to receive their distributions in cash. A stockholder’s basis for determining gain or loss upon the sale of stock received in a distribution from us will be equal to the amount of cash they would have received if they had elected to receive the distribution in cash, or the fair market value of the distributed shares if such shares have a fair market value equal to or greater than net asset value. Any stock received in a distribution will have a new holding period for tax purposes commencing on the day following the day on which the shares are credited to the U.S. stockholder’s account.

 

The plan may be terminated by us upon notice in writing mailed to each participant at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any distribution by us. All correspondence concerning the plan should be directed to the plan administrator by mail at 59 Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10038 or by phone at (800) 937-5449.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

The following discussion is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to us and to an investment in our common stock. This summary does not purport to be a complete description of the income tax considerations applicable to such an investment. For example, we have not described tax consequences that we assume to be generally known by investors or certain considerations that may be relevant to certain types of holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws, including stockholders subject to the alternative minimum tax, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, dealers in securities, pension plans and trusts, and financial institutions. This summary assumes that investors hold our common stock as capital assets (within the meaning of the Code). The discussion is based upon the Code, Treasury regulations, and administrative and judicial interpretations, each as in effect as of the date of this registration statement and all of which are subject to change, possibly retroactively, which could affect the continuing validity of this discussion. We have not sought and will not seek any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service regarding this offering. This summary does not discuss any aspects of U.S. estate or gift tax or foreign, state or local tax. It does not discuss the special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws that could result if we invested in tax-exempt securities or certain other investment assets in which we do not currently intend to invest.

 

A “U.S. stockholder” generally is a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock who is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

a citizen or individual resident of the United States including an alien individual who is a lawful permanent resident of the United States or meets the “substantial presence” test under Section 7701(b) of the Code;

 

   

a corporation or other entity taxable as a corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof;

 

   

a trust, if a court in the United States has primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all decisions of the trust, or the trust has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person; or

 

   

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.

 

A “non-U.S. stockholder” is a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that is an individual, corporation, trust or estate and is not a U.S. stockholder.

 

If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A prospective stockholder who is a partner of a partnership holding shares of our common stock should consult its tax advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock.

 

Tax matters are very complicated and the tax consequences to an investor of an investment in our shares will depend on the facts of its particular situation. We encourage investors to consult their own tax advisors regarding the specific consequences of such an investment, including tax reporting requirements, the applicability of federal, state, local and foreign tax laws, eligibility for the benefits of any applicable tax treaty and the effect of any possible changes in the tax laws.

 

As a business development company, we intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, beginning with our 2011 taxable year. As a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders as dividends. To continue to qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements (as described below). In addition, to qualify

 

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for RIC tax treatment we must distribute to our stockholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of our “investment company taxable income,” which is generally our ordinary income plus the excess of our realized net short-term capital gains over our realized net long-term capital losses (the “Annual Distribution Requirement”).

 

Taxation as a Regulated Investment Company

 

If we:

 

   

qualify as a RIC; and

 

   

satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement;

 

then we will not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of our investment company taxable income and net capital gain (i.e., realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) we distribute to stockholders. We will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the regular corporate rates on any income or capital gain not distributed (or deemed distributed) to our stockholders.

 

We will be subject to a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax on certain undistributed income unless we distribute in a timely manner an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of our ordinary income for each calendar year, (2) 98.2 % of our capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year and (3) any income realized, but not distributed, and on which we paid no federal income tax, in preceding years (the “Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement”). We currently intend to make sufficient distributions each taxable year to satisfy the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement.

 

In order to qualify as a RIC for federal income tax purposes, we must, among other things:

 

   

at all times during each taxable year, have in effect an election to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act;

 

   

derive in each taxable year at least 90% of our gross income from (a) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale of stock or other securities or currencies, or other income derived with respect to our business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and (b) net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership;” and

 

   

diversify our holdings so that at the end of each quarter of the taxable year:

 

   

at least 50% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of our assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer; and

 

   

no more than 25% of the value of our assets is invested in (i) the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer, (ii) the securities of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable tax rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or (iii) the securities of one or more “qualified publicly traded partnerships.”

 

We may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive cash. For example, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with PIK interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or debt instruments issued with warrants), we must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same taxable year. Because any original issue discount accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the year of accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, even though we will not have received any corresponding cash amount.

 

Because we may use debt financing, we will be subject to certain asset coverage ratio requirements under the 1940 Act and financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances,

 

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restrict us from making distributions necessary to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources or are otherwise limited in our ability to make distributions, we could fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.

 

Certain of our investment practices may be subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things: (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions; (ii) convert lower taxed long-term capital gain into higher taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income; (iii) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited); (iv) cause us to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash; (v) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of securities is deemed to occur; (vi) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions; and (vii) produce income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% gross income test described above. We will monitor our transactions and may make certain tax elections in order to mitigate the potential adverse effect of these provisions.

 

Gain or loss realized by us from the sale or exchange of warrants acquired by us as well as any loss attributable to the lapse of such warrants generally will be treated as capital gain or loss. The treatment of such gain or loss as long-term or short-term will depend on how long we held a particular warrant. Upon the exercise of a warrant acquired by us, our tax basis in the stock purchased under the warrant will equal the sum of the amount paid for the warrant plus the strike price paid on the exercise of the warrant. Except as set forth in “Failure to Qualify as a Regulated Investment Company,” the remainder of this discussion assumes we will qualify as a RIC for each taxable year.

 

Taxation of U.S. Stockholders

 

Distributions by us generally will be taxable to U.S. stockholders as ordinary income or capital gains. Distributions of our investment company taxable income will be taxable as ordinary income to U.S. stockholders to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional common stock. Distributions of our net capital gains (that is, the excess of our realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) properly reported by us as “capital gain dividends” will be taxable to a U.S. stockholder as long-term capital gains, regardless of the U.S. stockholder’s holding period for its common stock and regardless of whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional common stock. For taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2012, distributions of investment company taxable income that are designated by us as being derived from “qualified dividend income” will be taxed in the hands of non-corporate stockholders at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain, provided that holding period and other requirements are met by both the stockholders and us. Dividends distributed by us will generally not be attributable to qualified dividend income. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits first will reduce a U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in such U.S. stockholder’s common stock and, after the adjusted basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such U.S. stockholder. For a summary of the tax rates applicable to capital gains, including capital gain dividends, see the discussion below.

 

Under the dividend reinvestment plan, if a U.S. stockholder owns shares of common stock registered in its own name, the U.S. stockholder will have all cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of common stock unless the U.S. stockholder opts out of our dividend reinvestment plan by delivering a written notice to our dividend paying agent prior to the record date of the next dividend or distribution. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.” Any distributions reinvested under the plan will nevertheless remain taxable to the U.S. stockholder. The U.S. stockholder will have an adjusted basis in the additional common shares purchased through the plan equal to the amount of cash they would have received if they had elected to receive the distribution in cash, or the fair market value of the distributed shares if such shares have a fair market value equal to or greater than net asset value. The additional shares will have a new holding period commencing on the day following the day on which the shares are credited to the U.S. stockholder’s account.

 

Although we currently intend to distribute realized net capital gains (i.e., net realized long-term capital gains in excess of net realized short-term capital losses), if any, at least annually, we may in the future decide to retain

 

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some or all of our net capital gains, but to designate the retained amount as a “deemed distribution.” In that case, among other consequences, we will pay corporate-level tax on the retained amount, each U.S. stockholder will be required to include its share of the deemed distribution in income as if it had been actually distributed to the U.S. stockholder, and the U.S. stockholder will be entitled to claim a credit or refund equal to its allocable share of the corporate-level tax we pay on the retained capital gain. The amount of the deemed distribution net of such tax will be added to the U.S. stockholder’s cost basis for its common stock. Since we expect to pay tax on any retained capital gains at our regular corporate capital gain tax rate, and since that rate is in excess of the maximum rate currently payable by non-corporate U.S. stockholders on long-term capital gains, the amount of tax that non-corporate U.S. stockholders will be treated as having paid will exceed the tax they owe on the capital gain dividend. Such excess generally may be claimed as a credit or refund against the U.S. stockholder’s other U.S. federal income tax obligations. A U.S. stockholder that is not subject to U.S. federal income tax or otherwise required to file a U.S. federal income tax return would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return on the appropriate form in order to claim a refund for the taxes we paid. In order to utilize the deemed distribution approach, we must provide written notice to our stockholders prior to the expiration of 60 days after the close of the relevant tax year.

 

As a RIC, we will be subject to the alternative minimum tax (“AMT”), but any items that are treated differently for AMT purposes must be apportioned between us and our stockholders and this may affect the stockholders’ AMT liabilities. Although regulations explaining the precise method of apportionment have not yet been issued by the Internal Revenue Service, we intend in general to apportion these items in the same proportion that dividends paid to each stockholder bear to our taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction), unless we determine that a different method for a particular item is warranted under the circumstances.

 

For purposes of determining (i) whether the Annual Distribution Requirement is satisfied for any year and (ii) the amount of dividends paid for that year, we may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a dividend that is paid during the following taxable year as if it had been paid during the taxable year in question. If we make such an election, the U.S. stockholder generally will still be treated as receiving the dividend in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, any dividend declared by us in October, November, or December of any calendar year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following year, will be treated as if it had been received by our U.S. stockholders on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.

 

You should consider the tax implications of buying common stock just prior to a distribution. Even if the price of the common stock includes the amount of the forthcoming distribution, and the distribution economically represents a return of your investment, you will be taxed upon receipt of the distribution and will not be entitled to offset the distribution against the tax basis in your common stock.

 

You may recognize taxable gain or loss if you sell or exchange your common stock. The amount of the gain or loss will be measured by the difference between your adjusted tax basis in your common stock and the amount of the proceeds you receive in exchange for such stock. Any gain or loss arising from the sale or exchange of our common stock (or, in the case of distributions in excess of the sum of our current and accumulated earnings and profits and your tax basis in the stock, treated as arising from the sale or exchange of our common stock) generally will be a capital gain or loss if the common stock is held as a capital asset. This capital gain or loss normally will be treated as a long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your common stock for more than one year. Otherwise, it will be classified as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss arising from the sale or exchange of common stock held for six months or less generally will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain dividends received, or treated as deemed distributed, with respect to such stock. For this purpose, certain special rules, including rules relating to periods when your risk of loss with respect to your common stock has been diminished, generally apply in determining the holding period of such stock. The ability to deduct capital losses may be subject to other limitations under the Code.

 

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In addition, all or a portion of any loss recognized upon a disposition of shares of our common stock may be disallowed if other shares of our common stock are purchased (whether through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. In general, individual U.S. stockholders currently are subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 15% (with lower rates applying to taxpayers in the 10% and 15% tax rate brackets) for years beginning on or before December 31, 2012 on their net capital gain, i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss for a taxable year, including a long-term capital gain derived from an investment in our common stock. In addition, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, individuals with income in excess of $200,000 ($250,000 in the case of married individuals filing jointly or $125,000 in the case of married individuals filing separately) and certain estates and trusts are subject to an additional 3.8% tax on their “net investment income,” which generally includes net income from interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, and rents, and net capital gains (other than certain amounts earned from trades or businesses). Corporate U.S. stockholders currently are subject to U.S. federal income tax on net capital gain at the maximum 35% rate also applied to ordinary income. Dividends distributed by us to corporate stockholders generally will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Tax rates imposed by states and local jurisdictions on capital gain and ordinary income may differ.

 

We will send to each of our U.S. stockholders, as promptly as possible after the end of each calendar year, a notice detailing, on a per share and per distribution basis, the amounts includible in such U.S. stockholder’s taxable income for such year as ordinary income, long-term capital gain and “qualified dividend income,” if any. In addition, the U.S. federal tax status of each year’s distributions generally will be reported to the Internal Revenue Service. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local, and foreign taxes depending on a U.S. stockholder’s particular situation.

 

Backup withholding may apply to distributions on the common stock with respect to certain non-exempt U.S. stockholders. Such U.S. stockholders generally will be subject to backup withholding unless the U.S. stockholder provides its correct taxpayer identification number and certain other information, certified under penalties of perjury, to the dividend paying agent, or otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding. Any amount withheld under backup withholding is allowed as a credit against the U.S. stockholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the proper information is provided to the Internal Revenue Service.

 

Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders

 

Whether an investment in our common stock is appropriate for a non-U.S. stockholder will depend upon that stockholder’s particular circumstances. Non-U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisors before investing in our common stock.

 

Distributions of our investment company taxable income to stockholders that are non-U.S. stockholders will currently be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided by an applicable treaty) to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits unless the distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholders, and, if an income tax treaty applies, attributable to a permanent establishment in the United States. In that case, the distributions will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the ordinary income rates applicable to U.S. stockholders and we will not have to withhold U.S. federal withholding tax if the non-U.S. stockholder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements. Special certification requirements apply to a non-U.S. stockholder that is a foreign partnership or a foreign trust and such entities are urged to consult their own tax advisors. In addition, for taxable years beginning prior to January 1, 2012, U.S. source withholding taxes are not imposed on dividends paid by us to the extent the dividends are reported as “interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends.” Under this exemption, interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends generally represent distributions of interest or short-term capital gains that would not have been subject to U.S. withholding tax at the source if they had been received directly by a foreign person, and that satisfy certain other requirements. No assurance can be given, however, as to whether this exemption will be extended for tax years beginning on or

 

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after January 1, 2012 or whether any of our distributions will be reported as eligible for this exemption from withholding tax.

 

Actual or deemed distributions of our net capital gains to a stockholder that is a non-U.S. stockholder, and gains realized by a non-U.S. stockholder upon the sale or redemption of our common stock, will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless the distributions or gains, as the case may be, are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder and, if an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. stockholder in the United States, or, in the case of an individual, the non-U.S. stockholder was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met.

 

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

 

Under our dividend reinvestment plan, if a non-U.S. stockholder owns shares of common stock registered in its own name, the non-U.S. stockholder will have all cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of common stock unless it opts out of our dividend reinvestment plan by delivering a written notice to our dividend paying agent prior to the record date of the next dividend or distribution. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.” If the distribution is a distribution of our investment company taxable income, is not reported by us as a short-term capital gains dividend or interest-related dividend and it is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder (or, if a treaty applies, is not attributable to a permanent establishment), the amount distributed (to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits) will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided by an applicable treaty) and only the net after-tax amount will be reinvested in common shares. If the distribution is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder, generally the full amount of the distribution will be reinvested in the plan and will nevertheless be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the ordinary income rates applicable to U.S. persons. The non-U.S. stockholder will have an adjusted basis in the additional common shares purchased through the plan equal to the amount of cash that they would have received if they had elected to receive the distribution in cash, or the fair market value of the distributed shares if such shares have a fair market value equal to or greater than net asset value. The additional shares will have a new holding period commencing on the day following the day on which the shares are credited to the non-U.S. stockholder’s account.

 

Recently enacted legislation that becomes effective after December 31, 2012, generally imposes a 30% withholding tax on payments of certain types of income to foreign financial institutions that fail to enter into an agreement with the United States Treasury to report certain required information with respect to accounts held by U.S. persons (or held by foreign entities that have U.S. persons as substantial owners). The types of income subject to the tax include U.S. source interest and dividends and the gross proceeds from the sale of any property that could produce U.S. source interest or dividends. The information required to be reported includes the identity and taxpayer identification number of each account holder that is a U.S. person and transaction activity within the holder’s account. In addition, subject to certain exceptions, this legislation also imposes a 30% withholding on payments to foreign entities that are not financial institutions unless the foreign entity certifies that it does not have a greater than 10% U.S. owner or provides the withholding agent with identifying information on each greater than 10% U.S. owner. When these provisions become effective, depending on the status of a non-U.S. stockholder and the status of the intermediaries through which they hold their common

 

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stock, non-U.S. stockholders could be subject to this 30% withholding tax with respect to distributions on their common stock and proceeds from the sale of their common stock. Under certain circumstances, a non-U.S. stockholder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes.

 

A non-U.S. stockholder who is a nonresident alien individual, and who is otherwise subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax, may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax on dividends unless the non-U.S. stockholder provides us or the dividend paying agent with an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or an acceptable substitute form) or otherwise meets documentary evidence requirements for establishing that it is a non-U.S. stockholder or the non-U.S. stockholder otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding.

 

You are urged to consult your own tax advisor regarding the specific tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and sale of our common stock.

 

Failure to Qualify as a Regulated Investment Company

 

If we were unable to qualify for treatment as a RIC, we would be subject to tax on all of our taxable income at regular corporate rates. We would not be able to deduct distributions to stockholders, nor would they be required to be made. Such distributions would be taxable to our stockholders as dividends and, if made in a taxable year beginning on or before December 31, 2012 and provided certain holding period and other requirements were met, could qualify for treatment as “qualified dividend income” in the hands of non-corporate stockholders (and thus eligible for the 15% maximum rate) to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, corporate distributees would be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the stockholder’s tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain. To requalify as a RIC in a subsequent taxable year, we would be required to satisfy the RIC qualification requirements for that year and dispose of any earnings and profits from any year in which we failed to qualify as a RIC. Subject to a limited exception applicable to RICs that qualified as such under Subchapter M of the Code for at least one year prior to disqualification and that requalify as a RIC no later than the second year following the non-qualifying year, we could be subject to tax on any unrealized net built-in gains in the assets held by us during the period in which we failed to qualify as a RIC that are recognized within the subsequent 10 years, unless we made a special election to pay corporate-level tax on such built-in gain at the time of our requalification as a RIC.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

 

The following description is based on relevant portions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and on our charter and bylaws. This summary is not necessarily complete, and we refer you to the Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws for a more detailed description of the provisions summarized below.

 

Stock

 

The authorized stock of Solar Senior Capital Ltd. consists of 200,000,000 shares of stock, par value $0.01 per share, all of which are initially designated as common stock. We have applied to have our common stock listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “SLSC.” There are no outstanding options or warrants to purchase our stock. No stock has been authorized for issuance under any equity compensation plans. Under Maryland law, our stockholders generally are not personally liable for our debts or obligations.

 

The following are our outstanding classes of securities as of February 14, 2011:

 

        (1)

Title of Class

   (2)
Amount
Authorized
     (3)
Amount Held  by
Us or for Our
Account
     (4)
Amount
Outstanding
Exclusive of

Amounts Shown
Under(3)
 

Common stock

     200,000,000         —           100   

 

Under our charter our board of directors is authorized to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock without obtaining stockholder approval. As permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, our charter provides that the board of directors, without any action by our stockholders, may amend the charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue.

 

Common Stock

 

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

 

Preferred Stock

 

Our charter authorizes our board of directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock, including preferred stock. The cost of any such reclassification would be borne by our existing common stockholders. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, the board of directors is required by Maryland law and by our charter to set the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting

 

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powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Thus, the board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest. You should note, however, that any issuance of preferred stock must comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act requires, among other things, that (1) immediately after issuance and before any dividend or other distribution is made with respect to our common stock and before any purchase of common stock is made, such preferred stock together with all other senior securities must not exceed an amount equal to 50% of our total assets after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, and (2) the holders of shares of preferred stock, if any are issued, must be entitled as a class to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if dividends on such preferred stock are in arrears by two full years or more. Certain matters under the 1940 Act require the separate vote of the holders of any issued and outstanding preferred stock. For example, holders of preferred stock would vote separately from the holders of common stock on a proposal to cease operations as a business development company. We believe that the availability for issuance of preferred stock will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring future financings and acquisitions. However, we do not currently have any plans to issue preferred stock.

 

Limitation on Liability of Directors and Officers; Indemnification and Advance of Expenses

 

Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action. Our charter contains such a provision which eliminates directors’ and officers’ liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act.

 

Our charter authorizes us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, to indemnify any present or former director or officer of the corporation or any individual who, while serving as our director or officer and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee, from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her service in any such capacity and to pay or reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. Our bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, to indemnify any present or former director or officer or any individual who, while serving as our director or officer and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member or manager and who is made, or threatened to be made, a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her service in any such capacity and to pay or reimburse his or her reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding without requiring a preliminary determination of his or her ultimate entitlement to indemnification. The charter and bylaws also permit us to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of us in any of the capacities described above and any of our employees or agents or any employees or agents of our predecessor. In accordance with the 1940 Act, we will not indemnify any person for any liability to which such person would be subject by reason of such person’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

 

Maryland law requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. Maryland law permits a

 

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corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received unless, in either case a court orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer in advance of final disposition of a proceeding upon the corporation’s receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

 

We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors. The indemnification agreements provide our directors the maximum indemnification permitted under Maryland law and the 1940 Act.

 

Our insurance policy does not currently provide coverage for claims, liabilities and expenses that may arise out of activities that our present or former directors or officers have performed for another entity at our request. There is no assurance that such entities will in fact carry such insurance. However, we note that we do not expect to request our present or former directors or officers to serve another entity as a director, officer, partner or trustee unless we can obtain insurance providing coverage for such persons for any claims, liabilities or expenses that may arise out of their activities while serving in such capacities.

 

Certain Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and Our Charter and Bylaws

 

The Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws contain provisions that could make it more difficult for a potential acquiror to acquire us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. These provisions are expected to discourage certain coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the potential disadvantages of discouraging any such acquisition proposals because, among other things, the negotiation of such proposals may improve their terms.

 

Classified Board of Directors

 

Our board of directors will be divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms. The initial terms of the first, second and third classes will expire in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, and in each case, those directors will serve until their successors are duly elected and qualify. Beginning in 2012, upon expiration of their current terms, directors of each class will be elected to serve for three-year terms and until their successors are duly elected and qualify and each year one class of directors will be elected by the stockholders. A classified board may render a change in control of us or removal of our incumbent management more difficult. We believe, however, that the longer time required to elect a majority of a classified board of directors will help to ensure the continuity and stability of our management and policies.

 

Election of Directors

 

As permitted by our charter, our bylaws provide that the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote in the election of directors cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present will be required to elect a director. Pursuant to our charter and bylaws our board of directors may amend the bylaws to alter the vote required to elect directors.

 

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Number of Directors; Vacancies; Removal

 

Our charter provides that the number of directors will be set only by the board of directors in accordance with our bylaws. Our bylaws provide that a majority of our entire board of directors may at any time increase or decrease the number of directors. However, the number of directors may never be less than one nor more than twelve unless our bylaws are amended in which case we may have more than twelve directors but never less than one. Our charter provides that, at such time as we have at least three independent directors and our common stock is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, we elect to be subject to the provision of Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the Maryland General Corporation Law regarding the filling of vacancies on the board of directors. Accordingly, at such time, except as may be provided by the board of directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any and all vacancies on the board of directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is duly elected and qualifies, subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act.

 

Our charter provides that a director may be removed only for cause, as defined in our charter, and then only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast in the election of directors.

 

Action by Stockholders

 

Under the Maryland General Corporation Law, stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders or (unless the charter provides for stockholder action by less than unanimous written consent, which our charter does not) by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting. These provisions, combined with the requirements of our bylaws regarding the calling of a stockholder-requested special meeting of stockholders discussed below, may have the effect of delaying consideration of a stockholder proposal until the next annual meeting.

 

Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Nominations and Stockholder Proposals

 

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

 

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

 

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Calling of Special Meetings of Stockholders

 

Our bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called by our board of directors and certain of our officers. Additionally, our bylaws provide that, subject to the satisfaction of certain procedural and informational requirements by the stockholders requesting the meeting, a special meeting of stockholders will be called by the secretary of the corporation upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting.

 

Approval of Extraordinary Corporate Action; Amendment of Charter and Bylaws

 

Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business, unless approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, a Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our charter generally provides for approval of charter amendments and extraordinary transactions by the stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our charter also provides that the following matters require the approval of stockholders entitled to cast at least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast: (i) certain charter amendments; (ii) any proposal for our conversion, whether by merger or otherwise, from a closed-end company to an open-end company; (iii) any proposal for our liquidation or dissolution; (iv) any proposal regarding a merger, consolidation, share exchange or sale or exchange of all or substantially all of our assets that the Maryland General Corporation Law requires to be approved by our stockholders; or (v) any transaction between us and a person, or group of persons acting together (including, without limitation, a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), and any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with any such person or member of such group, that is entitled to exercise or direct the exercise, or acquire the right to exercise or direct the exercise, directly or indirectly, other than solely by virtue of a revocable proxy, of one-tenth or more of the voting power in the election of directors generally. However, if such amendment or proposal is approved by a majority of our continuing directors (in addition to approval by our board of directors), such amendment or proposal may be approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on such a matter, provided that with respect to any transaction referred to in (v) above, if such transaction is approved by the continuing directors, by a vote of at least two-thirds of such continuing directors, no stockholder approval of such transaction is required unless the Maryland General Corporation Law or another provision of our charter or bylaws otherwise requires such approval. The “continuing directors” are defined in our charter as (1) our current directors, (2) those directors whose nomination for election by the stockholders or whose election by the directors to fill vacancies is approved by a majority of our current directors then on the board of directors or (3) any successor directors whose nomination for election by the stockholders or whose election by the directors to fill vacancies is approved by a majority of continuing directors or the successor continuing directors then in office.

 

Our charter and bylaws provide that the board of directors will have the exclusive power to make, alter, amend or repeal any provision of our bylaws.

 

No Appraisal Rights

 

Except with respect to appraisal rights arising in connection with the Control Share Act discussed below, as permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, our charter provides that stockholders will not be entitled to exercise appraisal rights unless a majority of the board of directors shall determine such rights apply.

 

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Control Share Acquisitions

 

The Maryland General Corporation Law provides that control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, or the Control Shares Act. Shares owned by the acquiror, by officers or by directors who are employees of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquiror or in respect of which the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:

 

   

one-tenth or more but less than one-third;

 

   

one-third or more but less than a majority; or

 

   

a majority or more of all voting power.

 

The requisite stockholder approval must be obtained each time an acquiror crosses one of the thresholds of voting power set forth above. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

 

A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the board of directors of the corporation to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.

 

If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then the corporation may redeem for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. The right of the corporation to redeem control shares is subject to certain conditions and limitations, including, as provided in our bylaws, compliance with the 1940 Act. Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquiror or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition.

 

The Control Share Act does not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation. Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the Control Share Act any and all acquisitions by any person of our shares of stock. There can be no assurance that such provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future. However, we will amend our bylaws to be subject to the Control Share Act only if the board of directors determines that it would be in our best interests and if the SEC staff does not object to our determination that our being subject to the Control Share Act does not conflict with the 1940 Act. The SEC staff has issued informal guidance setting forth its position that certain provisions of the Control Share Act would, if implemented, violate Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act.

 

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Business Combinations

 

Under Maryland law, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder (the “Business Combination Act”). These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined as:

 

   

any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock; or

 

   

an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation.

 

A person is not an interested stockholder under this statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which the stockholder otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. However, in approving a transaction, the board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.

 

After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the board of directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:

 

   

80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and

 

   

two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder.

 

These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation’s common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares.

 

The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors before the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Our board of directors has adopted a resolution that any business combination between us and any other person is exempted from the provisions of the Business Combination Act, provided that the business combination is first approved by the board of directors, including a majority of the directors who are not interested persons as defined in the 1940 Act. This resolution may be altered or repealed in whole or in part at any time; however, our board of directors will adopt resolutions so as to make us subject to the provisions of the Business Combination Act only if the board of directors determines that it would be in our best interests and if the SEC staff does not object to our determination that our being subject to the Business Combination Act does not conflict with the 1940 Act. If this resolution is repealed, or the board of directors does not otherwise approve a business combination, the statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

 

Conflict with 1940 Act

 

Our bylaws provide that, if and to the extent that any provision of the Maryland General Corporation Law, including the Control Share Act (if we amend our bylaws to be subject to such Act) and the Business Combination Act, or any provision of our charter or bylaws conflicts with any provision of the 1940 Act, the applicable provision of the 1940 Act will control.

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

 

The 500,000 shares issued in the Concurrent Private Placement will be “restricted” securities under the meaning of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act and may not be sold in the absence of registration under the Securities Act unless an exemption from registration is available, including exemptions contained in Rule 144. In addition, Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC and each of our officers and directors, including Messrs. Gross and Spohler, has agreed that for a period of 180 days from the date of this offering, they will not, without the prior written consent of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. dispose of or hedge any shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock; provided that, the filing of a registration statement to register the resale of the shares of common stock issued in the Concurrent Private Placement, including any required amendments or supplements thereto, will not be prohibited by the foregoing. See “Underwriting.”

 

We have also committed to file a registration statement to register the resale of the shares of common stock to be issued in the Concurrent Private Placement to Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC. We have committed to use our commercially reasonable efforts to obtain effectiveness of such registration statement as soon as reasonably practicable after the filing of such registration statement. Assuming effectiveness of such registration statement, Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC will generally be able to resell its shares of common stock without restriction upon expiration of its 180 day lock-up period.

 

In general, under Rule 144, if six months has elapsed since the date of acquisition of restricted securities from us or any of our affiliates, and we have made certain information about us available publicly, the holder of such restricted securities can sell such securities. However, in the case of a holder that has been our affiliate at any time during the three months preceding the proposed sale, the number of securities sold by such affiliate holder within any three-month period cannot exceed the greater of:

 

   

1% of the total number of securities then outstanding; or

 

   

the average weekly trading volume of our securities during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of the sale is filed with the SEC.

 

Sales under Rule 144 by holders that have been our affiliates at any time during the three months preceding the proposed sale also are subject to certain manner of sale provisions and notice requirements. If one year has elapsed since the date of acquisition of restricted securities from us or any of our affiliates, and the holder is not one of our affiliates at any time during the three months preceding the proposed sale, such person can sell such securities in the public market under Rule 144 without regard to the public information requirements, manner of sale provisions and notice requirements.

 

No assurance can be given as to (1) the likelihood that an active market for our shares will develop; (2) the liquidity of any such market; (3) the ability of our stockholders to sell our securities; or (4) the prices that stockholders may obtain for any of our securities. No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that future sales of securities, or the availability of securities for future sale, will have on the market price prevailing from time to time. Sales of substantial amounts of our securities, or the perception that such sales could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our shares.

 

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UNDERWRITING

 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. are acting as joint bookrunning managers of the offering and as representatives of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus, each underwriter named below has agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to that underwriter, the number of shares set forth opposite the underwriter’s name.

 

             Underwriter    Number
of Shares
 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. 

  

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

  

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

  

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.

  

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

  

BB&T Capital Markets, a division of Scott & Stringfellow, LLC

  

Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.

  

Lazard Capital Markets LLC

  
        

Total

  
        

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the shares included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all the shares (other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below) if they purchase any of the shares.

 

Shares sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Any shares sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount from the initial public offering price not to exceed $                 per share. If all the shares are not sold at the initial offering price, the underwriters may change the offering price and the other selling terms. The representative has advised us that the underwriters do not intend to make sales to discretionary accounts.

 

The underwriters are not participating in the Concurrent Private Placement and will not receive any fees, discounts, or commissions with respect to shares sold pursuant thereto.

 

If the underwriters sell more shares than the total number set forth in the table above, we have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to 1,200,000 additional shares at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise the option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, in connection with this offering. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter must purchase a number of additional shares approximately proportionate to that underwriter’s initial purchase commitment. Any shares issued or sold under the option will be issued and sold on the same terms and conditions as the other shares that are the subject of this offering.

 

We, our directors and officers, and certain other parties related to Solar Senior Capital, including Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC, have agreed that, for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. dispose of or hedge any shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock; provided that, the filing of a registration statement to register the resale of the shares of common stock issued in the Concurrent Private Placement, including any required amendments or supplements thereto, will not be prohibited by the foregoing. Citigroup Global Markets Inc. in its sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) during the last 17 days of the 180-day restricted period, we issue an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to our company occurs; or (ii) prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day restricted period, the restrictions

 

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described above shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.

 

At our request, the underwriters have reserved up to 5% of the shares for sale at the initial public offering price to persons who are directors, officers or employees, or who are otherwise associated with us through a directed share program. The number of shares available for sale to the general public will be reduced by the number of directed shares purchased by participants in the program. Except for certain participants who have entered into lock-up agreements as contemplated in the immediately preceding paragraph, each person buying shares through the directed share program has agreed that, for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, he or she will not, without the prior written consent of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. dispose of or hedge any shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock with respect to shares purchased in the program. For certain participants purchasing shares through the directed share program, the lock-up agreements contemplated in the immediately preceding paragraph shall govern with respect to their purchases. Citigroup Global Markets Inc. in their sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice. Any directed shares not purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same basis as all other shares offered. We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities and expenses, including liabilities under the Securities Act, in connection with the sales of the directed shares.

 

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our shares. Consequently, the initial public offering price for the shares was determined by negotiations between us and the representative. Among the factors considered in determining the initial public offering price were our results of operations, our current financial condition, our future prospects, our markets, the economic conditions in and future prospects for the industry in which we compete, our management, and currently prevailing general conditions in the equity securities markets, including current market valuations of publicly traded companies considered comparable to our company. We cannot assure you, however, that the price at which the shares will sell in the public market after this offering will not be lower than the initial public offering price or that an active trading market in our shares will develop and continue after this offering.

 

We have applied to have our common stock listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “SLSC.”

 

This offering will conform with the requirements set forth in Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Rule 2310.

 

The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of common stock.

 

     Paid by Solar Senior Capital  
     No Exercise      Full Exercise  

Per share

   $                    $                

Total

   $         $     

 

We estimate that our total expenses of this offering will be $808,543.

 

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell shares in the open market. Purchases and sales in the open market may include short sales, purchases to cover short positions, which may include purchases pursuant to the over-allotment option, and stabilizing purchases.

 

   

Short sales involve secondary market sales by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering.

 

  ¡  

“Covered” short sales are sales of shares in an amount up to the number of shares represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

 

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  ¡  

“Naked” short sales are sales of shares in an amount in excess of the number of shares represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

 

   

Covering transactions involve purchases of shares either pursuant to the over-allotment option or in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions.

 

  ¡  

To close a naked short position, the underwriters must purchase shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

 

  ¡  

To close a covered short position, the underwriters must purchase shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed or must exercise the over-allotment option. In determining the source of shares to close the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment option.

 

   

Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase shares so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.

 

The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the underwriters, in covering short positions or making stabilizing purchases, repurchase shares originally sold by that syndicate member.

 

Purchases to cover short positions and stabilizing purchases, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own accounts, may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the shares. They may also cause the price of the shares to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

 

The underwriters have performed commercial banking, investment banking and advisory services for us and Solar Capital, a publicly-traded BDC managed by our Adviser, from time to time for which they have received customary fees and reimbursement of expenses. The underwriters may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for us or Solar Capital in the ordinary course of their business for which they may receive customary fees and reimbursement of expenses. In addition, certain affiliates of the underwriters are expected to be lenders, and in some cases agents or managers for the lenders, under our Senior Credit Facility and in some cases are currently lenders, agents or managers under certain of Solar Capital’s credit facilities.

 

Lazard Frères & Co. LLC referred this transaction to Lazard Capital Markets LLC and will receive a referral fee from Lazard Capital Markets LLC in connection therewith.

 

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by one or more of the underwriters. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on any such underwriter’s website is not part of this prospectus. The representatives may agree to allocate a number of shares to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. The representatives will allocate shares to underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, shares may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell shares to online brokerage account holders.

 

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.

 

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The principal business address of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is 388 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10013. The principal business address of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC is 375 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10152-4077.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area

 

In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area that has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a relevant member state), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that relevant member state (the relevant implementation date), an offer of shares described in this prospectus may not be made to the public in that relevant member state prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares that has been approved by the competent authority in that relevant member state or, where appropriate, approved in another relevant member state and notified to the competent authority in that relevant member state, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that, with effect from and including the relevant implementation date, an offer of securities may be offered to the public in that relevant member state at any time:

 

   

to any legal entity that is authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;

 

   

to any legal entity that has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000 and (3) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts;

 

   

to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined below) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or

 

   

in any other circumstances that do not require the publication of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

 

Each purchaser of shares described in this prospectus located within a relevant member state will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive.

 

For purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in any relevant member state means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the securities, as the expression may be varied in that member state by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that member state, and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each relevant member state.

 

The sellers of the shares have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of shares through any financial intermediary on their behalf, other than offers made by the underwriters with a view to the final placement of the shares as contemplated in this prospectus. Accordingly, no purchaser of the shares, other than the underwriters, is authorized to make any further offer of the shares on behalf of the sellers or the underwriters.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom

 

This prospectus is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive that are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (each such person being referred to as a “relevant person”). This prospectus and its contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other persons in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

 

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CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DISTRIBUTION PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

 

Our securities will be held under a custody agreement by The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. The address of the custodian is One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company will act as our transfer agent, distribution paying agent and registrar. The principal business address of our transfer agent is 59 Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10038, telephone number: (800) 937-5449.

 

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

 

Since we will generally acquire and dispose of our investments in privately negotiated transactions, we will infrequently use brokers in the normal course of our business. Subject to policies established by our board of directors, our investment adviser will be primarily responsible for the execution of the publicly traded securities portion of our portfolio transactions and the allocation of brokerage commissions. Our investment adviser does not expect to execute transactions through any particular broker or dealer, but will seek to obtain the best net results for Solar Senior Capital, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution, and operational facilities of the firm and the firm’s risk and skill in positioning blocks of securities. While our investment adviser generally will seek reasonably competitive trade execution costs, Solar Senior Capital will not necessarily pay the lowest spread or commission available. Subject to applicable legal requirements, our investment adviser may select a broker based partly upon brokerage or research services provided to the investment adviser and Solar Senior Capital and any other clients. In return for such services, we may pay a higher commission than other brokers would charge if the investment adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the services provided.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Certain legal matters in connection with the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, Washington, DC, and Venable LLP, Baltimore, Maryland. Certain legal matters in connection with the offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by their counsel, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP New York, NY.

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

KPMG LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm located at 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154, has audited our balance sheet as of January 31, 2011, as set forth in their report. We have included our balance sheet in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement in reliance on such report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-2, together with all amendments and related exhibits, under the Securities Act, with respect to our shares of common stock offered by this prospectus. The registration statement contains additional information about us and our shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus.

 

Upon completion of this offering, we will file with or submit to the SEC annual, quarterly and current periodic reports, proxy statements and other information meeting the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. You may inspect and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information, as well as the registration

 

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statement and related exhibits and schedules, at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information filed electronically by us with the SEC which are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of these reports, proxy and information statements and other information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549. This information will also be available free of charge by contacting us at Solar Senior Capital Ltd., 500 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022, by telephone at (212) 993-1670, or on our website at http:// www.solarseniorcap.com .

 

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2   

Balance Sheet as of January 31, 2011

     F-3   

Notes to Balance Sheet

     F-4   

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors and Shareholder

Solar Senior Capital Ltd.:

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Solar Senior Capital Ltd. (a development stage company) as of January 31, 2011. This financial statement is the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the balance sheet is free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the balance sheet. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall balance sheet presentation. We believe that our audit of the balance sheet provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the balance sheet referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Solar Senior Capital Ltd. (a development stage company) as of January 31, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

 

New York, New York

February 1, 2011

 

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SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD.

(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

BALANCE SHEET

 

     As of January 31, 2011  

Assets:

  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,000   
        

Total Assets

   $ 2,000   
        

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 3)

  

Net Assets:

  

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 100 shares issued and outstanding

     1   

Additional paid-in capital

     1,999   
        

Total Net Assets

   $ 2,000   
        

Net Asset Value Per Share

   $ 20.00   

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS BALANCE SHEET.

 

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SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD.

 

(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

NOTES TO BALANCE SHEET

 

Note 1. Organization

 

Solar Senior Capital Ltd. (“Solar Senior” or “Company”) was formed in December 2010 as a Maryland corporation structured as an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company. Solar Senior intends to elect to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the 1940 Act, prior to pricing of its initial public offering. Solar Senior will be managed by Solar Capital Partners, LLC (“Solar Capital Partners”). Solar Capital Management, LLC (“Solar Capital Management”) will provide the administrative services necessary for Solar Senior to operate. The Company has had no operations other than a sale of 100 shares of common stock for $2,000 ($20.00 per share). All of the outstanding shares of Solar Senior common stock are owned by Solar Capital Management LLC.

 

The Company’s investment objective is to seek to maximize current income consistent with the preservation of capital. The Company will seek to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in senior secured loans, including first lien, unitranche and second lien debt instruments, made to private middle-market companies whose debt is rated below investment grade, which the Company refers to collectively as “senior loans.” The Company may also invest in debt of public companies that are thinly traded. Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the value of the Company’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) will be invested in senior loans.

 

Note 2. Summary Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying balance sheet has been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents consist of demand deposits and highly liquid investments (e.g. money market funds, U.S. treasury notes) with original maturities of three months or less. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost which approximates fair value. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions.

 

U.S. Federal Income Taxes

 

The Company intends to elect to be treated as a registered investment company (“RIC”) under subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and operates in a manner so as to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to RICs. In order to qualify as a RIC, among other things, the Company is required to timely distribute to its stockholders at least 90% of investment company taxable income, as defined by the Code, for each year. So long as the Company maintains its status as a RIC, it generally will not pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that it distributes at least annually to its stockholders as dividends. Rather, any tax liability related to income earned by the Company represents obligations of the Company’s investors and will not be reflected in the financial statements of the Company.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ materially.

 

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SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD.

 

(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)

NOTES TO BALANCE SHEET—(continued)

 

New Accounting Standards

 

Management does not believe any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the accompanying financial statement.

 

Note 3. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Initial organization and operating costs will be borne by the Company upon consummation of its proposed initial public offering. In the event the Company’s proposed initial public offering does not occur, initial organization and operating costs incurred will be borne by the Company’s investment adviser, Solar Capital Partners. As there has been no formal commitment of external capital as of the date of issuance of this balance sheet, no such costs have been recorded by the Company.

 

Note 4. Capital

 

The Company has an authorized share capital of $1,000 consisting of 200,000,000 shares with a par value of $0.01 per share.

 

Note 5. Subsequent Events

 

The Company considered events through the date this report was issued and has concluded that no subsequent events of a material effect have occurred from the date of the financial statements through the date this report was issued.

 

Note 6. Indemnification

 

Under the Company’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Company. In addition, in the normal course of business the Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations which provide general indemnifications. The Company’s maximum exposure under these agreements cannot be known; however, the Company expects any risk of loss to be remote.

 

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8,000,000 Shares

 

Solar Senior Capital Ltd.

 

Common Stock

 

LOGO

 

 

 

P R E L I M I N A R Y    P R O S P E C T U S

 

                    , 2011

 

 

 

Citi

Wells Fargo Securities

Deutsche Bank Securities

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey

 

 

 

RBC Capital Markets

 

 

 

BB&T Capital Markets

A division of Scott & Stringfellow, LLC

Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.

Lazard Capital Markets

 

Until                 , 2011 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade shares of our common stock, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

 

 

 


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PART C — OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 25.     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

 

1. Financial Statements

 

The following financial statements of Solar Senior Capital Ltd. (the “Registrant” or the “Company”) are included in Part A “Information Required to be in the Prospectus” of the Registration Statement.

 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2   

Balance Sheet as of January 31, 2011

     F-3   

Notes to Balance Sheet

     F-4   

 

2. Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Number

    

Description

  a.       Articles of Amendment and Restatement
  b.       Amended and Restated Bylaws
  d.       Form of Common Stock Certificate
  e.       Dividend Reinvestment Plan
  g.       Form of Investment Advisory and Management Agreement by and between Registrant and Solar Capital Partners, LLC
  h.       Form of Underwriting Agreement
  j.       Form of Custody Agreement
  k.1       Form of Administration Agreement by and between Registrant and Solar Capital Management, LLC
  k.2       Form of Indemnification Agreement by and between Registrant and each of its directors
  k.3       Form of Trademark License Agreement by and between Registrant and Solar Capital Partners, LLC
  k.4       Form of Share Purchase Agreement by and between Registrant and Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC
  l.       Opinion of Maryland Counsel
  n.1       Consent of Maryland Counsel (Incorporated by reference to exhibit l hereto)
  n.2       Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
  r.       Code of Ethics
  99.1       Code of Business Conduct

 

*   To be filed by amendment.

 

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ITEM 26.    MARKETING ARRANGEMENTS

 

The information contained under the heading “Underwriting” on this Registration Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 27.    OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

 

SEC registration fee

   $  14,643   

FINRA filing fee

     18,900   

NASDAQ Global Select Market listing fee

     5,000   

Printing and postage

     150,000   

Legal fees and expenses

     450,000   

Accounting fees and expenses

     100,000   

Miscellaneous

     70,000   
        

Total

   $ 808,543   
        

 

Note:   All listed amounts are estimates.
*   To be provided by amendment.

 

ITEM 28.    PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL

 

Immediately prior to this offering, Solar Capital Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, will own 100% of the outstanding common stock of the Solar Senior Capital Ltd. Following the completion of this offering, Solar Capital Management, LLC’s share ownership is expected to represent less than 1% of Solar Senior Capital Ltd.’s outstanding common stock.

 

See “Management,” “Certain Relationships and Transactions” and “Control Persons and Principal Stockholders” in the Prospectus contained herein.

 

ITEM 29.    NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

 

The following table sets forth the number of record holders of the Registrant’s common stock at February 14, 2011.

 

Title of Class

   Number of
Record  Holders
 

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

     1   

 

ITEM 30.    INDEMNIFICATION

 

Directors and Officers

 

Reference is made to Section 2-418 of the Maryland General Corporation Law, Article VII of the Registrant’s charter and Article XI of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Bylaws.

 

Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action. The Registrant’s charter contains such a provision which eliminates directors’ and officers’ liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the 1940 Act.

 

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The Registrant’s charter authorizes the Registrant, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, to indemnify any present or former director or officer of the Registrant or any individual who, while serving as the Registrant’s director or officer and at the Registrant’s request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee, from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her service in any such capacity and to pay or reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. The Registrant’s bylaws obligate the Registrant, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, to indemnify any present or former director or officer or any individual who, while serving as the Registrant’s director or officer and at the Registrant’s request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner, trustee, manager or member and who is made, or threatened to be made, a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her service in any such capacity and to pay or reimburse his or her reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding without requiring a preliminary determination of his or her ultimate entitlement to indemnification. The charter and bylaws also permit the Registrant to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of the Registrant in any of the capacities described above and any of the Registrant’s employees or agents or any employees or agents of the Registrant’s predecessor. In accordance with the 1940 Act, the Registrant will not indemnify any person for any liability to which such person would be subject by reason of such person’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

 

Maryland law requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which the Registrant’s charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. Maryland law permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received unless, in either case, a court orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer in advance of final disposition of a proceeding upon the corporation’s receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

 

Adviser and Administrator

 

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

 

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

 

The law also provides for comparable indemnification for corporate officers and agents. Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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

 

ITEM 31.    BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

A description of any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature in which Solar Capital Partners, LLC, and each managing director, director or executive officer of Solar Capital Partners, LLC, is or has been during the past two fiscal years, engaged in for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee, is set forth in Part A of this Registration Statement in the sections entitled “Management — Board of Directors,” “Investment Advisory and Management Agreement” and “Portfolio Management — Investment Personnel.” Additional information regarding Solar Capital Partners, LLC and its officers and directors will be set forth in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC File No. 801-68710), under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 32.    LOCATION   OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

 

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

 

  (1)   the Registrant, Solar Senior Capital Ltd., 500 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022;

 

  (2)   the Transfer Agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 59 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038;

 

  (3)   the Custodian, The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, One Wall Street, New York, NY 10286; and

 

  (4)   the Adviser, Solar Capital Partners, LLC, 500 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022.

 

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ITEM 33.    MANAGEMENT SERVICES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 34.    UNDERTAKINGS

 

(1) Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of the shares of common stock covered hereby until it amends its prospectus contained herein if (a) subsequent to the effective date of this Registration Statement, its net asset value per share of common stock declines more than 10% from its net asset value per share of common stock as of the effective date of this Registration Statement, or (b) its net asset value per share of common stock increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the prospectus contained herein.

 

(2) Not applicable.

 

(3) Not applicable.

 

(4) Not applicable.

 

(5) Registrant undertakes that:

 

(a) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of the Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

(b) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to a new registration statement relating to the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(6) Not applicable.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused Amendment No. 2 to this Registration Statement on Form N-2 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, in the State of New York, on the 14 th day of February, 2011.

 

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD.

By:

 

/s/    Michael S. Gross        

  Michael S. Gross
  Chief Executive Officer, President, Chairman of the Board and Director

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Amendment No. 2 to this Registration Statement on Form N-2 has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated on the 14 th day of February, 2011.

 

Signature

 

Title

/s/    Michael S. Gross        

Michael S. Gross

 

Chief Executive Officer, President, Chairman of the Board and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

**

Steven Hochberg

 

Director

**

David S. Wachter

 

Director

**

Leonard A. Potter

 

Director

*

Bruce Spohler

  Chief Operating Officer and Director

/s/    Nicholas Radesca        

Nicholas Radesca

 

Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

*   Signed by Michael S. Gross pursuant to a power of attorney signed by each individual and filed with this Registration Statement on December 22, 2010.
**   Signed by Michael S. Gross pursuant to a power of attorney signed by each individual and filed with this Registration Statement on February 1, 2011.

 

C-6

Exhibit a

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD.

ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

FIRST : Solar Senior Capital Ltd., a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), desires to amend and restate its charter as currently in effect and as hereinafter amended.

SECOND : The following provisions are all the provisions of the charter currently in effect and as hereinafter amended:

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of the corporation (the “Corporation”) is Solar Senior Capital Ltd.

ARTICLE II

PURPOSES

The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the general laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force, including, without limitation or obligation, engaging in business as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”).

ARTICLE III

RESIDENT AGENT AND PRINCIPAL OFFICE

The name of the resident agent of the Corporation in Maryland is The Corporation Trust Incorporated, whose address is 351 West Camden Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. The address of the principal office of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is c/o The Corporation Trust Incorporated, 351 West Camden Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.

ARTICLE IV

PROVISIONS FOR DEFINING, LIMITING

AND REGULATING CERTAIN POWERS OF THE

CORPORATION AND OF THE STOCKHOLDERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 4.1 Number, Vacancies and Classification of Directors . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The number of directors of the Corporation is five, which number may be increased or decreased only by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Bylaws, but shall never be less than the minimum number required by the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”). The names of the directors who shall serve until the first annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify are:


Michael S. Gross

Bruce Spohler

Steven Hochberg

David S. Wachter

Leonard A. Potter

These directors may increase the number of directors and may fill any vacancy, whether resulting from an increase in the number of directors or otherwise, on the Board of Directors occurring before the first annual meeting of stockholders in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

The Corporation elects, at such time as the Corporation becomes eligible to make an election provided for under Section 3-802(b) of the MGCL, that, subject to applicable requirements of the 1940 Act and except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of Preferred Stock (as hereinafter defined), any and all vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred and until a successor is duly elected and qualifies.

On the first date on which the Corporation shall have more than one stockholder of record, the directors (other than any director elected solely by holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock in connection with dividend arrearages) shall be classified, with respect to the terms for which they severally hold office, into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible as determined by the Board of Directors, one class to hold office initially for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, another class to hold office initially for a term expiring at the second succeeding annual meeting of stockholders and another class to hold office initially for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, with the members of each class to hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualify. At each annual meeting of the stockholders, the successors to the class of directors whose term expires at such meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the third year following the year of their election and until their successors are duly elected and qualify.

Section 4.2 Extraordinary Actions . Except as specifically provided in Section 4.9 and in Section 6.2 of the charter of the Corporation (the “Charter”), notwithstanding any provision of law requiring any action to be taken or approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitled to cast a greater number of votes, any such action shall be effective and valid if declared advisable and approved by the Board of Directors and taken or approved by the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Section 4.3 Election of Directors . Except as otherwise provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation, each director shall be elected by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon.


Section 4.4 Quorum . The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast (without regard to class) shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of stockholders, except with respect to any such matter that, under applicable statutes or regulatory requirements or the Charter, requires approval by a separate vote of one or more classes or series of stock, in which case the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by such classes or series on such a matter shall constitute a quorum. To the extent permitted by Maryland law as in effect from time to time, the foregoing quorum provision may be changed by the Bylaws.

Section 4.5 Authorization by Board of Stock Issuance . The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of stock of the Corporation of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities or rights convertible into shares of its stock of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the Board of Directors may deem advisable (or without consideration in the case of a stock split or stock dividend), subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in the Bylaws.

Section 4.6 Preemptive Rights . Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of classified or reclassified shares of stock pursuant to Section 5.4 or as may otherwise be provided by contract, no holder of shares of stock of the Corporation shall, as such holder, have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional shares of stock of the Corporation or any other security of the Corporation which it may issue or sell.

Section 4.7 Appraisal Rights . No holder of stock of the Corporation shall be entitled to exercise the rights of an objecting stockholder under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL or any successor provision thereto unless the Board of Directors, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors, shall determine that such rights apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of stock, or any proportion of the shares thereof, to a particular transaction or all transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which holders of such shares would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights.

Section 4.8 Determinations by Board . The determination as to any of the following matters, made in good faith by or pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors consistent with the Charter, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Corporation and every holder of shares of its stock: the amount of the net income of the Corporation for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, redemption of its stock or the payment of other distributions on its stock; the amount of paid-in surplus, net assets, other surplus, annual or other cash flow, net profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been paid or discharged); any interpretation of the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any


class or series of stock of the Corporation; the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Corporation or of any shares of stock of the Corporation; the number of shares of stock of any class of the Corporation; any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Corporation; or any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Corporation or required or permitted by applicable law, the Charter or Bylaws or otherwise to be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 4.9 Removal of Directors . Subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock to elect or remove one or more directors, any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors. For the purpose of this paragraph, “cause” shall mean, with respect to any particular director, conviction of a felony or a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holding that such director caused demonstrable, material harm to the Corporation through bad faith or active and deliberate dishonesty.

ARTICLE V

STOCK

Section 5.1 Authorized Shares . The Corporation has authority to issue 200,000,000 shares of stock, initially consisting of 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Common Stock”). The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $2,000,000. If shares of one class of stock are classified or reclassified into shares of another class or series of stock pursuant to this Article V, the number of authorized shares of the former class or series shall be automatically decreased and the number of shares of the latter class or series shall be automatically increased, in each case by the number of shares so classified or reclassified, so that the aggregate number of shares of stock of all classes and series that the Corporation has authority to issue shall not be more than the total number of shares of stock set forth in the first sentence of this paragraph. A majority of the entire Board of Directors, without any action by the stockholders of the Corporation, may amend the Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the Corporation has authority to issue.

Section 5.2 Common Stock . Each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote. The Board of Directors may reclassify any unissued shares of Common Stock from time to time into one or more classes or series of stock.

Section 5.3 Preferred Stock . The Board of Directors may classify any unissued shares of stock and reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of stock of any class or series from time to time, into one or more classes or series of stock, including Preferred Stock (“Preferred Stock”).

Section 5.4 Classified or Reclassified Shares . Prior to issuance of classified or reclassified shares of any class or series, the Board of Directors by resolution shall:


(a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of stock of the Corporation; (b) specify the number of shares to be included in the class or series; (c) set or change, subject to the express terms of any class or series of stock of the Corporation outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series; and (d) cause the Corporation to file articles supplementary with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (“SDAT”). Any of the terms of any class or series of stock may be made dependent upon facts or events ascertainable outside the Charter (including determinations by the Board of Directors or other facts or events within the control of the Corporation) and may vary among holders thereof, provided that the manner in which such facts, events or variations shall operate upon the terms of such class or series of stock is clearly and expressly set forth in the Charter document filed with the SDAT.

Section 5.5 Inspection of Books and Records . A stockholder that is otherwise eligible under applicable law to inspect the Corporation’s books of account, stock ledger, or other specified documents of the Corporation shall have no right to make such inspection if the Board of Directors determines that such stockholder has an improper purpose for requesting such inspection.

Section 5.6 Charter and Bylaws . All persons who shall acquire stock in the Corporation shall acquire the same subject to the provisions of the Charter and the Bylaws. The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall have the exclusive power, at any time, to make, alter, amend or repeal the Bylaws.

ARTICLE VI

AMENDMENTS; CERTAIN EXTRAORDINARY TRANSACTIONS

Section 6.1 Amendments Generally . The Corporation reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment to its Charter, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment altering the terms or contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of any shares of outstanding stock. All rights and powers conferred by the Charter on stockholders, directors and officers are granted subject to this reservation.

Section 6.2 Approval of Certain Extraordinary Actions and Charter Amendments .

(a) Required Votes . The affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitled to cast at least 80 percent of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, each voting as a separate class, shall be necessary to effect:

(i) Any amendment to the Charter to make the Corporation’s Common Stock a “redeemable security” or to convert the Corporation, whether by merger or otherwise, from a “closed-end company” to an “open-end company” (as such terms are defined in the 1940 Act);


(ii) The liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation and any amendment to the Charter to effect any such liquidation or dissolution;

(iii) Any amendment to, or any amendment inconsistent with the provisions of, Section 4.1, Section 4.2, Section 4.9, Section 6.1 or this Section 6.2;

(iv) Any merger, consolidation, share exchange or sale or exchange of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation that the MGCL requires be approved by the stockholders of the Corporation; and

(v) Any transaction between the Corporation and a person, or group of persons acting together (including, without limitation, a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor provision), and any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with any such person or member of such group, that is entitled to exercise or direct the exercise, or acquire the right to exercise or direct the exercise, directly or indirectly, other than solely by virtue of a revocable proxy, of one-tenth or more of the voting power in the election of directors generally;

provided, however , that, if the Continuing Directors (as defined herein), by a vote of at least majority of such Continuing Directors, in addition to approval by the Board of Directors, approve such proposal, transaction or amendment, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast shall be sufficient to approve such proposal, transaction or amendment; and provided further , that, with respect to any transaction referred to in (a)(v) above, if such transaction is approved by the Continuing Directors, by a vote of at least two-thirds of such Continuing Directors, no stockholder approval of such transaction shall be required unless the MGCL or another provision of the Charter or Bylaws otherwise requires such approval.

(b) Continuing Directors . “Continuing Directors” means (i) the directors identified in Section 4.1, (ii) the directors whose nomination for election by the stockholders or whose election by the directors to fill vacancies on the Board is approved by a majority of the directors identified in Section 4.1, who are on the Board at the time of the nomination or election, as applicable, or (iii) any successor directors whose nomination for election by the stockholders or whose election by the directors to fill vacancies is approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors or successor Continuing Directors, who are on the Board at the time of the nomination or election, as applicable.

ARTICLE VII

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

AND ADVANCE OF EXPENSES

Section 7.1 Limitation of Liability . To the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits limitation of the liability of directors and officers of a


corporation, no present or former director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for money damages.

Section 7.2 Indemnification and Advance of Expenses . The Corporation shall have the power, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to obligate itself to indemnify, and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to, (a) any individual who is a present or former director or officer of the Corporation or (b) any individual who, while a director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner or trustee of another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise from and against any claim or liability to which such person may become subject or which such person may incur by reason of his or her service in such capacity. The Corporation shall have the power, with the approval of the Board of Directors, to provide such indemnification and advancement of expenses to a person who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described in (a) or (b) above and to any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation.

Section 7.3 1940 Act . The provisions of this Article VII shall be subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act.

Section 7.4 Amendment or Repeal . Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article VII, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or Bylaws inconsistent with this Article VII, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sections of this Article VII with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

THIRD : The amendment to and restatement of the charter as hereinabove set forth have been duly advised by the Board of Directors and approved by the stockholders of the Corporation as required by law.

FOURTH : The current address of the principal office of the Corporation is as set forth in Article III of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

FIFTH : The name and address of the Corporation’s current resident agent is as set forth in Article III of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

SIXTH : The number of directors of the Corporation and the names of those currently in office are as set forth in Article IV of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

SEVENTH : The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation had authority to issue immediately prior to this amendment and restatement was 200,000,000, consisting of 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share. The aggregate par value of all shares of stock having par value was $2,000,000.

EIGHTH : The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation has authority to issue pursuant to the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter is


200,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share. The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $2,000,000.

NINTH : The undersigned President and Chief Executive Officer acknowledges these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be the corporate act of the Corporation and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned President and Chief Executive Officer acknowledges that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its President and Chief Executive Officer and attested to by its Secretary on this 9th day of February, 2011.

 

ATTEST:     SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD.

/s/ Nicholas Radesca

    By:  

/s/ Michael S. Gross

  (SEAL)
Nicholas Radesca       Michael S. Gross  
Secretary       President and Chief Executive Officer  

Exhibit b

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD.

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE . The principal office of the Corporation in the State of Maryland shall be located at such place as the Board of Directors may designate.

Section 2. ADDITIONAL OFFICES . The Corporation may have additional offices, including a principal executive office, at such places as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. PLACE . All meetings of stockholders shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at such other place as shall be set by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING . Commencing with the 2012 annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, an annual meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of any business within the powers of the Corporation shall be held on the date and at the time set by the Board of Directors.

Section 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS .

(a) General . The Chairman of the Board, the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors may call a special meeting of the stockholders. Subject to subsection (b) of this Section 3, a special meeting of stockholders shall also be called by the secretary of the Corporation to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting.

(b) Stockholder Requested Special Meetings . (1) Any stockholder of record seeking to have stockholders request a special meeting shall, by sending written notice to the secretary (the “Record Date Request Notice”) by registered mail, return receipt requested, request the Board of Directors to fix a record date to determine the stockholders entitled to request a special meeting (the “Request Record Date”). The Record Date Request Notice shall set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it, shall be signed by one or more stockholders of record as of the date of signature (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the Record Date Request Notice), shall bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) and shall set forth all information relating to each such stockholder and each matter proposed to be acted on at the meeting that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of directors in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such a solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Exchange Act”). Upon receiving the Record Date Request Notice, the Board of Directors may fix a Request Record Date. The Request Record Date shall not precede and shall not be more than ten days after the close of business on the date on which the resolution fixing the Request Record Date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors, within ten days after the date on which a valid Record Date Request Notice is received, fails to adopt a resolution fixing the Request Record Date, the Request Record Date shall be the close of business on the tenth day after the first date on which a Record Date Request Notice is received by the secretary.

(2) In order for any stockholder to request a special meeting to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders, one or more written requests for a special meeting (collectively, the “Special Meeting Request”) signed by stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in a writing

 

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accompanying the request) as of the Request Record Date entitled to cast not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting (the “Special Meeting Percentage”) shall be delivered to the secretary. In addition, the Special Meeting Request shall (a) set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it (which shall be limited to those lawful matters set forth in the Record Date Request Notice received by the secretary), (b) bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) signing the Special Meeting Request, (c) set forth (i) the name and address, as they appear in the Corporation’s books, of each stockholder signing such request (or on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request is signed), (ii) the class, series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned (beneficially or of record) by each such stockholder and (iii) the nominee holder for, and number of, shares of stock of the Corporation owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, (d) be sent to the secretary by registered mail, return receipt requested, and (e) be received by the secretary within 60 days after the Request Record Date. Any requesting stockholder (or agent duly authorized in a writing accompanying the revocation of the Special Meeting Request) may revoke his, her or its request for a special meeting at any time by written revocation delivered to the secretary.

(3) The secretary shall inform the requesting stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing or delivering the notice of the meeting (including the Corporation’s proxy materials). The secretary shall not be required to call a special meeting upon stockholder request and such meeting shall not be held unless, in addition to the documents required by paragraph (2) of this Section 3(b), the secretary receives payment of such reasonably estimated cost prior to the preparation and mailing or delivery of such notice of the meeting.

(4) Except as provided in the next sentence, any special meeting shall be held at such place, date and time as may be designated by the Chairman of the Board, the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors, whoever has called the meeting. In the case of any special meeting called by the secretary upon the request of stockholders (a “Stockholder-Requested Meeting”), such meeting shall be held at such place, date and time as may be designated by the Board of Directors; provided , however, that the date of any Stockholder-Requested Meeting shall be not more than 90 days after the record date for such meeting (the “Meeting Record Date”); and provided further that if the Board of Directors fails to designate, within ten days after the date that a valid Special Meeting Request is actually received by the secretary (the “Delivery Date”), a date and time for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting, then such meeting shall be held at 2:00 p.m., local time, on the 90 th day after the Meeting Record Date or, if such 90 th day is not a Business Day (as defined below), on the first preceding Business Day; and provided further that in the event that the Board of Directors fails to designate a place for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting within ten days after the Delivery Date, then such meeting shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation. In fixing a date for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting, the Board of Directors may consider such factors as it deems relevant, including, without limitation, the nature of the matters to be considered, the facts and circumstances surrounding any request for the meeting and any plan of the Board of Directors to call an annual meeting or a special meeting. In the case of any Stockholder-Requested Meeting, if the Board of Directors fails to fix a Meeting Record Date that is a date within 30 days after the Delivery Date, then the close of business on the 30 th day after the Delivery Date shall be the Meeting Record Date. The Board of Directors may revoke the notice for any Stockholder-Requested Meeting in the event that the requesting stockholders fail to comply with the provisions of paragraph (3) of this Section 3(b).

(5) If written revocations of the Special Meeting Request have been delivered to the secretary and the result is that stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in writing), as of the Request Record Date, entitled to cast less than the Special Meeting Percentage have delivered, and not revoked, requests for a special meeting on the matter to the secretary: (i) if the notice of meeting has not already been delivered, the secretary shall refrain from delivering the notice of the meeting and send to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked such requests written notice of any revocation of a request for a special meeting on the matter, or (ii) if the notice of meeting has been delivered and if the secretary first sends to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked requests for a special meeting on the matter written notice of any revocation of a request for the special meeting and written notice of the Corporation’s intention to revoke the notice of the meeting or for the chairman of the meeting to adjourn the meeting without action on the matter, (A) the secretary may revoke the notice of the meeting at any time before ten days before the commencement of the meeting or (B) the chairman of the meeting may call the meeting to order and adjourn the meeting without acting on the matter. Any request for a special meeting received after a revocation by the secretary of a notice of a meeting shall be considered a request for a new special meeting.

 

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(6) The Chairman of the Board, chief executive officer, president or Board of Directors may appoint regionally or nationally recognized independent inspectors of elections to act as the agent of the Corporation for the purpose of promptly performing a ministerial review of the validity of any purported Special Meeting Request received by the secretary. For the purpose of permitting the inspectors to perform such review, no such purported Special Meeting Request shall be deemed to have been delivered to the secretary until the earlier of (i) five Business Days after receipt by the secretary of such purported request and (ii) such date as the independent inspectors certify to the Corporation that the valid requests received by the secretary represent, as of the Request Record Date, stockholders of record entitled to cast not less than the Special Meeting Percentage. Nothing contained in this paragraph (6) shall in any way be construed to suggest or imply that the Corporation or any stockholder shall not be entitled to contest the validity of any request, whether during or after such five Business Day period, or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution or defense of any litigation with respect thereto, and the seeking of injunctive relief in such litigation).

(7) For purposes of these Bylaws, “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

Section 4. NOTICE . Not less than ten nor more than 90 days before each meeting of stockholders, the secretary shall give to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting and to each stockholder not entitled to vote who is entitled to notice of the meeting notice in writing or by electronic transmission stating the time and place of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise may be required by any statute, the purpose for which the meeting is called, by mail, by presenting it to such stockholder personally, by leaving it at the stockholder’s residence or usual place of business or by any other means permitted by Maryland law. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid. If transmitted electronically, such notice shall be deemed to be given when transmitted to the stockholder by an electronic transmission to any address or number of the stockholder at which the stockholder receives electronic transmissions. The Corporation may give a single notice to all stockholders who share an address, which single notice shall be effective as to any stockholder at such address, unless such stockholder objects to receiving such single notice or revokes a prior consent to receiving such single notice. Failure to give notice of any meeting to one or more stockholders, or any irregularity in such notice, shall not affect the validity of any meeting fixed in accordance with this Article II or the validity of any proceedings at any such meeting.

Subject to Section 11(a) of this Article II, any business of the Corporation may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders without being specifically designated in the notice, except such business as is required by any statute to be stated in such notice. No business shall be transacted at a special meeting of stockholders except as specifically designated in the notice. The Corporation may postpone or cancel a meeting of stockholders by making a public announcement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) of such postponement or cancellation prior to the meeting. Notice of the date, time and place to which the meeting is postponed shall be given not less than ten days prior to such date and otherwise in the manner set forth in this section.

Section 5. ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT . Every meeting of stockholders shall be conducted by an individual appointed by the Board of Directors to be chairman of the meeting or, in the absence of such appointment or appointed individual, by the Chairman of the Board or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the Chairman of the Board, by one of the following officers present at the meeting in the following order: the Vice Chairman of the Board, if there is one, the chief executive officer, the president, the vice presidents in their order of rank and seniority, the secretary, the treasurer or, in the absence of such officers, a chairman chosen by the stockholders by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by stockholders present in person or by proxy. The secretary, or, in the secretary’s absence, an assistant secretary, or, in the absence of both the secretary and assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or, in the absence of such appointment, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting shall act as secretary. In the event that the secretary presides at a meeting of stockholders, an assistant secretary, or, in the absence of all assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, shall record the minutes of the meeting. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined by the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting may prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and take such action as,

 

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in the discretion of the chairman and without any action by the stockholders, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, (a) restricting admission to the time set for the commencement of the meeting; (b) limiting attendance at the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized proxies and other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (c) limiting participation at the meeting on any matter to stockholders of record of the Corporation entitled to vote on such matter, their duly authorized proxies and other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (d) limiting the time allotted to questions or comments; (e) determining when the polls should be opened and when the polls should be closed; (f) maintaining order and security at the meeting; (g) removing any stockholder or any other individual who refuses to comply with meeting procedures, rules or guidelines as set forth by the chairman of the meeting; (h) concluding a meeting or recessing or adjourning the meeting to a later date and time and at a place announced at the meeting; and (i) complying with any state and local laws and regulations concerning safety and security. Unless otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

Section 6. QUORUM . At any meeting of stockholders, the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast (without regard to class) shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the stockholders, except with respect to any such matter that, under applicable statutes or regulatory requirements, requires approval by a separate vote of one or more classes of stock, in which case the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by each such class on such a matter shall constitute a quorum. This section shall not affect any requirement under any statute or the charter of the Corporation for the vote necessary for the approval of any matter.

If, however, such quorum is not established at any meeting of the stockholders, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power to adjourn the meeting sine die or from time to time to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date without notice other than announcement at the meeting. If a meeting is adjourned and a quorum is present at such adjournment, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.

The stockholders present either in person or by proxy, at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough stockholders to leave fewer than would be required to establish a quorum.

Section 7. VOTING. A plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to elect a director. Each share may be voted for as many individuals as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the share is entitled to be voted. A majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to approve any other matter which may properly come before the meeting, unless a different vote is required by statute or by the charter of the Corporation. Unless otherwise provided by statute or by the charter, each outstanding share, regardless of class, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders.

Section 8. PROXIES . A stockholder may cast the votes entitled to be cast by the holder of the shares of stock owned of record by the stockholder in person or by proxy executed by the stockholder or by the stockholder’s duly authorized agent in any manner permitted by law. Such proxy or evidence of authorization of such proxy shall be filed with the secretary of the Corporation before or at the meeting. No proxy shall be valid more than eleven months after its date unless otherwise provided in the proxy.

Section 9. VOTING OF STOCK BY CERTAIN HOLDERS . Stock of the Corporation registered in the name of a corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company or other entity, if entitled to be voted, may be voted by the president or a vice president, general partner, trustee or managing member thereof, as the case may be, or a proxy appointed by any of the foregoing individuals, unless some other person who has been appointed to vote such stock pursuant to a bylaw or a resolution of the governing body of such corporation or other entity or agreement of the partners of a partnership presents a certified copy of such bylaw, resolution or agreement, in which case such person may vote such stock. Any director or fiduciary may vote stock registered in the name of such person in the capacity of such director or fiduciary, either in person or by proxy.

 

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Shares of stock of the Corporation directly or indirectly owned by it shall not be voted at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to be voted at any given time, unless they are held by it in a fiduciary capacity, in which case they may be voted and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.

The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution a procedure by which a stockholder may certify in writing to the Corporation that any shares of stock registered in the name of the stockholder are held for the account of a specified person other than the stockholder. The resolution shall set forth the class of stockholders who may make the certification, the purpose for which the certification may be made, the form of certification and the information to be contained in it; if the certification is with respect to a record date, the time after the record date within which the certification must be received by the Corporation; and any other provisions with respect to the procedure which the Board of Directors considers necessary or desirable. On receipt by the Corporation of such certification, the person specified in the certification shall be regarded as, for the purposes set forth in the certification, the holder of record of the specified stock in place of the stockholder who makes the certification.

Section 10. INSPECTORS . The Board of Directors or the chair of the meeting may appoint, before or at the meeting, one or more inspectors for the meeting and any successor thereto. The inspectors, if any, shall (i) determine the number of shares of stock represented at the meeting, in person or by proxy, and the validity and effect of proxies, (ii) receive and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, (iii) report such tabulation to the chair of the meeting, (iv) hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, and (v) do such acts as are proper to fairly conduct the election or vote. Each such report shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors. The report of the inspector or inspectors on the number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall be prima facie evidence thereof.

Section 11. ADVANCE NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND OTHER STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS .

(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders . (1) Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice by the stockholder as provided for in this Section 11(a) and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business and who has complied with this Section 11(a).

(2) For any nomination or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a)(1) of this Section 11, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the Corporation and any such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by the stockholders. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall set forth all information required under this Section 11 and shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 150 th day nor later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the 120 th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the 150 th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 120 th day prior to the date of such annual meeting, as originally convened, or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(3) Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth:

(i) as to each individual whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director (each, a “Proposed Nominee”), all information relating to the

 

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Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act, whether such stockholder believes any Proposed Nominee is, or is not, an “interested person” of the Corporation, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder (the “Investment Company Act”) and information regarding such Proposed Nominee that is sufficient, in the discretion of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to make such determination;

(ii) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a description of such business, the stockholder’s reasons for proposing such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), individually or in the aggregate, including any anticipated benefit to the stockholder or the Stockholder Associated Person therefrom;

(iii) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Proposed Nominee and any Stockholder Associated Person,

(A) the class, series and number of all shares of stock or other securities of the Corporation or any affiliate thereof (collectively, the “Company Securities”), if any, which are owned (beneficially or of record) by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, the date on which each such Company Security was acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition, and any short interest (including any opportunity to profit or share in any benefit from any decrease in the price of such stock or other security) in any Company Securities of any such person,

(B) the nominee holder for, and number of, any Company Securities owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person,

(C) whether and the extent to which such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, directly or indirectly (through brokers, nominees or otherwise), is subject to or during the last twelve months has engaged in any hedging, derivative or other transaction or series of transactions or entered into any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short interest, any borrowing or lending of securities or any proxy or voting agreement), the effect or intent of which is to (I) manage risk or benefit of changes in the price of (x) Company Securities or (y) any security of any other closed-end investment company (a “Peer Group Company”) for such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person or (II) increase or decrease the voting power of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof (or, as applicable, in any Peer Group Company) disproportionately to such person’s economic interest in the Company Securities (or, as applicable, in any Peer Group Company); and

(D) any substantial interest, direct or indirect (including, without limitation, any existing or prospective commercial, business or contractual relationship with the Corporation), by security holdings or otherwise, of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof, other than an interest arising from the ownership of Company Securities where such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person receives no extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis by all other holders of the same class or series;

(iv) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Stockholder Associated Person with an interest or ownership referred to in clauses (ii) or (iii) of this paragraph (3) of this Section 11(a) and any Proposed Nominee,

(A) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s stock ledger, and the current name and business address, if different, of each such Stockholder Associated Person and any Proposed Nominee and

 

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(B) the investment strategy or objective, if any, of such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person who is not an individual and a copy of the prospectus, offering memorandum or similar document, if any, provided to investors or potential investors in such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person; and

(v) to the extent known by the stockholder giving the notice, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the nominee for election or reelection as a director or the proposal of other business on the date of such stockholder’s notice.

(4) Such stockholder’s notice shall, with respect to any Proposed Nominee, be accompanied by a certificate executed by the Proposed Nominee (i) certifying that such Proposed Nominee (a) is not, and will not become a party to, any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed to the Corporation and (b) will serve as a director of the Corporation if elected; and (ii) attaching a completed Proposed Nominee questionnaire (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Corporation, upon request, to the stockholder providing the notice and shall include all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder, or would be required pursuant to the rules of any national securities exchange on which any securities of the Corporation are listed or over-the-counter market on which any securities of the Corporation are traded).

(5) Notwithstanding anything in this subsection (a) of this Section 11 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased, and there is no public announcement of such action at least 130 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) for the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 11(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the tenth day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

(6) For purposes of this Section 11, “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder shall mean (i) any person acting in concert with such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder (other than a stockholder that is a depositary) and (iii) any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such stockholder or such Stockholder Associated Person.

(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders . Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with Section 3(a) of this Article II for the purpose of electing directors, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 11 and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 11. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more individuals to the Board of Directors, any stockholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election as a director as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice, containing the information required by paragraph (a)(3) of this Section 11, is delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 120 th day prior to such special meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 90 th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of a special meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

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(c) General . (1) If information submitted pursuant to this Section 11 by any stockholder proposing a nominee for election as a director or any proposal for other business at a meeting of stockholders shall be inaccurate in any material respect, such information may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11. Any such stockholder shall notify the Corporation of any inaccuracy or change (within two Business Days of becoming aware of such inaccuracy or change) in any such information. Upon written request by the secretary or the Board of Directors, any such stockholder shall provide, within five Business Days of delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), (A) written verification, satisfactory, in the discretion of the Board of Directors or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11, and (B) a written update of any information (including, if requested by the Corporation, written confirmation by such stockholder that it continues to intend to bring such nomination or other business proposal before the meeting) submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11 as of an earlier date. If a stockholder fails to provide such written verification or written update within such period, the information as to which written verification or a written update was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11.

(2) Only such individuals who are nominated in accordance with this Section 11 shall be eligible for election by stockholders as directors, and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 11. The chairman of the meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with this Section 11.

(3) For purposes of this Section 11, “the date of the proxy statement” shall have the same meaning as “the date of the company’s proxy statement released to shareholders” as used in Rule 14a-8(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as interpreted by the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. “Public announcement” shall mean disclosure (A) in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press, Business Wire, PR Newswire or other widely circulated news or wire service or (B) in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act or the Investment Company Act.

(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 11. Nothing in this Section 11 shall be deemed to affect any right of a stockholder to request inclusion of a proposal in, or the right of the Corporation to omit a proposal from, the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act. Nothing in this Section 11 shall require disclosure of revocable proxies received by the stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person pursuant to a solicitation of proxies after the filing of an effective Schedule 14A by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act

Section 12. VOTING BY BALLOT . Voting on any question or in any election may be viva voce unless the presiding officer shall order or any stockholder shall demand that voting be by ballot.

Section 13. CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION ACT . Notwithstanding any other provision of the charter of the Corporation or these Bylaws, Subtitle 7 of Title 3 of the Maryland General Corporation Law, or any successor statute (the “MGCL”), shall not apply to any acquisition by any person of shares of stock of the Corporation. This section may be repealed, in whole or in part, at any time, whether before or after an acquisition of control shares and, upon such repeal, may, to the extent provided by any successor bylaw, apply to any prior or subsequent control share acquisition.

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

Section 1. GENERAL POWERS . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of its Board of Directors.

 

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Section 2. NUMBER, TENURE AND RESIGNATION . At any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose, a majority of the entire Board of Directors may establish, increase or decrease the number of directors, provided that the number thereof shall never be less than one, nor more than 12, and further provided that the tenure of office of a director shall not be affected by any decrease in the number of directors. Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation.

Section 3. ANNUAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS . An annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders, no notice other than this Bylaw being necessary. In the event such meeting is not so held, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board of Directors. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held from time to time at such places and times as provided by the Board of Directors by resolution, without notice other than such resolution.

Section 4. SPECIAL MEETINGS . Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the Chairman of the Board, the chief executive officer, the president or by a majority of the directors then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any place as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of special meetings of the Board of Directors without notice other than such resolution.

Section 5. NOTICE . Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be delivered personally or by telephone, electronic mail, facsimile transmission, United States mail or courier to each director at his or her business or residence address. Notice by personal delivery, telephone, electronic mail or facsimile transmission shall be given at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Notice by United States mail shall be given at least three days prior to the meeting. Notice by courier shall be given at least two days prior to the meeting. Telephone notice shall be deemed to be given when the director or his or her agent is personally given such notice in a telephone call to which the director or his or her agent is a party. Electronic mail notice shall be deemed to be given upon transmission of the message to the electronic mail address given to the Corporation by the director. Facsimile transmission notice shall be deemed to be given upon completion of the transmission of the message to the number given to the Corporation by the director and receipt of a completed answer-back indicating receipt. Notice by United States mail shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail properly addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. Notice by courier shall be deemed to be given when deposited with or delivered to a courier properly addressed. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be stated in the notice, unless specifically required by statute or these Bylaws.

Section 6. QUORUM . A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that, if less than a majority of such directors is present at such meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice, and provided further that if, pursuant to applicable law, the charter of the Corporation or these Bylaws, the vote of a majority or other percentage of a particular group of directors is required for action, a quorum must also include a majority or such other percentage of such group.

The directors present at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough directors to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum.

Section 7. VOTING . The action of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the charter or these Bylaws. If enough directors have withdrawn from a meeting to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum, but the meeting is not adjourned, the action of the majority of that number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum at such meeting shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the charter of the Corporation or these Bylaws.

 

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Section 8. ORGANIZATION . At each meeting of the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or, in the absence of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, shall act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of both the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board, the chief executive officer or in the absence of the chief executive officer, the president or in the absence of the president, a director chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall act as chairman of the meeting. The secretary or, in his or her absence, an assistant secretary of the Corporation, or in the absence of the secretary and all assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

Section 9. TELEPHONE MEETINGS . Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time; provided however, this Section 9 does not apply to any action of the directors pursuant to the Investment Company Act, that requires the vote of the directors to be cast in person at a meeting. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 10. CONSENT BY DIRECTORS WITHOUT A MEETING . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent to such action is given in writing or by electronic transmission and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors; provided however, this Section 10 does not apply to any action of the directors pursuant to the Investment Company Act, that requires the vote of the directors to be cast in person at a meeting.

Section 11. VACANCIES . If for any reason any or all the directors cease to be directors, such event shall not terminate the Corporation or affect these Bylaws or the powers of the remaining directors hereunder, if any. Pursuant to the Corporation’s election in Article IV of the charter, subject to applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act, except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, (a) any vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum and (b) any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the class in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies.

Section 12. COMPENSATION . Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as directors but, by resolution of the Board of Directors, may receive compensation per year and/or per meeting and/or per visit to real property or other facilities owned or leased by the Corporation and for any service or activity they performed or engaged in as directors. Directors may be reimbursed for expenses of attendance, if any, at each annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof and for their expenses, if any, in connection with each property visit and any other service or activity they perform or engage in as directors; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any directors from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

Section 13. LOSS OF DEPOSITS . No director shall be liable for any loss which may occur by reason of the failure of the bank, trust company, savings and loan association, or other institution with whom moneys or stock have been deposited.

Section 14. SURETY BONDS . Unless required by law, no director shall be obligated to give any bond or surety or other security for the performance of any of his or her duties.

Section 15. RELIANCE . Each director and officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties with respect to the Corporation, be entitled to rely on any information, opinion, report or statement, including any financial statement or other financial data, prepared or presented by an officer or employee of the Corporation whom the director or officer reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented, by a lawyer, certified public accountant or other person, as to a matter which the director or officer reasonably believes to be within the person’s professional or expert competence, or, with respect to a director, by a committee of the Board of Directors on which the director does not serve, as to a matter within its designated authority, if the director reasonably believes the committee to merit confidence.

Section 16. RATIFICATION . The Board of Directors or the stockholders may ratify and make binding on the Corporation any action or inaction by the Corporation or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors

 

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or the stockholders could have originally authorized the matter. Moreover, any action or inaction questioned in any stockholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or stockholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders, and if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned action or inaction had been originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the Corporation and its stockholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.

Section 17 . EMERGENCY PROVISIONS . Notwithstanding any other provision in the charter or these Bylaws, this Section 17 shall apply during the existence of any catastrophe, or other similar emergency condition, as a result of which a quorum of the Board of Directors under Article III of these Bylaws cannot readily be obtained (an “Emergency”). During any Emergency, unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, (i) a meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof may be called by any director or officer by any means feasible under the circumstances; (ii) notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors during such an Emergency may be given less than 24 hours prior to the meeting to as many directors and by such means as may be feasible at the time, including publication, television or radio; and (iii) the number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum shall be one-third of the entire Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES

Section 1. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS . The Board of Directors may appoint from among its members an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and other committees, composed of one or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

Section 2. POWERS . The Board of Directors may delegate to committees appointed under Section 1 of this Article any of the powers of the Board of Directors, except as prohibited by law.

Section 3. MEETINGS . Notice of committee meetings shall be given in the same manner as notice for special meetings of the Board of Directors. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the committee. The act of a majority of the committee members present at a meeting shall be the act of such committee. The Board of Directors may designate a chairman of any committee, and such chairman or, in the absence of a chairman, any two members of any committee (if there are at least two members of the committee) may fix the time and place of its meeting unless the Board shall otherwise provide. In the absence of any member of any such committee, the members thereof present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint another director to act in the place of such absent member. Each committee shall keep minutes of its proceedings.

Section 4. TELEPHONE MEETINGS . Members of a committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 5. CONSENT BY COMMITTEES WITHOUT A MEETING . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent to such action is given in writing or by electronic transmission by each member of the committee and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of such committee.

Section 6. VACANCIES . Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of Directors shall have the power at any time to change the membership of any committee, to fill any vacancy, to designate one or more alternate members to replace any absent or disqualified member or to dissolve any such committee. Subject to the power of the Board of Directors, the members of the committee shall have the power to fill any vacancies on the committee.

 

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ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

Section 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS . The officers of the Corporation shall include a president, a secretary and a treasurer and may include a Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, a chief executive officer, one or more vice presidents, a chief operating officer, a chief financial officer, a chief investment officer, a chief compliance officer, one or more assistant secretaries and one or more assistant treasurers. In addition, the Board of Directors may from time to time elect such other officers with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary or desirable. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors, except that the chief executive officer or president may from time to time appoint one or more vice presidents, assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers or other officers. Each officer shall serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, or his or her resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. Any two or more offices except president and vice president may be held by the same person. Election of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights between the Corporation and such officer or agent.

Section 2. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION . Any officer or agent of the Corporation may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors if in its judgment the best interests of the Corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the chief executive officer, the president or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the notice of resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation. Such resignation shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the Corporation.

Section 3. VACANCIES . A vacancy in any office may be filled by the Board of Directors for the balance of the term.

Section 4. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD . The Board of Directors may designate from among its members a Chairman of the Board, who shall not, solely by reason of these Bylaws, be an officer of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate the Chairman of the Board as an executive or non-executive chairman. The Chairman of the Board shall preside over the meetings of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by these Bylaws or the Board of Directors.

Section 5. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER . The Board of Directors may designate a chief executive officer. In the absence of such designation, the president shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation. The chief executive officer shall have general responsibility for implementation of the policies of the Corporation, as determined by the Board of Directors, and for the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of chief executive officer and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

Section 6. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER . The Board of Directors may designate a chief operating officer. The chief operating officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.

Section 7. CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER . The Board of Directors may designate a chief investment officer. The chief investment officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.

Section 8. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER . The Board of Directors may designate a chief financial officer. The chief financial officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.

 

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Section 9. CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER . The chief compliance officer, subject to the direction of and reporting to the Board of Directors, shall be responsible for the oversight of the Corporation’s compliance with the Federal securities laws. The designation, compensation and removal of the chief compliance officer must be approved by the Board of Directors, including a majority of the directors who are not “interested persons” (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act) of the Corporation. The chief compliance officer shall perform such executive, supervisory and management functions and duties as may be assigned to him or her from time to time.

Section 10. PRESIDENT . In the absence of a designation of a chief executive officer by the Board of Directors, the president shall be the chief executive officer. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

Section 11. VICE PRESIDENTS . In the absence of the president or in the event of a vacancy in such office, the vice president (or in the event there be more than one vice president, the vice presidents in the order designated at the time of their election or, in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the president and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president; and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such vice president by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more vice presidents as executive vice president, senior vice president or vice president for particular areas of responsibility.

Section 12. SECRETARY . The secretary shall: (a) keep the minutes of the proceedings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the Corporation; (d) keep a register of the post office address of each stockholder which shall be furnished to the secretary by such stockholder; (e) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation; and (f) in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors.

Section 13. TREASURER . The treasurer shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation, shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors and in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors. In the absence of a designation of a chief financial officer by the Board of Directors, the treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Corporation.

The treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president and Board of Directors, at the regular meetings of the Board of Directors or whenever it may so require, an account of all his or her transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation.

Section 14. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS . The assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the secretary or treasurer, respectively, or by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI

CONTRACTS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

Section 1. CONTRACTS . The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Any agreement, deed, mortgage, lease or other document shall be valid and binding upon the Corporation when duly authorized or ratified by action of the Board of Directors and executed by an authorized person.

 

13


Section 2. CHECKS AND DRAFTS . All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or agent of the Corporation in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 3. DEPOSITS . All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board of Directors may designate.

ARTICLE VII

STOCK

Section 1. CERTIFICATES; REQUIRED INFORMATION . Except as may be otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, stockholders of the Corporation are not entitled to certificates representing the shares of stock held by them. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock represented by certificates, such certificates shall be in such form as prescribed by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized officer, shall contain the statements and information required by the MGCL and shall be signed by the officers of the Corporation in the manner permitted by the MGCL. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock without certificates, to the extent then required by the MGCL, the Corporation shall provide to the record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates. There shall be no differences in the rights and obligations of stockholders based on whether or not their shares are represented by certificates.

Section 2. TRANSFERS . All transfers of shares of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation, by the holder of the shares, in person or by his or her attorney, in such manner as the Board of Directors or any officer of the Corporation may prescribe and, if such shares are certificated, upon surrender of certificates duly endorsed. The issuance of a new certificate upon the transfer of certificated shares is subject to the determination of the Board of Directors that such shares shall no longer be represented by certificates. Upon the transfer of any uncertificated shares, to the extent then required by the MGCL, the Corporation shall provide to the record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates.

The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share of stock as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise expressly provided by the laws of the State of Maryland.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, transfers of shares of any class or series of stock will be subject in all respects to the charter of the Corporation and all of the terms and conditions contained therein.

Section 3. REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE . Any officer of the Corporation may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated; provided, however, if such shares have ceased to be certificated, no new certificate shall be issued unless requested in writing by such stockholder and the Board of Directors has determined that such certificates may be issued. Unless otherwise determined by an officer of the Corporation, the owner of such lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, shall be required, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, to give the Corporation a bond in such sums as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation.

Section 4. FIXING OF RECORD DATE . The Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, or in order to make a determination of stockholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed and shall be not more than 90 days and, in the case of a

 

14


meeting of stockholders, not less than ten days, before the date on which the meeting or particular action requiring such determination of stockholders of record is to be held or taken.

When a record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting of stockholders has been set as provided in this section, such record date shall continue to apply to the meeting if adjourned or postponed, except if the meeting is adjourned or postponed to a date more than 120 days after the record date originally fixed for the meeting, in which case a new record date for such meeting may be determined as set forth herein.

Section 5. STOCK LEDGER . The Corporation shall maintain at its principal office or at the office of its counsel, accountants or transfer agent, an original or duplicate stock ledger containing the name and address of each stockholder and the number of shares of each class held by such stockholder.

Section 6. FRACTIONAL STOCK; ISSUANCE OF UNITS . The Board of Directors may authorize the Corporation to issue fractional stock or authorize the issuance of scrip, all on such terms and under such conditions as it may determine. Notwithstanding any other provision of the charter or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may issue units consisting of different securities of the Corporation. Any security issued in a unit shall have the same characteristics as any identical securities issued by the Corporation, except that the Board of Directors may provide that for a specified period securities of the Corporation issued in such unit may be transferred on the books of the Corporation only in such unit.

ARTICLE VIII

ACCOUNTING YEAR

The Board of Directors shall have the power, from time to time, to fix the fiscal year of the Corporation by a duly adopted resolution.

ARTICLE IX

DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 1. AUTHORIZATION . Dividends and other distributions upon the stock of the Corporation may be authorized by the Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of law and the charter of the Corporation. Dividends and other distributions may be paid in cash, property or stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of law and the charter.

Section 2. CONTINGENCIES . Before payment of any dividends or other distributions, there may be set aside out of any assets of the Corporation available for dividends or other distributions such sum or sums as the Board of Directors may from time to time, in its absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund for contingencies, for equalizing dividends, for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall determine, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve.

ARTICLE X

SEAL

Section 1. SEAL . The Board of Directors may authorize the adoption of a seal by the Corporation. The seal shall contain the name of the Corporation and the year of its incorporation and the words “Incorporated Maryland.” The Board of Directors may authorize one or more duplicate seals and provide for the custody thereof.

Section 2. AFFIXING SEAL . Whenever the Corporation is permitted or required to affix its seal to a document, it shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of any law, rule or regulation relating to a seal to place the word “(SEAL)” adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to execute the document on behalf of the Corporation.

ARTICLE XI

 

15


INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCE OF EXPENSES

To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law or the Investment Company Act in effect from time to time, the Corporation shall indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, shall pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (a) any individual who is a present or former director or officer of the Corporation and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (b) any individual who, while a director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member or manager of another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The rights to indemnification and advance of expenses provided by the charter of the Corporation and these Bylaws shall vest immediately upon election of a director or officer. The Corporation may, with the approval of its Board of Directors, provide such indemnification and advance for expenses to an individual who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described in (a) or (b) above and to any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation. The indemnification and payment or reimbursement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of or limit in any way other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or payment or reimbursement of expenses may be or may become entitled under any bylaw, resolution, insurance, agreement or otherwise.

Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the charter of the Corporation or these Bylaws inconsistent with this Article, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding paragraph with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

No provision of this Article XI shall be effective to protect or purport to protect any director or officer of the Corporation against liability to the Corporation or its stockholders to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

ARTICLE XII

WAIVER OF NOTICE

Whenever any notice is required to be given pursuant to the charter of the Corporation or these Bylaws or pursuant to applicable law, a waiver thereof in writing or by electronic transmission, given by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any meeting need be set forth in the waiver of notice of such meeting, unless specifically required by statute. The attendance of any person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened.

ARTICLE XIII

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT

If and to the extent that any provision of the MGCL, including, without limitation, Subtitle 6 and, if then applicable, Subtitle 7, of Title 3 of the MGCL, or any provision of the charter or these Bylaws conflicts with any provision of the Investment Company Act, the applicable provision of the Investment Company Act shall control.

ARTICLE XIV

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

 

16


The Board of Directors shall have the exclusive power, at any time, to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of these Bylaws and to make new Bylaws.

 

17

Exhibit d

 

No.                   

[Form of Common Stock Certificate]

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD.

                        Shares
  Incorporated under the Laws of the State of Maryland  
CUSIP NO. [                          ]    
Common Stock     Par Value $.01 Per Share

SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS AND OTHER INFORMATION

THIS CERTIFIES THAT                                                                                                                                             IS THE OWNER OF                                                                                                                                     FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, WITH A PAR VALUE OF $.01 PER SHARE, OF SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD. (the “Corporation”), transferable on the books of the Corporation in person or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this certificate if properly endorsed. This certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and registered by the Registrar.

WITNESS the seal of the Corporation and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.

Dated:                      , 2011

 

 

 

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD.

 

 

 

Secretary  

 

CORPORATE SEAL

2010

MARYLAND

  Chief Executive Officer

 

   
Transfer Agent    

 

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:


TEN COM    as tenants in common   Unif Gift Min Act -                       Custodian                      
TEN ENT    tenants by the entireties   (Cust)                           (Minor)    
JT TEN   

as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common

  Under Uniform Gifts to Minors          
    

 

Act:                                                        

     (State)                    

Additional Abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

The Corporation will furnish to any stockholder, on request and without charge, a full statement of the information required by Section 2-211(b) of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland with respect to the designations and any preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption of the stock of each class which the Corporation has authority to issue and, if the Corporation is authorized to issue any preferred or special class in series, (i) the differences in the relative rights and preferences between the shares of each series to the extent set, and (ii) the authority of the Board of Directors to set such rights and preferences of subsequent series. This Certificate and the shares of Common Stock represented hereby are issued and shall be held subject to all the provisions of the charter and bylaws of the Corporation and all amendments thereto (copies of which may be obtained from the secretary of the Corporation), to all of which the holder of this certificate by acceptance hereof assents.

 

KEEP THIS CERTIFICATE IN A SAFE PLACE. IF IT IS LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED, THE CORPORATION WILL REQUIRE A BOND OF INDEMNITY AS A CONDITION TO THE ISSUANCE OF A REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE.

 

For Value Received,                          the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER

        IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE

 

 

 

(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE)


shares of the Common Stock represented by this Certificate, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                  Attorney, to transfer the said stock on the books of the within named Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

Dated  

 

    By:  

 

      NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.

 

Signature(s) Guaranteed:
By:  

 

THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM) PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15.

Exhibit e

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

OF

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD.

Solar Senior Capital Ltd., a Maryland corporation (the “ Corporation ”), hereby adopts the following plan (the “ Plan ”) with respect to net investment income dividends and capital gains distributions declared by its Board of Directors on shares of its Common Stock:

1. Unless a stockholder specifically elects to receive cash as set forth below, all net investment income dividends and all capital gains distributions hereafter declared by the Board of Directors shall be payable in shares of the Common Stock of the Corporation, and no action shall be required on such stockholder’s part to receive a distribution in stock.

2. Such net investment income dividends and capital gains distributions shall be payable on such date or dates as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors to stockholders of record at the close of business on the record date(s) established by the Board of Directors for the net investment income dividend and/or capital gains distribution involved.

3. The Corporation shall use only newly-issued shares of its Common Stock to implement the Plan if its shares are trading at a premium to net asset value. The number of shares to be issued to a stockholder shall be determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to such stockholder by the market price per share of the Corporation’s Common Stock at the close of regular trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on the valuation date fixed by the Board of Directors for such distribution. Market price per share on that date shall be the closing price for such shares on the NASDAQ Global Select Market or, if no sale is reported for such day, at the average of their electronically-reported bid and asked prices.

4. If the Corporation declares a distribution to stockholders, the Plan Administrator, as defined below, may be instructed not to credit accounts with newly-issued shares and instead to buy shares in the market if (1) the price at which newly-issued shares are to be credited does not exceed 110% of the last determined net asset value of the shares; or (2) the Corporation has advised the Plan Administrator that since such net asset value was last determined, the Corporation has become aware of events that indicate the possibility of a material change in per share net asset value as a result of which the net asset value of the shares on the payment date might be higher than the price at which the Plan Administrator would credit newly-issued shares to stockholders.

5. A stockholder may elect to receive his or its net investment income dividends and capital gains distributions in cash. To exercise this option, such stockholder shall notify American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the plan

 

Adopted: February 7, 2011


administrator and the Corporation’s transfer agent and registrar (referred to as the “ Plan Administrator ”), in writing so that such notice is received by the Plan Administrator no later than 10 days prior to the record date fixed by the Board of Directors for the net investment income dividend and/or capital gains distribution involved. Such election shall remain in effect until the stockholder shall notify the Plan Administrator in writing of such stockholder’s withdrawal of the election, which notice shall be delivered to the Plan Administrator no later than 10 days prior to the record date fixed by the Board of Directors for the next net investment income dividend and/or capital gains distribution by the Corporation.

6. The Plan Administrator will set up an account for shares acquired pursuant to the Plan for each stockholder who has not so elected to receive dividends and distributions in cash (each a “ Participant ”). The Plan Administrator may hold each Participant’s shares, together with the shares of other Participants, in non-certificated form in the Plan Administrator’s name or that of its nominee. Upon request by a Participant, received in writing no later than 10 days prior to the record date, the Plan Administrator will, instead of crediting shares to and/or carrying shares in a Participant’s account, issue, without charge to the Participant, a certificate registered in the Participant’s name for the number of whole shares payable to the Participant and a check for any fractional share.

7. The Plan Administrator will confirm to each Participant each acquisition made pursuant to the Plan as soon as practicable but not later than 10 business days after the date thereof. Although each Participant may from time to time have an undivided fractional interest (computed to three decimal places) in a share of Common Stock of the Corporation, no certificates for a fractional share will be issued. However, dividends and distributions on fractional shares will be credited to each Participant’s account. In the event of termination of a Participant’s account under the Plan, the Plan Administrator will adjust for any such undivided fractional interest in cash at the market value of the Corporation’s shares at the time of termination.

8. The Plan Administrator will forward to each Participant any Corporation related proxy solicitation materials and each Corporation report or other communication to stockholders, and will vote any shares held by it under the Plan in accordance with the instructions set forth on proxies returned by Participants to the Corporation.

9. In the event that the Corporation makes available to its stockholders rights to purchase additional shares or other securities, the shares held by the Plan Administrator for each Participant under the Plan will be added to any other shares held by the Participant in certificated form in calculating the number of rights to be issued to the Participant.

10. The Plan Administrator’s service fee, if any, and expenses for administering the Plan will be paid for by the Corporation.

 

  2   Adopted: February 7, 2011


11. Each Participant may terminate his or its account under the Plan by so notifying the Plan Administrator in writing or by telephone. Such termination will be effective immediately if the Participant’s notice is received by the Plan Administrator not less than 10 days prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise, such termination will be effective only with respect to any subsequent dividend or distribution. The Plan may be terminated by the Corporation upon notice in writing mailed to each Participant at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the Corporation. Upon any termination, the Plan Administrator will cause a certificate or certificates to be issued for the full shares held for the Participant under the Plan and a cash adjustment for any fractional share to be delivered to the Participant without charge to the Participant. If a Participant elects by his or its written or telephonic notice to the Plan Administrator in advance of termination to have the Plan Administrator sell part or all of his or its shares and remit the proceeds to the Participant, the Plan Administrator is authorized to deduct a $15 transaction fee plus brokerage commission from the proceeds.

12. These terms and conditions may be amended or supplemented by the Corporation at any time but, except when necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law or the rules or policies of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory authority, only by mailing to each Participant appropriate written notice at least 30 days prior to the effective date thereof. The amendment or supplement shall be deemed to be accepted by each Participant unless, prior to the effective date thereof, the Plan Administrator receives written notice of the termination of his or its account under the Plan. Any such amendment may include an appointment by the Plan Administrator in its place and stead of a successor agent under these terms and conditions, with full power and authority to perform all or any of the acts to be performed by the Plan Administrator under these terms and conditions. Upon any such appointment of any agent for the purpose of receiving dividends and distributions, the Corporation will be authorized to pay to such successor agent, for each Participant’s account, all dividends and distributions payable on shares of the Corporation held in the Participant’s name or under the Plan for retention or application by such successor agent as provided in these terms and conditions.

13. The Plan Administrator will at all times act in good faith and use its best efforts within reasonable limits to ensure its full and timely performance of all services to be performed by it under this Plan and to comply with applicable law, but assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable for loss or damage due to errors unless such error is caused by the Plan Administrator’s negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct or that of its employees or agents.

14. These terms and conditions shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflicts of law principles thereof, to the extent such principles would require or permit the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

 

  3   Adopted: February 7, 2011

Exhibit g

[Form of Investment Advisory Management Agreement]

INVESTMENT ADVISORY MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD.

AND

SOLAR CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC

Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) made this      th day of                      2011, by and between SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), and SOLAR CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Adviser ”).

WHEREAS, the Company is a newly organized closed-end management investment fund that intends to elect to be treated as a business development company (“ BDC ”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940,as amended (the “ Investment Company Act ”); and

WHEREAS, the Adviser is an investment adviser that is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “ Advisers Act ”); and

WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the Adviser to furnish investment advisory services to the Company on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, and the Adviser wishes to be retained to provide such services.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Duties of the Adviser .

(a) The Company hereby retains the Adviser to act as the investment adviser to the Company and to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Company, subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”), for the period and upon the terms herein set forth, (i) in accordance with the investment objective, policies and restrictions that are set forth in the Company’s registration statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-171330) initially filed on December 22, 2010 (as the same shall be amended from time to time); (ii) in accordance with all other applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations, and the Company’s charter and by-laws as the same shall be amended from time to time; and (iii) in accordance with the Investment Company Act. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Adviser shall, during the term and subject to the provisions of this Agreement, (i) determine the composition of the portfolio of the Company, the nature and timing of the changes therein and the manner of implementing such changes; (ii) identify, evaluate and negotiate the structure of the investments made by the Company; (iii) close and monitor the Company’s investments; (iv) determine the securities and other assets that the Company will purchase, retain, or sell; (v) perform due diligence on prospective portfolio companies; and (vi) provide the Company with such other investment advisory, research and related services as the Company may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of its funds. Subject to the supervision of the Board, the Adviser shall have the power and authority on behalf of the Company to effectuate its

 

1


investment decisions for the Company, including the execution and delivery of all documents relating to the Company’s investments and the placing of orders for other purchase or sale transactions on behalf of the Company. In the event that the Company determines to acquire debt financing, the Adviser will arrange for such financing on the Company’s behalf, subject to the oversight and approval of the Board. If it is necessary for the Adviser to make investments on behalf of the Company through a special purpose vehicle, the Adviser shall have authority to create or arrange for the creation of such special purpose vehicle and to make such investments through such special purpose vehicle (in accordance with the Investment Company Act).

(b) The Adviser hereby accepts such employment and agrees during the term hereof to render the services described herein for the compensation provided herein.

(c) The Adviser is hereby authorized to enter into one or more sub-advisory agreements with other investment advisers (each, a “ Sub-Adviser ”) pursuant to which the Adviser may obtain the services of the Sub-Adviser(s) to assist the Adviser in fulfilling its responsibilities hereunder. Specifically, the Adviser may retain a Sub-Adviser to recommend specific securities or other investments based upon the Company’s investment objective and policies, and work, along with the Adviser, in structuring, negotiating, arranging or effecting the acquisition or disposition of such investments and monitoring investments on behalf of the Company, subject to the oversight of the Adviser and the Company. The Company shall be responsible for any compensation payable to any Sub-Adviser. Any sub-advisory agreement entered into by the Adviser shall be in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act and other applicable federal and state law.

(d) The Adviser shall for all purposes herein provided be deemed to be an independent contractor and, except as expressly provided or authorized herein, shall have no authority to act for or represent the Company in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Company.

(e) The Adviser shall keep and preserve for the period required by the Investment Company Act any books and records relevant to the provision of its investment advisory services to the Company and shall specifically maintain all books and records in accordance with Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act with respect to the Company’s portfolio transactions and shall render to the Board such periodic and special reports as the Board may reasonably request. The Adviser agrees that all records that it maintains for the Company are the property of the Company and will surrender promptly to the Company any such records upon the Company’s request, provided that the Adviser may retain a copy of such records.

 

2. Company’s Responsibilities and Expenses Payable by the Company .

(a) All investment professionals of the Adviser and their respective staffs, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services hereunder, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses of such personnel allocable to such services, will be provided and paid for by the Adviser and not by the Company. The Company will bear all other costs and expenses of its operations, administration and transactions, including (without limitation) those relating to: organization and offering; calculating the Company’s net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm); expenses incurred by the

 

2


Adviser payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisors, in monitoring financial and legal affairs for the Company and in providing administrative services, monitoring the Company’s investments and performing due diligence on its prospective portfolio companies; interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance the Company’s investments; sales and purchases of the Company’s common stock and other securities; investment advisory and management fees; administration fees, if any, payable under the Administration Agreement between the Company and Solar Capital Management, LLC (the “ Administrator ”), the Company’s administrator; fees payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisors, relating to, or associated with, evaluating and making investments; transfer agent and custodial fees; federal and state registration fees; all costs of registration and listing the Company’s shares on any securities exchange; federal, state and local taxes; independent Directors’ fees and expenses; costs of preparing and filing reports or other documents required by the Securities and Exchange Commission; costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to stockholders, including printing costs; the Company’s allocable portion of the fidelity bond, directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums; direct costs and expenses of administration, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone, copying, secretarial and other staff, independent auditors and outside legal costs; and all other expenses incurred by the Company or the Administrator in connection with administering the Company’s business, including payments under the Administration Agreement between the Company and the Administrator based upon the Company’s allocable portion of the Administrator’s overhead in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent and the allocable portion of the cost of the Company’s chief compliance officer and chief financial officer and their respective staffs.

 

3. Compensation of the Adviser .

The Company agrees to pay, and the Adviser agrees to accept, as compensation for the services provided by the Adviser hereunder, a base management fee (“ Base Management Fee ”) and an incentive fee (“ Incentive Fee ”) as hereinafter set forth. The Company shall make any payments due hereunder to the Adviser or to the Adviser’s designee as the Adviser may otherwise direct. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Adviser may elect, or the Company may adopt a deferred compensation plan pursuant to which the Adviser may elect, to defer all or a portion of its fees hereunder for a specified period of time.

(a) The Base Management Fee shall be calculated at an annual rate of 1.00% of the Company’s gross assets. For services rendered under this Agreement, the Base Management Fee will be payable quarterly in arrears. For the first calendar quarter of the Company’s operations, the Base Management Fee will be calculated based on the initial value of the Company’s gross assets. Subsequently, the Base Management Fee will be calculated based on the average value of the Company’s gross assets at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters, and appropriately adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the current calendar quarter. Base Management Fees for any partial month or quarter will be appropriately pro rated.

(b) The Incentive Fee shall consist of two parts, as follows:

 

  (i)

One part will be calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on the pre-Incentive Fee net investment income for the immediately preceding

 

3


 

calendar quarter. For this purpose, pre-Incentive Fee net investment income means interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees (other than fees for providing managerial assistance), such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees and fees for providing significant managerial assistance or other fees that the Company receives from portfolio companies) accrued by the Company during the calendar quarter, minus the Company’s operating expenses for the quarter (including the Base Management Fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement to the Administrator, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the Incentive Fee). Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as original issue discount, debt instruments with pay in kind interest and zero coupon securities), accrued income that we have not yet received in cash. Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of the Company’s net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, will be compared to a “hurdle rate” of 1.75% per quarter (7.00% annualized). The Company’s net investment income used to calculate this part of the Incentive Fee is also included in the amount of its gross assets used to calculate the 1.00% Base Management Fee. The Company will pay the Adviser an Incentive Fee with respect to the Company’s pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in each calendar quarter as follows: (1) no Incentive Fee in any calendar quarter in which the Company’s pre-Incentive Fee net investment income does not exceed the hurdle rate of 1.75%; (2) 50% of the Company’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 2.9167% in any calendar quarter (11.67% annualized); this portion of the pre-Incentive Fee net investment income (which exceeds the hurdle but is less than 2.9167%) is referred to herein as the “catch-up.” The “catch-up” is meant to provide the Adviser with approximately 20% of the Company’s pre-Incentive Fee net investment income as if a hurdle did not apply if this net investment income exceeds 2.9167% in any calendar quarter; and (3) 20% of the amount of the Company’s pre-Incentive Fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds 2.9167% in any calendar quarter (11.67% annualized) payable to the Adviser (once the hurdle is reached and the catch-up is achieved, 20% of all pre-Incentive Fee investment income thereafter is allocated to the Adviser). These calculations will be appropriately pro rated for any period of less than three months and adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the relevant quarter.

 

  (ii)

The second part of the Incentive Fee (the “ Capital Gains Fee ”) will be determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or

 

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upon termination of this Agreement as set forth below), commencing with December 31, 2011, and will equal 20.0% of the Company’s realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from inception through the end of each calendar year, computed net of all realized capital losses and net unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gain Incentive Fees, with respect to each of the investments in the Company’s portfolio; provided that the Incentive Fee determined as of December 31, 2011 will be calculated for a period of shorter than twelve calendar months to take into account any realized capital gains computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation from inception. In the event that this Agreement shall terminate as of a date that is not a calendar year end, the termination date shall be treated as though it were a calendar year end for purposes of calculating and paying a Capital Gains Fee.

Examples of Quarterly Incentive Fee Calculation

Example 1: Income Related Portion of Incentive Fee*:

Alternative 1:

Assumptions

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 1.25%

Hurdle rate 1  = 1.75%

Management fee 2 = 0.25%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.) 3  = 0.20%

Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income

(investment income – (management fee + other expenses)) = 0.80%

Pre-incentive net investment income does not exceed hurdle rate, therefore there is no incentive fee.

Alternative 2:

Assumptions

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 2.70%

Hurdle rate 1  = 1.75%

Management fee 2  = 0.25%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.) 3  = 0.20%

Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income

(investment income – (management fee + other expenses)) = 2.25%

Incentive Fee = 50% × Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income, subject to the “catch-up” 4

= 50% × (2.25% – 1.75%)

= 0. 25%

Alternative 3:

Assumptions

 

* The hypothetical amount of pre-incentive fee net investment income shown is based on a percentage of total net assets.

 

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Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 4.00%

Hurdle rate 1 = 1.75%

Management fee 2 = 0.25%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.) 3 = 0.20%

Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income

(investment income – (management fee + other expenses)) = 3.55%

Incentive Fee = 20% × Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income, subject to “catch-up” 4

Incentive Fee = 50% × “catch-up” + (20% × (Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income – 2.9167%))

Catch-up = 2.9167% – 1.75%

= 1.1667%

Incentive Fee = (50% × 1.1667%) + (20% × (3.55 % – 2.9167%))

= 0.58334% + (20% × 0.6333%)

= 0.58334% + 0.12667%

= 0.71001%

Example 2: Capital Gains Portion of Incentive Fee:

Alternative 1:

Assumptions

 

   

Year 1: $20 million investment made in Company A (“Investment A”), and $30 million investment made in Company B (“Investment B”)

 

   

Year 2: Investment A sold for $50 million and fair market value (“FMV”) of Investment B determined to be $32 million

 

   

Year 3: FMV of Investment B determined to be $25 million

 

   

Year 4: Investment B sold for $31 million

The capital gains portion of the Incentive Fee, if any, would be:

 

   

Year 1: None

 

   

Year 2: $6 million Capital Gains Incentive Fee

 

1

Represents 7.00% annualized hurdle rate.

2

Represents 1.00% annualized management fee.

3

Excludes organizational and offering expenses.

4

The “catch-up” provision is intended to provide the Adviser with an incentive fee of 20% on all of the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income as if a hurdle rate did not apply when the Company’s net investment income exceeds 2.9167% in any calendar quarter.

 

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$30 million realized capital gains on sale of Investment A multiplied by 20%

 

   

Year 3: None

$5 million cumulative fee (20% multiplied by $25 million ($30 million cumulative capital gains less $5 million cumulative capital depreciation)) less $6 million (previous Capital Gains Fee paid in Year 2)

 

   

Year 4: $200,000 Capital Gains Incentive Fee

$6.2 million cumulative fee ($31 million cumulative realized capital gains multiplied by 20%) less $6 million (previous Capital Gains Fee paid in Year 2)

Alternative 2:

Assumptions

 

   

Year 1: $20 million investment made in Company A (“Investment A”), $30 million investment made in Company B (“Investment B”) and $25 million investment made in Company C (“Investment C”)

 

   

Year 2: Investment A sold for $50 million, FMV of Investment B determined to be $25 million and FMV of Investment C determined to be $25 million

 

   

Year 3: FMV of Investment B determined to be $27 million and Investment C sold for $30 million

 

   

Year 4: FMV of Investment B determined to be $35 million

 

   

Year 5: Investment B sold for $20 million

The Capital Gains portion of the Incentive Fee, if any, would be:

 

   

Year 1: None

 

   

Year 2: $5 million Capital Gains Incentive Fee

20% multiplied by $25 million ($30 million realized capital gains on sale of Investment A less $5 million unrealized capital depreciation on Investment B)

 

   

Year 3: $1.4 million Capital Gains Incentive Fee ( 1)

$6.4 million cumulative fee (20% multiplied by $32 million ($35 million cumulative realized capital gains less $3 million unrealized capital depreciation)) less $5 million (previous Capital Gains Fee paid in Year 2)

 

(1)

As illustrated in Year 3 of Alternative 1 above, if the Company were to be wound up on a date other than December 31 of any year, the Company may have paid aggregate capital gain incentive fees that are more than

 

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the amount of such fees that would be payable if the Company had been wound up on December 31 of such year.

 

   

Year 4: None

 

   

Year 5: None

$5 million cumulative fee (20% multiplied by $25 million ($35 million cumulative realized capital gains less $10 million realized capital losses)) less $6.4 million (previous cumulative Capital Gains Fee paid in Year 2 and Year 3)

 

4. Covenants of the Adviser .

The Adviser covenants that it will remain registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act so long as the Company maintains its election to be regulated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act. The Adviser agrees that its activities will at all times be in compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state laws governing its operations and investments.

 

5. Excess Brokerage Commissions .

The Adviser is hereby authorized, to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by law, to cause the Company to pay a member of a national securities exchange, broker or dealer an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction in excess of the amount of commission another member of such exchange, broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Adviser determines in good faith, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution, and operational facilities of the firm and the firm’s risk and skill in positioning blocks of securities, that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research services provided by such member, broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or its overall responsibilities with respect to the Company’s portfolio, and constitutes the best net results for the Company.

 

6. Limitations on the Employment of the Adviser .

The services of the Adviser to the Company are not exclusive, and the Adviser may engage in any other business or render similar or different services to others including, without limitation, the direct or indirect sponsorship or management of other investment based accounts or commingled pools of capital, however structured, having investment objectives similar to those of the Company, so long as its services to the Company hereunder are not impaired thereby, and nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any manager, partner, officer or employee of the Adviser to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to any other business, whether of a similar or dissimilar nature, or to receive any fees or compensation in connection therewith (including fees for serving as a director of, or providing consulting services to, one or more of the Company’s portfolio companies, subject to applicable law). So long as this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment remains in

 

8


effect, the Adviser shall be the only investment adviser for the Company, subject to the Adviser’s right to enter into sub-advisory agreements. The Adviser assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the services called for hereunder. It is understood that directors, officers, employees and stockholders of the Company are or may become interested in the Adviser and its affiliates, as directors, officers, employees, partners, stockholders, members, managers or otherwise, and that the Adviser and directors, officers, employees, partners, stockholders, members and managers of the Adviser and its affiliates are or may become similarly interested in the Company as stockholders or otherwise.

 

7. Responsibility of Dual Directors, Officers and/or Employees .

If any person who is a manager, partner, officer or employee of the Adviser or the Administrator is or becomes a director, officer and/or employee of the Company and acts as such in any business of the Company, then such manager, partner, officer and/or employee of the Adviser or the Administrator shall be deemed to be acting in such capacity solely for the Company, and not as a manager, partner, officer or employee of the Adviser or the Administrator or under the control or direction of the Adviser or the Administrator, even if paid by the Adviser or the Administrator.

 

8. Limitation of Liability of the Adviser; Indemnification .

The Adviser (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser, including without limitation its sole member) shall not be liable to the Company for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Adviser in connection with the performance of any of its duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Company (except to the extent specified in Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act concerning loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty (as the same is finally determined by judicial proceedings) with respect to the receipt of compensation for services), and the Company shall indemnify, defend and protect the Adviser (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser, including without limitation its general partner and the Administrator, each of whom shall be deemed a third party beneficiary hereof) (collectively, the “ Indemnified Parties ”) and hold them harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by the Indemnified Parties in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of the Company or its security holders) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of the Adviser’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Company. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence of this Section 8 to the contrary, nothing contained herein shall protect or be deemed to protect the Indemnified Parties against or entitle or be deemed to entitle the Indemnified Parties to indemnification in respect of, any liability to the Company or its security holders to which the Indemnified Parties would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser’s duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Adviser’s duties and obligations under this Agreement (as the same shall be determined in accordance with the Investment Company Act and any interpretations or guidance by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff thereunder).

 

9


9. Effectiveness, Duration and Termination of Agreement .

(a) This Agreement shall become effective as of the first date above written. The provisions of Section 8 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and the Adviser shall remain entitled to the benefits thereof, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement. Further, notwithstanding the termination or expiration of this Agreement as set forth in this Section 9, the Adviser shall be entitled to any amounts owed under Section 3 through the date of termination or expiration and Section 8 shall continue in force and effect and apply to the Adviser and its representatives as and to the extent applicable.

(b) This Agreement shall continue in effect for two years from the date hereof and thereafter shall continue automatically for successive annual periods, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (A) the vote of the Board, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company and (B) the vote of a majority of the Company’s Directors who are not parties to this Agreement or “interested persons” (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act) of any such party, in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act.

(c) This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, upon not more than 60 days written notice, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company, or by the vote of the Company’s Directors or by the Adviser.

(d) This Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 15(a)(4) of the Investment Company Act).

(e) The provisions of Section 8 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and the Adviser shall remain entitled to the benefits thereof, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement. Further, notwithstanding the termination or expiration of this Agreement as aforesaid, the Adviser shall be entitled to any amounts owed under Section 3 through the date of termination or expiration and Section 8 shall continue in force and effect and apply to the Adviser and its representatives as and to the extent applicable.

 

10. Notices .

Any notice under this Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the other party at its principal office.

 

11. Amendments .

This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Company must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the Investment Company Act.

 

12. Entire Agreement; Governing Law .

This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act. To the extent the

 

10


applicable laws of the State of New York, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the provisions of the Investment Company Act, the latter shall control.

[Remainder of page intentionally blank]

 

11


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on the date above written.

 

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD.
By:  

 

Name:   Michael S. Gross
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
SOLAR CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC
By:  

 

Name:   Michael S. Gross
Title:   Managing Member

 

12

Exhibit h

[Form of Underwriting Agreement]

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD.

[        ] Shares of Common Stock

($0.01 par value)

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

New York, New York

February [    ], 2011

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

[                    ]

As Representatives of the Underwriters

named in Schedule II hereto

c/o Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

388 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10013

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned, Solar Senior Capital Ltd., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), Solar Capital Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Adviser”) and Solar Capital Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Administrator”), address you as underwriters and as the representatives (the “Representatives”) of each of the several underwriters named in Schedule II hereto (the “Underwriters”). The Company proposes to sell to the Underwriters the number of shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”) set forth in Schedule I hereto (said shares to be issued and sold by the Company being hereinafter called the “Underwritten Securities”). The Company also proposes to grant to the Underwriters an option to purchase up to the number of additional shares of Common Stock set forth in Schedule I hereto to cover over-allotments, if any (the “Option Securities”; the Option Securities, together with the Underwritten Securities, being hereinafter called the “Securities”). Unless otherwise stated, the term “you” as used herein means the Representatives, individually on their own behalf and on behalf of the other Underwriters. To the extent there are no additional Underwriters listed on Schedule II other than you, the term Representatives as used herein shall mean you, as Underwriters, and the terms Representatives and Underwriters shall mean either the singular or plural as the context requires. Certain terms used herein are defined in Section 22 hereof. As part of the offering contemplated by this Agreement, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. has agreed to reserve out of the


Securities set forth opposite its name on the Schedule II to this Agreement, up to [      ] shares, for sale to the Company’s employees, officers, and directors and other parties associated with the Company (collectively, “Participants”), as set forth in the Prospectus under the heading “Underwriting” (the “Directed Share Program”). The Securities to be sold by Citigroup Global Markets Inc. pursuant to the Directed Share Program (the “Directed Shares”) will be sold by Citigroup Global Markets Inc. pursuant to this Agreement at the public offering price. Any Directed Shares not orally confirmed for purchase by any Participants by 7:30 A.M. New York City time on the business day following the date on which this Agreement is executed will be offered to the public by Citigroup Global Markets Inc. as set forth in the Prospectus.

The Company is a party to an Investment Advisory and Management Agreement with the Adviser (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) and an Administration Agreement with the Administrator (the “Administration Agreement”), in each case effective as of February [    ], 2011. The Company has also entered into a License Agreement with the Adviser, dated as February [    ], 2011 (the “License Agreement”). Collectively, the Investment Advisory Agreement, Administration Agreement and License Agreement are herein referred to as the “Company Agreements.” In addition, the Company has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan (the “Dividend Reinvestment Plan”) pursuant to which holders of Common Stock shall have their dividends automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock unless they elect to receive such dividends in cash.

1. Representations and Warranties of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator .

The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, and the Adviser and the Administrator, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to, and agree with, each Underwriter as set forth below in this Section 1.

(a) The Company has prepared and filed with the Commission a registration statement (File No. 333-171330) on Form N-2, including a related preliminary prospectus, for registration under the Act of the offering and sale of the Securities. Such Registration Statement has become effective. The Company may have filed, as part of an amendment to the Registration Statement or pursuant to Rule 497, one or more amendments thereto, including a related preliminary prospectus. A Form N-6F – Notice of Intent to Elect to be Subject to Sections 55 through 65 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (File No. 814-00849) (the “Notification of Intent”) was filed with the Commission on December 22, 2010 under the 1940 Act. A Form N-54A – Notification of Election to be Subject to Sections 55 through 65 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 Filed Pursuant to Section 54(a) of the Act (File No. 814-00849) (the “Notification of Election”) was filed with the Commission on [            ], 2011 under the 1940 Act. The Company will file with the Commission a final prospectus related to the Securities in accordance with Rule 497. As filed, such final prospectus shall contain all information required by the Act and the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations and, except to the extent the Representatives shall agree in writing to a modification, shall be in all substantive respects in the form furnished to you prior to the Execution Time or, to the extent not completed at the Execution Time, shall contain only such specific additional information and other changes (beyond that contained in the latest

 

2


Preliminary Prospectus) as the Company has advised you, prior to the Execution Time, will be included or made therein.

(b) The Preliminary Prospectus complied when filed with the Commission in all material respects with the provisions of the Act, the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations, and the Preliminary Prospectus and the Rule 430A Information, when taken together as a whole, as of the Execution Time, do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided , however , that none of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator makes any representations or warranties as to the information contained in or omitted from a Preliminary Prospectus (or any supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 9(b) hereof.

(c) On the Effective Date, the Registration Statement did, and when the Prospectus is first filed in accordance with Rule 497 and on the Closing Date (as defined herein) and on any date on which Option Securities are purchased, if such date is not the Closing Date (a “settlement date”), the Prospectus (and any supplements thereto) will comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Act, the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations; on the Effective Date and at the Execution Time, the Registration Statement did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and on the date of any filing pursuant to Rule 497 and on the Closing Date and any settlement date for the Option Securities, the Prospectus (together with any supplement thereto) will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided , however , that none of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator makes any representations or warranties as to the information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (or any supplement thereto), in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (or any supplement thereto), it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 9(b) hereof. The Commission has not issued any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus.

(d) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing in good standing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Maryland, with full power and authority to own, lease and/or operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction which requires such qualification.

 

3


(e) The Company has no subsidiaries (excluding any companies in which the Company holds investment securities that would be considered a “portfolio company”, as such term is used in Item 8(6)(a) of Form N-2); other than a bankruptcy-remote vehicle that has been or may be formed in connection with the establishment of senior credit facility (the “Senior Credit Facility”) contemplated in each of the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus (the “Subsidiary”). The Subsidiary, if formed, has been duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, and has all power and authority necessary to own or hold its properties and to conduct the businesses in which it is engaged. The Company owns all of the outstanding equity interests of the Subsidiary, if formed, free and clear of any liens, charges or encumbrances in favor of any third parties, except such liens, charges or encumbrances as have been or may be imposed thereon in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Senior Credit Facility. The Subsidiary, if formed, does not employ any persons or conduct any business other than in connection with the Senior Credit Facility, including the acquisition, holding or disposition of assets on behalf of the Company, and the receipt of interest, dividends and principal payments thereon.

(f) As of the Execution Time, the Company has an authorized and outstanding capitalization as set forth under the heading “Actual” in the section of the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus entitled “Capitalization” and, as of the Closing Date (without giving effect to any issuance of Option Securities), the Company shall have an authorized and outstanding capitalization as set forth under the heading “As Adjusted” in the section of the Prospectus entitled “Capitalization”; the capital stock of the Company conforms to the description thereof contained in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus; all outstanding shares of Common Stock have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and are free of any preemptive or similar rights; the Securities have been duly and validly authorized, and, when issued and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement, will be fully paid and nonassessable and free of any preemptive or similar rights that entitle or will entitle any person to acquire any Securities upon issuance thereof by the Company; the Securities are duly listed, and admitted and authorized for trading, subject to official notice of issuance and evidence of satisfactory distribution, on The NASDAQ Global Select Market; the certificates for the Securities are in valid and sufficient form; the holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock are not entitled to preemptive or other rights to subscribe for the Securities; and, except as set forth in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, no options, warrants or other rights to purchase, agreements or other obligations to issue, or rights to convert any obligations into or exchange any securities for, shares of capital stock of or ownership interests in the Company are outstanding.

(g) The Company, subject to the filing of the Prospectus under Rule 497, has taken all required action under the Act, the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations to make the public offering and consummate the sale of the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement.

(h) There are no agreements, contracts, indentures, leases, permits or other instruments of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, which are not described or filed as required by the Act, the 1940 Act or the Rules and Regulations; the statements in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus under the headings [“Summary—Operating and Regulatory Structure”, “Investment Advisory and Management Agreement”, “Administration Agreement”, “License Agreement”, “Regulation as a Business Development Company”, “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations”, “Description of Securities”, “Shares Eligible for Future Sale” and “Underwriting”], insofar as such statements summarize legal matters, agreements, documents or proceedings discussed therein, are accurate and fair summaries of such legal matters, agreements, documents or proceedings.

 

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(i) The execution and delivery of and the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement and the Company Agreements have been duly and validly authorized by the Company and this Agreement and the Company Agreements have been duly executed and delivered by the Company. The Company Agreements constitute the valid and legally binding agreements of the Company, enforceable against the Company, in accordance with their terms, except as rights to indemnity and contribution hereunder may be limited by federal or state securities laws or principles of public policy and subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Company’s obligations thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles.

(j) When the Notification of Election and any amendment or supplement thereto were each filed with the Commission, it (i) contained all statements required to be stated therein in accordance with, and complied in all material respects with the requirements of, the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations, as applicable to business development companies and (ii) did not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The Company has duly elected to be treated by the Commission under the 1940 Act as a “business development company” (the “BDC Election”) and the Company has not filed with the Commission any notice of withdrawal of the BDC Election pursuant to Section 54(c) of the 1940 Act. The BDC Election is effective, and no order of suspension or revocation of such election has been issued or proceedings therefor initiated or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened by the Commission.

(k) The Company is, and at all times through the completion of the transactions contemplated hereby will be, in compliance in all material respects with the applicable terms and conditions of the Act, the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations. No person is serving or acting as an officer, director or investment adviser of the Company except in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations, the Advisers Act and the Advisers Act Rules and Regulations. The Company and the Adviser are not aware that any executive, key employee or significant group of employees of the Company plans to terminate employment with the Company.

(l) No consent, approval, authorization, filing with or order of any court or governmental agency or body is required in connection with the transactions contemplated herein or in the Company Agreements, except (i) such as have been made or obtained under the Act, the 1940 Act, the Exchange Act, the Advisers Act, the rules and regulations of FINRA and NASDAQ, (ii) such as may be required pursuant to Rule 497 under the Act, and (iii) such as may be required under the blue sky laws of any jurisdiction in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters in the manner contemplated herein and in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.

(m) Neither the issuance and sale of the Securities, the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any of the Company Agreements, nor the consummation of any other of the transactions herein or therein contemplated, nor the

 

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fulfillment of the terms hereof or thereof or the adoption of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, conflict with, result in a breach or violation of, or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company pursuant to, (i) the Articles of Incorporation or by-laws of the Company, (ii) the terms of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which the Company is a party or bound or to which its property is subject, or (iii) any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree applicable to the Company of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties, except in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) where such breach or violation, either singly or in the aggregate, would not (x) have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), prospects, earnings, business or properties of the Company, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business (a “Company Material Adverse Effect”) and (y) would not have a material adverse effect on the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(n) No holders of securities of the Company have rights to the registration of such securities under the Registration Statement.

(o) The financial statements, together with related schedules and notes, included in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and the Registration Statement present fairly the financial condition of the Company as of the date indicated, comply as to form with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise noted therein); and the other financial and statistical information and data included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus are accurately derived from such financial statements and the books and records of the Company.

(p) No action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or its property is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened that (i) could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the performance of this Agreement or the consummation of any of the transactions herein contemplated or (ii) could reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

(q) The Company owns, leases or has rights to use all such properties as are necessary to the conduct of its operations as presently conducted.

(r) The Company is not in violation or default of (i) any provision of its Articles of Incorporation or by-laws, (ii) the terms of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which it is a party or bound or to which its property is subject or (iii) any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority

 

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having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties, except in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) where such breach or violation, either singly or in the aggregate, would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(s) Since the date as of which information is given in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated therein, (i) there has been no material, adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise), prospects, earnings, business or properties of the Company, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) there have been no transactions entered into by the Company which are material to the Company other than those in the ordinary course of its business as described in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and (iii) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its Common Stock or other equity interest other than as described in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.

(t) KPMG, LLP, who has certified the balance sheet of the Company and delivered its report with respect to the audited balance sheet included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company within the meaning of the Act, the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations.

(u) The Company (including its agents and representatives, other than the Underwriters in their capacity as such) has not prepared, made, used, authorized, approved or referred to and, prior to the later to occur of (i) the Closing Date and (ii) completion of the distribution of the Securities, will not prepare, make, use, authorize, approve or refer to any written communication that constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Securities other than (A) the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, (B) such materials as may be approved by the Representatives and filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 482 of the Act and (C) a Canadian “wrap-around” (the “Canadian Wrapper”) prepared solely for use in distribution of the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus to Canadian Persons. All other promotional materials (including “road show slides” or “road show scripts”) prepared by the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities (collectively, “Roadshow Material”) was used in accordance with Section 6(o). Each of the Roadshow Material and the Canadian Wrapper is not inconsistent with the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, and when taken together with the Preliminary Prospectus and the Rule 430A Information, at the Execution Time, did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(v) The Company is insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which it is engaged; all policies of insurance insuring the Company or its business, assets, employees, officers and directors, including the Company’s directors and officers errors and omissions insurance policy and its fidelity bond required by

 

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Rule 17g-1 of the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations, are in full force and effect the Company is in compliance with the terms of such policies and fidelity bond in all material respects; and there are no claims by the Company under any such policies or fidelity bond as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; the Company has not been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and the Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage and fidelity bond as and when such coverage and fidelity bond expires or to obtain similar coverage and fidelity bond from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), prospects, earnings, business or properties of the Company, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

(w) The Company possesses all licenses, certificates, permits and other authorizations issued by the appropriate federal, state or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct its business in the manner described in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, and the Company has not received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification thereof, except where the failure to possess any such licenses, certificates, permits or other authorizations, or the revocation or modification thereof, would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(x) The Company maintains and will maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and with the investment objective, policies and restrictions of the Company and the applicable requirements of the 1940 Act, the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, to calculate net asset value, to maintain accountability for assets and to maintain material compliance with the books and records requirements under the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act Rules and Regulations is effective and the Company is not aware of any material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting.

(y) The Company maintains “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act Rules and Regulations); such disclosure controls and procedures are effective; and the Company is not aware of any material weakness in such controls and procedures.

 

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(z) The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities, and the Company is not aware of any such action taken or to be taken by any affiliates of the Company.

(aa) This Agreement and each of the Company Agreements complies in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Act, the 1940 Act, the Rules and Regulations, the Advisers Act and the Advisers Act Rules and Regulations and each of the Company’s Board and sole initial shareholder have approved the Investment Advisory Agreement as required by Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act. The operations of the Company are in compliance in all material respects with the provisions of the 1940 Act applicable to “business development companies.” The provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and by-laws of the Company and the investment objective, policies and restrictions described in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, assuming they are implemented as so described, will comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. The terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, including compensation terms, comply with the provisions of Sections 15(a) and 15(c) of the 1940 Act and Section 205 of the Advisers Act, each as applicable to business development companies.

(bb) Except as disclosed in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, no director of the Company is an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company or an “affiliated person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any Underwriter listed in Schedule II hereto. For purposes of this Section 1(bb), each of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator shall be entitled to rely on representations from such directors.

(cc) The Company intends to direct the investment of the proceeds of the offering of the Securities in such a manner as to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code.

(dd) The Company owns, possesses, licenses or has other rights to use, all patents, patent applications, trade and service marks, trade and service mark registrations, trade names, copyrights, licenses, inventions, trade secrets, technology, know-how and other intellectual property (collectively, the “Intellectual Property”) necessary for the conduct of the Company’s business as now conducted or as proposed in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus to be conducted. Except as set forth in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus (a) there are no rights of third parties to any such Intellectual Property; (b) there is no material infringement by third parties of any such Intellectual Property; (c) there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the Company’s rights in or to any such Intellectual Property and the Company is not aware of any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim; (d) there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the validity or scope of any such Intellectual Property and the Company is not aware of any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim; and (e)

 

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there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others that the Company infringes or otherwise violates any patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret or other proprietary rights of others and the Company is not aware of any other facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim.

(ee) Except as set forth in or contemplated in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto), the Company (i) has filed or has caused to be filed all foreign, federal, state and local tax returns required to be filed or has properly requested extensions thereof (except in any case in which the failure so to file would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect), (ii) has paid all taxes required to be paid by it and any other assessment, fine or penalty levied against it, to the extent that any of the foregoing is due and payable, except for any such assessment, fine or penalty that is currently being contested in good faith or as would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) intends to operate its business so as to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code.

(ff) There are no transfer taxes or other similar fees or charges under Federal law or the laws of any state, or any political subdivision thereof, required to be paid by the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the issuance by the Company or sale by the Company of the Securities.

(gg) Except as disclosed in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company (i) does not have any material lending or other relationship with any bank or lending affiliate of the Representatives and (ii) does not intend to use any of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities hereunder to repay any outstanding debt owed to any affiliate of the Representatives.

(hh) There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company and any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”).

(ii) The Company has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the Federal Securities Laws (as that term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) by the Company, including policies and procedures that provide oversight of compliance by each investment adviser, administrator and transfer agent of the Company.

(jj) The operations of the Company are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements and the money laundering statutes and the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

 

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(kk) There are no business relationships or related-party transactions involving the Company or any other person required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus which have not been described as required, it being understood and agreed that the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator make no representation or warranty with respect to any such relationships involving any Underwriter or any affiliate and any other person that have not been disclosed to the Company by the relevant Underwriter in connection with this offering.

(ll) To the Company’s knowledge, neither the Company nor any employee or agent of the Company has made any payment of funds of the Company or received or retained any funds in violation of any law, rule or regulation, which payment, receipt or retention of funds is of a character required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.

(mm) The Company is not, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus will not be, required to register as an “investment company” as defined in the 1940 Act.

(nn) The Company has not, directly or indirectly, extended credit, arranged to extend credit or renewed any extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan, to or for any director or executive officer of the Company, or to or for any family member or affiliate of any director or executive officer of the Company.

(oo) Any statistical and market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate, and the Company has obtained the written consent to the use of such data from such sources to the extent required.

(pp) Neither the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator nor, to the knowledge of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the FCPA, including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA and the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, and, to the knowledge of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, its affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

 

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(qq) Neither the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator nor, to the knowledge of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”); and neither the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator will directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

(rr) The Company represents and warrants to Citigroup Global Markets Inc. that (i) the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus comply, and any further amendments or supplements thereto will comply, with any applicable laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions in which the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, are distributed in connection with the Directed Share Program, and that (ii) no authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration or qualification of or with any government, governmental instrumentality or court, other than such as have been obtained, is necessary under the securities laws and regulations of foreign jurisdictions in which the Directed Shares are offered outside the United States. The Company has not offered, or caused the Underwriters to offer, Securities to any person pursuant to the Directed Share Program with the specific intent to unlawfully influence (i) a customer or supplier of the Company to alter the customer’s or supplier’s level or type of business with the Company, or (ii) a trade journalist or publication to write or publish favorable information about the Company or its products.

Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator and delivered to the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Securities shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator, as applicable, as to matters covered therein, to each Underwriter.

2. Representations and Warranties of the Adviser and the Administrator . The Adviser and the Administrator, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to, and agree with, each Underwriter as follows:

(a) The Adviser has been duly formed and is validly existing in good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware, with full power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, and is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction which requires such qualification. The Administrator has been duly formed and is validly existing in good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware, with full power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, and is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction which requires such qualification.

 

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(b) The Adviser is duly registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and the Adviser is not prohibited by the Advisers Act, the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act Rules and Regulations or the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations from acting under the Investment Advisory Agreement, as contemplated by the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.

(c) The Adviser has or had full power and authority to enter into this Agreement, the Investment Advisory Agreement and the License Agreement, and the Administrator had full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the Administration Agreement; the execution and delivery of, and the performance by the Adviser of its obligations under, this Agreement, the Investment Advisory Agreement and the License Agreement have been duly and validly authorized by the Adviser, and the execution and delivery of, and the performance by the Administrator of its obligations under this Agreement and the Administration Agreement have been duly and validly authorized by the Administrator; and this Agreement, the Investment Advisory Agreement and the License Agreement have been duly executed and delivered by the Adviser and this Agreement and the Administration Agreement have been duly executed and delivered by the Administrator, and each such agreement constitutes the valid and legally binding agreement of the Adviser or Administrator, as applicable, enforceable against the Adviser or Administrator in accordance with its terms, except as rights to indemnity and contribution hereunder may be limited by federal or state securities laws and subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Adviser’s obligations hereunder and thereunder, and the Administrator’s obligations hereunder and thereunder, may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles.

(d) Each of the Adviser and Administrator has the financial resources available to it necessary for the performance of its services and obligations as contemplated in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and under this Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement, the License Agreement and the Administration Agreement, as applicable.

(e) No action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving each of the Adviser or the Administrator or their property is pending or, to the knowledge of the Adviser and the Administrator, threatened that (i) is required to be described in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus that is not so described as required, (ii) could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Adviser or the Administrator, as the case may be, to fulfill its obligations hereunder or under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the License Agreement or the Administration Agreement, as applicable, or (iii) could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), prospects, earnings, business or properties of the Adviser or the Administrator, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business (an “Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect”), except as set forth in or contemplated in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

 

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(f) Since the date as of which information is given in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated therein, (i) there has been no material, adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise), prospects, earnings, business, regulatory status or properties of the Adviser or Administrator, whether or not arising from the ordinary course of business and (ii) there have been no transactions entered into by the Adviser or Administrator, which are material to the Adviser or Administrator, as the case may be, other than those in the ordinary course of its business as described in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.

(g) Each of the Adviser and the Administrator possesses all licenses, certificates, permits and other authorizations issued by the appropriate federal, state or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct its business in the manner described in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, and neither of the Adviser nor the Administrator has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification thereof, except where the failure to possess any such licenses, certificates, permits or other authorizations, or the revocation or modification thereof, would not, singly or in the aggregate, have an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect and would not have a material adverse effect on the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(h) Neither the execution, delivery or performance by the Adviser of this Agreement, the Investment Advisory Agreement or the License Agreement, or the execution, delivery or performance by the Administrator of this Agreement or the Administration Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions herein or therein contemplated, nor the fulfillment of the terms hereof or thereof, conflict with, result in a breach or violation of, or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Adviser or Administrator, as applicable, pursuant to, (i) the organizational documents of the Adviser or Administrator, as applicable, (ii) the terms of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which the Adviser or Administrator, as applicable, is a party or bound or to which its property is subject, or (iii) any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree applicable to the Adviser or Administrator, as applicable, of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction over the Adviser or Administrator, as applicable, or any of their respective properties, except in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) where such breach or violation, either singly or in the aggregate, would not have an Adviser/Administrator Material Adverse Effect.

(i) Neither the Adviser nor the Administrator has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities, and neither the Adviser nor the Administrator is aware of any such action taken or to be taken by any affiliates of the Adviser or the Administrator.

 

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(j) The operations of the Adviser or the Administrator are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable Money Laundering Laws and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Adviser or the Administrator with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Adviser or the Administrator, threatened.

(k) The Adviser maintains a system of internal controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions effectuated by it under the Investment Advisory Agreement are executed in accordance with its management’s general or specific authorization and (ii) access to the Company’s assets is permitted only in accordance with its management’s general or specific authorization.

(l) The Administrator maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions for which it has bookkeeping and record keeping responsibility for under the Administration Agreement are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for the Company’s assets and (ii) the recorded accountability for such assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

3. Purchase and Sale .

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions and in reliance upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to each Underwriter, and each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at the purchase price set forth in Schedule I hereto, the amount of Underwritten Securities set forth opposite such Underwriter’s name in Schedule II hereto.

(b) Subject to the terms and conditions and in reliance upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, the Company hereby grants an option to the several Underwriters to purchase, severally and not jointly, up to the number of Option Securities set forth in Schedule I hereto at the same purchase price per share as the Underwriters shall pay for the Underwritten Securities, less an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Underwritten Securities but not payable on the Option Securities. Said option may be exercised only to cover over-allotments in the sale of the Underwritten Securities by the Underwriters. Said option may be exercised in whole or in part at any time on or before the 30th day after the date of the Prospectus upon written or telegraphic notice by the Representatives to the Company setting forth the number of shares of the Option Securities as to which the several Underwriters are exercising the option and the settlement date. The number of Option Securities to be purchased by each Underwriter shall be the same percentage of the total number of shares of the Option Securities to be purchased by the several Underwriters as such Underwriter is purchasing of the Underwritten Securities, subject to such adjustments as you in your absolute discretion shall make to eliminate any fractional shares.

 

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4. Delivery and Payment. Delivery of and payment for the Underwritten Securities and the Option Securities (if the option provided for in Section 3(b) hereof shall have been exercised on or before the third Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date) shall be made on the date and at the time specified in Schedule I hereto or at such time on such later date not more than three Business Days after the foregoing date as the Representatives shall designate, which date and time may be postponed by agreement between the Representatives and the Company or as provided in Section 10 hereof (such date and time of delivery and payment for the Securities being herein called the “Closing Date”). Delivery of the Securities shall be made to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters against payment by the several Underwriters through the Representatives of the purchase price thereof to or upon the order of the Company by wire transfer payable in same-day funds to an account specified by the Company. Delivery of the Underwritten Securities and the Option Securities shall be made through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company unless the Representatives shall otherwise instruct.

If the option provided for in Section 3(b) hereof is exercised after the third Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date, the Company will deliver the Option Securities (at the expense of the Company) to the Representatives, at the address specified by the Representatives, on the date specified by the Representatives (which shall be within three Business Days after exercise of said option) for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters, against payment by the several Underwriters through the Representatives of the purchase price thereof to or upon the order of the Company by wire transfer payable in same-day funds to an account specified by the Company. If settlement for the Option Securities occurs after the Closing Date, the Company will deliver to the Representatives on the settlement date for the Option Securities, and the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase the Option Securities shall be conditioned upon receipt of, supplemental opinions, certificates and letters confirming as of such settlement date the opinions, certificates and letters delivered on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 7 hereof.

5. Offering by Underwriters. It is understood that the several Underwriters propose to offer the Securities for sale to the public as set forth in the Prospectus.

6. Agreements of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator.

The Company agrees, and, the Adviser and the Administrator, jointly and severally, agree with the several Underwriters that:

(a) Prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities, the Company will not file any amendment of the Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement unless the Company has furnished the Representatives with a copy for their review prior to filing and will not file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Representatives reasonably object. The Company will cause the Prospectus, properly completed, and any supplement thereto to be filed in a form approved by the Representatives with the Commission pursuant to the applicable paragraph of Rule 497 within the time period prescribed and will provide evidence satisfactory to the Representatives of such timely filing. The Company will promptly advise the Representatives (i) when the Prospectus, and any

 

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supplement thereto, shall have been filed (if required) with the Commission pursuant to Rule 497 or when any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement shall have been filed with the Commission, (ii) when, prior to termination of the offering of the Securities, any amendment to the Registration Statement shall have been filed or become effective, (iii) of any request by the Commission or its staff for any amendment of the Registration Statement, or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or for any supplement to the Prospectus or for any additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any notice objecting to its use or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose and (v) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose. The Company will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order or the occurrence of any such suspension or objection to the use of the Registration Statement and, upon such issuance, occurrence or notice of objection, to obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal of such stop order or relief from such occurrence or objection, including, if necessary, by filing an amendment to the Registration Statement or a new registration statement and using its best efforts to have such amendment or new registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable.

(b) If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be filed or delivered under the Act, any event occurs as a result of which the Prospectus as then supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein in light of the circumstances under which they were made or the circumstances then prevailing not misleading, or if it shall be necessary to amend the Registration Statement or supplement the Prospectus to comply with the Act, the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations, the Company promptly will (i) notify the Representatives of any such event; (ii) prepare and file with the Commission, subject to the second sentence of paragraph (a) of this Section 6, an amendment or supplement which will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance, (iii) use its best efforts to have any amendment to the Registration Statement declared effective as soon as practicable in order to avoid any disruption in the use of the Prospectus; and (iv) supply any supplemented Prospectus to the Representatives in such quantities as the Representatives may reasonably request.

(c) As soon as practicable, the Company will make generally available to its security holders and to the Representatives an earnings statement or statements of the Company which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act and Rule 158.

(d) The Company will furnish to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters manually signed copies of the Registration Statement (including each amendment thereto) and, so long as delivery of a prospectus by an Underwriter or dealer may be required by the Act, as many copies of the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and any supplement thereto as the Representatives may reasonably request.

(e) The Company will arrange, if necessary, for the qualification of the Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may

 

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designate and will maintain such qualifications in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Securities; provided that in no event shall the Company be obligated to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to service of process in suits, other than those arising out of the offering or sale of the Securities, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject.

(f) Each of the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator and each of the persons and entities listed in Schedule III hereto will not, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of, or enter into any transaction which is designed to, or might reasonably be expected to, result in the disposition (whether by actual disposition or effective economic disposition due to cash settlement or otherwise) by the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator or any person or entity listed in Schedule III hereto, or any affiliate of the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator or any person or entity listed in Schedule III hereto, directly or indirectly, including the filing (or participation in the filing) of a registration statement with the Commission in respect of, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, any other shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into, or exercisable, or exchangeable for, shares of Common Stock; or publicly announce an intention to effect any such transaction for a period of 180 days after the date of this Agreement; provided , however , that (i) the Company may issue and sell Common Stock pursuant to any dividend reinvestment plan of the Company in effect at the Execution Time and (ii) the filing of the Registration Statement by the Company under the Securities Act for the registration of an aggregate amount of shares issued pursuant to the Concurrent Private Placement described in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, including any required amendments or supplements thereto, shall not be prohibited by the foregoing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (x) during the last 17 days of the 180-day restricted period, the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs or (y) prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day restricted period, the restrictions imposed in this clause shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event, as applicable. The Company will provide the Representatives and any co-managers and each individual subject to the restricted period pursuant to the lockup letters described in Section 7(m) with prior notice of any such announcement that gives rise to an extension of the restricted period.

(g) At the Execution Time, the Company will obtain for the benefit of the Underwriters the agreements in the form of Exhibit C hereto from each officer and director of the Company and Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC addressed to the Representatives.

(h) The Company will comply with all applicable securities and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and will use reasonable efforts to cause the Company’s directors and officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with such laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

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(i) The Company, the Adviser and the Administrator will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(j) The Company agrees to pay the costs and expenses relating to the following matters: (i) the preparation, printing or reproduction and filing with the Commission of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits thereto), the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, the Notification of Intent and the Notification of Election and each amendment or supplement to any of them; (ii) the printing (or reproduction) and delivery (including postage, air freight charges and charges for counting and packaging) of such copies of the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Roadshow Material and all amendments or supplements to any of them, as may, in each case, be reasonably requested for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities; (iii) the preparation, printing, authentication, issuance and delivery of certificates for the Securities, including any stamp or transfer taxes in connection with the original issuance and sale of the Securities; (iv) the printing (or reproduction) and delivery of this Agreement, any blue sky memorandum, dealer agreements and all other agreements or documents printed (or reproduced) and delivered in connection with the offering of the Securities; (v) the registration of the Securities under the Exchange Act and the listing of the Securities on The NASDAQ Global Select Market; (vi) any registration or qualification of the Securities for offer and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of the several states (including filing fees and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters relating to such registration and qualification); (vii) any filings required to be made with FINRA (including filing fees and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters relating to such filings); (viii) expenses incurred by the Company representatives in connection with presentations to prospective purchasers of the Securities (provided that the Company will pay fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate cost of any private aircraft used in connection with such “road show” presentations); (ix) the fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants and the fees and expenses of counsel (including local and special counsel) for the Company; and (x) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder.

(k) The Company agrees to pay (1) all reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the Directed Share Program, (2) all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the printing (or reproduction) and delivery (including postage, air freight charges and charges for counting and packaging) of copies of the Directed Share Program material and (3) all reasonable stamp duties, similar taxes or duties or other taxes, if any, incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the Directed Share Program.

(l) The Company agrees to apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities in the manner set forth under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and direct the investment of the net proceeds in such a

 

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manner as to comply with the investment objective, policies and restrictions of the Company as described in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.

(m) The Company will use reasonable efforts to maintain its status as a “business development company” under the 1940 Act; provided , however , that the Company may change the nature of its business so as to cease to be, or withdraw its election to be treated as, a business development company with the approval of its Board of Directors and a vote of stockholders to the extent required by Section 58 of the 1940 Act.

(n) The Company will use reasonable efforts to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code with respect to any fiscal year in which the Company is a business development company.

(o) The Company, the Adviser and the Administrator will use their reasonable efforts to perform all of the agreements required of them by this Agreement and discharge all conditions of theirs to closing as set forth in this Agreement.

(p) Before using, approving or referring to any Roadshow Material, the Company will furnish to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters a copy of such material for review and will not make, prepare, use, authorize, approve or refer to any such material to which the Representatives reasonably object.

Furthermore, the Company covenants, and, the Advisor and the Administrator, jointly and severally, covenant with Citigroup Global Markets Inc. that the Company will comply in all material respects with all applicable securities and other applicable laws, rules and regulations in each foreign jurisdiction in which the Directed Shares are offered in connection with the Directed Share Program.

7. Conditions to the Obligations of the Underwriters. The obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Underwritten Securities and the Option Securities, as the case may be, shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator contained herein as of the Execution Time, the Closing Date and any settlement date for the Option Securities pursuant to Section 4 hereof, to the accuracy of the statements of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator made in any certificates pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator of their obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:

(a) The Prospectus and any supplements thereto have been filed in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 497; and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any notice objecting to its use or order pursuant to Section 54(c) of the 1940 Act shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or threatened by the Commission, and any request of the Commission for additional information (to be included in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or otherwise) shall have been complied with in all material respects.

 

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(b) The Company, the Adviser and the Administrator shall have requested and caused Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, counsel for the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, to have furnished to the Representatives its opinion, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Representatives in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

(c) The Company shall have requested and caused Venable LLP, special Maryland counsel to the Company, to have furnished to the Representatives its opinion as to certain matters pertaining to Maryland law, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Representatives in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

(d) The Representatives shall have received from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Representatives, with respect to the issuance and sale of the Securities, the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus (together with any supplement thereto) and other related matters as the Representatives may reasonably require, and the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters. Insofar as the opinions expressed therein relate to or are depending upon matters governed by Maryland Law, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP will be permitted to rely on the opinion of Venable LLP.

(e) Each of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator shall have furnished to the Representatives a certificate, signed by the principal executive officer and the principal financial or accounting officer of each of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, as the case may be, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that the signers of such certificate have carefully examined the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, any amendments or supplements thereto, and this Agreement and that:

(i) The representations and warranties of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator, as the case may be, in this Agreement are true and correct on and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as if made on the Closing Date and the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator, as the case may be, have complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date;

(ii) No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any notice objecting to its use has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or, to the Company’s, the Adviser’s or the Administrator’s knowledge, as the case may be, threatened; and

(iii) Since the date of the most recent financial statements included in the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto) (with respect to the certificate of the Company) and since the date of the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplements thereto) (with respect to the certificates of the Adviser and the Administrator), there has been no material adverse effect on the condition

 

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(financial or otherwise), prospects, earnings, business or properties of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator, as the case may be, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

(h) The Company shall have requested and caused KPMG LLP to have furnished to the Representatives, at the Execution Time and at the Closing Date, letters, dated respectively as of the Execution Time and as of the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, confirming that it is an independent accountant within the meaning of the Act and the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations and that it has audited the balance sheet of the Company as of January 31, 2011 and stating in effect that:

(i) in its opinion, the balance sheet included in the registration statement comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the related rules and regulations adopted by the SEC.

(ii) on the basis of carrying out certain specified procedures (but not an examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards) which would not necessarily reveal matters of significance with respect to the comments set forth in such letter; a reading of the minutes of the meetings of the stockholders, directors and committees of the Company; and inquiries of certain officials of the Company who have responsibility for financial and accounting matters of the Company as to transactions and events subsequent to January 31, 2011, nothing came to their attention which caused them to believe that with respect to the period subsequent to January 31, 2011 to a specified date not more than three business days prior to the date of the letter, there was any change in capital stock, increase in long term debt or decrease in net assets of the Company as compared with the amount shown on the January 31, 2011 balance sheet included in the registration statement, except in all instances for changes or decreases set forth in such letter, in which case the letter shall be accompanied by an explanation by the Company as to the significance thereof unless said explanation is not deemed necessary by the Representatives.

(ii) it has performed certain other specified procedures as a result of which it determined that certain information of an accounting, financial or statistical nature (which is limited to accounting, financial or statistical information derived from the general accounting records of the Company) set forth in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Final Prospectus, agrees with the accounting records of the Company, excluding any questions of legal interpretation.

References to the Final Prospectus in this paragraph (h) include any supplement thereto at the date of the letter.

 

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(i) Subsequent to the Execution Time or, if earlier, the dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement (exclusive of any post-effective amendment thereof) and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto), there shall not have been (i) any change or decrease specified in the letter or letters referred to in paragraph (h) of this Section 7 or (ii) any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the condition (financial or otherwise), prospects, earnings, business or properties of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto) the effect of which, in any case referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above, is, in the sole judgment of the Representatives, so material and adverse as to make it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the Registration Statement (exclusive of any post-effective amendment thereof), the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

(j) The Securities shall have been listed and admitted and authorized for trading on The NASDAQ Global Select Market, and satisfactory evidence of such actions shall have been provided to the Representatives.

(k) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Concurrent Private Placement as described in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus shall have been consummated with gross proceeds of at least $[                ] being paid to the Company.

(l) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have received binding commitment letters to lend the full aggregate principal amount of the Senior Credit Facility set forth in each of the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus on substantially the terms described in each of the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

(m) At the Execution Time, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives a letter substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto from each officer and director of the Company and Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC addressed to the Representatives.

(n) Prior to the Closing Date, the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator shall have furnished to the Representatives such further information, certificates and documents as the Representatives may reasonably request.

If any of the conditions specified in this Section 7 shall not have been fulfilled when and as provided in this Agreement, or if any of the opinions and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall not be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, this Agreement and all obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be canceled at, or at any time prior to, the Closing Date by the

 

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Representatives. Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the Company in writing or by telephone or facsimile confirmed in writing.

The documents required to be delivered by this Section 7 shall be delivered at the office of counsel for the Underwriters on the Closing Date.

8. Reimbursement of Underwriters’ Expenses . If the sale of the Securities provided for herein is not consummated because any condition to the obligations of the Underwriters set forth in Section 7 hereof is not satisfied, because of any termination pursuant to Sections 11(a) and 11(b) hereof or because of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator to perform any agreement herein or comply with any provision hereof other than by reason of a default by any of the Underwriters, the Adviser will reimburse the Underwriters severally through the Representatives on demand for all out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) that shall have been incurred by them in connection with the proposed purchase and sale of the Securities.

9. Indemnification and Contribution .

(a) The Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, the directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates of each Underwriter and each person who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of the Act against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Act or other Federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the registration statement for the registration of the Securities as originally filed or in any amendment thereof (and including any post-effective amendment, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any Rule 430A Information deemed to be included or incorporated therein), or in each preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus, any Roadshow Material or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and agrees to reimburse each such indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided , however , that the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for inclusion therein. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator may otherwise have.

(b) Each Underwriter severally and not jointly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement, and each person who controls the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator within the meaning of the Act, to the same extent as the

 

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foregoing indemnity from the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator to each Underwriter, but only with reference to written information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator by or on behalf of such Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which any Underwriter may otherwise have. The Company, the Adviser and the Administrator acknowledge that the statements set forth in (i) the last paragraph of the cover page regarding delivery of the Securities and, under the heading “Underwriting”, (ii) the list of Underwriters and their respective participation in the sale of the Securities, (iii) the sentences related to concessions and reallowances and (iv) the paragraphs related to stabilization, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in any preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus constitute the only information furnished in writing by or on behalf of the several Underwriters specifically for inclusion in any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus.

(c) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Citigroup Global Markets Inc., the directors, officers, employees and agents of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and each person, who controls Citigroup Global Markets Inc. within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act (“Citigroup Entities”), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities to which they may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or other Federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim), insofar as such losses, claims damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) (i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the prospectus wrapper material prepared by or with the consent of the Company for distribution in foreign jurisdictions in connection with the Directed Share Program attached to the Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement therein, when considered in conjunction with the Prospectus or any applicable preliminary prospectus, not misleading; (ii) caused by the failure of any Participant to pay for and accept delivery of the securities which immediately following the Effective Date of the Registration Statement, were subject to a properly confirmed agreement to purchase; or (iii) related to, arising out of, or in connection with the Directed Share Program, except that this clause (iii) shall not apply to the extent that such loss, claim, damage or liability is finally judicially determined to have resulted primarily from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Citigroup Entities.

(d) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 9 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 9, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve the indemnifying party from liability under paragraph (a), (b) or (c) above unless and to the extent the indemnifying party did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) above. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to appoint counsel of the indemnifying party’s choice at the indemnifying party’s expense to represent the indemnified party in any action for which

 

25


indemnification is sought (in which case the indemnifying party shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel retained by the indemnified party or parties except as set forth below); provided, however, that such counsel shall be satisfactory to the indemnified party. Notwithstanding the indemnifying party’s election to appoint counsel to represent the indemnified party in an action, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with an actual conflict of interest, (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action or (iv) the indemnifying party shall authorize the indemnified party to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party. The indemnifying party under this Section 9 shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party against any loss, claim, damage, liability or action by reason of such settlement or judgment. No indemnifying party will, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, if indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 9(c) hereof in respect of such action or proceeding, then in addition to such separate firm for the indemnified parties, the indemnifying party shall be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for Citigroup Global Markets Inc., the directors, officers, employees and agents of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., and all persons, if any, who control Citigroup Global Markets Inc. within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act for the defense of any losses, claims, damages and liabilities arising out of the Directed Share Program.

(e) In the event that the indemnity provided in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 9 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party for any reason, the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, jointly and severally, and the Underwriters severally and not jointly, agree to contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending the same) (collectively, “Losses”) to which the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator, and one or more of the Underwriters may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator (treated jointly for this purpose as one person) on the one hand, and by the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Securities; provided , however , that in no case shall any Underwriter (except as may be provided in any agreement among

 

26


underwriters relating to the offering of the Securities) be responsible for any amount in excess of the underwriting discount or commission applicable to the Securities purchased by such Underwriter hereunder. If the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is unavailable for any reason, the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, jointly and severally, and the Underwriters severally and not jointly, shall contribute in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator (treated jointly for this purpose as one person) on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. Benefits received by the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator (treated jointly for this purpose as one person) shall be deemed to be equal to the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company, and benefits received by the Underwriters shall be deemed to be equal to the total underwriting discounts and commissions, in each case as set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any untrue or any alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information provided by the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator (treated jointly for this purpose as one person) on the one hand or the Underwriters on the other, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The Company, the Adviser, the Administrator and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph (e), no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 9, each person who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of the Act and each director, officer, employee, agent or affiliate of an Underwriter shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each person who controls the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator within the meaning of the Act, each officer of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator who shall have signed the Registration Statement and each director or trustee of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, subject in each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this paragraph (e).

(f) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Section 9, no party shall be entitled to indemnification or contribution under this Agreement in violation of Section 17(i) of the 1940 Act.

10. Default by an Underwriter. If any one or more Underwriters shall fail to purchase and pay for any of the Securities agreed to be purchased by such Underwriter or Underwriters hereunder and such failure to purchase shall constitute a default in the performance of its or their obligations under this Agreement, the remaining Underwriters shall be obligated severally to take up and pay for (in the respective proportions which the amount of Securities set forth opposite their names in Schedule II hereto bears to the aggregate amount of Securities set forth opposite the names of all the remaining Underwriters) the Securities which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase; provided , however , that in the event that the aggregate amount of Securities which the defaulting Underwriter or

 

27


Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase shall exceed 10% of the aggregate amount of Securities set forth in Schedule II hereto, the remaining Underwriters shall have the right to purchase all, but shall not be under any obligation to purchase any, of the Securities, and if such nondefaulting Underwriters do not purchase all the Securities, this Agreement will terminate without liability to any nondefaulting Underwriter, the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator. In the event of a default by any Underwriter as set forth in this Section 10, the Closing Date shall be postponed for such period, not exceeding five Business Days, as the Representatives shall determine in order that the required changes in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter of its liability, if any, to the Company, and any nondefaulting Underwriter for damages occasioned by its default hereunder.

11. Termination. This Agreement shall be subject to termination in the absolute discretion of the Representatives, without liability on the part of the Underwriters to the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator, by notice given to the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator prior to delivery of and payment for the Securities, if at any time prior to such time (a) trading in the Company’s Common Stock shall have been suspended by the Commission or The NASDAQ Global Select Market or trading in securities generally on The NASDAQ Global Select Market shall have been suspended or limited or minimum prices shall have been established on The NASDAQ Global Select Market, (b) a banking moratorium shall have been declared either by Federal or New York State authorities or (c) there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States, or there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war, or other calamity or crisis the effect of which on financial markets is such as to make it, in the sole judgment of the Representatives, impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

12. Representations and Indemnities to Survive. The respective agreements, representations, warranties, indemnities and other statements of each of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator or its officers, and of the Underwriters set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, or the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator or any of the officers, directors, trustees, employees, agents, affiliates or controlling persons referred to in Section 9 hereof, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Securities. The provisions of Sections 8 and 9 hereof shall survive the termination or cancellation of this Agreement.

13. Notices. All communications hereunder shall be in writing and effective only on receipt, and will be delivered by facsimile (with receipt confirmed), overnight courier or registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by telegram and:

(a) if to the Underwriters, shall be sufficient in all respects if delivered to the Citigroup Global Markets Inc. General Counsel (fax no.: (212) 816-7912) and confirmed to the General Counsel, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., at 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York, 10013, Attention: General Counsel (facsimile (212) 816-7912); with a

 

28


copy to Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, 425 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017, Attention: Joseph H. Kaufman, Esq. (facsimile (212) 455-2502); and

(b) if to the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator, shall be sufficient in all respects if delivered to the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator at the offices of the Company at 500 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022, Attention: Michael S. Gross (facsimile (212) 993-1699), to the Adviser at 500 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022, Attention: Michael S. Gross (facsimile (212) 993-1699), and to the Administrator at 500 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022, Attention: Michael S. Gross (facsimile (212) 993-1699); with a copy to Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, 1275 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20004, Attention: Steven B. Boehm, Esq. (facsimile (202) 637-3593).

14. No Fiduciary Duty. Each of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator hereby acknowledges that (a) the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator, on the one hand, and the Underwriters and any affiliate through which they may be acting, on the other, (b) the Underwriters are acting as principal and not as an agent or fiduciary of the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator and (c) the Company’s, the Adviser’s and the Administrator’s engagement of the Underwriters in connection with the offering and the process leading up to the offering is as independent contractors and not in any other capacity. Furthermore, each of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator agrees that it is solely responsible for making its own judgments in connection with the offering (irrespective of whether any of the Underwriters has advised or is currently advising the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator on related or other matters). Each of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator agrees that it will not claim that the Underwriters have rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owe an agency, fiduciary or similar duty to the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.

15. Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the persons referred to in Section 9 hereof, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

16. Integration. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between and among the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator and the Underwriters, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

17. Applicable Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed within the State of New York.

18. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator and each of the Underwriters hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

29


19. Parties at Interest. The agreement herein set forth has been and is made solely for the benefit of the Underwriters, the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator and the controlling persons, directors, officers and affiliates referred to in Section 9 hereof, and their respective successors, assigns, executors and administrators. No other person, partnership, association or corporation (including a purchaser, in its capacity as such, from the Underwriters) shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement.

20. Counterparts . This Agreement may be signed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

21. Headings. The section headings used herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

22. Definitions. The terms which follow, when used in this Agreement, shall have the meanings indicated.

“1940 Act” shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

“1940 Act Rules and Regulations” shall mean the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1940 Act.

“Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Act Rules and Regulations” shall mean the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Act.

“Advisers Act” shall mean the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.

“Advisers Act Rules and Regulations” shall mean the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Advisers Act.

“Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies are authorized or obligated by law to close in New York City.

“Canadian Person” shall mean any person who is a national or resident of Canada, any corporation, partnership, or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of Canada or of any political subdivision thereof, or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to Canadian Federal income taxation, regardless of its source (other than any non-Canadian branch of any Canadian Person), and shall include any Canadian branch of a person other than a Canadian Person.

“Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Effective Date” shall mean each date and time that the Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment or amendments thereto and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement became or becomes effective.

 

30


“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

“Exchange Act Rules and Regulations” shall mean the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Exchange Act.

“Execution Time” shall mean the date and time that this Agreement is executed and delivered by the parties hereto.

“FINRA” shall mean the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

“FCPA” shall mean the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

“NASDAQ” shall mean The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.

“Preliminary Prospectus” shall mean the preliminary prospectus dated as of February [14], 2011 included in the Registration Statement at the Effective Date and which omits the Rule 430A Information.

“Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus, dated as of February [    ], 2011, to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 497, and which contains the 430A Information.

“Registration Statement” shall mean the registration statement referred to in paragraph 1(a) above, including exhibits and financial statements and any prospectus supplement relating to the Securities that is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 497 and deemed part of such registration statement pursuant to Rule 430A, as amended at the Execution Time and, in the event any post-effective amendment thereto or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement becomes effective prior to the Closing Date, shall also mean such registration statement as so amended or such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, as the case may be. Such term shall include any Rule 430A Information deemed to be included therein at the Effective Date as provided by Rule 430A.

“Rule 158”, “Rule 430A”, and “Rule 462” refer to such rules under the Act.

“Rule 430A Information” shall mean information with respect to the Securities and the offering thereof permitted to be omitted from the Registration Statement when it becomes effective pursuant to Rule 430A.

“Rule 462(b) Registration Statement” shall mean a registration statement and any amendments thereto filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) relating to the offering covered by the registration statement referred to in Section 1(a) hereof.

“Rule 497” refers to Rule 497(c) or Rule 497(h) under the Act, as applicable.

“Rules and Regulations” shall mean, collectively, the Act Rules and Regulations and the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations.

 

31


[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]

 

32


If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate hereof, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall represent a binding agreement among the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator and the several Underwriters.

 

Very truly yours,
SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD.
By:  

 

  Name: Michael Gross
  Title: CEO
SOLAR CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC
By:  

 

  Name: Michael Gross
  Title: Managing Member
SOLAR CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
By:  

 

  Name: Michael Gross
  Title: Managing Member


The foregoing Agreement is hereby

confirmed and accepted as of the

date first above written.

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
By:  

 

 

Name:

Title:

[                                 ]
By:  

 

 

Name:

Title:

For themselves and the other

several Underwriters named in

Schedule II to the foregoing

Agreement.

Exhibit j

[Form of Custody Agreement]

CUSTODY AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT, dated as of                      between Solar Senior Capital Ltd., a Maryland corporation having its principal office and place of business at 500 Park Avenue, 5 th Floor, New York, NY 10022 (the “Company”) and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, a New York corporation authorized to do a banking business having its principal office and place of business at One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286 (“Custodian”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

That for and in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth the Company and Custodian agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words shall have the meanings set forth below:

1. “Authorized Person” shall be any person, whether or not an officer or employee of the Company, duly authorized by the Company’s board to execute any Certificate or to give any Oral Instruction and/or Written Instruction with respect to one or more Accounts, such persons to be designated in a Certificate annexed hereto as Schedule I hereto or such other Certificate as may be received by Custodian from time to time.

2. “BNY Affiliate” shall mean any office, branch or subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.

3. “Book-Entry System” shall mean the Federal Reserve/Treasury book-entry system for receiving and delivering securities, its successors and nominees.

4. “Business Day” shall mean any day on which Custodian and relevant Depositories are open for business.

5. “Certificate” shall mean any notice, instruction, or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to Custodian, which is actually received by Custodian by letter or facsimile transmission and signed on behalf of the Company by an Authorized Person or a person reasonably believed by Custodian to be an Authorized Person.

6. “Certificated Security” shall mean a promissory note or other debt obligation or a warrant or similar right to purchase shares, each in physical form and from time to time contained in a Loan Document File (as hereinafter defined) or otherwise delivered to Custodian pursuant to this Agreement or held at a Subcustodian.


7. “Composite Currency Unit” shall mean the Euro or any other composite currency unit consisting of the aggregate of specified amounts of specified currencies, as such unit may be constituted from time to time.

8. “Depository” shall include (a) the Book-Entry System, (b) the Depository Trust Company, (c) any other clearing agency or securities depository registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission identified to the Company from time to time, and (d) the respective successors and nominees of the foregoing.

9. “Foreign Depository” shall mean (a) Euroclear, (b) Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme, (c) each Eligible Securities Depository as defined in Rule 17f-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, identified to the Company from time to time, and (d) the respective successors and nominees of the foregoing.

10. “Company Investments” shall mean investments by the Company in Loans, notes, bonds, debentures, mutual funds, and other investment in private or public companies and/or collective investment vehicles.

11. “Written Instructions” shall mean written communications actually received by Custodian by S.W.I.F.T., letter, facsimile transmission, or other method or system specified by Custodian (and which Company elects to use) as available for use in connection with the services hereunder.

12. “Loan Document File” shall mean a hard copy file, which the Company represents contains Loan Documents (as hereinafter defined), delivered to and received by Custodian hereunder.

13. “Loan Documents” shall mean all documents and instruments relating to any Loans (as hereinafter defined), including, without limitation, loan or credit agreements, assignment and acceptance agreements, promissory notes, deeds, mortgages and security agreements contained in a Loan Document File.

14. “Loans” shall mean loans or loan commitments by the Company to its borrowers.

15. “Oral Instructions” shall mean verbal instructions received by Custodian from an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by Custodian to be an Authorized Person.

16. “SACA” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2 of Article VI.

17. “Securities” shall mean any common stock and other equity securities, bonds, debentures, Company Investments, promissory notes and other debt securities and warrants or any instruments representing rights to receive, purchase, or subscribe for the same, or representing any other rights or interests therein whether constituting a Certificated Security or held in book-entry form in a Depository or a Foreign Depository.

 

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18. “Subcustodian” shall mean a bank (including any branch thereof) or other financial institution (other than a Foreign Depository) located outside the U.S. which is utilized by Custodian in connection with the purchase, sale or custody of Securities hereunder and identified to the Company from time to time, and their respective successors and nominees.

“Uncertificated Securities” shall mean any Securities which are not Certificated Securities.

ARTICLE II

APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN; ACCOUNTS;

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, AND COVENANTS

1.(a) The Company hereby appoints Custodian as custodian of all Securities, cash and Loan Documents at any time delivered to Custodian during the term of this Agreement. Except as otherwise agreed, Certificated Securities shall be held in registered form in the Company’s name. Custodian hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to establish and maintain one or more securities accounts and cash accounts in which Custodian will hold Securities and cash and Loan Document Files as provided herein. Such accounts (each, an “Account”; collectively, the “Accounts”) shall be in the name of the Company. All Loan Document Files (and any Certificated Securities that may be contained therein) shall be maintained and held by Custodian in its vaults or the vaults of a Subcustodian.

(b) Custodian may from time to time establish on its books and records such sub-accounts within each Account as the Company and Custodian may agree upon (each a “Special Account”), and Custodian shall reflect therein such assets as the Company may specify in a Certificate or Written Instructions.

(c) Custodian may from time to time establish pursuant to a written agreement with and for the benefit of a broker, dealer, future commission merchant or other third party identified in a Certificate or Written Instructions such accounts on such terms and conditions as the Company and Custodian shall agree, and Custodian shall transfer to such account such Securities and money as the Company may specify in a Certificate or Written Instructions.

2. (a) The Company hereby represents and warrants, which representations and warranties shall be continuing and shall be deemed to be reaffirmed upon each delivery of a Certificate or each giving (or acceptance, as applicable) of Oral or Written Instructions by the Company, that:

(b) It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement, and to perform its obligations hereunder;

(c) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and there is no statute, regulation, rule, order or judgment binding on it, and no provision of its charter or by-laws, nor of any mortgage, indenture, credit agreement or other

 

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contract binding on it or affecting its property, which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement;

(d) It is, based on its knowledge and reasonable belief, conducting its business in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and requirements, both state and federal, and has obtained, based on its knowledge and reasonable belief, all regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to carry on its business as now conducted;

(e) It will not knowingly use the services provided by Custodian hereunder in any manner that is, or will result in, a violation of any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Company;

(f) To the extent applicable, its board or its foreign custody manager, as defined in Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “40 Act”), has determined that use of each Subcustodian (including any Replacement Custodian) which Custodian is authorized to utilize in accordance with Section 1(a) of Article III hereof satisfies the applicable requirements of the 40 Act and Rule 17f-5 thereunder;

(g) To the extent applicable, the Company or its investment adviser has determined that the custody arrangements of each Foreign Depository provide reasonable safeguards against the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with such Foreign Depository within the meaning of Rule 17f-7 under the 40 Act;

(h) It is fully informed of the protections and risks associated with various methods of transmitting Instructions and Oral Instructions and delivering Certificates to Custodian, shall, and shall cause each Authorized Person, to safeguard and treat with extreme care any user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys, understands that there may be more secure methods of transmitting or delivering the same than the methods selected by it, agrees that the security procedures (if any) to be followed in connection therewith provide a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and circumstances, and acknowledges and agrees that Instructions need not be reviewed by Custodian, may conclusively be presumed by Custodian to have been given by person(s) duly authorized, and may be acted upon as given;

(i) Reserved;

(j) Its transmission or giving of, and Custodian acting upon and in reliance on, Certificates or Written Instructions pursuant to this Agreement shall at all times comply with the 40 Act;

(k) It shall not make any cash disbursement which it knows is in furtherance of an unlawful activity;

(l) It has the right to make the pledge and grant the right of setoff/security interest and security entitlement to Custodian contained in Section 1 of Article V hereof, free of any right of redemption or prior claim of any other person or entity, such pledge and such grant(s) shall (subject to the SACA) have a first priority subject to no setoffs, counterclaims, or

 

- 4 -


other liens or grants prior to or on a parity therewith (other than the SACA), and it shall take such additional steps as Custodian may require to assure such priority; and

(xii) Each Loan Document File delivered to Custodian hereunder shall contain all relevant Loan Documents pertaining to the Loan to which it relates.

3. The Company hereby covenants that it shall from time to time complete and execute and deliver to Custodian upon Custodian’s request a Form FR U-1 (or successor form) whenever the Company borrows from Custodian any money to be used for the purchase or carrying of margin stock as defined in Federal Reserve Regulation U.

ARTICLE III

CUSTODY OF SECURITIES AND RELATED SERVICES

1. (a) Subject to the terms hereof, the Company hereby authorizes Custodian to hold any Securities received by it from time to time for the Company’s account. Custodian shall be entitled to utilize, subject to subsection (c) of this Section 1, Depositories, Subcustodians, and, subject to subsection (d) of this Section 1, Foreign Depositories, to the extent possible in connection with its performance hereunder. Uncertificated Securities and cash held in a Depository or Foreign Depository will be held subject to the rules, terms and conditions of such entity. Securities and cash held through Subcustodians shall be held subject to the terms and conditions of Custodian’s agreements with such Subcustodians. Securities and cash held through Subcustodians shall be held subject to the terms and conditions of Custodian’s agreements with such Subcustodians, which will require the Subcustodian at a minimum to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of the Company’s foreign assets in the relevant market would exercise, in performing the delegated responsibility. Subcustodians may be authorized to hold Uncertificated Securities in Foreign Depositories in which such Subcustodians participate. Unless otherwise required by local law or practice or a particular subcustodian agreement, Uncertificated Securities deposited with a Subcustodian, a Depositary or a Foreign Depository will be held in a commingled account, in the name of Custodian, holding only Securities held by Custodian as custodian for its customers. Custodian shall identify on its books and records the Securities, cash and other assets belonging to the Company, whether held directly or indirectly through Depositories, Foreign Depositories, or Subcustodians. Custodian shall, directly or indirectly through Subcustodians, Depositories, or Foreign Depositories, endeavor, to the extent feasible, to hold Securities in the country or other jurisdiction in which the principal trading market for such Securities is located, where such Securities are to be presented for cancellation and/or payment and/or registration, or where such Securities are acquired. Custodian at any time may cease utilizing any Subcustodian and/or may replace a Subcustodian with a different Subcustodian (the “Replacement Subcustodian”). In the event Custodian selects a Replacement Subcustodian, Custodian shall not utilize such Replacement Subcustodian until after the Company or foreign custody manager has determined that utilization of such Replacement Subcustodian satisfies the requirements of the 40 Act and Rule 17f-5 thereunder.

(b) Unless Custodian has received a Certificate or Written Instructions to the contrary, Custodian shall hold Securities indirectly through a Subcustodian only if (i) the

 

- 5 -


Securities are not subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of such Subcustodian or its creditors or operators, including a receiver or trustee in bankruptcy or similar authority, except for a claim of payment for the safe custody or administration of Securities on behalf of the Company by such Subcustodian, and (ii) beneficial ownership of the Securities is freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or administration.

(c) With respect to each Depository and Subcustodian, Custodian (i) shall exercise due care in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging its duties as a securities intermediary to obtain and thereafter maintain Uncertificated Securities or financial assets deposited or held in such Depository and Subcustodian, and (ii) will provide, promptly upon request by the Company, such reports as are available concerning the internal accounting controls and financial strength of Custodian.

(d) With respect to each Foreign Depository, Custodian shall exercise reasonable care, prudence, and diligence (i) to provide the Company with an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Foreign Depository, and (ii) to monitor such custody risks on a continuing basis and promptly notify the Company of any material change in such risks. The Company acknowledges and agrees that such analysis and monitoring shall be made on the basis of, and limited by, information gathered from Subcustodians or through publicly available information otherwise obtained by Custodian, and shall not include any evaluation of Country Risks. As used herein the term “Country Risks” shall mean with respect to any Foreign Depository: (a) the financial infrastructure of the country in which it is organized, (b) such country’s prevailing custody and settlement practices, (c) nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions, (d) such country’s regulation of the banking or securities industry, (e) currency controls, restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations, and (f) market conditions which affect the order execution of securities transactions or affect the value of securities.

2. Custodian shall furnish the Company with an advice of daily transactions (including a confirmation of each transfer of Securities) and a monthly summary of all transfers to or from the Accounts. The Company may elect to receive advices, confirmations, reports or statements electronically through the Internet to an email address specified by it for such purpose. By electing to use the Internet for this purpose, Customer acknowledges that such transmissions are not encrypted and therefore are insecure. Custodian and Customer each agree to use reasonable efforts to prevent the transmission of any software or file which contains any viruses, worms, harmful component or corrupted data and agrees not to use any device, software, or routine to interfere or attempt to interfere with the proper working of the other party’s computer systems.

3. With respect to all Uncertificated Securities held hereunder, Custodian shall, unless otherwise instructed to the contrary:

(a) Receive all income and other payments and advise the Company as promptly as practicable of any such amounts due but not paid;

 

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(b) Present for payment and receive the amount paid upon all Uncertificated Securities which may mature and advise the Company as promptly as practicable of any such amounts due but not paid;

(c) Forward to the Company copies of all information or documents that it may actually receive from an issuer of Uncertificated Securities which, in the reasonable opinion of Custodian, are intended for the beneficial owner of Uncertificated Securities;

(d) Execute, as custodian, any certificates of ownership, affidavits, declarations or other certificates under any tax laws now or hereafter in effect in connection with the collection of bond and note coupons;

(e) Hold directly or through a Depository, a Foreign Depository, or a Subcustodian all rights and similar Securities issued with respect to any Securities credited to an Account hereunder; and

(f) Endorse for collection checks, drafts or other negotiable instruments.

(g) (i) Custodian shall notify the Company of rights or discretionary actions with respect to Uncertificated Securities held hereunder, and of the date or dates by when such rights must be exercised or such action must be taken, provided that Custodian has actually received, from the issuer or the relevant Depository (with respect to Uncertificated Securities issued in the United States) or from the relevant Subcustodian, Foreign Depository, or a nationally or internationally recognized bond or corporate action service to which Custodian subscribes, timely notice of such rights or discretionary corporate action or of the date or dates such rights must be exercised or such action must be taken. Absent actual receipt of such notice, Custodian shall have no liability for failing to so notify the Company.

(ii) Whenever Uncertificated Securities (including, but not limited to, warrants, options, tenders, options to tender or non-mandatory puts or calls) confer discretionary rights on the Company or provide for discretionary action or alternative courses of action by the Company, the Company shall be responsible for making any decisions relating thereto and for directing Custodian to act. In order for Custodian to act, it must receive the Company’s Certificate or Written Instructions at Custodian’s offices, addressed as Custodian may from time to time request, not later than noon (New York time) at least two (2) Business Days prior to the last scheduled date to act with respect to such Uncertificated Securities (or such earlier date or time as Custodian may specify to the Company). Absent Custodian’s timely receipt of such Certificate or Written Instructions, Custodian shall not be liable for failure to take any action relating to or to exercise any rights conferred by such Uncertificated Securities.

(h) All voting rights with respect to Uncertificated Securities, however registered, shall be exercised by the Company or its designee. Custodian will make available to the Company proxy voting services upon the request of, and for the jurisdictions selected by, the Company in accordance with terms and conditions to be mutually agreed upon by Custodian and the Company.

 

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(i) Custodian shall promptly advise the Company upon Custodian’s actual receipt of notification of the partial redemption, partial payment or other action affecting less than all Uncertificated Securities of the relevant class. If Custodian, any Subcustodian, any Depository, or any Foreign Depository holds any Uncertificated Securities in which the Company has an interest as part of a fungible mass, Custodian, such Subcustodian, Depository, or Foreign Depository may select the Uncertificated Securities to participate in such partial redemption, partial payment or other action in any non-discriminatory manner that it customarily uses to make such selection.

4. With respect to all Certificated Securities held hereunder, the Company shall, unless otherwise agreed in writing to the contrary:

(a) Cause the issuer of any Certificated Security to deposit with Custodian (by means of a check or draft payable to Custodian or its nominee or by wire transfer) all income and other payments or distributions on or with respect to such Certificated Security and advise Custodian in a Certificate of the amount to be received and if such amount relates to a particular Loan Document File, the identity of such Loan Document File;

(b) Direct Custodian in a detailed Certificate to present for payment on the date and at the address specified therein the Certificated Securities specified therein whether at maturity or for redemption, and to hold hereunder such amounts paid on or with respect to such particular Certificated Securities as Custodian may receive;

(c) Obtain and execute any certificates of ownership, affidavits, declarations or other certificates under any tax laws now or hereafter in effect in connection with the collection of bond and note coupons;

(d) Cause the issuer to deposit with Custodian to be held hereunder such additional Certificated Securities or rights as may be issued with respect to any Certificated Securities credited to an Account hereunder and advise Custodian in a detailed Certificate, if the Certificated Securities are to be held in a particular Loan Document File;

(e) Be solely responsible for the exercise of rights or discretionary actions with respect to Certificated Securities held hereunder; and

(f) Exercise all voting rights with respect to Certificated Securities.

5. Custodian shall have no duty or obligation to notify the Company of any rights or discretionary corporate action relating to a Certificated Security nor shall Custodian have any responsibility or liability in connection with the exercise of such rights or discretionary actions. Custodian shall have no duty or obligation to notify the Company of any proxy solicitation with respect to a Certificated Security nor shall Custodian have any responsibility or liability relating to such proxy voting.

6. Custodian shall not under any circumstances accept bearer interest coupons which have been stripped from United States federal, state or local government or agency securities unless explicitly agreed to by Custodian in writing.

 

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7. The Company shall be liable for all taxes, assessments, duties and other governmental charges, including any interest or penalty with respect thereto (“Taxes”), with respect to any cash, Securities or Loan Document Files held on behalf of the Company or any transaction related thereto. The Company shall indemnify Custodian and each Subcustodian for the amount of any Tax that Custodian, any such Subcustodian or any other withholding agent is required under applicable laws (whether by assessment or otherwise) to pay on behalf of, or in respect of income earned by or payments or distributions made to or for the account of the Company (including any payment of Tax required by reason of an earlier failure to withhold). Custodian shall, or shall instruct the applicable Subcustodian or other withholding agent to, withhold the amount of any Tax which is required to be withheld under applicable law upon collection of any dividend, interest or other distribution made with respect to any Uncertificated Security and any proceeds or income from the sale, loan or other transfer of any Uncertificated Security. In the event that Custodian or any Subcustodian is required under applicable law to pay any Tax on behalf of the Company, Custodian is hereby authorized to withdraw cash from any cash account in the amount required to pay such Tax and to use such cash, or to remit such cash to the appropriate Subcustodian or other withholding agent, for the timely payment of such Tax in the manner required by applicable law. If the aggregate amount of cash in all cash accounts is not sufficient to pay such Tax, Custodian shall promptly notify the Company of the additional amount of cash (in the appropriate currency) required, and the Company shall directly deposit such additional amount in the appropriate cash account promptly after receipt of such notice, for use by Custodian as specified herein. In the event that Custodian reasonably believes that Company is eligible, pursuant to applicable law or to the provisions of any tax treaty, for a reduced rate of, or exemption from, any Tax which is otherwise required to be withheld or paid on behalf of the Company under any applicable law, Custodian shall, or shall instruct the applicable Subcustodian or withholding agent to, either withhold or pay such Tax at such reduced rate or refrain from withholding or paying such Tax, as appropriate; provided that Custodian shall have received from the Company all documentary evidence of residence or other qualification for such reduced rate or exemption required to be received under such applicable law or treaty. In the event that Custodian reasonably believes that a reduced rate of, or exemption from, any Tax is obtainable only by means of an application for refund, Custodian and the applicable Subcustodian shall have no responsibility for the accuracy or validity of any forms or documentation provided by the Company to Custodian hereunder. The Company hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Custodian and each Subcustodian in respect of any liability arising from any underwithholding or underpayment of any Tax which results from the inaccuracy or invalidity of any such forms or other documentation, and such obligation to indemnify shall be a continuing obligation of the Company, its successors and assigns notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.

8. (a) For the purpose of settling Securities transactions, transactions relating to Loan Document Files and foreign exchange transactions, the Company shall provide Custodian with sufficient immediately available funds for all transactions by such time and date as conditions in the relevant market dictate. As used herein, “sufficient immediately available funds” shall mean either (i) sufficient cash denominated in U.S. dollars to purchase the necessary foreign currency, or (ii) sufficient applicable foreign currency, to settle the transaction. Custodian shall provide the Company with immediately available funds each day which result from the actual settlement of all sale transactions, based upon advices received by Custodian

 

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from Subcustodians, Depositories, and Foreign Depositories. Such funds shall be in U.S. dollars or such other currency as the Company may specify to Custodian.

(b) Any foreign exchange transaction effected by Custodian in connection with this Agreement may be entered with Custodian or a BNY Affiliate acting as principal or otherwise through customary banking channels. The Company may issue a standing Certificate or Written Instructions with respect to foreign exchange transactions, but Custodian may establish rules or limitations concerning any foreign exchange facility made available to the Company. The Company shall bear all risks of investing in Securities or holding cash denominated in a foreign currency.

(c) To the extent that Custodian has agreed to provide pricing or other information services for Securities hereunder (other than Certificated Securities contained in a Loan Document File), Custodian is authorized to utilize any vendor (including brokers and dealers of Securities) reasonably believed by Custodian to be reliable to provide such information. The Company understands that certain pricing information with respect to complex financial instruments (e.g., derivatives) may be based on calculated amounts rather than actual market transactions and may not reflect actual market values, and that the variance between such calculated amounts and actual market values may or may not be material. Where vendors do not provide information for particular Securities or other property, an Authorized Person may advise Custodian in a Certificate regarding the fair market value of, or provide other information with respect to, such Securities or property as determined by it in good faith. Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense incurred as a result of errors or omissions with respect to any pricing or other information utilized by Custodian hereunder.

9. Except as otherwise provided by law, no person (other than an officer or employee of Custodian or a Subcustodian) shall be authorized or permitted to have access to the Securities, Loan Document Files and Loan Documents held in custody hereunder, except pursuant to a resolution of the Company’s board of directors. Each such resolution shall designate not more than five persons who shall be either officers or employees of the Company and shall provide that access to such Securities, Loan Document Files and Loan Documents shall be limited to two or more such persons jointly, at least one of whom shall be an officer of the Company; except that access to such Securities, Loan Document Files and Loan Documents shall be permitted to the Company’s independent public accountants, , jointly with any two persons so designated or with an officer or employee of Custodian. Loan Documents, Loan Document Files and Certificated Securities may be withdrawn from custody hereunder only pursuant to a resolution of the Company’s board of directors in connection with the sale, exchange, redemption, maturity or conversion, the exercise of warrants or rights, assents to changes in terms of a Loan or a Certificated Security or other transaction necessary or appropriate in the ordinary course of business relating to the management of Loans and Certificated Securities.

10. Until such time as Custodian receives a Certificate to the contrary with respect to a particular Uncertificated Security, Custodian may not release the identity of the Company to an issuer which requests such information pursuant to the Shareholder Communications Act of 1985. With respect to Securities issued outside of the United States, information shall be

 

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released to issuers only if required by law or regulation of the particular country in which the Securities are located.

ARTICLE IV

PURCHASE AND SALE OF SECURITIES;

CREDITS TO ACCOUNT

1. Promptly after each purchase or sale of Securities by the Company, the Company shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate or Written Instructions, or with respect to a purchase or sale of a Security generally required to be settled on the same day the purchase or sale is made, Oral Instructions specifying all information Custodian may reasonably request to settle such purchase or sale. Custodian shall account for all purchases and sales of Securities on the actual settlement date unless otherwise agreed by Custodian.

2. The Company understands that when Custodian is instructed to deliver Securities against payment, delivery of such Securities and receipt of payment therefor may not be completed simultaneously. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, settlements, payments and deliveries of Securities may be effected by Custodian or any Subcustodian in accordance with the customary or established securities trading or securities processing practices and procedures in the jurisdiction in which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivery to a purchaser or dealer therefor (or agent) against receipt with the expectation of receiving later payment for such Securities. The Company assumes full responsibility for all risks, including, without limitation, credit risks, involved in connection with such deliveries of Securities.

3. Custodian may, as a matter of bookkeeping convenience or by separate agreement with the Company, credit the Account with the proceeds from the sale, redemption or other disposition of Securities or interest, dividends or other distributions payable on Securities prior to its actual receipt of final payment therefor. All such credits shall be conditional until Custodian’s actual receipt of final payment and may be reversed by Custodian to the extent that final payment is not received. Payment with respect to a transaction will not be “final” until Custodian shall have received immediately available funds which under applicable local law, rule and/or practice are irreversible and not subject to any security interest, levy or other encumbrance, and which are specifically applicable to such transaction.

ARTICLE V

CUSTODY OF LOAN DOCUMENT FILES AND RELATED SERVICES

1. The Company shall be solely responsible for the servicing of all Loans. The Company shall cause all payments by or on behalf of borrowers under the Loans to be remitted to Custodian for credit to the Account.

2. The Company shall be solely responsible for maintaining all records of account activity relating to each Loan, including without limitation, all amortization schedules, records of transfer, pay-off, assignment, participation, sale, modification, termination or other changes in the Loans.

 

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3. The Company shall, upon origination, modification or other change in any Loan, promptly deliver or cause to be delivered to Custodian all relevant Loan Documents. It is understood and agreed that Custodian will accept any file purporting to be a Loan Document File for custody hereunder “as is” and without any examination. Custodian shall have no duty or responsibility to review any Loan Document File, to determine the contents thereof or to review or inspect any Loan Document and shall rely, without independent verification, on information provided by the Company regarding the Loan Document Files. Under no circumstances will Custodian be required to issue a trust receipt (or similar instrument) with respect to the Loan Document Files or their contents. Account statements will only reflect an inventory of the Loan Document Files that Custodian holds in custody hereunder without any representation as to the contents thereof.

4. The Company shall be solely responsible for the settlement of each purchase or sale of Loans. Subject to Section 5 below, the Company shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate specifying all Loan Document Files to be received or released in connection with such purchase or sale and any other relevant information concerning the custody of the Loan Document Files relating to the affected Loans. The Company assumes full responsibility for all credit risks associated with any such sale or purchase or any loss, damage or destruction of any Loan Documents or Loan Document Files in transit.

5. No director, officer, employee or agent of the Company shall have physical access to the Loan Document Files or be authorized or permitted to withdraw any Loan Documents nor shall Custodian deliver any Loan Documents to any such person, unless such access or withdrawal has been duly authorized pursuant to Section 9 of Article III hereof.

ARTICLE VI

OVERDRAFTS OR INDEBTEDNESS

1. If Custodian should in its sole discretion advance funds on behalf of the Company which results in an overdraft (including, without limitation, any day-light overdraft) because the money held by Custodian in an Account for the Company shall be insufficient to pay the total amount payable upon a purchase of Securities or Loans as set forth in a Certificate, Written Instructions or Oral Instructions, or if an overdraft arises for some other reason, including, without limitation, because of a reversal of a conditional credit or the purchase of any currency, or if the Company is for any other reason indebted to Custodian, including any indebtedness to The Bank of New York Mellon under the Company’s Cash Management and Related Services Agreement (except a borrowing for investment or for temporary or emergency purposes using Securities as collateral pursuant to a separate agreement and subject to the provisions of Section 2 of this Article), such overdraft or indebtedness shall be deemed to be a loan made by Custodian to the Company payable within one (1) Business Day from delivery of a written demand the amount of the advance, or overdraft or indebtedness plus accrued interest at a rate ordinarily charged by Custodian to its institutional custody customers in the relevant currency. In order to secure repayment of Customer’s obligations to Custodian hereunder, Company hereby pledges and grants to Custodian a continuing lien and security interest in, and right of set-off against, all

 

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of Company’s right, title and interest in and to the Accounts and the Securities, money and other property now or hereafter held in the Accounts (including proceeds thereof), and any other property at any time held by it for the account of Company. In this regard, Custodian shall be entitled to all the rights and remedies of a pledgee and secured creditor under applicable laws, rules or regulations as then in effect.

2. If the Company borrows money from any bank (including Custodian if the borrowing is pursuant to a separate agreement) for investment or for temporary or emergency purposes using Securities held by Custodian hereunder as collateral for such borrowings, the Company shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such borrowing: (a) the name of the bank, (b) the amount of the borrowing, (c) the time and date, if known, on which the loan is to be entered into, (d) the total amount payable to the Company on the borrowing date, (e) the Securities or Loan Document Files to be delivered as collateral for such loan, including the name of the issuer, the title and the number of shares or the principal amount of any particular Securities, and (f) a statement that such loan is in conformance with the 40 Act and the Company’s prospectus. Custodian shall deliver on the borrowing date specified in a Certificate the specified collateral against payment by the lending bank of the total amount of the loan payable, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in the Certificate. Custodian may, at the option of the lending bank, keep such collateral in its possession, but such collateral shall be subject to all rights therein given the lending bank by virtue of any promissory note or loan agreement. Custodian shall deliver such Securities as additional collateral as may be specified in a Certificate to collateralize further any transaction described in this Section. The Company shall cause all Securities or Loan Document Files released from collateral status to be returned directly to Custodian, and Custodian shall receive from time to time such return of collateral as may be tendered to it. In the event that the Company fails to specify in a Certificate or Written Instruction the name of the issuer, the title and number of shares or the principal amount of any particular Securities or to identify any particular Loan Document File to be delivered as collateral by Custodian, Custodian shall not be under any obligation to deliver any Securities or Loan Document File. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Custodian acknowledges that the Accounts and all Securities, cash and Loan Documents credited thereto are and shall continue to be subject to a securities account control agreement entered into by/among the Custodian, Citibank, N.A. as Administrative Agent (the “SACA”) and the Company. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the SACA, the provisions of the SACA shall control.

ARTICLE VII

SALE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

1. Whenever the Company shall sell any shares issued by the Company (“Shares”) it shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate or Written Instructions specifying the amount of money and/or Securities to be received by Custodian for the sale of such Shares.

2. Upon receipt of such money, Custodian shall credit such money to the Account in the name of the Company.

 

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3. Except as provided hereinafter, whenever the Company desires Custodian to make payment out of the money held by Custodian hereunder in connection with a redemption of any Shares, it shall furnish to Custodian a Certificate or Written Instructions specifying the total amount to be paid for such Shares. Custodian shall make payment of such total amount to the transfer agent specified in such Certificate or Written Instructions out of the money held in the Company’s Account.

ARTICLE VIII

PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS

1. Whenever the Company shall determine to pay a dividend or distribution on Shares it shall furnish to Custodian Written Instructions or a Certificate setting forth the date of the declaration of such dividend or distribution, the total amount payable, and the payment date.

2. Upon the payment date specified in such Written Instructions or Certificate, Custodian shall pay out of the money held for the Company’s Account the total amount payable to the dividend agent of the Company specified therein.

ARTICLE IX

CONCERNING CUSTODIAN

1. (a) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, Custodian shall not be liable for any costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims, including attorneys’ and accountants’ fees (collectively, “Losses”), incurred by or asserted against the Company, except those Losses arising out of Custodian’s own negligence or willful misconduct. Custodian shall have no liability whatsoever for the action or inaction of any Depositories or of any Foreign Depositories, except in each case to the extent such action or inaction is a direct result of the Custodian’s failure to fulfill its duties hereunder. With respect to any Losses incurred by the Company as a result of the acts or any failures to act by any Subcustodian (other than a BNY Affiliate), (a) Custodian’s liability with respect to such acts or omissions by the Subcustodian is limited to the failure on the part of Custodian to exercise reasonable care in the selection or retention of such Subcustodian in light of prevailing settlement and securities handling practices, procedures and controls in the relevant market and (b) Custodian shall take appropriate action to recover such Losses from such Subcustodian; and Custodian’s sole responsibility and liability to the Company shall be limited to amounts so received from such Subcustodian (exclusive of costs and expenses incurred by Custodian). In no event shall Custodian be liable to the Company or any third party for special, indirect or consequential damages, or lost profits or loss of business, arising in connection with this Agreement, nor shall Custodian or any Subcustodian be liable: ( i ) for acting in accordance with any Certificate or Oral Written Instructions actually received by Custodian and reasonably believed by Custodian to be given by an Authorized Person; ( ii ) for acting in accordance with Written Instructions without reviewing the same; ( iii ) for holding property in any particular country, including, but not limited to, Losses resulting from nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions; regulation of the banking or securities industry; exchange or currency controls or restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations; availability of cash or Securities or market conditions which prevent the transfer of property or execution of Securities transactions or affect the value of property; ( iv ) for any Losses due to forces beyond the control of Custodian,

 

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including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, acts of war or terrorism, insurrection, revolution, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, or interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; (v) for the insolvency of any Subcustodian (other than a BNY Affiliate), any Depository, or, except to the extent such action or inaction is a direct result of the Custodian’s failure to fulfill its duties hereunder, any Foreign Depository; or ( vi ) for the contents of or deficiency in any Loan Document File, or (vii) for any Losses arising from the applicability of any law or regulation now or hereafter in effect, or from the occurrence of any event, including, without limitation, implementation or adoption of any rules or procedures of a Foreign Depository, which may affect, limit, prevent or impose costs or burdens on, the transferability, convertibility, or availability of any currency or Composite Currency Unit in any country or on the transfer of any Securities, and in no event shall Custodian be obligated to substitute another currency for a currency (including a currency that is a component of a Composite Currency Unit) whose transferability, convertibility or availability has been affected, limited, or prevented by such law, regulation or event, and to the extent that any such law, regulation or event imposes a cost or charge upon Custodian in relation to the transferability, convertibility, or availability of any cash currency or Composite Currency Unit, such cost or charge shall be for the account of the Company, and Custodian may treat any account denominated in an affected currency as a group of separate accounts denominated in the relevant component currencies.

(b) Custodian may enter into subcontracts, agreements and understandings with any BNY Affiliate, whenever and on such terms and conditions as it deems necessary or appropriate to perform its services hereunder. No such subcontract, agreement or understanding shall discharge Custodian from its obligations hereunder with the effect that Custodian shall liable for Losses to the extent such Losses are caused by any BNY Affiliate’s negligence or willful misconduct.

(c) The Company agrees to indemnify Custodian and hold Custodian harmless from and against any and all Losses sustained or incurred by or asserted against Custodian by reason of or as a result of any action or inaction, or arising out of Custodian’s performance hereunder, including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel incurred by Custodian in a successful defense of claims by the Company, and any claims by a purchaser or transferee of any Loan Document File; provided however, that the Company shall not indemnify Custodian for those Losses arising out of Custodian’s own negligence or willful misconduct. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Company, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.

2. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Custodian shall be under no obligation to inquire into, and shall not, absent manifest error be liable for:

(a) Any Losses incurred by the Company or any other person as a result of the receipt or acceptance of fraudulent, forged or invalid Securities, or Securities which are otherwise not freely transferable or deliverable without encumbrance in any relevant market;

 

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(b) The validity of the issue of any Securities purchased, sold, or written by or for the Company, the legality of the purchase, sale or writing thereof, or the propriety of the amount paid or received therefor;

(c) The legality of the sale or redemption of any Shares, or the propriety of the amount to be received or paid therefor;

(d) The legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend or distribution by the Company;

(e) The legality of any borrowing by the Company;

(f) The legality of any loan of portfolio Securities, nor shall Custodian be under any duty or obligation to see to it that any cash or collateral delivered to it by a broker, dealer or financial institution or held by it at any time as a result of such loan of portfolio Securities is adequate security for the Company against any loss it might sustain as a result of such loan, which duty or obligation shall be the sole responsibility of the Company. In addition, Custodian shall be under no duty or obligation to see that any broker, dealer or financial institution to which portfolio Securities of the Company are lent makes payment to it of any dividends or interest which are payable to or for the account of the Company during the period of such loan or at the termination of such loan;

(g) The sufficiency or value of any amounts of money and/or Securities held in any Special Account in connection with transactions by the Company; whether any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member makes payment to the Company of any variation margin payment or similar payment which the Company may be entitled to receive from such broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member, or whether any payment received by Custodian from any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member is the amount the Company is entitled to receive, or to notify the Company of Custodian’s receipt or non-receipt of any such payment; or

(h) Whether any Securities at any time delivered to, or held by it or by any Subcustodian, for the account of the Company are such as properly may be held by the Company under the provisions of its then current prospectus and statement of additional information, or to ascertain whether any transactions by the Company, whether or not involving Custodian, are such transactions as may properly be engaged in by the Company.

3. Custodian may, with respect to questions of law specifically regarding an Account, obtain the advice of reputable external counsel, approved by both the Custodian and the Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, and shall be fully protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in conformity with such advice.

4. Custodian shall be under no obligation to take action to collect any amount payable on Securities in default, or if payment is refused after due demand and presentment.

 

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5. Custodian shall have no duty or responsibility to inquire into, make recommendations, supervise, or determine the suitability of any transactions affecting any Account.

6. The Company shall pay to Custodian the fees and charges as may be specifically agreed upon from time to time and such other fees and charges at Custodian’s standard rates for such services as may be applicable. The Company shall reimburse Custodian for all costs associated with the conversion of the Company’s Securities hereunder and the transfer of Securities and records kept in connection with this Agreement. The Company shall also reimburse Custodian for out-of-pocket expenses which are a normal incident of the services provided hereunder.

7. Custodian has the right to debit any cash account for any amount payable by the Company in connection with any and all obligations of the Company to Custodian. In addition to the rights of Custodian under applicable law and other agreements, at any time when the Company shall not have honored any of its obligations to Custodian, Custodian shall have the right without notice to the Company to retain or set-off, against such obligations of the Company, any Securities or cash Custodian or a BNY Affiliate may directly or indirectly hold for the account of the Company, and any obligations (whether matured or unmatured) that Custodian or a BNY Affiliate may have to the Company in any currency or Composite Currency Unit. Any such asset of, or obligation to, the Company may be transferred to Custodian and any BNY Affiliate in order to effect the above rights.

8. The Company agrees to forward to Custodian a Certificate or Written Instructions confirming Oral Instructions by the close of business of the same day that such Oral Instructions are given to Custodian. The Company agrees that the fact that such confirming Certificate or Written Instructions are not received or that a contrary Certificate or contrary Written Instructions are received by Custodian shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of transactions authorized by such Oral Instructions and effected by Custodian. If the Company elects to transmit Written Instructions through an on-line communications system offered by Custodian, the Company’s use thereof shall be subject to the Terms and Conditions attached as Appendix I hereto. If Custodian receives Written Instructions which appear on their face to have been transmitted by an Authorized Person via (i) computer facsimile, email, the Internet or other insecure electronic method, or (ii) secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys, the Company understands and agrees that Custodian cannot determine the identity of the actual sender of such Written Instructions and that Custodian shall conclusively presume that such Written Instructions have been sent by an Authorized Person, and the Company shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Persons transmit such Written Instructions to Custodian. If the Company elects (with Custodian’s prior consent) to transmit Written Instructions through an on-line communications service owned or operated by a third party, the Company agrees that Custodian shall not be responsible or liable for the reliability or availability of any such service.

9. The books and records pertaining to the Company which are in possession of Custodian shall be the property of the Company. Such books and records shall be prepared and maintained as required by the 40 Act and the rules thereunder. The Company, or its authorized

 

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representatives (including its independent public accountant), shall have access to such books and records during Custodian’s normal business hours for purposes of inspection and, where appropriate, audit. Upon the reasonable request of the Company, copies of any such books and records shall be provided by Custodian to the Company or its authorized representative. Upon the reasonable request of the Company, Custodian shall provide in hard copy or on computer disc any records included in any such delivery which are maintained by Custodian on a computer disc, or are similarly maintained.

10. It is understood that Custodian is authorized to supply any information regarding the Accounts which is required by any law, regulation or rule by an entity have jurisdiction over the Company now or hereafter in effect. The Custodian shall provide the Company with any report obtained by the Custodian on the system of internal accounting control of a Depository, and with such reports on its own system of internal accounting control as the Company may reasonably request from time to time.

11. Custodian shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied against Custodian in connection with this Agreement.

ARTICLE X

TERMINATION

1. Either of the parties hereto may terminate this Agreement by giving to the other party a notice in writing specifying the date of such termination, which shall be not less than ninety (90) calendar days after the date of giving of such notice. In the event such notice is given by the Company, it shall be accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the board of the Company, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, electing to terminate this Agreement and designating a successor custodian or custodians, each of which shall be a bank or trust company qualified to act as custodian pursuant to the requirements of the 40 Act. In the event such notice is given by Custodian, the Company shall, on or before the termination date, deliver to Custodian a copy of a resolution of the board of the Company, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, designating a successor custodian or custodians. In the absence of such designation by the Company, Custodian may designate a successor custodian, which shall be a bank or trust company qualified to act as custodian pursuant to the requirements of the 40 Act. Upon the date set forth in such notice this Agreement shall terminate, and Custodian shall upon receipt of a notice of acceptance by the successor custodian on that date deliver directly to the successor custodian all Securities, Loan Document Files and money then owned by the Company and held by it as Custodian, after deducting all fees, expenses and other amounts for the payment or reimbursement of which it shall then be entitled.

2. If a successor custodian is not designated by the Company or Custodian in accordance with the preceding Section, the Company shall upon the date specified in the notice of termination of this Agreement and upon the delivery by Custodian of all Securities and Loan Document Files (other than Securities which cannot be delivered to the Company) and money then owned by the Company be deemed to be its own custodian and Custodian shall thereby be relieved of all duties and responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement, other than the duty with

 

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respect to Securities which cannot be delivered to the Company to hold such Securities hereunder in accordance with this Agreement.

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

1. The Company agrees to furnish to Custodian a new Certificate of Authorized Persons in the event of any change in the then present Authorized Persons. Until such new Certificate is received, Custodian shall be fully protected in acting upon Certificates or Oral Instructions of such present Authorized Persons.

2. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to Custodian, shall be sufficiently given if addressed to Custodian and received by it at its offices at One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286, or at such other place as Custodian may from time to time designate in writing.

3. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Company shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the Company and received by it at its offices at the address specified immediately below, or at such other place as the Company may from time to time designate in writing:

Solar Senior Capital Ltd.

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

500 Park Avenue, 5 th Floor

New York, NY 10022

Phone Number: (212) 993-1669

4. Each and every right granted to either party hereunder or under any other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, or allowed it by law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time. No failure on the part of either party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise by either party of any right preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.

5. In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any exclusive jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected thereby. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties, except that any amendment to the Schedule I hereto need be signed only by the Company and any amendment to Appendix I hereto need be signed only by Custodian. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by either party without the written consent of the other.

 

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6. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof. The Company and Custodian hereby consent to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder. The Company hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. The Company and Custodian each hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

7. The Company hereby acknowledges that Custodian is subject to federal laws, including the Customer Identification Program (CIP) requirements under the USA PATRIOT Act and its implementing regulations, pursuant to which Custodian must obtain, verify and record information that allows Custodian to identify the Company. Accordingly, prior to opening an Account hereunder Custodian will ask the Company to provide certain information including, but not limited to, the Company’s name, physical address, tax identification number and other information that will help Custodian to identify and verify the Company’s identity such as organizational documents, certificate of good standing, license to do business, or other pertinent identifying information. The Company agrees that Custodian cannot open an Account hereunder unless and until Custodian verifies the Company’s identity in accordance with its CIP.

8. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Company and Custodian have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers, thereunto duly authorized, as of the day and year first above written.

 

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD.
By:  

 

Name:   Nicholas Radesca
Title:   Chief Financial Officer
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

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Exhibit k.1

[Form of Administration Agreement]

ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT

This Agreement (“ Agreement ”) is made as of                      , 2011 by and between SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD. a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), and SOLAR CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Administrator ”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Company is a newly organized closed-end management investment fund that intends to elect to be treated as a business development company (“ BDC ”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “ Investment Company Act ”); and

WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the Administrator to provide administrative services to the Company in the manner and on the terms hereinafter set forth; and

WHEREAS, the Administrator is willing to provide administrative services to the Company on the terms and conditions hereafter set forth.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants hereinafter contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Administrator hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Duties of the Administrator

(a) Employment of Administrator. The Company hereby employs the Administrator to act as administrator of the Company, and to furnish, or arrange for others to furnish, the administrative services, personnel and facilities described below, subject to review by and the overall control of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”), for the period and on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. The Administrator hereby accepts such employment and agrees during such period to render, or arrange for the rendering of, such services and to assume the obligations herein set forth subject to the reimbursement of costs and expenses provided for below. The Administrator and such others shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be independent contractors and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized herein, have no authority to act for or represent the Company in any way or otherwise be deemed agents of the Company.

(b) Services. The Administrator shall perform (or oversee, or arrange for, the performance of) the administrative services necessary for the operation of the Company. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator shall provide the Company with office facilities, equipment, clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services at such facilities and such other services as the Administrator, subject to review by the Board, shall from time to time determine to be necessary or useful to perform its obligations under this Agreement. The Administrator shall also, on behalf of the Company, conduct relations with custodians, depositories, transfer agents, dividend disbursing agents, other stockholder servicing agents, accountants, attorneys, underwriters, brokers and dealers, corporate fiduciaries, insurers, banks and such other persons in any such other capacity deemed to be necessary or desirable. The Administrator shall make reports to the Board of its performance of obligations hereunder and furnish advice and recommendations with respect to such other aspects of the business and


affairs of the Company as it shall determine to be desirable; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to require the Administrator to, and the Administrator shall not, provide any advice or recommendation relating to the securities and other assets that the Company should purchase, retain or sell or any other investment advisory services to the Company. The Administrator shall be responsible for the financial and other records that the Company is required to maintain, and under the Investment Company Act, shall prepare, print and disseminate reports to stockholders, and reports and other materials filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”). The Administrator will provide on the Company’s behalf significant managerial assistance to those portfolio companies to which the Company is required to provide such assistance. In addition, the Administrator will assist the Company in determining and publishing the Company’s net asset value, overseeing the preparation and filing of the Company’s tax returns, and generally overseeing the payment of the Company’s expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Company by others.

 

2. Records

The Administrator agrees to maintain and keep all books, accounts and other records of the Company that relate to activities performed by the Administrator hereunder and will maintain and keep such books, accounts and records in accordance with the Investment Company Act. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the Investment Company Act, the Administrator agrees that all records which it maintains for the Company shall at all times remain the property of the Company, shall be readily accessible during normal business hours, and shall be promptly surrendered upon the termination of the Agreement or otherwise on written request. The Administrator further agrees that all records which it maintains for the Company pursuant to Rule 31a-1 under the Investment Company Act will be preserved for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the Investment Company Act unless any such records are earlier surrendered as provided above. Records shall be surrendered in usable machine-readable form. The Administrator shall have the right to retain copies of such records subject to observance of its confidentiality obligations under this Agreement.

 

3. Confidentiality

The parties hereto agree that each shall treat confidentially the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all information provided by each party to the other regarding its business and operations. All confidential information provided by a party hereto, including nonpublic personal information (regulated pursuant to Regulation S-P), shall be used by any other party hereto solely for the purpose of rendering services pursuant to this Agreement and, except as may be required in carrying out this Agreement, shall not be disclosed to any third party, without the prior consent of such providing party. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available other than through a breach of this Agreement, or that is required to be disclosed by any regulatory authority, any authority or legal counsel of the parties hereto, by judicial or administrative process or otherwise by applicable law or regulation.

 

4. Compensation; Allocation of Costs and Expenses

 

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In full consideration of the provision of the services of the Administrator, the Company shall reimburse the Administrator for the costs and expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations and providing personnel and facilities hereunder. The Company will bear all costs and expenses that are incurred in its operation, administration and transactions and not specifically assumed by Solar Capital Partners, LLC (the “ Adviser ”), pursuant to that certain Investment Advisory Management Agreement, dated as of [              ] , 2011 by and between the Company and the Adviser. Costs and expenses to be borne by the Company include, but are not limited to, those relating to: organization and offering; calculating the Company’s net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm); expenses incurred by the Adviser payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisors, in monitoring financial and legal affairs for the Company and in providing administrative services, monitoring the Company’s investments and performing due diligence on its prospective portfolio companies; interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance the Company’s investments; sales and purchases of the Company’s common stock and other securities; investment advisory and management fees; administration fees, if any, payable under this Agreement; fees payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisors, relating to, or associated with, evaluating and making investments; transfer agent and custodial fees; federal and state registration fees; all costs of registration and listing the Company’s shares on any securities exchange; federal, state and local taxes; independent Directors’ fees and expenses; costs of preparing and filing reports or other documents required by the Securities and Exchange Commission; costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to stockholders, including printing costs; the Company’s allocable portion of the fidelity bond, directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums; direct costs and expenses of administration, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone, copying, secretarial and other staff, independent auditors and outside legal costs; and all other expenses incurred by the Company or the Administrator in connection with administering the Company’s business, including payments under this Agreement based upon the Company’s allocable portion of the Administrator’s overhead in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent and the allocable portion of the cost of the Company’s chief compliance officer and chief financial officer and their respective staffs.

 

5. Limitation of Liability of the Administrator; Indemnification

The Administrator (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members, and any other person or entity affiliated with the Administrator, including without limitation its sole member, the Adviser to the extent that they are providing services for or otherwise acting on behalf of the Administrator, Adviser or the Company) shall not be liable to the Company for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Administrator in connection with the performance of any of its duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as administrator for the Company, and the Company shall indemnify, defend and protect the Administrator (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members, and any other person or entity affiliated with the Administrator, including without limitation the Adviser, each of whom shall be deemed a third party beneficiary hereof) (collectively, the “ Indemnified Parties ”) and hold them harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by the Indemnified Parties in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the

 

3


right of the Company or its security holders) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of the Administrator’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as administrator for the Company. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence of this Section 5 to the contrary, nothing contained herein shall protect or be deemed to protect the Indemnified Parties against or entitle or be deemed to entitle the Indemnified Parties to indemnification in respect of, any liability to the Company or its security holders to which the Indemnified Parties would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Administrator’s duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Administrator’s duties and obligations under this Agreement (to the extent applicable, as the same shall be determined in accordance with the Investment Company Act and any interpretations or guidance by the SEC or its staff thereunder).

 

6. Activities of the Administrator

The services of the Administrator to the Company are not to be deemed to be exclusive, and the Administrator and each affiliate is free to render services to others. It is understood that directors, officers, employees and stockholders of the Company are or may become interested in the Administrator and its affiliates, as directors, officers, members, managers, employees, partners, stockholders or otherwise, and that the Administrator and directors, officers, members, managers, employees, partners and stockholders of the Administrator and its affiliates are or may become similarly interested in the Company as stockholders or otherwise.

 

7. Duration and Termination of this Agreement

(a) This Agreement shall become effective as of the first date above written. The provisions of Section 5 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and the Administrator shall remain entitled to the benefits thereof, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement. Further, notwithstanding the termination or expiration of this Agreement as aforesaid, the Administrator shall be entitled to any amounts owed under Section 4 through the date of termination or expiration and Section 5 shall continue in force and effect and apply to the Administrator and its representatives as and to the extent applicable. This Agreement shall continue in effect for two years from the date hereof, and thereafter shall continue automatically for successive annual periods, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by:

(i) the vote of the Board, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company; and

(ii) the vote of a majority of the Company’s Directors who are not parties to this Agreement or “interested persons” (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act) of any such party, in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act.

(b) The Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, upon not more than 60 days’ written notice, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company, or by the vote of the Board or by the Administrator.

 

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(c) This Agreement may not be assigned by a party without the consent of the other party; provided however , that the rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall not be deemed to be assigned to a newly-formed entity in the event of the merger of the Company into, or conveyance of all of the assets of the Company to, such newly-formed entity; provided further , however , that the sole purpose of that merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in the Company’s legal form into another limited liability entity. The provisions of Section 5 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and the Administrator shall remain entitled to the benefits thereof, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement.

 

8. Amendments of this Agreement

This Agreement may be amended pursuant to a written instrument by mutual consent of the parties.

 

9. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act. To the extent the applicable laws of the State of New York, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the provisions of the Investment Company Act, the latter shall control.

 

10. Entire Agreement

This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

11. Notices

Any notice under this Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the other party at its principal office.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

5


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD.
By:  

 

  Name:   Michael S. Gross
  Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
SOLAR CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
By:  

 

  Name:   Michael S. Gross
  Title:   Managing Member

 

6

Exhibit k.2

[Form of Indemnification Agreement]

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement” ) is made and entered into this      day of                      , 2011, by and between Solar Senior Capital Ltd., a Maryland corporation (the “Company” ), and the undersigned ( “Indemnitee” ).

WHEREAS, at the request of the Company, Indemnitee currently serves as a director of the Company and may, therefore, be subjected to claims, suits or proceedings arising as a result of his service; and

WHEREAS, as an inducement to Indemnitee to continue to serve as such director, the Company has agreed to indemnify and to advance expenses and costs incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any such claims, suits or proceedings, to the fullest extent permitted by law, except as otherwise expressly provided for herein; and

WHEREAS, the parties by this Agreement desire to set forth their agreement regarding indemnification and advance of expenses;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

Section 1. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

(a) “Change of Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events after the Effective Date of this Agreement:

(i) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; or

(ii) the acquisition, whether directly, indirectly, beneficially (within the meaning of rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act” )) or of record, as a result of a merger, consolidation or otherwise, of securities of the Company representing twenty percent (20%) or more of the aggregate voting power of the Company’s then-outstanding Common Stock by any “person” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the 1934 Act), including, but not limited to, any corporation or group of persons acting in concert, other than (i) the Company or its subsidiaries and/or (ii) any employee pension benefit plan (within the meaning of Section 3(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) of the Company or its subsidiaries, including a trust established pursuant to any such plan; or

(iii) the individuals who were members of the Board of Directors as of the Effective Date (the “Incumbent Board” ) cease to constitute at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Board; provided , however , that any director appointed by at least two-thirds (2/3) of the then Incumbent Board or nominated by at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors (a majority of the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall be members of the then Incumbent Board or appointees thereof), other than any director appointed or nominated in connection with, or as a result of, a threatened or actual proxy or control contest, shall be deemed to constitute a member of the Incumbent Board.

(b) “Corporate Status” means the status of a person who is or was a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Company or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise for which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.


(c) “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

(d) “Effective Date” means the date set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

(e) “Expenses” shall include all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, or being or preparing to be a witness in a Proceeding.

(f) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party, or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. If a Change of Control has not occurred, Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board of Directors, with the approval of Indemnitee, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld. If a Change of Control has occurred, Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee, with the approval of the Board of Directors, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld.

(g) “Proceeding” includes any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, administrative hearing or any other proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (including on appeal), except one (i) initiated by an Indemnitee pursuant to Section 11 of this Agreement to enforce his rights under this Agreement or (ii) pending or completed on or before the Effective Date, unless otherwise specifically agreed in writing by the Company and Indemnitee.

Section 2. Services by Indemnitee . Indemnitee will serve as a director of the Company. However, this Agreement shall not impose any obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitee’s service to the Company beyond any period otherwise required by law or by other agreements or commitments of the parties, if any.

Section 3. Indemnification — General. The Company shall indemnify, and advance Expenses to, Indemnitee (a) as provided in this Agreement and (b) otherwise to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law in effect on the date hereof and as amended from time to time; provided, however, that no change in Maryland law shall have the effect of reducing the benefits available to Indemnitee hereunder based on Maryland law as in effect on the date hereof. The rights of Indemnitee provided in this Section 3 shall include, without limitation, the rights set forth in the other sections of this Agreement, including any additional indemnification permitted by Section 2-418(g) of the Maryland General Corporation Law ( “MGCL” ). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3 or any other section of this Agreement, for so long as the Company is subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Investment Company Act” ), the Company shall not indemnify or advance Expenses to Indemnitee to the extent such indemnification or advance would violate the Investment Company Act.

Section 4. Proceedings Other Than Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 4 if, by reason of his Corporate Status, he is, or is threatened to be, made a party to or a witness in any threatened, pending, or completed Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company. Pursuant to this Section 4, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with a Proceeding by


reason of his Corporate Status unless it is established that (i) the act or omission of Indemnitee was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (ii) Indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services, or (iii) in the case of any criminal Proceeding, Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

Section 5. Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 5 if, by reason of his Corporate Status, he is, or is threatened to be, made a party to or a witness in any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 5, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all amounts paid in settlement and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with such Proceeding unless it is established that (i) the act or omission of Indemnitee was material to the matter giving rise to such a Proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty or (ii) Indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services.

Section 6. Court-Ordered Indemnification. In addition to any other indemnification that may be provided under this Agreement, and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, a court of appropriate jurisdiction, upon application of Indemnitee and such notice as the court shall require, may order indemnification in the following circumstances:

(a) if it determines Indemnitee is entitled to reimbursement under Section 2-418(d)(1) of the MGCL, the court shall order indemnification, in which case Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover the expenses of securing such reimbursement; or

(b) if it determines that Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not Indemnitee (i) has met the standards of conduct set forth in Section 2-418(b) of the MGCL or (ii) has been adjudged liable for receipt of an improper personal benefit under Section 2-418(c) of the MGCL, the court may order such indemnification as the court shall deem proper. However, indemnification with respect to any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company or in which liability shall have been adjudged in the circumstances described in Section 2-418(c) of the MGCL shall be limited to Expenses.

Section 7. Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, and without limiting any such provision, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, made a party to and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any Proceeding, he shall be indemnified for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee under this Section 7 for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter, allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis. For purposes of this Section and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

Section 8. Advance of Expenses. The Company shall advance all reasonable Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party or a witness, within ten days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements from Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by a written affirmation by Indemnitee of Indemnitee’s good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Company as authorized by law and by this Agreement has been met and a written undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or in such form as may be required under applicable law as in effect at the time of the execution thereof, to reimburse the portion of


any Expenses advanced to Indemnitee relating to claims, issues or matters in the Proceeding as to which it shall ultimately be established that the standard of conduct has not been met and which have not been successfully resolved as described in Section 7. For so long as the Company is subject to the Investment Company Act, any advancement of Expenses shall be subject to at least one of the following as a condition of the advancement: (a) Indemnitee shall provide a security for his or her undertaking, (b) the Company shall be insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances or (c) a majority of a quorum of the Disinterested Directors of the Company, or Independent Counsel in a written opinion, shall determine, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full-trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that Indemnitee ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification . To the extent that Expenses advanced to Indemnitee do not relate to a specific claim, issue or matter in the Proceeding, such Expenses shall be allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis. The undertaking required by this Section 8 shall be an unlimited general obligation by or on behalf of Indemnitee and shall be accepted without reference to Indemnitee’s financial ability to repay such advanced Expenses and without any requirement to post security therefor.

Section 9. Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification. (a) To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. The Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board of Directors in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification. (b) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to the first sentence of Section 9(a) hereof, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall promptly be made in the specific case: (i) if a Change of Control shall have occurred, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; or (ii) if a Change of Control shall not have occurred, (A) by the Board of Directors (or a duly authorized committee thereof) by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors, or (B) if a quorum of the Board of Directors consisting of Disinterested Directors is not obtainable or, even if obtainable, such quorum of Disinterested Directors so directs, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, or (C) if so directed by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, by the stockholders of the Company; and, if it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company shall indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.

Section 10. Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings. (a) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 9(a) of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making of any determination contrary to that presumption. (b) The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or an entry of an order of probation prior to judgment, does not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet the requisite standard of conduct described herein for indemnification.

Section 11. Remedies of Indemnitee. (a) If (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advance of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 9(b) of this Agreement within 30 days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement within ten days after receipt by the Company of a written request


therefor, or (v) payment of indemnification is not made within ten days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate court of the State of Maryland, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, of his entitlement to such indemnification or advance of Expenses. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 11(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall not apply to a proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce his rights under Section 7 of this Agreement. (b) In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 11 the Company shall have the burden of proving that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advance of Expenses, as the case may be. (c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 9(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 11, absent a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification. (d) In the event that Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 11, seeks a judicial adjudication of or an award in arbitration to enforce his rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover from the Company, and shall be indemnified by the Company for, any and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him in such judicial adjudication or arbitration. If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication or arbitration that Indemnitee is entitled to receive part but not all of the indemnification or advance of Expenses sought, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such judicial adjudication or arbitration shall be appropriately prorated.

Section 12. Defense of the Underlying Proceeding. (a) Indemnitee shall notify the Company promptly upon being served with or receiving any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information, notice, request or other document relating to any Proceeding which may result in the right to indemnification or the advance of Expenses hereunder; provided, however, that the failure to give any such notice shall not disqualify Indemnitee from the right, or otherwise affect in any manner any right of Indemnitee, to indemnification or the advance of Expenses under this Agreement unless the Company’s ability to defend in such Proceeding or to obtain proceeds under any insurance policy is materially and adversely prejudiced thereby, and then only to the extent the Company is thereby actually so prejudiced. (b) Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of this Section 12(b) and of Section 12(c) below, the Company shall have the right to defend Indemnitee in any Proceeding which may give rise to indemnification hereunder; provided, however, that the Company shall notify Indemnitee of any such decision to defend within 15 calendar days following receipt of notice of any such Proceeding under Section 12(a) above. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise which (i) includes an admission of fault of Indemnitee or (ii) does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, the full release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Proceeding, which release shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee. This Section 12(b) shall not apply to a Proceeding brought by Indemnitee under Section 11 above or Section 18 below. (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 12(b) above, if in a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, (i) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, that he may have separate defenses or counterclaims to assert with respect to any issue which may not be consistent with other defendants in such Proceeding, (ii) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, that an actual or apparent conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest exists between Indemnitee and the Company, or (iii) if the Company fails to assume the defense of such Proceeding in a timely manner, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be represented by separate legal counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, subject to the prior approval of the Company, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, at the expense of the Company. In addition, if the Company fails to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement or in the event that the Company or any other person takes any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any Proceeding to deny or to recover from Indemnitee the benefits intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall have the right to retain counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, subject to the prior


approval of the Company, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, at the expense of the Company (subject to Section 11(d)), to represent Indemnitee in connection with any such matter.

Section 13. Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Subrogation; Insurance; Investment Company Act. (a) The rights of indemnification and advance of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company (as amended from time to time, the “Charter” ) or the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (as amended from time to time, the “Bylaws” ), any agreement or a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. (b) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights. (c) The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable or payable or reimbursable as expenses hereunder if and to the extent that (i) Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise, or (ii) for so long as the Company is subject to the Investment Company Act, indemnification or payment or reimbursement of expenses would not be permissible under the Investment Company Act.

Section 14. Insurance. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to acquire directors and officers liability insurance, on terms and conditions deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors of the Company, with the advice of counsel, covering Indemnitee or any claim made against Indemnitee for service as a director or officer of the Company and covering the Company for any indemnification or advance of Expenses made by the Company to Indemnitee for any claims made against Indemnitee for service as a director or officer of the Company. Without in any way limiting any other obligation under this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for any payment by Indemnitee arising out of the amount of any deductible or retention and the amount of any excess of the aggregate of all judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding over the coverage of any insurance referred to in the previous sentence.

Section 15. Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a witness in any Proceeding, whether instituted by the Company or any other party, and to which Indemnitee is not a party, he shall be advanced all reasonable Expenses and indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith.

Section 16. Duration of Agreement; Binding Effect. (a) This Agreement shall continue until and terminate ten years after the date that Indemnitee’s Corporate Status shall have ceased; provided, that the rights of Indemnitee hereunder shall continue until the final termination of any Proceeding then pending in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or advance of Expenses hereunder and of any proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 11 of this Agreement relating thereto. (b) The indemnification and advance of Expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Company or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise which such person is or was serving at the written request of the Company, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives. (c) The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to


perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

Section 17. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

Section 18. Exception to Right of Indemnification or Advance of Expenses. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification or advance of Expenses under this Agreement with respect to any Proceeding brought by Indemnitee, unless (a) the Proceeding is brought to enforce indemnification under this Agreement or otherwise or (b) the Company’s Bylaws, the Charter, a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors or an agreement approved by the Board of Directors to which the Company is a party expressly provide otherwise. In addition, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification or advance of Expenses under this Agreement to the extent such indemnification or advance of Expenses would conflict with any provision of the Company’s Bylaws or the Charter, in each case without giving effect to the non-exclusivity provision set forth in Section 7.8 of the Charter; provided , that foregoing restriction not apply and shall be of no force or effect if and to the extent the Company’s common stock is qualified as a “covered security,” as such term is defined in Section 18 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Section 19. Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. One such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought shall be sufficient to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

Section 20. Headings. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

Section 21. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

Section 22. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed:

(a) If to Indemnitee, to: the address set forth on the signature page hereto.

(b) If to the Company, to:

Solar Senior Capital Ltd.

500 Park Avenue, 5 th Floor

New York, NY 10022

or to such other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company or to the Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.


Section 23. Governing Law. The parties agree that this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with (i) the laws of the State of Maryland applicable to contracts formed and to be performed entirely within the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflicts of laws rules, to the extent such rules would require or permit the application of the laws of another jurisdiction, and (ii) the Investment Company Act. To the extent the applicable laws of the State of Maryland or any applicable provision of this Agreement shall conflict with the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, the latter shall control.

Section 24. Miscellaneous. Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to include usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above written.

 

ATTEST:   SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD.  

 

  By:  

 

  (SEAL)
  Name:   Michael S. Gross  
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer, President, Chairman of the Board and Director  
WITNESS:   INDEMNITEE  

 

 

 

 
  Name:  
  Title:  
  Address:  

Exhibit k.3

[Form of Trademark License Agreement]

TRADEMARK LICENSE AGREEMENT

This TRADEMARK LICENSE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and effective as of                      , 2011 (the “ Effective Date ”) by and between SOLAR CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Licensor ”), and SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL Ltd., a Maryland limited liability company (“ Company ”) (each a “ party ,” and collectively, the “ parties ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Licensor is the owner of the trade name “SOLAR CAPITAL” (the “ Licensed Mark ”) in the United States of America (the “ Territory ”).

WHEREAS, Company is a newly organized closed-end management investment fund that intends to elect to be treated as a business development company;

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain investment advisory and management agreement dated as                      , 2011 between Licensor and Company (the “ Advisory Agreement ”), Company has engaged Licensor to act as the investment adviser to the Company; and

WHEREAS, Company desires to use the Licensed Mark in connection with the operation of its business, and Licensor is willing to permit Company to use the Licensed Mark, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

LICENSE GRANT

1.1 License . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Licensor hereby grants to Company, and Company hereby accepts from Licensor, a personal, non-exclusive, royalty-free right and license to use the Licensed Mark solely and exclusively as an element of Company’s own company name and in connection with the conduct of its business. Except as provided above, neither Company nor any affiliate, owner, director, officer, employee, or agent thereof shall otherwise use the Licensed Mark or any derivative thereof without the prior express written consent of Licensor in its sole and absolute discretion. All rights not expressly granted to Company hereunder shall remain the exclusive property of Licensor.

1.2 Licensor’s Use . Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Licensor, its affiliates, or any of their respective successors or assigns from using or permitting other entities to use the

 

1


Licensed Mark whether or not such entity directly or indirectly competes or conflicts with Company’s business in any manner.

ARTICLE 2

OWNERSHIP

2.1 Ownership . Company acknowledges and agrees that Licensor is the owner of all right, title, and interest in and to the Licensed Mark, and all such right, title, and interest shall remain with the Licensor. Company shall not otherwise contest, dispute, or challenge Licensor’s right, title, and interest in and to the Licensed Mark.

2.2 Goodwill . All goodwill and reputation generated by Company’s use of the Licensed Mark shall inure to the benefit of Licensor. Company shall not by any act or omission use the Licensed Mark in any manner that disparages or reflects adversely on Licensor or its business or reputation. Except as expressly provided herein, neither party may use any trademark or service mark of the other party without that party’s prior written consent, which consent shall be given in that party’s sole discretion.

ARTICLE 3

COMPLIANCE

3.1 Quality Control . In order to preserve the inherent value of the Licensed Mark, Company agrees to use reasonable efforts to ensure that it maintains the quality of the Company’s business and the operation thereof equal to the standards prevailing in the operation of Licensor’s and Company’s business as of the date of this Agreement. Company further agrees to use the Licensed Mark in accordance with such quality standards as may be reasonably established by Licensor and communicated to Company from time to time in writing, or as may be agreed to by Licensor and Company from time to time in writing.

3.2 Compliance With Laws . Company agrees that the business operated by it in connection with the Licensed Mark shall comply with all laws, rules, regulations and requirements of any governmental body in the Territory or elsewhere as may be applicable to the operation, advertising and promotion of the business, and shall notify Licensor of any action that must be taken by Company to comply with such law, rules, regulations or requirements.

3.3 Notification of Infringement . Each party shall immediately notify the other party and provide to the other party all relevant background facts upon becoming aware of (i) any registrations of, or applications for registration of, marks in the Territory that do or may conflict with any Licensed Mark, and (ii) any infringements, imitations, or illegal use or misuse of the Licensed Mark in the Territory.

ARTICLE 4

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

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4.1 Mutual Representations . Each party hereby represents and warrants to the other party as follows:

(a) Due Authorization . Such party is duly formed and in good standing as of the Effective Date, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such party have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of such party.

(b) Due Execution . This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such party and, with due authorization, execution and delivery by the other party, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms.

(c) No Conflict . Such party’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement do not: (i) violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any provision of the organizational documents of such party; (ii) conflict with or violate any law or governmental order applicable to such party or any of its assets, properties or businesses; or (iii) conflict with, result in any breach of, constitute a default (or event which with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become a default) under, require any consent under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration, suspension, revocation or cancellation of any contract, agreement, lease, sublease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument or arrangement to which it is a party.

ARTICLE 5

TERM AND TERMINATION

5.1 Term . This Agreement shall expire upon expiration or termination of the Advisory Agreement.

5.2 Upon Termination . Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement, all rights granted to Company under this Agreement with respect to the Licensed Mark shall cease, and Company shall immediately discontinue use of the Licensed Mark.

ARTICLE 6

MISCELLANEOUS

6.1 Assignment . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Neither party may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer this Agreement or any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party. No assignment by either party permitted hereunder shall relieve the applicable party of its obligations under this Agreement. Any assignment by either party in accordance with the terms of this Agreement shall be pursuant to a written assignment agreement in which the assignee expressly assumes the assigning party’s rights and obligations hereunder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the rights and obligations of Company under this Agreement shall be deemed to be assigned to a newly-formed entity in the event of the merger of Company into, or conveyance of all of the assets of Company to, such newly-formed entity; provide , further , however , that the

 

3


sole purpose of that merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in Company’s legal form into another limited liability entity.

6.2 Independent Contractor . Except as expressly provided or authorized in the Advisory Agreement, neither party shall have, or shall represent that it has, any power, right or authority to bind the other party to any obligation or liability, or to assume or create any obligation or liability on behalf of the other party.

6.3 Notices . All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service (with signature required), by facsimile, or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses:

If to Licensor:

Solar Capital Partners, LLC

500 Park Avenue, 5th Floor

New York, NY 10022

Tel. No.: (212) 993-1670

Fax No.: (212)               -                 

Attn: Michael S. Gross

If to Company:

Solar Senior Capital Ltd.

500 Park Avenue, 5th Floor

New York, NY 10022

Tel. No.: (212) 993-1670

Fax No.: (212)               -                 

Attn: Michael S. Gross

6.4 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law rules. The parties unconditionally and irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in the State of New York and waive any objection with respect thereto, for the purpose of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

6.5 Amendment . This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by an instrument in writing signed by all parties hereto.

6.6 No Waiver . The failure of either party to enforce at any time for any period the provisions of or any rights deriving from this Agreement shall not be construed to be a waiver of such provisions or rights or the right of such party thereafter to enforce such provisions, and no waiver shall be binding unless executed in writing by all parties hereto.

 

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6.7 Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any law or public policy, all other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

6.8 Headings . The descriptive headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

6.9 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original instrument and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

6.10 Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

6.11 Third Party Beneficiaries . Nothing in this Agreement, either express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any third party any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank

 

5


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party has caused this Agreement to be executed as of the Effective Date by its duly authorized officer.

 

COMPANY:

Solar Senior Capital Ltd.
By:  

 

Name:   Michael S. Gross
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

ADVISER:

 

Solar Capital Partners, LLC.

By:  

 

Name:   Michael S. Gross
Title:   Managing Member

 

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Exhibit k.4

[Form of Share Purchase Agreement]

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD.

SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

THIS SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement” ) is made as of February      , 2011 by and between SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD., a Maryland corporation (the “Company” ), on the one hand, and SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL INVESTORS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Purchaser” ) on the other hand. Except as otherwise indicated herein, capitalized terms used herein are defined in Section 8 hereof.

WHEREAS, the Purchaser is wholly owned collectively by Michael S. Gross, the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Bruce Spohler, Chief Operating Officer of the Company, and certain other members of the Company’s management team (collectively, the “Management Team” ); and

WHEREAS, the Company is proposing to conduct an initial public offering (the “Offering” ) of shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock” ), on the terms and conditions set forth in the Company’s registration statement on Form N-2 (the “Registration Statement” ) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission” ) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act” ); and

WHEREAS, in furtherance of the Company’s plan to obtain funding through the Offering, and to demonstrate the commitment of the Management Team to this plan, the Management Team desires to make an investment in the Company by acquiring through the Purchaser an aggregate of [            ] shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “Shares” ), on the terms and conditions described herein; and

WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide certain registration rights with respect to the Shares;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained in this Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

Section 1. Authorization, Purchase and Sale.

A. Authorization of the Shares. The Company has authorized, and hereby ratifies such authorization by execution hereof, the issuance and sale to the Purchaser, of an aggregate of [            ] Shares.


B. Purchase and Sale of the Shares . The Company shall sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser shall purchase from the Company, on the date the Offering is consummated (the “Purchase Date” ), an aggregate of [            ] Shares. The purchase price of each Share shall be equal to the public offering price per share of Common Stock (without giving effect to any underwriting discounts or commissions thereon) issued and sold pursuant to the Offering (the “Purchase Price” ), which shall be paid in immediately available funds through wire transfer to the Company. The aggregate Purchase Price for the Shares to be acquired by the Purchaser shall be wired to the Company by the Purchaser 24 hours prior to the Purchase Date. Amounts so received by the Company from the Purchaser shall be credited against the purchase obligation of the Purchaser established hereby.

Section 2. The Closing . The closing of the purchase and sale of the Shares to the Purchaser (the “Closing” ) shall take place at the offices of the Company at 10:00 a.m., New York Time, on the Purchase Date, or such other time and place as may be agreed upon by the parties hereto. At the Closing, the Company shall deliver certificates evidencing the Shares to be purchased by the Purchaser, registered in each the Purchaser’s name, upon the payment of the aggregate Purchase Price therefor, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Company.

Section 3. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Purchaser. As a material inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement and issue and sell the Shares to the Purchaser, the Purchaser hereby represents, warrants and covenants to the Company (which representations, warranties and covenants shall survive the Closing) that:

A. Capacity and State Law Compliance . The Purchaser has the legal capacity to execute and perform the obligations imposed on the Purchaser hereunder. The Purchaser understands and acknowledges that the transfer of the Shares may require the registration of such securities under Federal and/or state securities laws or the availability of an exemption from such registration requirements. The Purchaser understands that the Shares have not been and are not being registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, and may not be offered for sale, sold, assigned or transferred unless (A) subsequently registered thereunder or (B) sold in reliance on an exemption therefrom. The Purchaser is able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the Shares for an indefinite period of time.

B. Authorization; No Breach .

(i) This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

(ii) The execution and delivery by the Purchaser of this Agreement and the fulfillment of and compliance with the respective terms hereof by the Purchaser do not and shall not as of the Closing conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of any other agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to which the Purchaser is subject.


C. Investment Representations .

(i) The Purchaser is acquiring the Shares for the Purchaser’s own account, for investment only and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, any public sale or distribution thereof.

(ii) The Purchaser is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(3) of Regulation D.

(iii) The Purchaser understands that the Shares are being offered and sold to the Purchaser in reliance on specific exemptions from the registration requirements of United States federal and state securities laws and that the Company is relying in part upon the truth and accuracy of, and the Purchaser’s compliance with, the representations, warranties and agreements of the Purchaser set forth herein in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of the Purchaser to acquire such Shares.

(iv) The Purchaser initiated discussions with the Company relating to the purchase and sale of the Shares contemplated by this Agreement on an unsolicited basis prior to the date of this Agreement. The Purchaser did not initiate such discussions, nor did the Purchaser decide to enter into this Agreement, as a result of any general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502(c) under the Securities Act, including the filing of the Registration Statement.

(v) The Purchaser has been furnished with all materials relating to the business, finances and operations of the Company and materials relating to the offer and sale of the Shares which have been requested by the Purchaser. The Purchaser has been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the other executive officers and directors of the Company. The Purchaser understands that an investment in the Shares involves a high degree of risk. The Purchaser has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice as the Purchaser has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to an acquisition of the Shares.

(vi) The Purchaser understands that no United States federal or state agency or any other government or governmental agency has passed on or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Shares or the fairness or suitability of the investment in the Shares nor have such authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Shares.

(vii) The Purchaser acknowledges that the Purchaser is able to fend for itself, has knowledge and experience in financial and business matters, knows of the high degree of risk associated with investments generally and particularly investments in the securities of companies such as the Company, is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Shares and is able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the Shares in the amount contemplated hereunder. The Purchaser has adequate means of providing for


the Purchaser’s current financial needs and contingencies and will have no current or anticipated future needs for liquidity which would be jeopardized by the investment in the Shares. The Purchaser can afford a complete loss of an investment in the Shares.

(viii) Without in any way limiting the representations set forth above, the Purchaser agrees not to make any disposition of all or any portion of the Shares unless and until:

(1) There is then in effect a registration statement under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws covering such proposed disposition and such disposition is made in accordance with such registration statement; or

(2)(i) The Purchaser shall have notified the Company of the proposed disposition and shall have furnished the Company with a detailed statement of the circumstances surrounding the proposed disposition, and (ii) if reasonably requested by the Company, the Purchaser shall have furnished the Company with an opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that such disposition will not require registration of such Shares under the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Purchaser also understands and acknowledges that the transfer or exercise, as the case may be, of the Shares is subject to the specific conditions to such transfer or exercise, as the case may be, as outlined herein, as to which the Purchaser specifically assents by the Purchaser’s execution hereof.

Section 4. Registration Rights .

A. Mandatory Shelf Registration . The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement for the resale of any or all the Shares (but not involving any underwritten offerings) on a “shelf” Form N-2 under Rule 415 under the Securities Act (the “ Registration Statement ”) within sixty (60) days after the Purchase Date, and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter; provided, however, that the Company shall have the right to defer such filing for up to one hundred and eighty (180) days after the Purchase Date if the Company shall have notified the Purchaser that it would be materially detrimental to the Company and its security holders for such Registration Statement to be effected at such time. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Registration Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act until the earliest of (A) the date on which the Shares have been sold pursuant to the Registration Statement, (B) the date all the Shares have been sold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, (C) the date on which the Shares cease to be outstanding and (D) the date on which the Shares become eligible for sale under Rule 144 under the Securities Act without restriction. The Company shall notify the Purchaser when the Registration Statement has been declared effective.


B. Supplements and Amendments . The Company shall promptly amend the Registration Statement and/or amend or supplement the prospectus constituting a part thereof (the “Prospectus” ) if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used for such Registration Statement, if required by the Securities Act, or if reasonably requested in writing by the Purchaser, but only with respect to information relating to the Purchaser.

C. Provision of Information . The Purchaser shall not be entitled to include any of the Shares in any Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless the Purchaser furnishes to the Company in writing, within twenty (20) days after receipt of a written request therefor (such written request, a “ Notice and Questionnaire ”), such information as the Company, after conferring with counsel with regard to information relating to the Purchaser that would be required by the Commission to be included in the Registration Statement or Prospectus included therein, may reasonably request for inclusion in any Registration Statement or Prospectus included therein. The Company shall mail the Notice and Questionnaire to the Purchaser no later than thirty (30) days prior to the date of initial filing of the Registration Statement with the Commission. The Purchaser shall not be entitled to be named as a selling securityholder in the Registration Statement as of the initial effective date of the Registration Statement, and the Purchaser may not use the Prospectus forming a part thereof for resales of Shares at any time, unless the Purchaser has returned a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company by the deadline for response set forth therein; provided , however , that the Purchaser shall have at least twenty (20) days from the date on which the Notice and Questionnaire is first mailed to the Purchaser to return a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company.

Section 5. Registration Procedures .

A. Filings; Information

(i) Copies . The Company shall, prior to filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the Purchaser, and its legal counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus), and such other documents as the Purchaser or its legal counsel for any such holders may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Shares.

(ii) Amendments and Supplements . The Company shall prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements to such Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act for the period set forth in Section 4(A).


(iii) Notification . After the filing of a Registration Statement, the Company shall promptly, and in no event more than two (2) Business Days after such filing, notify the Purchaser of such filing, and shall further notify the Purchaser promptly and confirm such advice in writing in all events within two (2) Business Days of the occurrence of any of the following: (i) when such Registration Statement becomes effective; (ii) when any post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement becomes effective; (iii) the issuance or threatened issuance by the Commission of any stop order (and the Company shall take all commercially reasonable actions required to prevent the entry of such stop order or to remove it if entered); and (iv) (x) any request by the Commission for any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or any Prospectus relating thereto or for additional information or (y) of the occurrence of an event requiring the preparation of a supplement or amendment to such Prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the securities covered by such Registration Statement, such Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and promptly make available to the Purchaser any such supplement or amendment; except that before filing with the Commission a Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, including documents incorporated by reference, the Company shall furnish to the Purchaser and to its legal counsel, copies of all such documents proposed to be filed sufficiently in advance of filing to provide such holders and legal counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review such documents and comment thereon, and the Company shall not file any Registration Statement or Prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto, including documents incorporated by reference, to which the Purchaser or its legal counsel shall reasonably object.

(iv) State Securities Laws Compliance . The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register or qualify the Shares covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Purchaser (in light of its intended plan of distribution) may request and (ii) take such action necessary to cause the Shares covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other State authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable the Purchaser to consummate the disposition of the Shares in such jurisdictions; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 5(A)(iv) or subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction.

(v) Cooperation . Earnings Statement . The Company shall comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and the Securities Act, and make available to its security holders, as soon as practicable, an earnings statement covering a period of twelve (12) months, beginning within six (6) months after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings


statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder.

(vi) Listing . The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all Shares included in any registration to be listed on such exchanges or otherwise designated for trading in the same manner as similar securities issued by the Company are then listed or designated or, if no such similar securities are then listed or designated, in a manner satisfactory to the Purchaser.

B. Obligation to Suspend Distribution . Upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 5(A)(iii)(iv), or, the occurrence or existence of any pending corporate development or any other material event that, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, makes it appropriate to suspend the availability of the Registration Statement, the Purchaser shall immediately discontinue disposition of the Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement covering the Shares until the Purchaser receives the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(A)(iii)(iv) or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the Prospectus may be used, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.

C. Registration Expenses . Except to the extent prohibited by law or any applicable regulatory authority, the Company shall bear all customary costs and expenses incurred in connection with any registration on the Registration Statement, and all reasonable expenses incurred in performing or complying with its other obligations under this Agreement, whether or not the Registration Statement becomes effective, including, without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees; (ii) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or “blue sky” laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Shares, subject to the limit set forth in paragraph (ix) below); (iii) printing expenses; (iv) the Company’s internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees); (v) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Shares, as required by Section 5(A)(vi); (vi) Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. fees; (vii) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and fees and expenses for independent certified public accountants retained by the Company; and (viii) the fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with such registration.

D. Information . The Purchaser shall provide such information as may reasonably be requested by the Company in connection with the preparation of any Registration Statement, including amendments and supplements thereto, in order to effect the registration of the Shares under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 2 and in connection with the Company’s obligation to comply with federal and applicable state securities laws.

Section 6. Indemnification and Contribution .

A. Indemnification by the Company . The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Purchaser, and each of its officers, employees, affiliates, directors, partners,


members, attorneys and agents, and each person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act” )) the Purchaser, from and against any expenses, losses, judgments, claims, damages or liabilities, whether joint or several, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement (or allegedly untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement under which the sale of the Shares was registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary Prospectus or final Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement, or arising out of or based upon any omission (or alleged omission) to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such expense, loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or allegedly untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such Registration Statement, preliminary Prospectus or final Prospectus or any such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with information regarding the Purchaser furnished to the Company, in writing, by the Purchaser expressly for use therein.

B. Indemnification by the Purchaser . The Purchaser will, with respect to any Registration Statement where Shares were registered under the Securities Act, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors and officers, and each other person, if any, who controls the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act), against any losses, claims, judgments, damages or liabilities, whether joint or several, insofar as such losses, claims, judgments, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or allegedly untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement under which the sale of Shares was registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary Prospectus or final Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, or arise out of or are based upon any omission or the alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement therein not misleading, if the statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information regarding the Purchaser furnished in writing to the Company by the Purchaser expressly for use therein, and shall reimburse the Company, its directors and officers, and each such controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with investigation or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action. The Purchaser’s indemnification obligations hereunder shall be limited to the amount of any net proceeds actually received by Purchaser from the sale of Shares which gave rise to such indemnification obligation.

C. Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings . Promptly after receipt by any person of any notice of any loss, claim, damage or liability or any action in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 6(A) or 6(B), such person (the “Indemnified Party” ) shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any other person for indemnification hereunder, promptly notify such other person (the “Indemnifying Party” ) in writing of the loss, claim, judgment, damage, liability or action. If the Indemnified Party is seeking indemnification with respect to any claim or action brought against the Indemnified Party, then the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to participate in such claim or action, and, to the extent that it elects, retain


counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party to represent the Indemnified Party, and any others the Indemnifying Party may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless (i) the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel, or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interest between them. The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or there is a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Party agrees to indemnify the Indemnified Party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an Indemnified Party shall have requested an Indemnifying Party to reimburse the Indemnified Party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated in this Section 6(C), the Indemnifying Party agrees that it shall be liable for any expense, loss, claim, damage or liability effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than thirty (30) days after receipt by such Indemnifying Party of the aforesaid request, and (ii) such Indemnifying Party shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified Party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement (other than reimbursement for fees and expenses the Indemnifying Party is contesting in good faith). No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, consent to entry of judgment or effect any settlement of any claim or pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which the Indemnified Party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Party, unless such judgment or settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such claim or proceeding.

D. Contribution .

(i) If the indemnification provided for in the foregoing Sections 6(A), 6(B) and 6(C) is unavailable to any Indemnified Party in respect of any loss, claim, damage, liability or action referred to herein, then each such Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such loss, claim, damage, liability or action in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Indemnified Parties on the one hand and the Indemnifying Parties on the other from the offering. If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law or if the Indemnified Party failed to give the notice required under Section 6(C) above, then each Indemnifying Party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Indemnified Parties on the one hand and the Indemnifying Parties on the other in connection with the actions or omissions which resulted in such loss, claim, damage, liability or action, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of


any Indemnified Party and any Indemnifying Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such Indemnified Party or such Indemnifying Party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

(ii) The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 6(D) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding Section 6(D)(i). The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of any loss, claim, damage, liability or action referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6(D), the Purchaser shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the dollar amount of the net proceeds (after payment of any underwriting fees, discounts, commissions or taxes) actually received by the Purchaser from the sale of Shares which gave rise to such contribution obligation. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

Section 7. Survival of Representations and Warranties . All of the representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the Closing, except as otherwise specifically provided herein.

Section 8. Definitions . For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set forth:

“Affiliate” of any particular Person means any other Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such particular Person, where “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person whether through the ownership of voting securities, contract or otherwise.

“Business Day” means any day, except a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday on which the banking institutions in the City of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

“Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, joint stock company, trust, joint venture, unincorporated organization or governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

Section 9. Miscellaneous.

A. Legends.


(i) The certificates evidencing the Shares will include the legend set forth in Exhibit A hereto.

(ii) By accepting the certificates bearing the aforesaid legend, the Purchaser agrees, prior to any permitted transfer of the Shares represented by the certificates and subject to the restrictions contained herein, to give written notice to the Company expressing the Purchaser’s desire to effect such transfer and describing briefly the proposed transfer.

(iii) The Company may, from time to time, make stop transfer notations in its records and deliver stop transfer instructions to its transfer agent to the extent its counsel considers it necessary to ensure compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable state securities acts.

B. Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto whether so expressed or not. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary herein, the parties may not assign this Agreement.

C. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of this Agreement.

D. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than one party, but all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

E. Descriptive Headings; Interpretation. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a substantive part of this Agreement. The use of the word “including” in this Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation.

F. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts formed and to be performed entirely within the State of New York, without regard to the conflicts of law provisions thereof to the extent such principles or rules would require or permit the application of the laws of another jurisdiction, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act” ). In the event of any conflict between the laws of the State of New York and the 1940 Act, the applicable provision of the 1940 Act shall control. The Company and the Purchaser irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or, if such court does not have jurisdiction, the New York State Supreme Court in the Borough of


Manhattan, in any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement, agree that all claims in respect of the action may be heard and determined in any such court and agree not to bring any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any other court. In any action, the Company and the Purchaser irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to assert by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise any claims that either is not subject to the jurisdiction of the above court, that such action is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such action is improper. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company and the Purchaser agree that service of process at each parties respective addresses as provided for in Section 9(H) hereof shall be deemed effective service of process on such party.

G. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives the right to a trial by jury in any action, suit, counterclaim or other proceeding (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of, connected with or relating to this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby, or the actions of the Purchaser in the negotiation, administration, performance or enforcement hereof.

H. Notices. All notices, demands or other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered personally to the recipient, sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) or mailed to the recipient by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid. Such notices, demands and other communications shall be sent:

If to the Company:

Solar Senior Capital Ltd.

500 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

with a copy to:

Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP

1275 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington, DC 20004

Attention: Steven B. Boehm

If to the Purchaser:

Solar Senior Capital Investors LLC

500 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attention: Managing Member

with a copy to:

Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP

1275 Pennsylvania Avenue


Washington, DC 20004

Attention: Steven B. Boehm

I. No Strict Construction. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]


***

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Share Purchase Agreement to be executed and delivered by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.

 

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD.
By:  

 

   

Name: Michael S. Gross

Title: Chief Executive Officer

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL INVESTORS LLC
By:  

 

 

Name: Michael S. Gross

Title: Managing Member

Exhibit l

[LETTERHEAD OF VENABLE LLP]

February 11, 2011

Solar Senior Capital Ltd.

500 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10022

 

  Re: Registration Statement on Form N-2

File No.: 333-171330                        

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have served as Maryland counsel to Solar Senior Capital Ltd., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”) and a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), in connection with certain matters of Maryland law arising out of the registration of shares (the “Shares”) of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company to be issued in the Company’s initial public offering, covered by the above-referenced Registration Statement, and all amendments thereto (the “Registration Statement”), filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”).

In connection with our representation of the Company, and as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Documents”):

1. The Registration Statement and the related form of prospectus included therein, substantially in the form in which it was transmitted to the Commission under the 1933 Act;

2. The charter of the Company (the “Charter”), certified as of a recent date by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “SDAT”);

3. The Bylaws of the Company, certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;

4. A certificate of the SDAT as to the good standing of the Company, dated as of a recent date;

5. Resolutions (the “Resolutions”) adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) relating to the authorization of the filing of the Registration Statement and the sale and issuance of the Shares, certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;


Solar Senior Capital Ltd.

February 11, 2011

Page 2

 

6. A certificate executed by an officer of the Company, dated as of the date hereof; and

7. Such other documents and matters as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to express the opinion set forth below, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein.

In expressing the opinion set forth below, we have assumed the following:

1. Each individual executing any of the Documents, whether on behalf of such individual or any other person, is legally competent to do so.

2. Each individual executing any of the Documents on behalf of a party (other than the Company) is duly authorized to do so.

3. Each of the parties (other than the Company) executing any of the Documents has duly and validly executed and delivered each of the Documents to which such party is a signatory, and such party’s obligations set forth therein are legal, valid and binding and are enforceable in accordance with all stated terms.

4. All Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic. The form and content of all Documents submitted to us as unexecuted drafts do not differ in any respect relevant to this opinion from the form and content of such Documents as executed and delivered. All Documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents. All signatures on all such Documents are genuine. All public records reviewed or relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete. All representations, warranties, statements and information contained in the Documents are true and complete. There has been no oral or written modification of or amendment to any of the Documents, and there has been no waiver of any provision of any of the Documents, by action or omission of the parties or otherwise.

5. Prior to the issuance of the Shares, the Board of Directors, or a duly authorized committee thereof, will determine the number, and certain terms of issuance, of the Shares in accordance with the Resolutions (the “Corporate Proceedings”). Upon any issuance of the Shares, the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding will not exceed the total number of shares of Common Stock that the Company is then authorized to issue under the Charter.


Solar Senior Capital Ltd.

February 11, 2011

Page 3

 

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, it is our opinion that:

1. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing with the SDAT.

2. The issuance of the Shares has been duly authorized and, when and if issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the Resolutions, the Corporate Proceedings and the Registration Statement, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

The foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Maryland and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law. We express no opinion as to the applicability or effect of federal or state securities laws, including the securities laws of the State of Maryland, or the 1940 Act. To the extent that any matter as to which our opinion is expressed herein would be governed by the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Maryland, we do not express any opinion on such matter. The opinion expressed herein is subject to the effect of judicial decisions which may permit the introduction of parol evidence to modify the terms or the interpretation of agreements.

The opinion expressed herein is limited to the matters specifically set forth herein and no other opinion shall be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof.

This opinion is being furnished to you for submission to the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and the use of the name of our firm therein. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the 1933 Act.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Venable LLP

Exhibit n.2

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors

Solar Senior Capital Ltd.:

 

We consent to the use of our report, dated February 1, 2011, included herein and to the references to our firm under the headings “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the prospectus.

 

/s/ KPMG LP

 

New York, New York

February 14, 2011

Exhibit r

CODE OF ETHICS

 

I. INTRODUCTION

Solar Capital Partners, LLC (the “Adviser” ) seeks to foster and maintain a reputation for honesty, integrity and professionalism. That reputation is a vital business asset. The confidence and trust placed in Adviser are highly valued and must be protected. Adviser has adopted this Code of Ethics (the “Code” ) in accordance with Rules 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and Rule 17j-l under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Code includes Adviser’s policy with respect to personal investment and trading and its insider trading policy and procedures. Solar Capital Ltd. and Solar Senior Capital Ltd. (collectively referred to as, the “BDC” or the “Fund”) has similarly and jointly adopted this Code of Ethics. Thus, this Code of Ethics is applicable to all employees of the Adviser and the Fund (collectively “Solar Capital” ).

 

II. DEFINITIONS

A. Access Person. The term “ Access Person ” means (i) any Supervised Person who (1) has access to nonpublic information regarding a Client’s purchase or sale of securities; (2) has access to nonpublic information regarding the portfolio holdings of any Reportable Fund; and/or (3) is involved in making securities recommendations to Clients or who has access to such recommendations that are nonpublic and (ii) all of the directors, officers, employees, members or partners of Solar Capital. By way of example, Access Persons include portfolio management personnel and service representatives who communicate investment advice to Clients. Administrative, technical, and clerical personnel may also be Access Persons if their functions or duties provide them with access to nonpublic information.

B. Advisers Act. The term “ Advisers Act ” means the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.

C. Automatic Investment Plan. An “ Automatic Investment Plan ” is a program in which regular periodic purchases or withdrawals are made automatically in or from investment accounts according to a predetermined schedule and allocation. An Automatic Investment Plan includes a dividend reinvestment plan.

D. Beneficial Ownership. You will be considered to have “ Beneficial Ownership ” in a Security if: (i) you have a Pecuniary Interest in the Security; (ii) you have voting power with respect to the Security, meaning the power to vote or direct the voting of the Security; or (iii) you have the power to dispose, or direct the disposition of, the Security. If you have any question about whether an interest in a Security or an account constitutes Beneficial Ownership of that Security, you should contact a Compliance Officer.

 

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E. Chief Compliance Officer. The “ Chief Compliance Officer ” is the Access Person designated respectively by Adviser and BDC for each entity respectively as such, as identified in Solar Capital’s Compliance Policies and Procedures Manual.

F. Client. The term “ Client ” means any investment entity or account advised or managed or subadvised by Adviser, including any pooled investment vehicle advised or subadvised by Adviser.

G. Commission. The term “ Commission ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

H. Compliance Officer. The term “Compliance Officer” shall mean an Access Person deemed by Solar Capital to be sufficiently experienced to perform senior-level compliance functions, and shall include the Chief Compliance Officer.

I. Exchange Act. The term “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

J. Federal Securities Laws. The term “ Federal Securities Laws ” means the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Investment Company Act, the Advisers Act, Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, any rules adopted by the Commission under any of these statutes, the Bank Secrecy Act as it applies to funds and investment advisers, and any rules adopted under the Bank Secrecy Act by the Commission or the Department of the Treasury.

K. Immediate Family. The term “ Immediate Family ” includes a Supervised Person’s child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, and includes any adoptive relationship.

L. Index Securities. The term “ Index Securities ” means exchange-traded funds and derivatives based on broad-based indices.

M. Initial Public Offering. The term “ Initial Public Offering ” means an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act, the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

N. Investment Company Act. The term “ Investment Company Act ” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

O. Non-Reportable Securities. The term “ Non-Reportable Securities ” means: (i) direct obligations of the U.S. Government; (ii) bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments (defined as any instrument that has a maturity at issuance of less than 366 days and that is rated in one of the two highest rating categories by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization), including repurchase agreements; (iii) shares issued by money market funds; (iv) shares issued by open-end funds registered under the Investment Company Act, other than Reportable Funds; and

 

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(v) shares issued by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more open-end funds, none of which are Reportable Funds.

P. Pecuniary Interest. You will be considered to have a “ Pecuniary Interest ” in a Security if you, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, have the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the Security. The term “Pecuniary Interest” is construed very broadly. The following examples illustrate this principle: (i) ordinarily, you will be deemed to have a “Pecuniary Interest” in all Securities owned by members of your Immediate Family who share the same household with you; (ii) if you are a general partner of a general or limited partnership, you will be deemed to have a “Pecuniary Interest” in all Securities held by the partnership; (iii) if you are a shareholder of a corporation or similar business entity, you will be deemed to have a “Pecuniary Interest” in all Securities held by the corporation if you are a controlling shareholder or have or share investment control over the corporation’s investment portfolio; (iv) if you have the right to acquire equity Securities through the exercise or conversion of a derivative Security, you will be deemed to have a Pecuniary Interest in the Securities, whether or not your right is presently exercisable; (v) if you are the sole member or a manager of a limited liability company, you will be deemed to have a Pecuniary Interest in the Securities held by the limited liability company; and (vi) ordinarily, if you are a trustee or beneficiary of a trust, where either you or members of your Immediate Family have a vested interest in the principal or income of the trust, you will be deemed to have a Pecuniary Interest in all Securities held by that trust. If you have any question about whether an interest in a Security or an account constitutes a Pecuniary Interest, you should contact the Chief Compliance Officer.

Q. Reportable Fund. The term “ Reportable Fund ” means (i) any fund for which Adviser serves as investment adviser; or (ii) any fund whose investment adviser or principal underwriter controls Adviser, is controlled by Adviser, or is under common control with Adviser. As used in this definition, the term control has the same meaning as it does in Section 2(a)(9) of the Investment Company Act.

R. Reportable Security. The term “ Reportable Security ” includes all Securities (including Index Securities) other than Non-Reportable Securities.

S. Restricted List. The “ Restricted List ” is a list maintained by the Chief Compliance Officer and will include the name of any company, whether or not a client of Adviser, as to which one or more individuals at Adviser has a fiduciary relationship or may have material information which has not been publicly disclosed. No Supervised Person may trade in Securities on the Restricted List, whether for his own account or for the account of a Client.

T. Securities Act. The term “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

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U. Security. The term “ Security ” has the same meaning as it has in section 202(a)(18) of the Advisers Act. For purposes of this Code, the following are Securities:

Any note, stock, treasury stock, security future, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, preorganization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas, or other mineral rights, any put, call, straddle, option or privilege on any security (including a certificate of deposit) or on any group or index of securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), or any put, call, straddle, option or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency, or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a security, or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any security.

The following are not Securities:

Commodities, futures and options traded on a commodities exchange, including currency futures, except that (i) options on any group or index of Securities and (ii) futures on any group or narrow-based index of Securities are Securities.

You should note that “ Security ” includes a right to acquire a Security, as well as an interest in a collective investment vehicle (such as a limited partnership or limited liability company).

V. Supervised Person. The term “ Supervised Person ” means (i) any partner, member, officer or director of Solar Capital, or other person occupying a similar status or performing similar function; (ii) any employee of Solar Capital; (iii) any U.S. consultant who has been contracted by Solar Capital for more than ninety (90) days; and (iv) any other person who provides advice on behalf of Solar Capital and is subject to Solar Capital’s supervision and control.

 

III. PERSONAL INVESTMENT AND TRADING POLICY

 

  A. General Statement

Solar Capital is committed to maintaining the highest standard of business conduct.

Solar Capital and its Supervised Persons must not act or behave in any manner or engage in any activity that (1) involves or creates even the suspicion or appearance of the misuse of material, nonpublic information by Solar Capital or any Supervised Person or (2) gives rise to, or appears to give rise to, any breach of fiduciary duty owed to any Client or investor.

 

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In addition, the Federal Securities Laws require that investment advisers maintain a record of every transaction in any Security, with certain exceptions, as described below, in which any Access Person acquires or disposes of Beneficial Ownership where the Security is or was held in an account over which the Access Person has direct or indirect influence or control. Given the current size of its operations, Solar Capital has chosen to require reporting of transactions, as well as pre-approval of certain transactions, for all Supervised Persons, rather than only Access Persons.

Solar Capital has developed the following policies and procedures relating to personal trading in Securities and the reporting of such personal trading in Securities in order to ensure that each Supervised Person satisfies the requirements of this Code.

 

  B. Requirements of this Code

 

  1. Duty to Comply with Applicable Laws.

All Supervised Persons are required to comply with the Federal Securities Laws, the fiduciary duty owed by Adviser to its Clients, as applicable, and this Code.

 

  2. Duty to Report Violations.

Each Supervised Person is required by law to promptly notify the Chief Compliance Officer or designee in the event he or she knows or has reason to believe that he or she or any other Supervised Person has violated any provision of this Code. If a Supervised Person knows or has reason to believe that the Chief Compliance Officer has violated any provision of this Code, the Supervised Person must promptly notify the Chief Financial Officer and is not required to notify the Chief Compliance Officer.

Solar Capital is committed to fostering a culture of compliance. Solar Capital therefore urges you to contact the Chief Compliance Officer or designee if you have any questions regarding compliance. You will not be penalized and your status at Solar Capital will not be jeopardized by communicating with the Chief Compliance Officer. Reports of violations or a suspected violations also may be submitted anonymously to the Chief Compliance Officer or designee. Any retaliatory action taken against any person who in good faith reports a violation or a suspected violation of this Code is itself a violation of this Code and cause for appropriate corrective action, including dismissal.

 

  3. Duty to Provide Copy of the Code of Ethics and Related Certification.

Solar Capital will provide all Supervised Persons with a copy of this Code and all subsequent amendments. By law, all Supervised Persons must in turn provide written acknowledgement to the Chief Compliance Officer or designee of their initial receipt and review of this Code, their annual review of this Code and their receipt and review of any subsequent amendments to this Code.

 

  C. Restrictions on Supervised Persons Trading in Securities

 

  1. General Statement.

 

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No Supervised Person may engage in a transaction in a Security, which includes an interest in a collective investment vehicle, that is also the subject of a transaction by a Client if the Supervised Person’s transaction would disadvantage or appear to disadvantage the Client or if the Supervised Person would profit from or appear to profit from the transaction, whether or not at the expense of the Client. The following specific restrictions apply to all trading activity by Supervised Persons:

(a) No Supervised Person may engage in any purchases of a Reportable Security other than an Index Security. Any transaction in an Index Security will be permitted only in compliance with the reporting requirements of this Code. Sales of Reportable Securities other than Index Securities will be permitted only in compliance with the reporting and preclearance requirements of this Code.

(b) Any transaction in a Security in anticipation of an order from or on behalf of a Client, also known as “front running,” is prohibited.

(c) Any transaction in a Security included on the Restricted List of issuers maintained by Solar Capital is prohibited. The Restricted List is maintained by the Chief Compliance Officer and his or her designees. The Chief Compliance Officer or such other Compliance Officer as may be designated shall be responsible for: (i) determining whether any security identified by a Supervised Person should be included on the Restricted List; (ii) determining when securities should be removed from the Restricted List; and (iii) ensuring that securities are added to and removed from the Restricted List, as appropriate. The Restricted List shall be reviewed by the Chief Compliance Officer or designee at least quarterly.

(d) Any transaction in a Security which the Supervised Person knows or has reason to believe is being purchased or sold, or is being considered for purchase or sale, by or on behalf of a Client is prohibited until the Client’s transaction has been completed or consideration of the transaction is abandoned. A Security is “being considered for purchase or sale” the earlier of when a recommendation to purchase or sell has been made and communicated or the Security is placed on Adviser’s research project lists and, with respect to the person making the recommendation, when the person seriously considers making such a recommendation.

(e) Any transaction in a Security during the period which begins three days before and ends three days after any Client has traded in that Security is prohibited, unless approved by a Compliance Officer.

(f) Any transaction in a Security on the same day in which any Client has a pending or actual transaction is prohibited, unless approved by a Compliance Officer.

(g) Personal account trading must be done on the Supervised Person’s own time without placing undue burden on Solar Capital’s time.

(h) No trades should be undertaken which are beyond the financial resources of the Supervised Person.

 

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(i) Except in extraordinary circumstances, no transaction will be permitted if the Securities purchased are expected to have less than a thirty-day holding period or if they are seen as presently or potentially part of a Client strategy.

(j) There is a presumption that a Supervised Person can exert some measure of influence or control over accounts held by members of such person’s Immediate Family sharing the same household. Therefore, transactions by immediate family sharing the same household are subject to the policies herein. A Supervised Person may rebut this presumption by presenting convincing evidence, in writing, to the Chief Compliance Officer and request an exemption to the policies herein. All exemptions must be approved by the Chief Compliance Officer, in writing.

2. All Sales of Reportable Securities, other than (i) Exempt Transactions described below in Section 4 or (ii) sales of Index Securities, must be pre-cleared by the Compliance Office under Section 5(b) below.

3. Use of Broker-Dealers and Brokerage Accounts.

(a) You may not engage, and you may not permit any other person or entity to engage, in any purchase or sale of publicly traded Reportable Securities of which you have, or by reason of the transaction will acquire, Beneficial Ownership, except through a registered broker-dealer or registered investment advisor.

(b) You must provide written notice to a Compliance Officer of your opening of an account with a bank, advisor or broker through which you have the ability to purchase or sell Securities promptly after opening the account, and in any event before the first order for the purchase or sale of a Security is placed in the account. A Compliance Officer will then ask you to complete and sign a written notice to the broker or bank, (the forms of which are attached as Appendix IV and Appendix V hereto) which discloses your affiliation with Adviser and request that copies of trade confirmations and statements be sent to the Chief Compliance Officer. A Compliance Officer will execute this notice on behalf of Solar Capital and transmit it to the broker.

4. The following are Exempt Transactions that do not require preclearance by a Compliance Officer:

(a) Any transaction in Securities in an account over which a Supervised Person does not have any direct or indirect influence or control (such as a fully discretionary managed account through a registered investment advisor).

(b) Purchases of Securities under Automatic Investment Plans (such as an employee sponsored 401K).

(c) Purchases of Securities by exercise of rights issued to the holders of a class of Securities pro rata, to the extent they are issued with respect to Securities for which a Supervised Person has Beneficial Ownership.

 

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(d) Acquisitions or dispositions of Securities as the result of a stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, merger, consolidation, spin-off or other similar corporate distribution or reorganization applicable to all holders of a class of Securities for which a Supervised Person has Beneficial Ownership.

(e) Such other classes of transactions as may be exempted from time to time by the Chief Compliance Officer based upon a determination that the transactions are unlikely to violate Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act.

(f) Such other specific transactions as may be exempted from time to time by the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

  5. Preclearance and Verification Procedures.

The following procedures shall govern all sales of Securities in which a Supervised Person has Beneficial Ownership (“ Supervised Person Sales ”) and which are subject to preclearance by a Compliance Officer.

 

  (a) Supervised Person Sales Subject to Preclearance.

A Supervised Person Sale may be disapproved if it is determined by the Chief Compliance Officer or designee that the Supervised Person is unfairly benefiting from, or that the transaction is in conflict with, or appears to be in conflict with, any Client Transaction (as defined below) any of the above-described trading restrictions, or this Code. “ Client Transactions ” include transactions for any Client or any other account managed or advised by any Supervised Person for a fee.

The determination that a Supervised Person may unfairly benefit from, or that a Supervised Person Sale may conflict with or appears to be in conflict with, a Client Transaction will be subjective and individualized, and may include questions about the timely and adequate dissemination of information, availability of bids and offers, and other factors deemed pertinent for that transaction or series of transactions. It is possible that a disapproval of a Supervised Person Sale could be costly to a Supervised Person or members of a Supervised Person’s family; therefore, each Supervised Person should take great care to adhere to Solar Capital’s trading restrictions and avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest.

Any disapproval of a Supervised Person Sale shall be in writing. A Supervised Person may appeal any such disapproval by written notice to the Chief Financial Officer within two business days after receipt of notice of disapproval. The appeal must be resolved promptly by the Chief Financial Officer.

 

  (b) Procedures for Preclearance of Supervised Person Sales.

(i) Supervised Person Sales through Brokers or Banks . Supervised Person Sales through brokers or banks are not permitted except through an account for which the Supervised Person has provided written notice to Adviser, and completed and signed a notice to the broker or bank to be sent by Adviser, in accordance with Section III.C.3(b).

 

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To seek approval of a Supervised Person Sale, the Supervised Person must submit a request, to the Compliance Officer prior to executing each transaction through the broker or bank. The Compliance Officer will notify a Supervised Person within two business days of any conflict and will advise whether the Supervised Person Sale has been cleared.

(ii) Other Transactions . All other Supervised Person Sales must be cleared in writing by the Compliance Officer prior to the Supervised Person’s entering into the transaction. If a Supervised Person wishes to engage in such a transaction, he or she must submit a request to the Compliance Officer. The Compliance Officer will notify the Supervised Person within five business days of any conflict and will advise whether the Supervised Person Sale has been cleared.

 

IV. REPORTING

 

  A. Reports About Securities Holdings and Transactions

Supervised Persons must submit to the Chief Compliance Officer or designee periodic written reports about their Securities holdings, transactions, and accounts, and the Securities of other persons if the Supervised Person has Beneficial Ownership of such Securities and the accounts of other persons if the Supervised Person has direct or indirect influence or control over such accounts. The obligation to submit these reports and the content of these reports are governed by the Federal Securities Laws. The reports are intended to identify conflicts of interest that could arise when a Supervised Person invests in a Security or holds accounts that permit these investments, and to promote compliance with this Code. Adviser is sensitive to privacy concerns and will try not to disclose your reports to anyone unnecessarily. Report forms are attached.

Failure to file a timely, accurate, and complete report is a serious breach of Commission rules and this Code. If a Supervised Person is late in filing a report, or files a report that is misleading or incomplete, the Supervised Person may face sanctions including identification by name to the Chief Compliance Officer, withholding of salary or bonuses, or termination of employment.

1. Initial Disclosure Reports : Within ten days after you become a Supervised Person, you must submit to the Chief Compliance Officer or designee a securities accounts report (a form of which is attached as Appendix II thereto) and private investments report (a form of which is attached as Appendix VI thereto) based on information that is current as of a date not more than 45 days prior to the date you become a Supervised Person.

 

  (a) The Initial Report of Securities Accounts contains the following:

(i) The name/title and type of Security, and, as applicable, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, the number of equity shares and principal amount of each Reportable Security for which you had Beneficial Ownership. You may provide this information by referring to attached copies of broker transaction confirmations or account statements from the applicable recordkeepers that contain the information.

 

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(ii) The name and address of any broker, dealer, or bank or other institution (such as a general partner of a limited partnership, or transfer agent of a company) that maintained any account holding any Securities for which you have Beneficial Ownership, and the account numbers and names of the persons for whom the accounts are held.

(iii) An executed statement (and a letter or other evidence) pursuant to which you have instructed each broker, dealer, bank, or other institution to provide duplicate account statements and confirmations of all Securities transactions, unless Adviser indicates that the information is otherwise available to it. The form of this statement is attached as Appendix IV (for personal accounts) and Appendix V (for related accounts) hereto.

(iv) The date you submitted the report.

 

  (b) The Initial Report of Private Investments contains the following:

(i) A description of all private investments for which you have a Beneficial Ownership, the principal amount of those private investments, the approximate dates of acquisition, and whether the private investments involve or are associated with companies that have publicly traded debt or equity.

(ii) The date you submitted the report.

2. Quarterly Transaction Report : Unless, as noted below, the Chief Compliance Officer already receives trade confirmations or account statements for all of your transactions in Reportable Securities, within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter, you, as a Supervised Person, must submit to the Chief Compliance Officer or designee a transaction report, a form of which is attached as Appendix III hereto, that contains:

(a) With respect to any transaction during the quarter in any Reportable Security in which you had, or as a result of the transaction acquired, Beneficial Ownership of the Reportable Security:

(i) The date of the transaction, the name/title and as applicable, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, interest rate and maturity date, the number of equity shares of, or the principal amount of debt represented by, and principal amount of each Reportable Security involved;

(ii) The nature of the transaction, i.e., purchase, sale or other type of acquisition or disposition;

(iii) The price at which the transaction in the Reportable Security was effected;

(iv) The name of the broker, dealer, bank, or other institution with or through which the transaction was effected.

(b) The name and address of any broker, dealer, bank, or other institution, such as a general partner of a limited partnership, or transfer agent of a company, that maintained

 

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any account in which any Securities were held during the quarter of which you have Beneficial Ownership, the account numbers and names of the persons for whom the accounts were held, and the date when each account was established.

(c) An executed statement, and a letter or other evidence, pursuant to which you have instructed each broker, dealer, bank, or other institution that has established a new account over which you have direct or indirect influence or control during the past quarter to provide duplicate account statements and confirmations of all Securities transactions to Solar Capital, unless Solar Capital indicates that the information is otherwise available to it. The form of this statement is attached as Appendix IV and Appendix V hereto.

(d) The date that you submitted the report.

***You need not submit a quarterly transaction report to the Chief Compliance Officer or designee if it would duplicate information contained in trade confirmations or account statements already received by the Chief Compliance Officer or designee, provided that those trade confirmations or statements are received not later than 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which the transaction takes place. ***

3. Annual Employee Certification: You must, no later than October 15 of each year, submit to the Chief Compliance Officer or designee an Annual Employee Certification, that is current as of a date no earlier than September 1 of the same calendar year (the “ Annual Report Date ”) and that contains:

(a) The name and address of any broker, dealer, investment advisor or bank or other institution, such as a general partner of a limited partnership, or transfer agent of a company, that maintained any account holding any Securities for which you have Beneficial Ownership on the Annual Report Date, the account numbers and names of the persons for whom the accounts are held, and the date when each account was established.

(b) A description of any private investments for which you have a Beneficial Ownership on the Annual Report Date, the principal amount of the investment, the approximate date of the acquisition, and whether the private investment involves or is associated with a company that has publicly trade debt or equity.

(c) The date that you submitted the report.

Exception to requirement to list transactions or holdings subject to IV.2 and IV.3(a) above : You are not required to submit (i) holdings or transactions reports for any account over which you had no direct or indirect influence or control (such as a fully discretionary managed account through a registered investment advisor) or (ii) transaction reports with respect to transactions effected pursuant to an Automatic Investment Plan, unless requested by Solar Capital. You must still identify the existence of the account in your list of accounts. Transactions that override pre-set schedules or allocations of an automatic investment plan or trades that are directed by you in a fully discretionary managed account, however, must be included in a quarterly transaction report.

 

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4. Please ask the Chief Compliance Officer if you have questions about the above-described disclosure and transaction reporting requirements.

 

  B. Review of Reports and Other Documents

The Chief Compliance Officer or a designee of the Chief Compliance Officer will review each report submitted by Supervised Persons, and each account statement or confirmation from institutions that maintain their accounts, as promptly as practicable. In any event all Initial Disclosure Reports will be reviewed within 20 business days of receipt, and the review of all timely-submitted Quarterly Transaction Reports will be completed by the end of the quarter in which received. As part of his or her review, the Chief Compliance Officer or his or her designee will confirm that all necessary pre-approvals have been obtained. To ensure adequate scrutiny, documents concerning a member of the Compliance Office will be reviewed by a different member of the Compliance Office, or if there is only one member of the Compliance Office, by the Chief Financial Officer.

A report documenting the above review and any exceptions noted will be prepared by the Chief Compliance Officer and circulated to Solar Capital’s Management Committee within 60 days of the end of the quarter in which the reports were received.

Review of submitted holding and transaction reports will include not only an assessment of whether the Supervised Person followed all required procedures of this Code, such as preclearance, but may also: compare the personal trading to any restricted lists; assess whether the Supervised Person is trading for his or her own account in the same securities he or she is trading for Clients, and, if so, whether the Clients are receiving terms as favorable as the Supervised Person receives; periodically analyze the Supervised Person’s trading for patterns that may indicate abuse, including market timing; investigate any substantial disparities between the quality of performance the Supervised Person achieves for his or her own account and that he or she achieves for Clients; and investigate any substantial disparities between the percentage of trades that are profitable when the Supervised Person trades for his or her own account and the percentage that are profitable when he or she places trades for Clients.

 

V. POLICY ON GIFTS

A. Supervised Persons may not accept gifts from any person in a single year with a value in excess of $100where such gift or gratuity is in relation to the business of Solar.

B. The Policy does not apply to gifts of de minimis value (e.g., pens, notepads, donuts, pizza, modest desk ornaments) or to promotional items of nominal value that display the person’s firm logo (e.g., umbrellas, tote bags, shirts). De minimis gifts and promotional items must be substantially less than the $100 limit to fall within the exclusion. Gifts valued in amounts greater than or near $25 would not be considered de minimis or nominal.

C. Regardless of dollar value, Supervised Persons may not accept any gift or entertainment that is inappropriate under the circumstances, or inconsistent with applicable law or regulations, from any person or entity that does business, or desires to do business, with Solar Capital directly or on behalf of a Client.

 

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D. The Policy generally does not apply to personal gifts (e.g., wedding gifts), as long as the gifts are not “in relation to the business of Solar Capital”. In determining whether a gift is “in relation to the business of Solar Capital”, Solar Capital employees should consider a number of factors, including the nature of any pre-existing personal or family relationship between the person giving the gift and the Solar Capital employee, and if known, whether the person giving the gift paid for the gift themselves or if the person’s company directly or indirectly paid for the gift. When the person’s employer bears the cost of a gift, either directly or via a reimbursement, Solar Capital employees should presume that the gift is in relation to the business of Solar Capital.

E. Regardless of dollar value, Supervised Persons may not give a gift or provide entertainment that is inappropriate under the circumstances, or inconsistent with applicable law or regulations, to persons associated with securities or financial organizations, exchanges, member firms, commodity firms, news media, or Clients. Supervised Persons should not give or receive gifts or entertainment that would be embarrassing to you or Solar Capital if made public.

F. Solar Capital employees must report 1) the receipt or giving of all gifts (other than personal gifts and gifts of de minimis or nominal value, as defined above), and 2) the receipt of business entertainment in excess of $250 to the Chief Compliance Officer or designee. All business entertainment with a value in excess of $500 must be pre-approved by the Solar Capital employee’s supervisor prior to accepting the business entertainment.

 

VI. COMPLIANCE

 

  A. Certificate of Receipt

Supervised Persons are required to acknowledge receipt of the Compliance Manual and, therefore, your copy of this Code and that you have read and understood the Compliance Manual. A form for this purpose is attached to this Code as Appendix I.

 

  B. Annual Certificate of Compliance

Supervised Persons are required to certify upon becoming a Supervised Person or the effective date of this Code, whichever occurs later, and annually thereafter, that you have read and understand this Code and recognize that you are subject to this Code. Each annual certificate will also state that you have complied with all of the requirements of this Code during the prior year.

 

  C. Remedial Actions

If you violate this Code, including filing a late, inaccurate or incomplete holdings or transaction report, you will be subject to remedial actions, which may include, but are not limited to, any one or more of the following: (1) a warning; (2) disgorgement of profits; (3) imposition of a fine, which may be substantial; (4) demotion, which may be substantial; (5) suspension of employment, with or without pay; (6) termination of employment; or (7) referral to civil or governmental authorities for possible civil or criminal prosecution. If you are normally eligible

 

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for a discretionary bonus, any violation of the Code may also reduce or eliminate the discretionary portion of your bonus.

 

VII. RETENTION OF RECORDS

The Chief Compliance Officer will maintain, for a period of five years unless specified in further detail below, the records listed below. The records will be maintained at the Firm’s principal place of business for at least two years and in an easily accessible, but secured, place for the entire five years.

A. A record of the names of persons who are currently, or within the past five years were, Access Persons of Adviser.

B. The Annual Certificate of Compliance signed by all persons subject to this Code acknowledging receipt of copies of the Code and acknowledging they are subject to it and will comply with its terms. All Annual Certificates of each Supervised Person must be kept for five years after the individual ceases to be a Supervised Person.

C. A copy of each Code that has been in effect at any time during the five-year period.

D. A copy of each report made by a Supervised Person pursuant to this Code, including any broker trade confirmations or account statements that were submitted in lieu of the persons’ quarterly transaction reports.

E. A record of all known violations of the Code and of any actions taken as a result thereof, regardless of when the violations were committed.

F. A record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision, to approve the acquisition of securities by Supervised Persons, for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which the approval is granted.

G. A record of all reports made by the Chief Compliance Officer related to this Code.

 

VIII. NOTICES.

For purposes of this Code, all notices, reports, requests for clearance, questions, contacts, or other communications to the Chief Compliance Officer or the Chief Financial Officer will be considered delivered if given to the Chief Compliance Officer or the Chief Financial Officer, respectively.

 

IX. REVIEW.

This Code will be reviewed by the Chief Compliance Officer on an annual basis to ensure that it is meeting its objectives, is functioning fairly and effectively, and is not unduly burdensome to Adviser or Supervised Persons. Supervised Persons are encouraged to contact the

 

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Chief Compliance Officer with any comments, questions or suggestions regarding implementation or improvement of the Code.

 

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Appendix I

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL

ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND CERTIFICATION

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL

COMPLIANCE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

I hereby certify to Solar Capital that:

(1) I have received and reviewed Solar Capital’s Compliance Policies and Procedures Manual (the “Compliance Manual”);

(2) To the extent I had questions regarding any policy or procedure contained in the Compliance Manual, I received satisfactory answers to those questions from appropriate Solar Capital personnel;

(3) I fully understand the policies and procedures contained in the Compliance Manual;

(4) I understand and acknowledge that I am subject to the Compliance Manual;

(5) I will comply with the policies and procedures contained in the Compliance Manual at all times during my association with Solar Capital, and agree that the Compliance Manual may, under certain circumstances, continue to apply to me subsequent to the termination of my association with Solar Capital.

(6) I understand and acknowledge that if I violate any provision of the Compliance Manual, I will be subject to remedial actions, which may include, but are not limited to, any one or more of the following: (a) a warning; (b) disgorgement of profits; (c) imposition of a fine, which may be substantial; (d) demotion, which may be substantial; (e) suspension of employment, with or without pay; (f) termination of employment; or (g) referral to civil or governmental authorities for possible civil or criminal prosecution. I further understand that, to the extent I would otherwise be eligible for a discretionary bonus, if I violate the Compliance Manual this may reduce or eliminate the discretionary portion of my bonus.

 

Date:  

 

   

 

      Signature
     

 

      Print Name

 

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Appendix II

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL

INITIAL REPORT OF SECURITIES ACCOUNTS

In accordance with Solar Capital’s policies and procedures, please indicate whether you maintain securities accounts over which you have influence or control and/or in which any securities are held for which you have Beneficial Ownership 1 (“Securities Accounts”). Securities Accounts include accounts of any kind held at a broker, bank, investment advisor, or money manager.

 

  ¨ I do maintain Securities Accounts.

 

  ¨ I do not maintain Securities Accounts.

If you indicated above that you do maintain Securities Accounts, please (1) complete the Personal Trading Account and/or Related Trading Account letters of direction ( enclosed ), (2) provide the information in the following table ( use additional paper if necessary ), and (3) attach a copy of the most recent account statement listing holdings for each account identified below:

 

Account Name

  

Broker/Institution

Name

  

Account Number

  

Broker/Institution’s

Address

  

Is this account managed by a

3 rd party (such as an
investment advisor) on a fully
discretionary basis in which

you do not direct any

transactions? (Yes/No)

           
           

I certify that this form is accurate and complete, and I have attached statements (if any) for all of my Securities Accounts.

 

   

 

    Signature

 

   

 

Date     Print Name

 

1 You will be considered to have “Beneficial Ownership” in a Security if: (i) you have a Pecuniary Interest in the Security; (ii) you have voting power with respect to the Security, meaning the power to vote or direct the voting of the Security; or (iii) you have the power to dispose, or direct the disposition of, the Security. You will be considered to have a “Pecuniary Interest” in a security if you, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, have the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the security. The term “Pecuniary Interest” is construed very broadly. The following examples illustrate this principle: (i) ordinarily, you will be deemed to have a “Pecuniary Interest” in all Securities owned by members of your Immediate Family who share the same household with you; (ii) if you are a general partner of a general or limited partnership, you will be deemed to have a “Pecuniary Interest” in all Securities held by the partnership; (iii) if you are a shareholder of a corporation or similar business entity, you will be deemed to have a “Pecuniary Interest” in all Securities held by the corporation if you are a controlling shareholder or have or share investment control over the corporation’s investment portfolio; (iv) if you have the right to acquire equity Securities through the exercise or conversion of a derivative Security, you will be deemed to have a Pecuniary Interest in the Securities, whether or not your right is presently exercisable; (v) if you are the sole member or a manager of a limited liability company, you will be deemed to have a Pecuniary Interest in the Securities held by the limited liability company; and (vi) ordinarily, if you are a trustee or beneficiary of a trust, where either you or members of your Immediate Family have a vested interest in the principal or income of the trust, you will be deemed to have a Pecuniary Interest in all Securities held by that trust.

 

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Appendix III

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL

QUARTERLY BROKERAGE ACCOUNT

AND NON-BROKER TRANSACTION REPORT

Notes:

1. Capitalized terms not defined in this report are defined in the Code of Ethics of Solar Capital (the “Code”).

2. You must cause each broker-dealer that maintains an account over which you have influence or control and holds Securities for which you have Beneficial Ownership to provide to the Chief Compliance Officer, on a timely basis, duplicate copies of confirmations of all transactions in the account and duplicate statements for the account and you must report to the Chief Compliance Officer, within 30 days of the end of each calendar quarter, all transactions effected without the use of a registered broker-dealer in Securities, other than transactions in Non-Reportable Securities.

The undersigned has requested that you receive duplicate statements and confirmations on his or her behalf from the following brokers:

 

Name    Broker    Account Number    Date   

Date Account

Opened

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

The following are Securities transactions that have not been reported and/or executed through a broker-dealer, i.e. during the previous calendar quarter.

 

Date    Buy/Sell    Security Name    Amount    Price    Broker/Issuer

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

By signing this document, I am certifying that I have caused duplicate confirmations and duplicate statements to be sent to the Chief Compliance Officer of Solar Capital for every brokerage account that trades in Securities.

 

 

   

 

Date     Signature

 

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1. Transactions required to be reported . You should report every transaction in which you acquired or disposed of any Security in which you had a Pecuniary Interest during the calendar quarter. The term “beneficial ownership” is the subject of a long history of opinions and releases issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission and generally means that you would receive the benefits of owning a Security. The term includes, but is not limited to the following cases and any other examples in the Code:

 

  (A) Where the Security is held for your benefit by others, such as brokers, custodians, banks and pledgees;

 

  (B) Where the Security is held for the benefit of members of your Immediate Family sharing the same household;

 

  (C) Where Securities are held by a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, investment club or other entity in which you have an equity interest if you are a controlling equityholder or you have or share investment control over the Securities held by the entity;

 

  (D) Where Securities are held in a trust for which you are a trustee and under which either you or any member of your Immediate Family have a vested interest in the principal or income; and

 

  (E) Where Securities are held in a trust for which you are the settlor, unless the consent of all of the beneficiaries is required in order for you to revoke the trust.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following transactions are not required to be reported:

 

  (A) Transactions in Securities which are direct obligations of the United States;

 

  (B) Transactions effected in any account over which you have no direct or indirect influence or control; or

 

  (C) Shares of registered open-end investment companies.

 

2. Security Name . State the name of the issuer and the class of the Security, e.g., common stock, preferred stock or designated issue of debt securities, including the interest rate, principal amount and maturity date, if applicable. In the case of the acquisition or disposition of a futures contract, put, call option or other right, referred to as “options,” state the title of the Security subject to the option and the expiration date of the option.

 

3. Futures Transactions . Please remember that duplicates of all Confirmations, Purchase and Sale Reports, and month-end Statements must be sent to Adviser by your broker. Please double check to be sure this occurs if you report a future transaction.

 

4. Transaction Date . In the case of a market transaction, state the trade date, not the settlement date.

 

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5. Nature of Transaction (Buy or Sale) . State the character of the transaction, e.g., purchase or sale of Security, purchase or sale of option, or exercise of option.

 

6. Amount of Security Involved (No. of Shares) . State the number of shares of stock, the face amount of debt Securities or other units of other Securities. For options, state the amount of Securities subject to the option. If your ownership interest was through a spouse, relative or other natural person or through a partnership, trust, other entity, state the entire amount of Securities involved in the transaction. In such cases, you may also indicate, if you wish, the extent of your interest in the transaction.

 

7. Purchase or Sale Price . State the purchase or sale price per share or other unit, exclusive of brokerage commissions or other costs of execution. In the case of an option, state the price at which it is currently exercisable. No price need be reported for transactions not involving cash.

 

8. Broker, Dealer or Bank Effecting Transaction . State the name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through whom the transaction was effected.

 

9. Signature . Sign the form in the space provided.

 

10. Filing of Report . This report should be filed NO LATER THAN 30 CALENDAR DAYS following the end of each calendar quarter.

 

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Appendix IV

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL

PERSONAL TRADING ACCOUNT

LETTER OF DIRECTION

To Whom This May Concern:

I,                      (print name), currently maintain an investment account with your institution, and hereby request that duplicate trade confirmations and monthly account statements be disseminated to my employer, Solar Capital, at the following address:

Attn: Chief C ompliance Officer

Solar Capital

500 Park Avenue, 5 th Floor

New York, NY 10022

If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your cooperation.

 

Sincerely,  
NAME:  

 

DATE:  

 

PHONE:  

 

 

IV-1


Appendix V

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL

RELATED TRADING ACCOUNT

LETTER OF DIRECTION

To Whom This May Concern:

I,                      (print your name), currently maintain an investment account with your institution. Due to my relationship with                      (print employee’s name), who is an employee of Solar Capital, I hereby request that duplicate trade confirmations and monthly account statements be disseminated to the following address:

Attn: Chief C ompliance Officer

Solar Capital

500 Park Avenue, 5 th Floor

New York, NY 10022

If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your cooperation.

 

Sincerely,  
NAME:  

 

DATE:  

 

PHONE:  

 

 

V-1


Appendix VI

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL

INITIAL REPORT OF PRIVATE INVESTMENTS

In accordance with Solar Capital policies and procedures, please indicate whether you maintain private investments over which you have influence or control and in which any private investments are held for which you have a Beneficial Ownership. 1 The term private investment is typically defined as an intangible investment and is very broadly construed by Solar Capital. Examples of private investments may include equity in a business or company, a loan to a business or company, an investment in a hedge fund or limited partnership, or securities held in your home or in a safe deposit box. Examples of investments that generally are not considered private investments are your primary residence, vacation home, automobiles, artwork, jewelry, antiques, stamps, and coins.

 

  ¨ I do maintain private investments.

 

  ¨ I do not maintain private investments.

If you indicated above that you do maintain private investments, please provide the information in the following table ( use additional paper if necessary ):

 

Description of Private Investment

  

Value of Private

Investment

  

Approximate

Acquisition Date

  

Does the private investment involve a
company that has publicly traded debt or

equity? (Yes/No)

        
        

I certify that this form and any attachments are accurate and complete and constitute all of my private investments.

 

   

 

    Signature

 

   

 

Date     Print Name

 

1 You will be considered to have “Beneficial Ownership” in an investment if: (i) you have a Pecuniary Interest in the investment; (ii) you have voting power with respect to the investment, meaning the power to vote or direct the voting of the investment; or (iii) you have the power to dispose, or direct the disposition of, the investment. You will be considered to have a “Pecuniary Interest” in an investment if you, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, have the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the investment. The term “Pecuniary Interest” is construed very broadly. The following examples illustrate this principle: (i) ordinarily, you will be deemed to have a “Pecuniary Interest” in all investments owned by members of your Immediate Family who share the same household with you; (ii) if you are a general partner of a general or limited partnership, you will be deemed to have a “Pecuniary Interest” in all investments held by the partnership; (iii) if you are a shareholder of a corporation or similar business entity, you will be deemed to have a “Pecuniary Interest” in all investments held by the corporation if you are a controlling shareholder or have or share investment control over the corporation’s investment portfolio; (iv) if you have the right to acquire equity security through the exercise or conversion of a derivative investment, you will be deemed to have a Pecuniary Interest in the investment, whether or not your right is presently exercisable; (v) if you are the sole member or a manager of a limited liability company, you will be deemed to have a Pecuniary Interest in the investments held by the limited liability company; and (vi) ordinarily, if you are a trustee or beneficiary of a trust, where either you or members of your Immediate Family have a vested interest in the principal or income of the trust, you will be deemed to have a Pecuniary Interest in all investments held by that trust.

 

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Appendix VII

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL

INITIAL REPORT OF OUTSIDE BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

In accordance with Solar Capital policies and procedures, please indicate whether you engage in any outside business activities. Outside business activities include, but are not limited to, serving as owner, partner, trustee, officer, director, finder, referrer, or employee of another business organization for compensation, or any activity for compensation outside my usual responsibilities at Solar Capital. 1

 

  ¨ I do engage in outside business activities

 

  ¨ I do not engage in any outside business activities

If you indicated above that you do engage in outside business activities, please complete the following table ( use additional paper if necessary ):

 

Name of Business Entity

  

Summary of Outside Business Activity

  

Summary of Compensation

  

Is the Business Entity

Related to a Publicly

Traded Company?

(Yes/No)

        
        

I certify that this form and any attachments are accurate and complete and constitute all of my outside business activities.

 

   

 

    Signature

 

   

 

Date     Print Name

 

1 Compensation includes salaries, director’s fees, referral fees, stock options, finder’s fees, and anything of present or future value.

 

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INSIDER TRADING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

I. BACKGROUND

All personal securities trades are subject to these Insider Trading Policies and Procedures. However, compliance with the trading restrictions imposed by these procedures by no means assures full compliance with the prohibition on trading while in the possession of inside information, as defined in these procedures.

Insider trading — trading Securities while in possession of material, nonpublic information or improperly communicating such information to others — may expose a person to stringent penalties. Criminal sanctions may include a fine of up to $1,000,000 and/or ten years’ imprisonment. The Commission may recover the profits gained, or losses avoided, through insider trading, obtain a penalty of up to three times the illicit gain or avoided loss, and/or issue an order permanently barring any person engaging in insider trading from the securities industry. In addition, investors may sue seeking to recover damages for insider trading violations.

These Insider Trading Policies and Procedures are drafted broadly and will be applied and interpreted in a similar manner. Regardless of whether a federal inquiry occurs, Solar Capital views seriously any violation of these Insider Trading Policies and Procedures. Any violation constitutes grounds for disciplinary sanctions, including dismissal and/or referral to civil or governmental authorities for possible civil or criminal prosecution.

The law of insider trading is complex; a Supervised Person legitimately may be uncertain about the application of these Insider Trading Policies and Procedures in a particular circumstance. A question could forestall disciplinary action or complex legal problems. Supervised Persons should direct any questions relating to these Insider Trading Policies and Procedures to a Compliance Officer. A Supervised Person must also notify a Compliance Officer immediately if he or she knows or has reason to believe that a violation of these Insider Trading Policies and Procedures has occurred or is about to occur.

 

II. STATEMENT OF FIRM POLICY

A. At all times, the interests of Solar Capital’s Clients must prevail over the individual’s interest.

B. Buying or selling Securities in the public markets on the basis of material, nonpublic information is prohibited. Similarly, buying and selling securities in a private transaction on the basis of material, nonpublic information is prohibited, except in the limited circumstance in which the information is obtained in connection with a private transaction with an issuer of securities, in which case the private transaction itself is permitted. A prohibited transaction would include purchasing or selling (i) for a Supervised Person’s own account or one in which the Supervised Person has direct or indirect influence or control, (ii) for a Client’s account, or (iii) for Adviser’s inventory account. If any Supervised Person is uncertain as to

 

VI-2


whether information is “material” or “nonpublic,” he or she should consult the Chief Compliance Officer.

C. Disclosing material, nonpublic information to inappropriate personnel, whether or not for consideration, i.e., “tipping,” is prohibited. Material, nonpublic information must be disseminated on a “need to know basis” only to appropriate personnel. This would include any confidential discussions between the issuer and personnel of Adviser. The Chief Compliance Officer should be consulted should a question arise as to who is privy to material, nonpublic information.

D. Assisting anyone transacting business on the basis of material, nonpublic information through a third party is prohibited.

E. In view of the Gabelli & Co./GAMCO Investments, Inc. SEC proceeding, it is clear that when a portfolio manager is in a position, due to his official duties at an issuer, to have access to inside information on a relatively continuous basis, self-reporting procedures are not adequate to detect and prevent insider trading. Accordingly, neither Adviser nor an Adviser employee may trade in any securities issued by any company of which any Adviser employee is an employee or insider. All Supervised Persons must report to the Chief Compliance Officer or designee any affiliation or business relationship they may have with any issuer (a form of which is attached as Appendix VII thereto.)

F. Supervised Persons should understand that if Solar Capital becomes aware of material, nonpublic information about the issuer of the underlying securities, even if the particular Supervised Person in question does not himself or herself have such knowledge, or enters into certain transactions for clients, Solar Capital will not bear any losses resulting in personal accounts through the implementation of these Insider Trading Policies and Procedures.

G. It is Solar’s policy that Supervised Persons may purchase or sell Solar securities only during the “window period” that begins on the second business day after Solar publicly releases quarterly or annual financial results and extends until the last day of the calendar month in which the results are announced. However, the ability of a Supervised Person to engage in transactions in Solar securities during window periods is not automatic or absolute because no trades may be made even during a window period by an individual who possesses material, nonpublic information.

H. The following reviews principles important to these Insider Trading Policies and Procedures:

 

  1. What is “Material” Information?

Information is “material” when there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important in making his or her investment decisions. Generally, information is material if its disclosure will have a substantial effect on the price of a company’s Securities. No simple “bright line” test exists to determine whether information is material; assessments of materiality involve highly fact-specific inquiries. However, if the information you have received is or could be a factor in your trading decision, you must assume that the

 

VI-3


information is material. Supervised Persons should direct any questions regarding the materiality of information to the Chief Compliance Officer or designee.

Material information often relates to a company’s results and operations, including, for example, dividend changes, earnings results, changes in previously released earnings estimates, significant merger or acquisition proposals or agreements, major litigation, liquidation problems, and extraordinary management developments. Material information may also relate to the market for a Security. Information about a significant order to purchase or sell Securities, in some contexts, may be deemed material; similarly, prepublication information regarding reports in the financial press may also be deemed material.

 

  2. What is “Nonpublic” Information?

Information is “nonpublic” until it has been disseminated broadly to investors in the marketplace. Tangible evidence of this dissemination is the best indication that the information is public. For example, information is public after it has become available to the general public through a public filing with the Commission or some other government agency, or available to the Dow Jones “tape” or The Wall Street Journal or some other general circulation publication, and after sufficient time has passed so that the information has been disseminated widely. If you believe that you have information concerning an issuer which gives you an advantage over other investors, the information is, in all likelihood, non-public.

 

  I. Identifying Inside Information.

Before executing any trade for oneself or others, including Clients, a Supervised Person must determine whether he or she has access to material, nonpublic information. If a Supervised Person believes he or she might have access to material, nonpublic information, he or she should:

5. Immediately alert the Chief Compliance Officer or designee, so that the applicable Security is placed on the Restricted List.

6. Not purchase or sell the Securities on his or her behalf or for others, including Clients (except in the limited circumstance in which the information is obtained in connection with a private transaction with an issuer of securities, in which case the private transaction itself is permitted).

7. Not communicate the information inside or outside of Adviser, other than to the Chief Compliance Officer or designee (or, in the limited circumstance of a private transaction with an issuer of securities, to Supervised Persons within Adviser involved in the transaction with a need to know the information).

The Chief Compliance Officer will review the issue, determine whether the information is material and nonpublic, and, if so, what action Adviser should take.

 

  J. Contacts With Public Companies; Tender Offers.

Contacts with public companies may represent part of Adviser’s research efforts and Adviser may make investment decisions on the basis of its conclusions formed through these

 

VI-4


contacts and analysis of publicly available information. Difficult legal issues may arise, however, when a Supervised Person, in the course of these contacts, becomes aware of material, nonpublic information. For example, a company’s Chief Financial Officer could prematurely disclose quarterly results, or an investor relations representative could make a selective disclosure of adverse news to certain investors. In these situations, Adviser must make a judgment about its further conduct. To protect oneself, Clients, and Adviser, a Supervised Person should immediately contact the Chief Compliance Officer if he or she believes he or she may have received material, nonpublic information.

Tender offers represent a particular concern in the law of insider trading for two reasons. First, tender offer activity often produces extraordinary movement in the price of the target company’s securities. Trading during this time is more likely to attract regulatory attention, and produces a disproportionate percentage of insider trading cases. Second, the Commission has adopted a rule expressly forbidding trading and “tipping” while in possession of material, nonpublic information regarding a tender offer received from the company making the tender offer, the target company, or anyone acting on behalf of either. Supervised Persons must exercise particular caution any time they become aware of nonpublic information relating to a tender offer.

 

III. INSIDER TRADING PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO ALL SUPERVISED PERSONS

The following procedures have been established to aid Supervised Persons in avoiding insider trading, and to aid Adviser in preventing, detecting and imposing sanctions against insider trading. Every Supervised Person must follow these procedures or risk serious sanctions, including dismissal, substantial personal liability and criminal penalties. If a Supervised Person has any questions about these procedures, he or she should consult the Chief Compliance Officer or designee.

 

  A. Responsibilities of Supervised Persons.

8. All Supervised Persons must make a diligent effort to ensure that a violation of these Insider Trading Policies and Procedures does not either intentionally or inadvertently occur. In this regard, all Supervised Persons are responsible for:

(a) Reading, understanding and consenting to comply with these Insider Trading Policies and Procedures. Supervised Persons will be required to sign an acknowledgment that they have read and understood the Compliance Manual and therefore their responsibilities under the Code;

(b) Ensuring that no trading occurs for their account, for any account over which they have direct or indirect influence or control or for any Client’s account in Securities for which they have material, nonpublic information (except in the limited circumstance in which the information is obtained in connection with a private transaction with an issuer of securities, in which case the private transaction itself is permitted);

(c) Not disclosing inside information obtained from any source whatsoever to inappropriate persons. Disclosure to family, friends or acquaintances will be grounds for

 

VI-5


immediate termination and/or referral to civil or governmental authorities for possible civil or criminal prosecution;

(d) Consulting the Chief Compliance Officer or designee when questions arise regarding insider trading or when potential violations of these Insider Trading Policies and Procedures are suspected;

(e) Ensuring that Adviser receives copies of confirmations and statements from both internal and external brokerage firms for accounts of Supervised Persons and members of the Immediate Family of such Supervised Persons sharing the same household;

(f) Advising the Chief Compliance Officer or designee of all outside business activities, directorships, or ownership of over 5% of the shares of a public company. No Supervised Person may engage in any outside business activities as employee, proprietor, partner, consultant, trustee officer or director without prior written consent of the Chief Compliance Officer, or a designee of the Chief Compliance Officer (a form of which is attached as Appendix VII thereto); and

(g) Being aware of, and monitoring, any Clients who are shareholders, directors, and/or senior officers of public companies. Any unusual activity including a purchase or sale of restricted stock must be brought to the attention of the Chief Compliance Officer or designee.

 

  B. Security.

In order to prevent accidental dissemination of material, nonpublic information, personnel must adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Inform management when unauthorized personnel enter the premises.

2. Lock doors at all times in areas that have confidential and secure files.

3. Refrain from discussing sensitive information in public areas.

4. Refrain from leaving confidential information on message devices.

5. Maintain control of sensitive documents, including handouts and copies, intended for internal dissemination only.

6. Ensure that faxes and e-mail messages containing sensitive information are properly sent, and confirm that the recipient has received the intended message.

7. Do not allow passwords to be given to unauthorized personnel.

 

VI-6


IV. SUPERVISORY PROCEDURES

Supervisory procedures can be divided into two classifications — prevention of insider trading and detection of insider trading.

 

  A. Prevention of Insider Trading

To detect insider trading, the Chief Compliance Officer or designee should:

1. Answer questions regarding Solar Capital’s policies and procedures;

2. Resolve issues of whether information received by an officer, director or employee of Solar Capital constitutes Inside Information and determine what action, if any, should be taken;

3. Review these Insider Trading Policies and Procedures on a regular basis and update them as necessary;

4. When it has been determined that a Supervised Person has Inside Information:

(a) Implement measures to prevent dissemination of such information other than to appropriate Supervised Persons on a “need to know” basis, and

(b) Not permit any Solar Capital employee to execute any transaction in any securities of the issuer in question (except in the limited circumstance in which the information is obtained in connection with a private transaction with an issuer of securities, in which case the private transaction itself is permitted);

1. Implement a program of periodic “reminder” notices regarding insider trading;

2. Confirm with each trader no less frequently than quarterly whether there are any issuers for whom Adviser has Inside Information; and

3. Compile and maintain the Restricted List of securities in which no Supervised Person may trade because Adviser as an entity is deemed to have Inside Information concerning the issuers of such securities and determine when to remove securities from the Restricted List.

 

  B. Detection of Insider Trading

To detect insider trading, the Chief Compliance Officer or designee should:

1. Review daily confirmations and quarterly trading activity reports filed by Supervised Persons; and

2. Promptly investigate all reports of any possible violations of these Insider Trading Policies and Procedures.

 

VI-7


  C. Special Reports to Management

Promptly upon learning of a potential violation of Solar Capital’s Insider Trading Policies and Procedures, the Chief Compliance Officer or designee shall prepare a written report to management providing full details, which may include (1) the name of particular securities involved, if any, (2) the date(s) Solar Capital learned of the potential violation and began investigating; (3) the accounts and individuals involved; (4) actions taken as a result of the investigation, if any; and (5) recommendations for further action.

 

  D. General Reports to Management

At least yearly, the Chief Compliance Officer will prepare a written report to the management of Adviser setting forth some or all of the following:

1. A summary of existing procedures to detect and prevent insider trading;

2. A summary of changes in procedures made in the last year;

3. Full details of any investigation, whether internal or by a regulatory agency, since the last report regarding any suspected insider trading, the results of the investigation and a description of any changes in procedures promptly by any such investigation; and

4. An evaluation of the current procedures and a description of anticipated changes in procedures.

 

VI-8

Exhibit 99.1

SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD.

CODE OF BUSINESS

CONDUCT

             2011


CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

Introduction

     1   

Purpose of the Code

     1   

Conflicts of Interest

     2   

Corporate Opportunities

     2   

Confidentiality

     2   

Fair Dealing

     3   

Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets

     3   

Compliance with Applicable Laws, Rules and Regulations

     3   

Equal Opportunity, Harassment

     4   

Accuracy of Company Records

     4   

Retaining Business Communications

     4   

Political Contributions

     5   

Media Relations

     5   

Intellectual Property Information

     5   

Internet and E-mail Policy

     5   

Reporting Violations and Complaint Handling

     6   

Sanctions for Code Violations

     7   

Application/Waivers

     7   
Appendices   

Code Acknowledgment

     A-1   

 

ii


CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT

Introduction

Ethics are important to Solar Senior Capital Ltd. (“ Solar Senior ”, “ our ”, “ us ”, or “ we ”) and to its management. Solar Senior is committed to the highest ethical standards and to conducting its business with the highest level of integrity.

All officers, directors and employees of Solar Senior and its investment adviser, Solar Capital Partners, LLC (the “ investment adviser ”) are responsible for maintaining this level of integrity and for complying with the policies contained in this Code. If you have a question or concern about what is proper conduct for you or anyone else, please raise these concerns with any member of Solar Senior’s management, or follow the procedures outlined in applicable sections of this Code.

Purpose of the Code

This Code is intended to:

 

   

help you recognize ethical issues and take the appropriate steps to resolve these issues;

 

   

deter ethical violations;

 

   

assist you in reporting any unethical or illegal conduct; and

 

   

reaffirm and promote our commitment to a corporate culture that values honesty and accountability.

All employees, as a condition of employment or continued employment, will acknowledge in writing that they have received a copy of this Code, read it, and understand that the Code contains our expectations regarding their conduct.


Conflicts of Interest

You must avoid any conflict, or the appearance of a conflict, between your personal interests and our interests. A conflict exists when your personal interest in any way interferes with our interests, or when you take any action or have any interest that may make it difficult for you to perform your job objectively and effectively. For example, a conflict of interest probably exists if:

 

   

you cause us or the investment adviser to enter into business relationships with you or a member of your family, or invest in companies affiliated with you or a member of your family;

 

   

you use any nonpublic information about us or the investment advisor, our customers or our other business partners for your personal gain, or the gain of a member of your family; or

 

   

you use or communicate confidential information obtained in the course of your work for your or another’s personal benefit.

Corporate Opportunities

Each of us has a duty to advance the legitimate interests of Solar Senior when the opportunity to do so presents itself. Therefore, you may not:

 

   

take for yourself personally opportunities, including investment opportunities, discovered through the use of your position with us or the investment adviser, or through the use of either’s property or information;

 

   

use our or the investment adviser’s property, information, or position for your personal gain or the gain of a family member; or

 

   

compete, or prepare to compete, with us or the investment adviser.

Confidentiality

You must not disclose confidential information regarding us, the investment adviser, our affiliates, our lenders, our clients, or our other business partners, unless disclosure is authorized or required by law. Confidential information includes all non-public information that might be harmful to, or useful to the competitors of, Solar Senior, our affiliates, our lenders, our clients, or our other business partners.

 

2


Fair Dealing

You must endeavor to deal fairly with our customers, suppliers and business partners, or any other companies or individuals with whom we do business or come into contact with, including fellow employees and our competitors. You must not take unfair advantage of these or other parties by means of:

 

   

manipulation;

 

   

concealment;

 

   

abuse of privileged information;

 

   

misrepresentation of material facts; or

 

   

any other unfair-dealing practice.

Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets

Our assets are to be used only for legitimate business purposes. You should protect our assets and ensure that they are used efficiently.

Incidental personal use of telephones, fax machines, copy machines, personal computers and similar equipment is generally allowed if there is no significant added cost to us, it does not interfere with your work duties, and is not related to an illegal activity or to any outside business.

Compliance with Applicable Laws, Rules and Regulations

Each of us has a duty to comply with all laws, rules and regulations that apply to our business. Highlighted below are some of the key compliance guidelines that must be followed.

 

   

Insider trading. It is against the law to buy or sell securities using material information that is not available to the public. Individuals who give this “inside” information to others may be liable to the same extent as the individuals who trade while in possession of such information. You must not trade in our securities, or the securities of our affiliates, our lenders, our clients, or our other business partners while in the possession of “inside” information.

 

   

“Whistleblower” protections. It is against the law to discharge, demote, suspend, threaten, harass, or discriminate in any manner against an employee who provides information or otherwise assists in investigations or proceedings relating to violations of federal securities laws or other federal laws prohibiting fraud against shareholders. You must not discriminate in any way against an employee who engages in these “whistleblower” activities.

 

3


   

Investment Company Act requirements. A separate code of ethics has been established to comply with the Investment Company Act of 1940 and is applicable to those persons designated in such code.

 

   

Document retention. You must adhere to appropriate procedures governing the retention and destruction of records consistent with applicable laws, regulations and our policies. You may not destroy, alter or falsify any document that may be relevant to a threatened or pending lawsuit or governmental investigation.

Please talk to any member of senior management if you have any questions about how to comply with the above regulations and other laws, rules and regulations.

Equal Opportunity, Harassment

We are committed to providing equal opportunity in all of our employment practices including selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation of all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex or gender, religion, age, national origin, handicap, disability, citizenship status, or any other status protected by law. With this in mind, there are certain behaviors that will not be tolerated. These include harassment, violence, intimidation, and discrimination of any kind involving race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, or marital status.

Accuracy of Company Records

We require honest and accurate recording and reporting of information in order to make responsible business decisions. This includes such data as quality, safety, and personnel records, as well as financial records.

All financial books, records and accounts must accurately reflect transactions and events, and conform both to required accounting principles and to our system of internal controls. No false or artificial entries may be made.

Retaining Business Communications

The law requires us to maintain certain types of corporate records, usually for specified periods of time. Failure to retain those records for those minimum periods could subject us to penalties and fines, cause the loss of rights, obstruct justice, place us in contempt of court, or seriously disadvantage us in litigation.

From time to time we establish retention or destruction policies in order to ensure legal compliance. We expect you to fully comply with any published records retention or destruction policies, provided that you should note the following exception: If you believe, or we inform you, that our records are relevant to any litigation or governmental action, or any potential litigation or action, then you must preserve those records until we determine the records are no longer needed. This exception supersedes any previously or subsequently established destruction policies for those records. If you believe that this exception may apply, or have any questions

 

4


regarding the possible applicability of that exception, please contact our Chief Compliance Officer.

Political Contributions

No funds of Solar Senior may be given directly to political candidates. You may, however, engage in political activity with your own resources on your own time.

Media Relations

We must speak with a unified voice in all dealings with the press and other media. As a result, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer are the only contacts for media seeking information about Solar Senior. Any requests from the media must be referred to either our Chief Executive Officer or Chief Operating Officer.

Intellectual Property Information

Information generated in our business is a valuable asset. Protecting this information plays an important role in our growth and ability to compete. Such information includes business and research plans; objectives and strategies; trade secrets; unpublished financial information; salary and benefits data; lender and other business partner lists. Employees who have access to our intellectual property information are obligated to safeguard it from unauthorized access and:

 

   

Not disclose this information to persons outside of Solar Senior;

 

   

Not use this information for personal benefit or the benefit of persons outside of Solar Senior; and

 

   

Not share this information with other employees except on a legitimate “need to know” basis.

Internet and E-Mail Policy

We provide an e-mail system and Internet access to certain of our employees to help them do their work. You may use the e-mail system and the Internet only for legitimate business purposes in the course of your duties. Incidental and occasional personal use is permitted, but never for personal gain or any improper use. Further, you are prohibited from discussing or posting information regarding Solar Senior in any external electronic forum, including Internet chat rooms or electronic bulletin boards.

 

5


Reporting Violations and Complaint Handling

You are responsible for compliance with the rules, standards and principles described in this Code. In addition, you should be alert to possible violations of the Code by Solar Senior’s or the investment adviser’s employees, officers and directors, and you are expected to report a violation promptly. Normally, reports should be made to one’s immediate supervisor. Under some circumstances, it may be impractical or you may feel uncomfortable raising a matter with your supervisor. In those instances, you are encouraged to contact our Chief Compliance Officer who will investigate and report the matter to our Chief Executive Officer and/or Board of Directors, as the circumstance dictates. You will also be expected to cooperate in an investigation of a violation.

Anyone who has a concern about our conduct, the conduct of an officer of Solar Senior or its investment adviser or our accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, may communicate that concern to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors by direct communication with our Chief Compliance Officer or by email or in writing. All reported concerns shall be forwarded to the Audit Committee and will be simultaneously addressed by our Chief Compliance Officer in the same way that other concerns are addressed by us. The status of all outstanding concerns forwarded to the Audit Committee will be reported on a quarterly basis by our Chief Compliance Officer. The Audit Committee may direct that certain matters be presented to the full board and may also direct special treatment, including the retention of outside advisors or counsel, for any concern reported to it.

All reports will be investigated and whenever possible, requests for confidentiality shall be honored. And, while anonymous reports will be accepted, please understand that anonymity may hinder or impede the investigation of a report. All cases of questionable activity or improper actions will be reviewed for appropriate action, discipline or corrective actions. Whenever possible, we will keep confidential the identity of employees, officers or directors who are accused of violations, unless or until it has been determined that a violation has occurred.

There will be no reprisal, retaliation or adverse action taken against any employee who, in good faith, reports or assists in the investigation of, a violation or suspected violation, or who makes an inquiry about the appropriateness of an anticipated or actual course of action.

For reporting concerns about Solar Senior’s or its investment adviser’s conduct, the conduct of an officer of Solar Senior or its investment adviser, or about Solar Senior’s or its investment adviser’s accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, you may use the following means of communication:

 

ADDRESS:    SOLAR SENIOR CAPITAL LTD.
   500 Park Avenue, 5 th Floor
   New York, NY 10022

 

6


In the case of a confidential, anonymous submission, employees should set forth their concerns in writing and forward them in a sealed envelope to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee, in care of our Chief Compliance Officer, such envelope to be labeled with a legend such as: “To be opened by the Audit Committee only.”

Sanctions for Code Violations

All violations of the Code will result in appropriate corrective action, up to and including dismissal. If the violation involves potentially criminal activity, the individual or individuals in question will be reported, as warranted, to the appropriate authorities.

Application/Waivers

All the directors, officers and employees of Solar Senior and its investment adviser are subject to this Code.

Insofar as other policies or procedures of Solar Senior or its investment adviser govern or purport to govern the behavior or activities of all persons who are subject to this Code, they are superseded by this Code to the extent that they overlap or conflict with the provisions of this Code.

Any amendment or waiver of the Code for an executive officer or member of our Board of Directors must be made by our Board of Directors and disclosed on a Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within four business days following such amendment or waiver.

 

7


APPENDIX A

Solar Senior Capital Ltd.

Acknowledgment Regarding

Code of Business Conduct

This acknowledgment is to be signed and returned to our Chief Compliance Officer and will be retained as part of your permanent personnel file.

I have received a copy of Solar Senior Capital Ltd.’s Code of Business Conduct, read it, and understand that the Code contains the expectations of Solar Senior Capital Ltd. regarding employee conduct. I agree to observe the policies and procedures contained in the Code of Business Conduct and have been advised that, if I have any questions or concerns relating to such policies or procedures, I understand that I have an obligation to report to the Audit Committee, the Chief Compliance Officer or other such designated officer, any suspected violations of the Code of which I am aware. I also understand that the Code is issued for informational purposes and that it is not intended to create, nor does it represent, a contract of employment.

 

 

Employee’s Name (Printed)

 

Employee’s Signature

 

Date

The failure to read and/or sign this acknowledgment in no way relieves you of your responsibility to comply with Solar Senior Capital Ltd.’s Code of Business Conduct.

 

A-1