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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 8, 2012

Registration No. 333-183798

Registration No. 814-00967

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

FORM N-2

 

 

 

x REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
         x     PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 2
         ¨     POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.
¨ REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

 

 

WhiteHorse Finance, LLC

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

1450 Brickell Avenue, 31st Floor

Miami, Florida 33131

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (305) 379-2322

Richard Siegel H.I.G. WhiteHorse Advisers, LLC 1450 Brickell Avenue, 31st Floor

Miami, Florida 33131

(305) 379-2322

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

 

Copies of information to:

 

Thomas J. Friedmann
David J. Harris
Dechert LLP
1775 I Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20006
Telephone: (202) 261-3300

Facsimile: (202) 261-3333

   Paul K. Risko

John A. MacKinnon

Sidley Austin LLP

787 Seventh Avenue

New York, NY 10019

Telephone: (212) 839-5300

Facsimile: (212) 839-5959

 

 

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement. If any of the 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(2)(3)
 

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share

   $ 86,250,000       $ 9,884.25   

 

(1) Includes the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.
(2) Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(o) solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee.
(3) Previously paid.

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 this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the 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 it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion

Preliminary Prospectus dated November [    ], 2012

PROSPECTUS

                         Shares

LOGO

WhiteHorse Finance, LLC

Common Stock

 

 

We are a newly organized, externally managed, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that intends to file an election to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Our investment objective is to generate risk-adjusted returns primarily by originating secured loans to small-capitalization, or small-cap, companies across a broad range of industries, providing our stockholders with current income and capital appreciation.

H.I.G. WhiteHorse Advisers, LLC will serve as our investment adviser. H.I.G. WhiteHorse Administration, LLC will serve as our administrator. These entities are affiliates of H.I.G. Capital, LLC, an alternative asset manager founded in 1993 and focused on the small-cap market. H.I.G. Capital, LLC had over $10 billion of capital under management as of September 30, 2012.

This is an initial public offering of our shares of common stock. All of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus are being sold by us.

Our shares of common stock have no history of public trading. We currently expect that the initial public offering price per share of our common stock will be $[    ]. We intend to apply to have our common stock approved for quotation on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “WHF.”

We are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the recently enacted Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act.

Immediately prior to this offering, we expect to sell         shares of common stock to our directors, officers, investment adviser, the managers of our investment adviser and their immediate family members or entities owned by, or family trusts for the benefit of, such persons, at a price of $        per share in a private placement. We will receive the full proceeds of this private placement, and no underwriting discounts or commissions will be paid in respect of these shares.

This prospectus contains important information you should know before investing in our common stock. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference. Upon 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, or the SEC. This information will be available free of charge by contacting us at 1450 Brickell Avenue, 31st Floor, Miami, Florida 33131, Attention: Investor Relations, or by calling us collect at (305) 379-2322. The SEC also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains this information.

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. Assuming an initial public offering price of $        per share, purchasers in this offering will experience immediate dilution of approximately $        per share. See “Dilution” for more information.


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

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk, including credit risk and the risk of the use of leverage. Before buying any shares of our common stock, you should read the discussion of the material risks of investing in our common stock, including the risk of leverage, in “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 22 of this prospectus.

 

 

 

     Per Share        Total  

Public offering price

   $                      $                

Underwriting discount and commission(1)

   $           $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to us(2)

   $           $     

 

(1) Our investment advisor has agreed to pay $[        ] million of the underwriting discount and commission in connection with this offering.
(2) We estimate that we will incur approximately $        in expenses in connection with this offering.

The underwriters may also exercise their option to purchase up to an additional         shares from us, at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount, for 30 days after the date of this prospectus. If the underwriters exercise this option in full, the total underwriting discount will be $            , and total proceeds, before expenses, will be $            .

The shares will be ready for delivery on or about November    , 2012.

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

 

 

Deutsche Bank Securities   J.P. Morgan   Citigroup     Barclays   

The date of this prospectus is November     , 2012.


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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     1   

THE OFFERING

     13   

FEES AND EXPENSES

     20   

RISK FACTORS

     23   

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     56   

USE OF PROCEEDS

     57   

DISTRIBUTIONS

     58   

CAPITALIZATION

     59   

DILUTION

     61   

SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION

     62   

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     63   

THE COMPANY

     79   

PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

     90   

MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

     94   

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS

     100   

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

     105   

THE ADVISER AND THE ADMINISTRATOR

     107   

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

     118   

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

     120   

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

     122   

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

     128   

REGULATION

     130   

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

     136   

TAX MATTERS

     137   

UNDERWRITING

     144   

CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DISTRIBUTION PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

     150   

LEGAL MATTERS

     150   

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

     150   

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     151   

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     F-1   

* * * * *

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition and prospects may have changed since that date. To the extent required by applicable law, we will update this prospectus during the offering period to reflect material changes to the disclosure this prospectus.


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PROSPECTUS 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. Except where the context suggests otherwise, the terms:

 

   

“we,” “us,” “our” and “WhiteHorse Finance” refer (unless the context otherwise requires) to WhiteHorse Finance, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its consolidated subsidiary, WhiteHorse Warehouse (as defined below) for the periods prior to the consummation of the BDC Conversion, and refer to WhiteHorse Finance, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiary, WhiteHorse Warehouse, for the periods after the consummation of the BDC Conversion;

 

   

“H.I.G. Capital” refers (unless the context otherwise requires), collectively, to H.I.G. Capital, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, and its affiliates. H.I.G. Capital employs all of WhiteHorse Finance’s investment professionals, as well as those of WhiteHorse Advisers, WhiteHorse Administration and their respective affiliates;

 

   

“Members” refer, collectively, to H.I.G. Bayside Debt & LBO Fund II, L.P. and H.I.G. Bayside Loan Opportunity Fund II, L.P.;

 

   

“WhiteHorse Warehouse” refers to WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC, a special purpose Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of WhiteHorse Finance;

 

   

“WhiteHorse Advisers” and the “investment adviser” refers to H.I.G. WhiteHorse Advisers, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital;

 

   

“WhiteHorse Administration” and the “administrator” refers to H.I.G. WhiteHorse Administration, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital; and

 

   

the “investment committee” refers to our investment adviser’s investment committee.

Immediately prior to the pricing of our initial public offering and our election to be treated as a business development company, we will convert from a limited liability company into a corporation. In this conversion, WhiteHorse Finance, Inc. will succeed to the business of WhiteHorse Finance, LLC, and the members of WhiteHorse Finance, LLC will become stockholders of WhiteHorse Finance, Inc. In this prospectus, we refer to these transactions as the “BDC Conversion,” and, where applicable, “shares” refer to our units prior to the BDC Conversion and to shares of common stock in our corporation afterward. Unless otherwise indicated, the disclosure in this prospectus gives effect to the BDC Conversion.

WhiteHorse Finance

We are a newly organized, externally managed, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that intends to file an election to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the 1940 Act. 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.

 

 

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We were formed on December 28, 2011 and commenced operations on January 1, 2012. We were originally capitalized with $176.3 million of contributed assets from H.I.G. Bayside Debt & LBO Fund II, L.P. and H.I.G. Bayside Loan Opportunity Fund II, L.P., each of which is an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital. These assets were contributed as of January 1, 2012 in exchange for 11,752,383 units in WhiteHorse Finance.

We are a direct lender targeting debt investments in privately held, small-cap companies located in the United States. We define the small-cap market as those companies with enterprise values between $50 million and $350 million. Our investment objective is to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns primarily by originating and investing in senior secured loans, including first lien and second lien facilities, to performing small-cap companies across a broad range of industries that typically carry a floating interest rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, and have a term of three to six years. While we intend to focus principally on originating senior secured loans to small-cap companies, we may also opportunistically make investments at other levels of a company’s capital structure, including mezzanine loans or equity interests. We also may receive warrants to purchase common stock in connection with our debt investments. We expect to generate current income through the receipt of interest payments, as well as origination and other fees, capital appreciation and dividends.

We have invested, and expect in the future to invest, in securities that are rated below investment grade by rating agencies or that may be rated below investment grade if they were so rated. Below investment grade securities, which are often referred to as “junk” bonds, are viewed as speculative investments because of concerns with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

As of September 30, 2012, our existing investment portfolio consisted of senior secured loans and senior notes across twelve positions with an aggregate fair value of $288.9 million and a par value of $292.0 million. As of that date, the majority of our portfolio was comprised of senior secured loans to small-cap borrowers. As of September 30, 2012, our portfolio had an average investment size of $24.3 million, with investment sizes ranging from $1.5 million to $62.0 million, a weighted average unlevered cash current yield of 13.9%, and a yield to maturity of 16.9%, with yields to maturity ranging from 9.7% to 30.4%. Yield to maturity is calculated based on the cost of purchased investments or the fair value of contributed investments, in each case on the date of purchase or contribution, as applicable; and uses the relevant published LIBOR curve as of such date; and assumes (1) all scheduled interest payments are made as scheduled and (2) each investment is held to maturity with no prepayments or losses and is repaid at par upon maturity. Also as of September 30, 2012, the weighted average remaining term of our debt investments was approximately 2.8 years, with remaining terms ranging from 0.8 years to 5.0 years. However, we can offer no assurance that the cash current yield or yield to maturity on our investments will remain at levels equivalent to our existing investment portfolio.

Recent Changes to the Portfolio .    After September 30, 2012 and prior to the date of this prospectus, we made a new loan to an existing portfolio company as part of a refinancing of our previous investment in the same portfolio company, had our investment in another portfolio company refinanced, sold a portion of our investment in one portfolio company, funded an additional draw from one of our portfolio companies and made an additional investment in one of our portfolio companies. We refer to this series of transactions in this prospectus as the Changes to

 

 

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the Portfolio. After giving effect to the Changes to the Portfolio, our investment portfolio as of September 30, 2012 on a pro forma basis, had an aggregate fair value of $228.7 million and a par value of $231.7 million, with an average investment size of $21.1 million, a weighted average unlevered cash current yield of 14.5%, and a yield to maturity of 18.1%.

See “Prospectus Summary—Formation Transactions” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Formation Transactions—Our Formation.”

H.I.G. Capital

H.I.G. Capital is one of the leading global alternative asset managers focused on the small-cap market. H.I.G. Capital was founded in 1993 and, over the past 19 years, has grown by continually enhancing its strategic investment capabilities into additional asset classes within the small-cap market. As of September 30, 2012, H.I.G. Capital managed over $10 billion of capital through a number of buyout, credit-oriented and growth capital funds, each of which is focused on the small-cap market. As of such date, H.I.G. Capital operated through domestic offices in Miami, New York, Boston, San Francisco, Dallas, Atlanta and Chicago and international offices in London, Hamburg, Paris, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro, with approximately 260 investment professionals with the operating, strategy and investing experience necessary to execute the firm’s value-added investment strategy. H.I.G. Capital’s investment professionals share a common investment philosophy built around a highly analytical, private equity-like framework of rigorous business assessment, extensive due diligence and a disciplined risk valuation methodology that guides investment decisions. H.I.G. Capital has built an extensive and proprietary network of informal and unconventional deal sources in the small-cap business community consisting of accountants, attorneys, and other advisors who have access to small-cap companies. We believe that H.I.G. Capital, as an experienced small-cap investor, has a demonstrated ability to identify, source, analyze, invest and monitor investments in the small-cap market

Our Investment Adviser

Our investment activities are managed by our investment adviser, H.I.G. WhiteHorse Advisers, LLC. Our investment adviser is an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital and is responsible for sourcing potential investments, conducting research and diligence on prospective investments and equity sponsors, analyzing investment opportunities, structuring our investments and monitoring our investments in portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. WhiteHorse Advisers has also agreed to provide us with access to personnel and an investment committee so that we may fulfill our obligations as the collateral manager to WhiteHorse Warehouse under the Credit Facility, as discussed below. H.I.G. WhiteHorse Advisers, LLC was organized in Delaware and is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or the Advisers Act. Under the investment advisory agreement with WhiteHorse Advisers, or Investment Advisory Agreement, we will pay our investment adviser a base management fee and an incentive fee for its services. See “The Adviser and the Administrator—Investment Advisory Agreement” for a discussion of the base management fee and incentive fee that we have agreed to pay our investment adviser.

WhiteHorse Advisers has entered into a staffing agreement, or the Staffing Agreement, with an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital under which the affiliate has agreed to make experienced investment professionals available to WhiteHorse Advisers and to provide access to its senior investment

 

 

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personnel to enable WhiteHorse Advisers to perform all of its obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement. We believe that the Staffing Agreement will provide our investment adviser with access to deal flow generated by H.I.G. Capital in the ordinary course of business and commits certain members of H.I.G. Capital’s investment committee to serve as members of WhiteHorse Advisers’ investment committee, or the investment committee. In addition, under the Staffing Agreement, H.I.G. Capital is obligated to allocate investment opportunities among its managed affiliates fairly and equitably over time in accordance with its allocation policy. See “Certain Relationships—Investment Advisory Agreement.” Through the Staffing Agreement, our investment adviser intends to take advantage of the significant deal origination, credit underwriting, due diligence, investment structuring, execution, portfolio management and monitoring experience of H.I.G. Capital’s senior investment professionals.

An affiliate of our adviser, WhiteHorse Administration, will provide administrative services necessary for us to operate. See “The Adviser and the Administrator—Administration Agreement” for a discussion of the fees and expenses for which we are required to reimburse WhiteHorse Administration.

Market Opportunity

We believe that market inefficiencies and an imbalance between the supply of, and demand for, capital in the small-cap credit market creates an attractive investment opportunity through the origination of primary loans for the following reasons:

Specialized Lending Requirements .    In our experience, lending to small-cap companies requires more rigorous due diligence and underwriting processes than lending to larger companies. Small-cap companies typically have fewer management resources to dedicate to the borrowing process, and often receive no assistance from financial advisors in this regard. Because of these and other specialized lending requirements, only a limited segment of the lending community has historically served small-cap borrowers.

Reduced Lending by Commercial Banks .    Recent regulatory changes and continued ownership of legacy assets have significantly curtailed banks’ lending capacities. In response, we believe that many commercial banks have deemphasized their service and product offerings to small-cap companies in favor of lending to larger customers. We believe that the relative decline in competition from commercial banks will drive a higher volume of deal flow to us.

Reduced Credit Supply from Non-Bank Lenders .    We believe lending to small-cap companies by hedge funds and other non-bank lenders is constrained, as many such lenders have gone out of business, exited this market or are winding down. Along with reduced lending by commercial banks, we believe that reduced credit supply from non-bank lenders provides a promising environment for originating loans to small-cap companies.

Significant Demand for Credit .    We believe that demand for debt financing from small-cap companies will remain strong because these companies will continue to require credit to refinance existing debt, to support growth initiatives and to finance acquisitions. We believe the combination of strong demand by small-cap companies and the reduced supply of credit described above should increase lending opportunities for us.

Inefficient Market .    We believe there are a number of inefficiencies in the small-cap credit market that will allow us to achieve superior risk-adjusted returns relative to other types of loans. Unlike larger companies, small-cap borrowers may not have a financial advisor and, as a

 

 

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result, may not receive as many financing offers, leading to more favorable financing terms for us, and may be less sophisticated in negotiating the terms of their financing. Moreover, the simpler capital structures frequently found in small-cap companies enhance protections and reduce or eliminate intercreditor issues. In addition, small-cap lenders face less competition than lenders to larger companies. As a result, small-cap lenders frequently have greater flexibility in structuring favorable transactions.

Competitive Strengths

We believe we are well-positioned to take advantage of opportunities in the small-cap market due the following competitive strengths:

Leading Small-Cap Market Position .    H.I.G. Capital is one of the leading global alternative asset managers focused on the small-cap market. With more than $10 billion of capital and 19 years of investment experience focused primarily on small-cap companies as of September 30, 2012, H.I.G. Capital believes it has a specialized knowledge of the small-cap marketplace and expertise in evaluating the issues and opportunities facing small-cap companies throughout economic cycles.

Large and Experienced Team with Substantial Resources .    Our investment adviser has access through the Staffing Agreement to the resources and expertise of H.I.G. Capital’s approximately 390 employees in twelve offices across the United States, Europe and South America as of September 30, 2012. As of such date, H.I.G. Capital had approximately 260 experienced investment professionals, including 78 professionals dedicated to debt investing. We believe that the quality of these resources provides a significant advantage and will contribute to the strength of our business.

Extensive Deal Sourcing Infrastructure .    Given the inefficiencies of the small-cap market, finding smaller companies that represent attractive debt investment opportunities requires a different sourcing network than that for larger companies. Over the past 19 years, H.I.G. Capital has built an extensive and proprietary network of deal sources in the small-cap market consisting of accountants, attorneys and other advisors who have access to these companies. Each of H.I.G. Capital’s approximately 260 investment professionals is involved in deal sourcing and our in-house business development group of approximately 15 deal sourcing professionals further enhances our sourcing network. We believe H.I.G. Capital’s extensive deal sourcing infrastructure provides us with access to investment opportunities that may not be available to many of our competitors.

Deep Credit Expertise .    As of September 30, 2012, H.I.G. Capital’s credit platform managed approximately $5 billion of capital across multiple investment funds supported by 78 dedicated credit investment professionals. These investment professionals bring a depth of experience across a broad range of transaction types, including primary loan originations and distressed debt investments. We believe this experience will provide us with expertise in credit documentation, loan structuring and restructuring negotiations to help protect our investments and maximize our recovery value to the extent a portfolio company does not perform as expected.

Disciplined Investment and Underwriting Process .    Through its 19 years of investment experience, H.I.G. Capital has developed a disciplined investment process entailing intensive “bottom-up” fundamental analysis which we intend to utilize in order to generate attractive risk-

 

 

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adjusted returns while preserving downside protection. Each investment is reviewed by the investment committee, which is comprised of senior investment professionals of H.I.G. Capital with an average of more than 20 years of investment experience as of September 30, 2012.

Investment Strategy

Our investment strategy is to generate current income and capital appreciation primarily by originating secured loans. We expect our typical investment size to range from $10 million to $50 million. We will primarily target borrowers in the United States with enterprise values of $50 million to $350 million across a broad range of industries. We expect that the proceeds of our loans will be used for a variety of purposes, including refinancings of existing debt, acquisition financing, or working capital to support growth or realignment. We intend to focus principally on originating senior secured loans to performing privately-held small-cap companies across a broad range of industries that typically carry a floating interest rate based on LIBOR and have a term of three to six years. While we intend to focus principally on originating senior secured loans to small-cap companies, including first lien and second lien facilities, we may also opportunistically make investments at other levels of a company’s capital structure, including mezzanine loans or equity interests. We also may receive warrants to purchase common stock in connection with our debt investments. We expect to generate current income through the receipt of interest payments, origination and other fees, and dividends. Our typical loans will carry a floating interest rate based on LIBOR plus a spread, will have a term of three to six years, will be secured by all tangible and intangible assets of the borrower, and will include covenants, monitoring and information rights in favor of the lender.

Organizational Structure

The following shows an organizational chart reflecting our relationship with our investment adviser and administrator as of the date of this prospectus:

 

LOGO

 

 

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Recent Developments

Our Formation.     We were formed on December 28, 2011 and commenced operations on January 1, 2012 as H.I.G. WhiteHorse Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. We changed our name to WhiteHorse Finance, LLC on April 18, 2012. The Members, two private funds affiliated with H.I.G. Capital, contributed assets to us with a fair value of $176.3 million in exchange for units in WhiteHorse Finance, LLC. These assets were contributed as of January 1, 2012 in exchange for 11,752,383 units in WhiteHorse Finance. For this initial formation transaction, we retained an independent, third-party valuation firm to determine the fair value of such contributed assets as of the date of contribution, except in the case of one asset contributed on January 1, 2012. In this case, the fair value was determined based on acquisition cost in a recent arm’s length transaction with an unaffiliated third party.

Credit Facility .    On September 27, 2012, our wholly owned subsidiary WhiteHorse Warehouse, as the borrower, entered into a $150 million secured revolving credit facility with an asset-backed commercial paper conduit, as lender, for which Natixis, New York Branch, provides liquidity support. On September 27, 2012, WhiteHorse Warehouse borrowed $51.3 million under this facility. The Credit Facility is secured by all of the assets of WhiteHorse Warehouse, which includes nine loans with a fair value of $198.1 million as of September 30, 2012. We expect to cause WhiteHorse Warehouse to continue to acquire and finance primarily senior secured loans in a manner consistent with our investment strategy. WhiteHorse Warehouse will not originate loans. Rather, we expect to originate and acquire loans and transfer to WhiteHorse Warehouse some of the loans that meet the objective requirements described elsewhere in this prospectus. As of September 30, 2012, we had $51.3 million in outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility.

In this prospectus, we refer to this credit facility as the Credit Facility and to the commercial paper conduit together with any additional lenders that may join the Credit Facility in the future, collectively, as the Lender. In connection with the Credit Facility:

 

   

we and WhiteHorse Warehouse entered into a loan sale and contribution agreement, or the Loan Sale Agreement, under which we transferred some of our loans that met certain objective criteria established by the Lender, and pursuant to which we expect to contribute, or transfer through partial equity contributions and partial cash sales, additional loans in the future that meet these criteria, to WhiteHorse Warehouse;

 

   

we and WhiteHorse Warehouse entered into a collateral management agreement, or the Collateral Management Agreement, pursuant to which we have agreed to act as collateral manager for WhiteHorse Warehouse; and

 

   

we entered into a risk retention letter, or the Risk Retention Letter, under which we have agreed to own (A) an unhedged net equity interest of WhiteHorse Warehouse equal to at least 5% of its aggregate assets and (B) all of the equity interests in WhiteHorse Warehouse (or such amount as is required by European Union regulation). These obligations will continue for the life of the Credit Facility. For additional information on the Credit Facility, see “Description of the Credit Facility.”

Unsecured Term Loan .    On November [    ], 2012, we entered into a $90.0 million unsecured term loan agreement with Citibank, N.A., as the sole initial lender, and H.I.G. Bayside Loan Opportunity Fund II, L.P., or Loan Fund II, as guarantor. We refer to this unsecured term loan and the term loan agreement governing its terms in this prospectus, collectively, as the

 

 

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Unsecured Term Loan. The Unsecured Term Loan is subject to customary covenants and events of default, such as failure to pay the principal of, or interest on, the Unsecured Term Loan, certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur or a payment default under certain of our other debt obligations. The Unsecured Term Loan includes customary restrictions that limit our ability to pay dividends under certain circumstances, to merge with another entity unless we are the surviving entity following the merger and to amend our organizational documents. One of our Members, Loan Fund II, has guaranteed our obligation to make payments under the Unsecured Term Loan. Loan Fund II, as the guarantor of the Unsecured Term Loan, has the right to require the lender to assign the loan to it under certain circumstances. We are permitted to prepay amounts outstanding under the Unsecured Term Loan in whole or in part without penalty.

Distribution to the Members .    On November [    ], 2012, we made a single, one-time distribution of $[    ] million to the Members. This distribution was funded with the proceeds from the Credit Facility and the Unsecured Term Loan as well as cash we generated from the ordinary course of business. We refer to this one-time distribution in this prospectus as the Distribution to the Members. The Distribution to the Members represents, in effect, a return of capital, a reduction in the amount of the Members’ initial equity contribution and the replacement of such equity contribution with debt capital from unaffiliated third parties.

BDC Conversion.     Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, we intend to convert into a Delaware corporation, WhiteHorse Finance, Inc., and all of the outstanding units in WhiteHorse Finance, LLC will be converted into          shares of common stock in WhiteHorse Finance, Inc. As part of the BDC Conversion, the Members will receive an aggregate of          shares of our common stock in exchange for the 23,983,586 units they own in us, representing an estimated equivalent price of $         per share based on the fair value of the assets contributed by the Members in connection with our formation, as determined by our board of directors, or board. Upon completion of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement, the Members will own, collectively, approximately [    ]% of our common stock, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

Operating and Regulatory Structure

Our investment activities will be managed by WhiteHorse Advisers and supervised by our board, a majority of whom are independent of H.I.G. Capital, WhiteHorse Advisers and their respective affiliates.

As a business development company, we will be required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. For example, some existing funds controlled by our affiliates and affiliated funds formed in the future and managed by our investment adviser 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. If our investment adviser undertakes to manage a new fund in the future, we do not intend to invest in any portfolio company in which that fund has a pre-existing investment, although we may co-invest with such affiliate on a concurrent basis, subject to compliance with existing regulatory guidance, applicable regulations and our allocation procedures. See “Regulation.”

 

 

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Also, as a business development company, we are generally prohibited from acquiring assets other than qualifying assets unless, after giving effect to any acquisition, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets. Qualifying assets generally include securities of eligible portfolio companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high-quality debt instruments maturing in one year or less from the time of investments. Under the rules of the 1940 Act, “eligible portfolio companies” include:

 

   

private U.S. operating companies;

 

   

public U.S. operating companies whose securities are not listed on a national securities exchange (e.g., the New York Stock Exchange) or registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act; and

 

   

public U.S. operating companies having a market capitalization of less than $250 million.

Public U.S. operating companies whose securities are quoted on the over-the-counter bulletin board and through Pink Sheets LLC are not listed on a national securities exchange and therefore are eligible portfolio companies. See “Regulation—Qualifying Assets.”

We intend to elect to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a RIC under the Code. In order to be treated as a RIC, we must satisfy certain source of income, asset diversification and distribution requirements. See “Tax Matters.”

Use of Leverage

As a business development company, we are permitted under the 1940 Act to borrow funds to finance a portion of our investments. As of September 30, 2012, we had $51.3 million of debt outstanding under the Credit Facility. In addition to the Credit Facility and the Unsecured Term Loan described above, we expect to use leverage to finance a portion of our investments in the future, consistent with the rules and regulations under the 1940 Act. As a business development company, we generally are required to meet a coverage ratio of total assets to total borrowings and other senior securities, which 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 cannot incur additional debt and could be required to sell a portion of our investments to repay debt when it is disadvantageous to do so.

We expect to incur leverage through either a traditional credit facility or a private securitization vehicle, rather than through an issuance of preferred stock. We may grant a security interest in up to 100% of our assets under the terms of any debt instruments into which we enter. In addition, under the terms of any credit facility or other debt instruments into which we enter, we may be required to use the net proceeds of any investments that we sell to repay a portion of the amount borrowed under such facility or instrument before applying such net proceeds to other uses.

The use of leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique and increases the risks associated with investing in our securities. In the future, we may borrow from, and issue senior securities to, banks, insurance companies and other lenders. If the value of our assets decreases, leverage would cause net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged, thereby magnifying losses or eliminating our equity stake in a leveraged investment. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Business and Structure—We intend to finance our investments with borrowed money, which will magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing in us.”

 

 

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Conflicts of Interest

We are prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our independent directors and, in some cases, of the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, five percent or more of our outstanding voting securities will be our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act, and we are generally prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to, or entering into certain “joint” transactions (which could include investments in the same portfolio company) with such affiliates, absent the prior approval of our independent directors. Our investment adviser and its affiliates, including persons that control, or are under common control with, us or our investment adviser, are also considered to be our affiliates under the 1940 Act, and we are generally prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to, or entering into “joint” transactions with, such affiliates without prior approval of our independent directors and, in some cases, exemptive relief from the SEC.

We may, however, invest alongside our investment adviser’s, and its affiliates’ other clients in certain circumstances where doing so is consistent with applicable law and SEC staff interpretations. For example, we may invest alongside such accounts consistent with guidance promulgated by the staff of the SEC permitting us and such other accounts to purchase interests in a single class of privately placed securities so long as certain conditions are met, including that our investment adviser, acting on our behalf and on behalf of other clients, negotiates no term other than price. We may also invest alongside our investment adviser’s other clients as otherwise permissible under regulatory guidance, applicable regulations and the allocation policy of H.I.G. Capital and our investment adviser. Under this allocation policy, a calculation based on the type of investment would be applied to determine the amount of each opportunity to be allocated to us. This allocation policy would be periodically reviewed by our investment adviser and approved by our independent directors. We expect that these determinations will be made similarly for other accounts sponsored or managed by our investment adviser and its affiliates. If sufficient securities or loan amounts are available to satisfy our and each such account’s proposed demand, we expect that the opportunity will be allocated in accordance with our investment adviser’s pre-transaction determination. Where there is an insufficient amount of an investment opportunity to satisfy us and other accounts sponsored or managed by our investment adviser or its affiliates, the allocation policy further provides that allocations among us and such other accounts will generally be made pro rata based on the amount that each such party would have invested if sufficient securities or loan amounts were available. However, we can offer no assurance that investment opportunities will be allocated to us fairly or equitably in the short-term or over time.

In situations where co-investment with other accounts managed by our investment adviser or its affiliates is not permitted or appropriate, H.I.G. Capital and our investment adviser will need to decide which client will proceed with the investment. Our investment adviser’s allocation policy provides, in such circumstances, for investments to be allocated on a random or rotational basis to assure that all clients have fair and equitable access to such investment opportunities. Moreover, except in certain circumstances, we will be unable to invest in any issuer in which a fund managed by our investment adviser or its affiliates has previously invested. Similar restrictions limit our ability to transact business with our officers or directors or their affiliates. These restrictions may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to us.

Certain funds and other vehicles advised by an affiliate of our investment adviser own more than 50% of the voting securities of two of our portfolio companies, control the board of such companies or are the controlling members of such companies, which we refer to in this prospectus as affiliate control investments. Such investments at different points in the capital structure of a single portfolio company can give rise to actual or potential conflicts of interest, and we will not

 

 

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be able to make any similar investments after we elect to be treated as a business development company immediately prior to this offering. As a result of these affiliate control investments, some investment opportunities with respect to these two portfolio companies will not be available to us. For example, under the 1940 Act and the regulations thereunder, we may not be permitted, or will be limited in our ability, to participate in follow-on offerings of securities by such portfolio companies or to sell or otherwise exit our investments in such portfolio companies. The funds and other vehicles advised by the affiliate of our investment adviser will be similarly limited in their ability to participate in such investment opportunities for as long as we retain our interest in such investment securities. Apart from these limitations with respect to such portfolio companies, we do not believe that the existence of such affiliate control investments will have an adverse impact on our investment activity. We have no present intention to sell such investments and expect, subject to any change in circumstances with respect to such investments, to hold them to maturity. We are also not aware of any plans by either such portfolio company to undertake any follow on offering of securities in which we would be prohibited from investing.

Our board of directors has reviewed the potential impact on our investment activity of these affiliate control investments and has concluded that the potential impact should be minimal. In reaching this conclusion, the board considered several factors, including (1) that such limitations will not affect us after such time as our investments in these two portfolio companies are either repaid at maturity or refinanced and (2) that these investments are generally consistent with our investment strategy and may be held through maturity, barring any unforeseen developments, without adversely impacting our investment strategy. We do not intend, and are prohibited by the terms of the 1940 Act and the related rules thereunder, from investing in securities issued by any company in which an affiliate of ours or of our investment adviser holds a control investment except pursuant to the terms of an order of exemptive relief granted by the SEC or otherwise in accordance with interpretive guidance, if any, provided by the staff of the SEC permitting such investments.

See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Business and Structure—There are significant potential conflicts of interest that could affect our investment returns” and “Certain Relationships.”

Risk Factors

Investing in us involves a high degree of risk and you could lose all or part of your investment. We refer to certain of these risks below.

 

   

We are a new company with a limited operating history.

 

   

The lack of experience of our investment adviser in operating under the constraints imposed on us as a business development company and RIC may hinder the achievement of our investment objectives.

 

   

We intend to finance a portion of our investments with borrowed money, including under the Credit Facility; such financing arrangements tend to magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing in us, and, given that we entered into the Credit Facility recently, we have limited experience operating under its constraints.

 

   

There are significant potential conflicts of interest related to the investment committee, our investment adviser and its affiliates, including their obligations to other clients, that could affect our investment returns.

 

   

We have not yet identified the investments we will acquire using the proceeds of this offering.

 

 

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The market price and liquidity of the market for shares of our common stock may be significantly affected by the inability of our investment adviser to employ additional experienced investment professionals or the departure of any of our investment adviser’s key personnel, including Sami Mnaymneh and Anthony Tamer; and an event of default may occur under the Credit Facility under certain circumstances, which we define in this prospectus as Change in Control. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Business and Structure—Provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock.”

 

   

We are subject to risks associated with small-cap companies.

 

   

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

 

   

Investing in our shares may involve an above average degree of risk and is intended for long-term investors.

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 22 for more information on these and other risks you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock.

Company Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 1450 Brickell Avenue, 31st Floor, Miami, Florida 33131, telephone number (305) 379-2322. Our corporate website is located at www.whitehorsefinance.com. Information on our website is not incorporated into or a part of this prospectus.

 

 

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THE OFFERING

 

Common Stock Offered by Us

            shares, excluding             shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the option to purchase additional shares granted to the underwriters. We have granted to the underwriters an option to purchase up to              additional shares of our common stock.

 

Concurrent Private Placement

Immediately prior to the closing of this offering, we expect to sell shares of common stock to our directors and officers, our investment adviser, the managers of our investment adviser and the immediate family members or entities owned by, or family trusts for the benefit of, such persons at the initial offering price of $         per share in a private placement. We will receive the full proceeds of this private placement, and no underwriting discounts or commissions will be paid in respect of these shares. We refer to the private placement in this prospectus as the Concurrent Private Placement. Under a registration rights agreement signed at the time of such private placement, the holders of these shares will receive registration rights entitling them to make up to two demands on us to register their shares under the Securities Act. From the date of this prospectus through the date that is 180 days after the date of this prospectus, we, our investment adviser, our administrator, our officers and directors, existing shareholders (including the Members) and investors in the Concurrent Private Placement have agreed with the representatives of the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions, not to sell any shares of our common stock or hedge such securities or engage in activities similar to such sales or hedges. See “Shares Eligible for Future Sale—Lock-Up Agreements.” Holders of a majority of these shares may elect to exercise their registration rights at any time after the date on which these shares of common stock are released from the lock-up arrangement agreed to as part of this offering. See “Shares Eligible for Future Sale—Registration Rights.”

 

Common Stock to be Outstanding After this Offering

            shares (including             shares sold in the Concurrent Private Placement), excluding          shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the option to purchase additional shares granted to the underwriters.

 

Use of Proceeds

We calculate that the net proceeds we will receive from the sale of shares of our common stock in this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement will be approximately $         million (or approximately $            million if the underwriters fully exercise their option to purchase

 

 

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additional shares in full) after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses of $            payable by us. We plan to invest the net proceeds of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement in accordance with our investment objective and the strategies described in this prospectus and for general corporate purposes, including payment of operating expenses.

 

  We anticipate that substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement will be invested within six to 12 months of the closing of this offering, in accordance with our investment objective and strategies, depending on the availability of appropriate investment opportunities and market conditions. The time period during which we anticipate investing such proceeds can be affected by a number of factors. For example, because we do not intend to invest in securities that are traded on a national securities exchange or for which there is public information available, we anticipate that our investment adviser will need to conduct extensive due diligence and to negotiate individualized terms prior to entering into each investment. Pending such investments, we intend to invest the remaining net proceeds of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment. These securities may have lower yields than our other investments and, accordingly, may result in lower distributions during such period. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Proposed NASDAQ Global Market symbol

“WHF”

 

Trading at a Discount

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

 

Distributions

We intend to distribute quarterly distributions to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. Our quarterly distributions, if any, will be determined by our board. Our board intends to declare a distribution of approximately $            per share, payable at or near the end of the fourth quarter of 2012. This distribution is contingent upon the completion of this offering during the fourth quarter of 2012. The amount of any such distribution will be prorated for the number of days remaining in the

 

 

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quarter after the completion of this offering. No assurance can be given that we will be able to declare such a distribution in future periods, and our ability to make distributions will be subject to a number of factors, including our results of operations. See “Distributions.” To the extent that we pay our required distributions and such distributions exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, such excess distributions will be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of a stockholder’s tax basis in his or her shares and then as capital gain. Reducing a stockholder’s tax basis will have the effect of increasing his or her gain (or reducing loss) on a subsequent sale of shares.

 

Investment Advisory Agreement

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, we will pay WhiteHorse Advisers a base management fee and an incentive fee for its services.

 

  Management Fee

 

  The base management fee will be calculated at an annual rate of 2.0% of our consolidated gross assets, including cash and cash equivalents and assets purchased with borrowed funds. Our investment advisor has agreed to exclude cash and cash equivalents from the calculation of the base management fee for the calendar quarters ending December 31, 2012, March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013.

The SEC requires that the “Management fees” percentage in the Fees and Expenses table on page 19 be calculated as a percentage of net assets attributable to common stockholders, rather than total assets, including assets that have been funded with borrowed monies, because common stockholders indirectly bear all of this cost. We estimate our base management fees to be [    ]% of net assets, assuming net assets of $            million and leverage of $         million, which reflects our net assets and pro forma leverage as of September 30, 2012 after giving effect to this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement.

 

  Income-Based Fee

 

 

The incentive fee will consist of two components that are independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not. The first component, which is income-based and payable quarterly in arrears, will equal 20% of the amount, if any, that our “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income” exceeds a 1.75% quarterly (7.00% annualized) Hurdle Rate

 

 

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(as defined under “Fees and Expenses”) subject to a “catch-up” feature and the Incentive Fee Cap described below. The portion of such incentive fee that is attributable to deferred interest (such as payment-in-kind, or PIK, interest or original issue discount) will be paid to our investment adviser, together with interest accrued from the date of deferral to the date of payment, only if and to the extent we actually receive such interest in cash, and any accrual thereof will be reversed if and to the extent such interest is reversed in connection with any write-off or similar treatment of the investment giving rise to any deferred interest accrual.

 

  Capital Gains-Based Fee

 

  The second component, which is capital gains-based, will be determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement, as of the termination date) and will equal 20% of our cumulative aggregate realized capital gains from the most recent valuation completed prior to the date of the Investment Advisory Agreement through the end of that calendar year, computed net of our aggregate cumulative realized capital losses and aggregate cumulative unrealized capital depreciation through the end of such calendar year, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gains incentive fees and subject to the Incentive Fee Cap. The second component of the incentive fee is not subject to any minimum return to stockholders.

 

  Incentive Fee Cap

 

  We have structured the calculation of these incentive fees to include a fee limitation such that no incentive fee will be paid to our investment adviser for any quarter if, after such payment, the cumulative incentive fees paid to our investment adviser for the period that includes the then current fiscal quarter and the 11 preceding fiscal quarters, which we refer to in this prospectus as the Incentive Fee Look-back Period, would exceed 20.0% of our Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income (as defined below) during the Incentive Fee Look-back Period.

 

 

We accomplish this limitation by subjecting each incentive fee payable to a cap, which we refer to in this prospectus as the Incentive Fee Cap. The Incentive Fee Cap in any quarter is equal to (a) 20.0% of Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income during the Incentive Fee Look-back Period less (b) cumulative incentive fees of any kind paid to our investment adviser by us for the Incentive Fee Look-back

 

 

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Period. To the extent the Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value in any quarter, we will pay no incentive fee to our investment adviser in that quarter. We will only pay incentive fees to the extent allowed by the Incentive Fee Cap. To the extent that the payment of incentive fees is limited by the Incentive Fee Cap, the payment of such fees may be deferred and paid in subsequent quarters up to three years after their date of deferment subject to applicable limitations included in the Investment Advisory Agreement.

 

  Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income means, in each case on a consolidated basis, interest income, distribution 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 and any interest expense and any dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the incentive fee). Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation.

 

  In this prospectus, Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income during the Incentive Fee Look-back Period refers to the sum of (a) Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for each period during the Incentive Fee Look-back Period and (b) the sum of cumulative realized capital gains, cumulative realized capital losses, cumulative unrealized capital depreciation and cumulative unrealized capital appreciation during the applicable Incentive Fee Look-back Period.

 

  See “The Adviser and the Administrator—Investment Advisory Agreement—Management Fee.”

 

Taxation

We intend to elect to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a RIC. As a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders as distributions. To obtain RIC status and the associated tax benefits, 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, out of assets legally available for distribution. See “Distributions” and “Tax Matters.”

 

 

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Leverage

As a business development company, we are permitted under the 1940 Act to borrow funds to finance a portion of our investments. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Business and Structure—We intend to finance our investments with borrowed money, which will magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing in us” “—Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure—We are subject to risks associated with the Credit Facility,” “—Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure—We are subject to risks associated with the Unsecured Term Loan” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

We have adopted an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for our stockholders. As a result, if we declare a dividend or other distribution, then stockholders’ cash distributions will be reinvested automatically in additional shares of our common stock, unless our stockholders specifically “opt out” of the dividend reinvestment plan, so as to receive cash dividends or other distributions. If a stockholder specifically “opts-out” of the dividend reinvestment plan, that stockholder will receive cash dividends or other distributions. Stockholders who receive distributions in the form of shares of common 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.”

 

Administration Agreement

We have entered into an administration agreement, or the Administration Agreement, with WhiteHorse Administration under which we will reimburse WhiteHorse Administration for our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by WhiteHorse Administration in performing its obligations, including furnishing us with office facilities, equipment and clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services, as well as providing us with other administrative services. To the extent that our administrator outsources any of its functions, we will pay the fees associated with such functions on a direct basis without any profit to WhiteHorse Administration. See “The Adviser and the Administrator—Administration Agreement.”

 

License Arrangements

We have entered into a license agreement with an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, or the License Agreement, pursuant to which we have been granted a non-exclusive license to use the name “WhiteHorse.” See “The Adviser and the Administrator—License Agreement.”

 

 

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Anti-Takeover Provisions

Our certificate of incorporation 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 of control in circumstances that could give the holder of our common stock the opportunity to realize a premium over the market price for our common stock. See “Description of Shares.” In addition, our board is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms. This structure is intended to increase the likelihood of continuity of management, which may be necessary for us to realize the full value of our investments. A staggered board also may serve to deter hostile takeovers or proxy contests, as may certain other measures adopted by us. See “Description of Shares—Provisions of the DGCL and Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.”

 

Custodian and Transfer Agent

The Bank of New York Mellon will serve as our custodian, and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC will serve as our transfer and dividend paying agent and registrar. See “Custodian, Transfer Agent and Distribution Paying Agent and Registrar.”

 

Available Information

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, which contains additional information about us and the shares of our common stock being offered by this prospectus. After completion of this offering, we will be required to file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. This information will be available at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. and on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

 

We maintain a website at www.whitehorsefinance.com and intend to make all of our annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information available, free of charge, on or through our website. You may also obtain such information by contacting us, in writing at: WhiteHorse Finance, 1450 Brickell Avenue, 31st Floor, Miami, Florida 33131, Attention: Investor Relations, or by telephone at (305) 379-2322.

 

 

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FEES AND EXPENSES

The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that an investor in this offering will bear directly or indirectly. We caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. The following table should not be considered a representation of our future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than shown. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this prospectus contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by “us” or “WhiteHorse Finance,” or that “we” will pay fees or expenses, our stockholders will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as investors in WhiteHorse Finance.

 

Stockholder transaction expenses:

  

Sales load (as a percentage of offering price)

     % (1) 

Sales load paid by advisor (as a percentage of offering price)

     % (2) 

Offering expenses (as a percentage of offering price)

     % (3) 

Dividend reinvestment plan fees

          (4) 
  

 

 

 

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

     —%   

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

  

Base management fees

     % (5) 

Incentive fees payable under Investment Advisory Agreement (20% of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income and 20% of realized capital gains)

     % (6) 

Interest payments on borrowed funds

     % (7) 

Other expenses

     % (8) 
  

 

 

 

Total annual expenses

     %   

 

(1) The underwriting discount and commission with respect to shares sold in this offering, which is a one-time fee paid to the underwriters, is the only sales load paid in connection with this offering.
(2) Our investment advisor has agreed to pay $[    ] million of the underwriting discount and commission in connection with this offering.
(3) Amount reflects estimated offering expenses of approximately $            .
(4) The expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan, which consist primarily of the expenses of American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, are included in “other expenses.” See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”
(5) The SEC requires that the “Management fees” percentage be calculated as a percentage of net assets attributable to common stockholders, rather than total assets, including assets that have been funded with borrowed monies, because common stockholders bear all of this cost. The estimate of our base management fees assumes net assets of $         million and leverage of $         million, which reflects our net assets and pro forma leverage as of September 30, 2012 after giving effect to this offering, the expected incurrence of indebtedness under the Credit Facility and the Unsecured Term Loan and the Concurrent Private Placement.
  Our base management fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement is calculated at an annual rate equal to 2.0% and is based on our consolidated gross assets, including cash and cash equivalents and assets purchased with borrowed funds, and is payable quarterly in arrears. Our investment advisor has agreed to exclude cash and cash equivalents from the calculation of the base management fee for the calendar quarters ending December 31, 2012, March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013. See “The Adviser and the Administrator—Investment Advisory Agreement—Management Fee” and footnote 5 below. If the base management fee portion of the “Management fees” percentage were calculated instead as a percentage of our consolidated gross assets, our base management fee portion of the “Management fees” percentage would be approximately 2.0% of total assets.
(6) The incentive fee consists of two components that are independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not. We have structured the calculation of these incentive fees, the “Income and Capital Gain Incentive Fee Calculations,” to include a fee limitation such that no incentive fee will be paid to our investment adviser for any quarter if, after such payment, the cumulative incentive fees paid to our investment adviser for the period that includes the then current fiscal quarter and the 11 preceding fiscal quarters, which we refer to in this prospectus as the Incentive Look-back Period, would exceed 20.0% of our Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income during the Incentive Fee Look-back Period.
 

We accomplish this limitation by subjecting each incentive fee payable to a cap, which we refer to in this prospectus to as the Incentive Fee Cap. The Incentive Fee Cap in any quarter is equal to (a) 20.0% of Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income during the Incentive Fee Look-back Period less (b) cumulative incentive fees of any kind paid to our investment adviser by us for the Incentive Fee Look-back Period. To the extent the Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value in any quarter, we will pay no incentive fee to our investment adviser in that

 

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quarter. We will only pay incentive fees to the extent allowed by the Incentive Fee Cap. To the extent that the payment of incentive fees is limited by the Incentive Fee Cap, the payment of such fees may be deferred and paid up to three years after their date of deferment subject to limitations included in the Investment Advisory Agreement.

  In this prospectus, Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income refers to the sum of (a) Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for each period during the Incentive Fee Look-back Period and (b) the sum of cumulative realized capital gains, cumulative realized capital losses, cumulative unrealized capital depreciation and cumulative unrealized capital appreciation during the Incentive Fee Look-back Period.
  The first component, which is income-based and payable quarterly in arrears, will equal 20% of the amount, if any, that our “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income” exceeds a 1.75% quarterly (7.00% annualized) hurdle rate (the “Hurdle Rate”), subject to a “catch-up” provision measured at the end of each calendar quarter and the Incentive Fee Cap. The operation of the first component 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 Rate of 1.75% (7.00% annualized);

   

100% 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 Rate but is less than 2.1875% in any calendar quarter (8.75% annualized) is payable to our investment adviser. We refer to this portion of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (which exceeds the Hurdle Rate but is less than 2.1875%) as the “catch-up.” The effect of the “catch-up” provision is that, if such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter, our investment adviser will receive 20% of such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income as if the Hurdle Rate did not apply; and

   

20% of the amount of such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter (8.75% annualized) is payable to our investment adviser (once the Hurdle Rate is reached and the catch-up is achieved).

  The portion of such incentive fee that is attributable to deferred interest (such as PIK interest or original issue discount) will be paid to our investment adviser, together with interest accrued from the date of deferral to the date of payment, only if and to the extent we actually receive such interest in cash, and any accrual thereof will be reversed if and to the extent such interest is reversed in connection with any write-off or similar treatment of the investment giving rise to any deferred interest accrual. Any reversal of such amounts would reduce net income for the quarter by the net amount of the reversal (after taking into account the reversal of incentive fees payable) and would result in a reduction and possibly elimination of the incentive fees for such quarter.
  There is no accumulation of amounts on the Hurdle Rate from quarter to quarter and, accordingly, there is no claw-back of amounts previously paid if subsequent quarters are below the quarterly Hurdle Rate, and there is no delay of payment if prior quarters are below the quarterly Hurdle Rate. Since the Hurdle Rate is fixed, as interest rates rise, it will be easier for our investment adviser to surpass the Hurdle Rate and receive an incentive fee based on Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income.
  The second component, which is capital gains-based, will be determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement, as of the termination date), commencing on December 31, 2012, and will equal 20% of our cumulative aggregate realized capital gains from the most recent valuation completed prior to the date of the Investment Advisory Agreement through the end of that calendar year, computed net of our aggregate cumulative realized capital losses and aggregate cumulative unrealized capital depreciation through the end of such year, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gains incentive fees and subject to the Incentive Fee Cap.
  As described above, we will not pay any incentive fee at any time when, after such payment, the cumulative incentive fees paid to date would exceed 20% of the Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income during the Incentive Fee Look-back Period.
  The amount reflected in the table is based on amounts that would have been incurred during the three months ended September 30, 2012, annualized a full year assuming the Investment Advisory Agreement had been in effect during such three-month period.
  For a more detailed discussion of the calculation of this fee, see “The Adviser and the Administrator—Investment Advisory Agreement—Management Fee.”
(7) Interest payments on borrowed funds represents our estimated annual interest expense under the Credit Facility and the Unsecured Term Loan.
  Our stockholders bear directly or indirectly the cost of borrowings. The borrowing costs included in the table above give pro forma effect to $         million in aggregate outstanding indebtedness under the Credit Facility and the Unsecured Term Loan at the completion of this offering with a weighted average interest rate of         %. Assuming the Credit Facility and the Unsecured Term Loan were in effect as of September 30, 2012, the weighted average effective interest rate as of September 30, 2012, including the effects of amortization of original issue discount and deferred debt issuance costs, would have been         %. Deferred issuance costs include structuring and other facility fees, as well as legal fees, rating agency fees and all other direct and incremental costs associated with the Credit Facility, which costs are being fully amortized over the life of the loans. For purposes of the example below, deferred debt issuance costs are assumed to reoccur annually.
(8) Includes estimated organizational expenses of $         (which are non-recurring) and our overhead expenses, including payments under the Administration Agreement, based on our projected allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by WhiteHorse Administration in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement. Total annual expenses include certain estimates based on a proposed offering size of $[            ]. See “The Adviser and the Administrator—Administration Agreement.”

 

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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 consolidated indebtedness of $         million, which is our expected leverage at the closing of this offering, and that our annual operating expenses remain at the levels set forth in the table above.

 

     1 year      3 years      5 years      10 years  

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

   $                $                $                $            

 

(1) The above illustration assumes that we will not realize any capital gains computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation. The expenses you would pay indirectly, based on a $1,000 investment and assuming a 5% annual return resulting entirely from net realized capital gains (and therefore subject to the capital gain incentive fee), and otherwise making the same assumptions in the example above, would be: 1 year, $[        ]; 3 years, $[        ]; 5 years, $[        ]; and 10 years, $[        ]. Because our investment strategy involves investments that generate current income, we believe that a 5% annual return resulting entirely from net realized capital gains is unlikely.

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 Advisory 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. In addition, the example assumes inclusion of the sales load of $         in the first year, and offering expenses of approximately $[        ] and reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions 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 distribution payable to a participant by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of trading on the valuation date for the distribution. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” for additional information regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.

This example should not be considered a representation of our future expenses, and actual expenses (including the cost of debt, if any, and other expenses) may be greater or less than those shown.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Before you invest in our shares, 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 and the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Relating to our Business and Structure

We are a new company with a limited operating history.

We were organized in December 2011. We are subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new business, including the risk that we will not achieve our investment objectives and that the value of your investment could decline substantially. We anticipate that it will take us six to 12 months following the date of this prospectus to invest substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement in accordance with our investment objectives and strategies, in part because privately negotiated investments in illiquid securities or private small-cap companies require substantial due diligence and structuring. During this period, we intend to invest the remaining net proceeds of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement in short-term investments, such as cash and cash equivalents. We expect we will earn yields substantially lower than the interest income that we anticipate receiving from investments in the future. As a result, any distributions we make during this period may be substantially lower than the distributions that we expect to pay when our portfolio is fully invested.

The lack of experience of our investment adviser in operating under the constraints imposed on us as a business development company and RIC may hinder the achievement of our investment objectives.

The 1940 Act and the Code impose numerous constraints on the operations of business development companies and RICs that do not apply to other investment vehicles managed by H.I.G. Capital and its affiliates. Business development companies are required, for example, to invest at least 70% of their total assets primarily in securities of U.S. private or thinly traded public companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt instruments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment. Subject to certain exceptions for follow-on investments and distressed companies, an investment in an issuer that has outstanding securities listed on a national securities exchange may be treated as qualifying assets only if such issuer has a common equity market capitalization that is less than $250 million at the time of such investment. Moreover, qualification for taxation as a RIC requires satisfaction of source-of-income, asset diversification and distribution requirements. While our investment adviser has experience investing in securities of U.S. private or thinly traded public companies, neither we nor our investment adviser has any experience operating under these constraints, which may hinder our ability to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and to achieve our investment objectives. As a result, we cannot assure you that our investment adviser will be able to operate our business under these constraints. Any failure to do so could subject us to enforcement action by the SEC, cause us to fail to satisfy the requirements associated with RIC status, cause us to fail the 70% eligible portfolio company test described above or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

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We may be precluded from investing in what we believe are attractive investments if such investments are not qualifying assets for purposes of the 1940 Act. If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could violate the 1940 Act provisions applicable to business development companies and possibly lose our status as a business development company, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, these rules could prevent us from making follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies (which could result in the dilution of our position) or could require us to dispose of investments at inopportune times in order to comply with the 1940 Act. If we need to dispose of such investments quickly, it may be difficult to dispose of such investments on favorable terms, or at all. For example, we may have difficulty in finding a buyer, and, even if we do find a buyer, we may have to sell the investments for less than we could have received if we were able to sell them at a later time.

We depend upon key personnel of H.I.G. Capital, our investment adviser and its affiliates.

We are an externally managed business development company, and therefore we do not have any internal management capacity or employees. We will depend on the diligence, skill and network of business contacts of our investment adviser to achieve our investment objectives. We expect that our investment adviser will evaluate, negotiate, structure, close and monitor our investments in accordance with the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement.

Our investment adviser is an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital and will, in turn, depend upon access to the investment professionals and other resources of H.I.G. Capital and its affiliates to fulfill its obligations to us under the Investment Advisory Agreement. WhiteHorse Advisers will also depend on H.I.G. Capital to obtain access to deal flow generated by the professionals of H.I.G. Capital. Under the Staffing Agreement, an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital has agreed to provide our investment adviser with the resources necessary to fulfill these obligations. The Staffing Agreement provides that the affiliate will make available to WhiteHorse Advisers experienced investment professionals and access to the senior investment personnel of H.I.G. Capital for purposes of evaluating, negotiating, structuring, closing and monitoring our investments. We are not a party to this Staffing Agreement and cannot assure you that the affiliate of H.I.G. Capital will fulfill its obligations under the agreement. If the affiliate fails to perform, we cannot assure you that our investment adviser will enforce the Staffing Agreement, that such agreement will not be terminated by either party or that we will continue to have access to the investment professionals of H.I.G. Capital and its affiliates or their market knowledge and deal flow.

We depend upon the senior professionals of H.I.G. Capital to maintain relationships with sources of investment opportunities, and we intend to rely to a significant extent upon these relationships. We cannot assure you that these individuals will continue to provide investment advice to us through our investment advisor. If these individuals, including the members of the investment committee, are no longer employed by our investment adviser or an affiliate of our investment adviser, or fail to maintain existing relationships or develop new relationships with other sources of investment opportunities, we may not be able to grow our investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom the senior professionals of H.I.G. Capital have relationships are not obligated to provide us with investment opportunities. Therefore, we can offer no assurance that such relationships will generate investment opportunities for us.

Our business model depends to a significant extent upon H.I.G. Capital’s proprietary deal-flow network of informal and unconventional potential deal sources in the small-cap business community. Any inability of H.I.G. Capital to maintain or develop this network, or the failure of this network to generate investment opportunities, could adversely affect our business.

 

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We depend upon H.I.G. Capital to maintain its extensive, proprietary small-cap deal sourcing network, and we expect to rely to a significant extent upon this network to provide us with investment opportunities. This network of informal and unconventional deal sources in the small-cap business community includes accountants, attorneys, brokers, insurance agents, consultants and financial advisors who have access to small-cap companies. If H.I.G. Capital fails to maintain such sourcing network, or to develop new relationships with other sources of investment opportunities, we will not be able to grow our investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom H.I.G. Capital has relationships are not obligated to provide us with investment opportunities, and we can offer no assurance that these relationships will generate investment opportunities for us in the future.

If our investment adviser is unable to manage our investments effectively, we may be unable to achieve our investment objectives.

Our ability to achieve our investment objectives will depend on our ability to manage our business and to grow our business. This will depend, in turn, on our investment adviser’s ability to identify, invest in and monitor companies that meet our investment criteria. This, in turn, will depend on the ability of H.I.G. Capital to identify, invest in and monitor companies that meet our investment criteria. The achievement of our investment objectives on a cost-effective basis will depend upon our investment adviser’s execution of our investment process, its ability to provide competent, attentive and efficient services to us and our access to financing on acceptable terms. Our investment adviser will have substantial responsibilities under the Investment Advisory Agreement. The personnel of H.I.G. Capital who are made available to our investment adviser under the Staffing Agreement are engaged in other business activities and may be called upon to provide managerial assistance to our portfolio companies, either of which activities could distract them, divert their time and attention such that they could no longer dedicate a significant portion of their time to our businesses or otherwise slow our rate of investment. Any failure to manage our business and our future growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We may not replicate the historical results achieved by other entities managed or sponsored by members of the investment committee or by H.I.G. Capital or its affiliates.

Our primary focus in making investments generally differs from that of existing investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles that are or have been managed by members of the investment committee or sponsored by H.I.G. Capital or its affiliates. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results, and there can be no assurance that we will achieve comparable results. In addition, investors in our common stock are not acquiring an interest in any such investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles that are or have been managed by members of the investment committee or sponsored by H.I.G. Capital or its affiliates. While we may consider co-investing in portfolio investments with other investment funds, accounts or investment vehicles managed by members of the investment committee or sponsored by H.I.G. Capital or its affiliates, our ability to make such investments will be limited by the 1940 Act, including, potentially, requiring the prior approval of our independent directors and, in some cases, SEC exemptive relief. We can offer no assurance that we will obtain such approvals or exemptive relief or develop opportunities that comply with such limitations. We also cannot assure you that we will replicate the historical results achieved by members of the investment committee, and we caution you that our investment returns could be substantially lower than the returns achieved by them in prior periods. Additionally, all or a portion of the prior results may have been achieved in particular market conditions which may never be repeated.

 

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The competitive market for investment opportunities in which we operate may limit our investment opportunities.

A number of entities compete with us to make the types of investments that we plan to make in small-cap companies. We compete with public and private funds, including other business development companies, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies, specialty finance companies, hedge funds and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity funds. Some of our potential competitors are larger and have 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 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 will impose on us as a business development company. We cannot assure you that the competitive pressures we 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 and we can offer no assurance that we will be able to identify and make investments that are consistent with our investment objectives.

Participants in our industry compete on several factors, including price, flexibility in transaction structuring, customer service, reputation, market knowledge and speed in decision-making. We will not seek to compete primarily based on the interest rates we offer, and we believe that some of our competitors may make loans with interest rates that are lower than the rates we 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 reduce our net investment income and increase our risk of losses.

The global capital markets are in a period of disruption and instability. These market conditions materially and adversely affected debt and equity capital markets in the United States and abroad, which could have a negative impact on our business and operations.

Beginning in 2007, and continuing through 2011, the global capital markets experienced a period of disruption resulting in increasing spreads between the yields realized on riskier debt securities and those realized on securities perceived to be risk free, such as U.S. Treasuries, as well as a lack of liquidity in the debt capital markets, significant write-offs in the financial services sector and the re-pricing of credit risk in the syndicated loan market. These events were accompanied by the deterioration of the housing market, illiquid market conditions, declining business and consumer confidence and the failure of certain major financial institutions. These events contributed to a worsening of general economic conditions that materially and adversely affected 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 may return or worsen in the future.

Since 2010, several European Union countries, including Greece, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Ireland, have faced severe budget issues, some of which are disrupting the economies of those countries and other European Union countries. There have been significant concerns about national-level support for the euro and the coordination of fiscal and wage policy among European Economic and Monetary Union-member countries, and these concerns may persist or worsen. In addition, one or more nations in the euro zone, such as Greece, may cease to use the euro as their currency. The ramifications of any such actions are unclear, and any such action may have a substantial adverse impact on the level of economic activity in Europe and in the

 

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United States. Any return of the U.S. and global economic downturn or a recession period in the United States could adversely impact our investments. In addition, social and political tensions around the world, and particularly in the Middle East, may continue to contribute to increased market volatility, may have long-term effects on the U.S. and worldwide financial markets and may cause further economic uncertainties or deterioration in the United States and worldwide. We do not know how long the financial markets will continue to be affected by these events and cannot predict the effects of these or similar events in the future on the U.S. economy and securities markets or on our investments. We monitor developments and seek to manage our investments in a manner consistent with achieving our investment objectives, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in doing so, and we may not timely anticipate or manage existing, new or additional risks, contingencies or developments, including regulatory developments in the current or future market environment.

While these conditions persist, we and other companies in the financial services sector may be required to, or may choose to, seek access to alternative markets for debt and equity capital. Equity capital may be difficult to raise because, subject to certain limited exceptions, as a business development company, we are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share without first obtaining approval for such issuance from our stockholders and independent directors. In addition, the debt capital that will be available to us, if at all, may be at a higher cost and on terms and conditions that may be less favorable than we expect, which, if incurred, could negatively affect our financial performance and results in the future. In addition, the portfolio companies in which we invest may not be able to service or refinance their debt, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, as we could experience reduced income or even losses. The inability to raise capital and the risk of portfolio company defaults may have a negative effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Another prolonged period of market illiquidity may also cause us to reduce the volume of loans we originate and/or fund below historical levels and adversely affect the value of our portfolio investments, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Moreover, recent market conditions have made, and may in the future make, it difficult to extend the maturity of or refinance our existing indebtedness and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditions 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 have recorded our investments.

Capital markets volatility also affects our investment valuations. While most of our investments are not publicly traded, applicable accounting standards require us to assume as part of our valuation process that our investments are sold in a principal market to market participants (even if we plan on holding an investment through its maturity). As a result, volatility in the capital markets can adversely affect our valuations.

We intend to elect to be treated as a RIC. If we are unable to qualify as a RIC, we will be subject to corporate-level income tax.

We intend to elect to be treated as a RIC under the Code. To qualify as a RIC under the Code and obtain RIC tax benefits, we must meet certain income source, asset diversification and annual distribution requirements. The annual distribution requirement for a RIC is satisfied if we 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, to our stockholders on an annual basis. To the extent we use preferred stock or debt financing in the future, we may be subject to certain asset

 

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coverage ratio requirements under the 1940 Act and financial covenants under preferred stock or loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to qualify for RIC tax benefits. If we fail to make sufficient distributions, as a result of contractual restrictions in the Credit Facility, the Unsecured Term Loan or otherwise, we may become subject to corporate-level income tax. To qualify as a RIC, we must also meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each calendar quarter. Failure to meet these tests may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of RIC status. Because we anticipate that most of our investments will be in the debt of relatively illiquid small-cap private companies, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and may result in substantial losses. If we fail to qualify for RIC tax benefits 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. Such a failure would have a material adverse effect on us and our stockholders.

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

For U.S. 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 PIK interest, which represents contractual interest added to the loan balance and due at the end of the loan term. Such original issue discount, which could be significant relative to our overall investment assets, and increases in loan balances as a result of PIK interest will be included in income before we receive any corresponding cash payments. We also may be required to include in income certain other amounts that we will not receive in cash. In addition, after the reinvestment period under the Credit Facility, asset sales proceeds, if any (including any realized gains) must be used to pay down any outstanding debt and certain other amounts prior to distributing cash from WhiteHorse Warehouse to us. Also, if certain coverage tests are not met under the Credit Facility or if an event of default and acceleration occurs under the Credit Facility, then income and capital gains which would otherwise be distributable by us to our stockholders could be diverted to pay down debt or other amounts due under the Credit Facility.

As a result, we may have difficulty meeting the RIC tax requirement to 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. 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 investment originations to meet these distribution requirements. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify for RIC tax benefits and thus be subject to corporate level income tax. See “Tax Matters—Taxation as a RIC.”

To the extent that we pay our required distributions and such distributions are in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, such excess distributions will be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of a stockholder’s tax basis in his or her shares and then as capital gain. Reducing a stockholder’s tax basis will have the effect of increasing his or her gain (or reducing loss) on a subsequent sale of shares.

 

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PIK interest payments we receive will increase our assets under management and, as a result, will increase the amount of base management fees payable by us to our investment adviser.

Certain of our debt investments may contain provisions providing for the payment of PIK interest. Because PIK interest results in an increase in the size of the loan balance of the underlying loan, the receipt by us of PIK interest will have the effect of increasing our assets under management. As a result, because the base management fee that we pay to our investment adviser is based on the value of our consolidated gross assets, the receipt by us of PIK interest will result in an increase in the amount of the base management fee payable by us. In addition, any such increase in a loan balance due to the receipt of PIK interest will cause such loan to accrue interest on the higher loan balance, which will result in an increase in our pre-incentive fee net investment income and, as a result, an increase in incentive fees that are payable by us to our investment adviser.

Regulations governing our operation as a business development company will affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional debt or equity capital.

In the future, we expect that we will require a substantial amount of capital in addition to the proceeds of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement. We have issued, and may in the future 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 business development company to issue senior securities only in amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after each issuance of senior securities. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy this test and would be restricted from further borrowings until such time as we regain compliance. In addition, covenants in our debt agreements existing at such time may require us to repay a portion of our indebtedness, which could require us to sell a portion of our assets to make such repayment.

If we issue senior securities, we will be exposed to typical risks associated with leverage, including an increased risk of loss. If we issue preferred stock, such securities would rank “senior” to common stock in our capital structure, and preferred stockholders would have separate voting rights, dividend and liquidation rights and possibly other rights, preferences or privileges more favorable than those granted to holders of our common stock. Furthermore, 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 our common stockholders or otherwise be in your best interest.

Our board may decide to issue common stock to finance our operations rather than issuing debt or other senior securities. As a business development company, we are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below current net asset value per share. We may, however, issue or sell our common stock at a price below the current net asset value of the common stock, or sell warrants, options or rights to acquire such common stock at a price below the current net asset value of the common stock if our board determines that such sale is in the best interests of us and our stockholders, and our stockholders approve such sale within 12 months prior to 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 which, in the determination of our board, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount). We also may conduct rights offerings at prices per share less than the net asset value per share, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act. If we raise additional funds by issuing additional common stock or senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, our common stock, the percentage ownership of our stockholders at that time would decrease, and our stockholders may experience dilution.

 

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In addition to issuing securities to raise capital as described above, we may in the future seek to securitize our loans to generate cash for funding new investments. To securitize loans, we may create one or more wholly owned subsidiaries and sell and contribute a pool of loans to such subsidiaries. This could include the sale or other issuance of debt by such subsidiaries 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-rated debt secured by such loan pools, and we would retain all or a portion of the equity in any such subsidiary. An inability to securitize part of our loan portfolio could limit our ability to grow our business, fully execute our business strategy and increase our earnings. Moreover, the successful securitization of part of our loan portfolio might expose us to losses as the loans we are not able to securitize will tend to be those that are riskier and more apt to generate losses.

Any failure on our part to maintain our status as a business development company would reduce our operating flexibility.

If we do not remain a business development company, we might be regulated as a closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act, which would subject us to substantially more regulatory restrictions under the 1940 Act and correspondingly decrease our operating flexibility.

We are subject to risks associated with the Unsecured Term Loan.

On November [    ], 2012, we entered into the Unsecured Term Loan and borrowed $90.0 million under that loan. As a result of the Unsecured Term Loan, we are subject to a variety of risks, including those set forth below.

We may experience an event of default and acceleration under the Unsecured Term Loan, which would have a material adverse effect on us.

There are several circumstances under which an event of default may occur under the Unsecured Term Loan, such as failure to pay the principal of, or interest on, the Unsecured Term Loan, certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur or a payment default under certain of our other debt obligations.

Upon the occurrence of an event of default, the lender under the Unsecured Term Loan may exercise customary remedies, including declaring all amounts due and payable under the Unsecured Term Loan. Any of these developments would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We intend to finance our investments with borrowed money, which will 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. We have incurred leverage initially through the Credit Facility and, from time to time, intend to incur additional leverage to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act. The use of leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique and increases the risks associated with investing in our securities. In the future, we may also borrow from, and issue senior securities, to banks, insurance companies and other lenders. Holders of these senior securities have and will have fixed dollar claims on our assets that are superior to the claims of our common stockholders, and we would expect such holders to seek recovery against our assets in the event of a default. WhiteHorse Warehouse has pledged, and may in the future continue to pledge, all or substantially all of its assets and has granted, and may in the future grant, a security interest in all or a portion of its assets under the Credit Facility. In addition, under the terms of the Credit

 

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Facility, we must use the net proceeds of any investments that we sell to repay amounts then due with respect to our debt and certain other amounts owing under the Credit Facility before applying such net proceeds to other uses, such as distributing them to our stockholders.

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, thereby magnifying losses or eliminating our equity stake in a leveraged investment. Similarly, any decrease in our revenue or income will cause our net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline would also negatively affect our ability to make dividend payments on our common stock or preferred stock. Our ability to service our debt will depend largely on our financial performance and will be subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. In addition, our common stockholders will bear the burden of any increase in our expenses as a result of our use of leverage, including interest expenses and any increase in the management fee payable to our investment adviser.

As a business development company, we generally are required to meet a coverage ratio of total assets to total borrowings and other senior securities, which 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 cannot incur additional debt and could be required to sell a portion of our investments to repay some debt when it is disadvantageous to do so. This 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’ assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain our borrowings under the Credit Facility and the Unsecured Term Loan or obtain other credit at all or on terms acceptable to us.

In addition, the Credit Facility and the Unsecured Term Loan impose, and the terms of any other indebtedness that we incur in the future could impose, financial and operating covenants that restrict our business activities, including limitations that may hinder our ability to finance additional loans and investments or make the distributions required to maintain our status as a RIC under the Code.

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

 

     Assumed Return on Our Portfolio
(Net of Expenses)
 
     -10%     -5%     0%     5%     10%  

Corresponding return to common stockholder(1)

              %              %              %              %              %

 

(1) Assumes $         million in total assets, $         million in debt outstanding and $         million in net assets as of and an average cost of funds of         %, which was our weighted average borrowing cost for the period ended.

Based on our outstanding indebtedness of $         million as of September 30, 2012 (after giving pro forma effect to our borrowings under the Unsecured Term Loan) and the effective annual interest rate of         % as of that date, our investment portfolio must experience an annual return of at least         % to cover annual interest payments.

 

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We are subject to risks associated with the Credit Facility.

On September 27, 2012, WhiteHorse Warehouse, our wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into the Credit Facility. As a result of the Credit Facility, we are subject to a variety of risks, including those set forth below.

Our interests in WhiteHorse Warehouse are subordinated.

We own 100% of the equity interests in WhiteHorse Warehouse and have agreed under the Risk Retention Letter to continue to own all of such equity interests for the life of the Credit Facility. We consolidate the financial statements of WhiteHorse Warehouse in our consolidated financial statements and treat the indebtedness of WhiteHorse Warehouse as our leverage for purposes of compliance with the 1940 Act. Our equity interests in WhiteHorse Warehouse are subordinated in priority of payment to its obligations to its debt holders and its service providers. All of these persons have claims superior to our claims as equity interest holder in any liquidation of WhiteHorse Warehouse.

We may not receive cash from WhiteHorse Warehouse.

We expect to receive cash from WhiteHorse Warehouse as distributions on our equity interests in WhiteHorse Warehouse. In addition, WhiteHorse Warehouse may make payments to us in our capacity as its collateral manager. We will receive distributions on our equity interests in WhiteHorse Warehouse only to the extent cash is available and permitted to be distributed under the Credit Facility. WhiteHorse Warehouse may not receive sufficient cash to make equity distributions, in which case we would not be entitled to receive equity distributions from WhiteHorse Warehouse and, as a result, we would be unable to make distributions to our stockholders in amounts sufficient to maintain our status as a RIC, or at all. Limitations under the Credit Facility will impair our ability to sell investments owned by WhiteHorse Warehouse, and we may not be able to sell such investments. These limitations include prior satisfaction of certain coverage tests and collateral quality tests, the minimum price at which we may sell such investments and the amount of investments we may sell within a certain timeframe.

Under the Credit Facility, there are two coverage tests that WhiteHorse Warehouse must meet on specified compliance dates in order to permit WhiteHorse Warehouse to make new borrowings under the Credit Facility and to make equity distributions to us in the ordinary course — an interest coverage test and an overcollateralization test. To meet the interest coverage test, WhiteHorse Warehouse must receive interest payments on the loans it holds in an aggregate amount equal to greater than 200% of the interest payable to the Lender plus certain capped fees, expenses and indemnities. The overcollateralization test compares, at any given time, the borrowing base under the Credit Facility to (1) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Lender advances, (2) the excess of certain unfunded commitments on loans over the amount reserved with respect to such loans and (3) the amount due for any unsettled purchases of loans at such time. To meet the overcollateralization test, this ratio must exceed a minimum specified amount set forth in the Credit Facility and related documentation. If either of these coverage tests is not met on a compliance date, then WhiteHorse Warehouse must apply cash available under the priority of payments in the Credit Facility to pay down principal under the Credit Facility and the Collateral Manager may then make deposits into an unfunded commitment reserve account until such coverage tests are satisfied. If we fail to receive cash from WhiteHorse Warehouse, we may be unable to make distributions to our stockholders in amounts sufficient to maintain our status as a RIC, or at all. Limitations under the Credit Facility will impair our ability to sell investments owned by WhiteHorse Warehouse, and we may not be able to sell such investments.

 

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WhiteHorse Warehouse may experience an event of default and acceleration under the Credit Facility, which would have a material adverse effect on us.

There are several circumstances under which an event of default may occur under the Credit Facility, some of which relate to the performance of the assets of WhiteHorse Warehouse or the performance by WhiteHorse Warehouse of its obligations under the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility also includes certain customary events of default, such as (1) a breach of representations, warranties or covenants by us as collateral manager or by WhiteHorse Warehouse under the Credit Facility or failure on our part, or on the part of WhiteHorse Warehouse, to perform such obligations, (2) if we become insolvent, (3) if neither we, an affiliate approved by the required lenders under the Credit Facility or any successor collateral manager appointed in accordance with the Collateral Management Agreement is collateral manager, (4) if certain change of control events occur with respect to us or WhiteHorse Warehouse, as further described in this prospectus, or (5) if we, one of our executive officers or certain of our affiliates commits a specified bad act. The occurrence of an event of default could, among other consequences, (a) prevent us from making distributions to our stockholders sufficient to maintain our status as a RIC, or at all, (b) terminate the reinvestment period under the Credit Facility, if it is then in effect, and (c) permit the facility agent to assume the management of WhiteHorse Warehouse’s portfolio and to direct the liquidation of its assets. Any of these developments could or would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, the Lender may exercise customary remedies, including declaring all amounts due and payable under the Credit Facility, blocking distributions in respect of the equity of WhiteHorse Warehouse or selling assets, including selling assets at a lower price than what might otherwise be achieved in an orderly liquidation.

The ability of WhiteHorse Warehouse to purchase and sell investments is limited.

The Credit Facility restricts the collateral manager’s ability to purchase and sell investments for WhiteHorse Warehouse. As a result, the collateral manager may be unable to purchase or sell investments or take other actions that might be in our best interests, which could impair our performance and result in losses. During the reinvestment period, WhiteHorse Warehouse will have the ability to borrow funds for the acquisition of investments that meet the eligibility criteria set forth in the Credit Facility. Such funds may be repaid and re-borrowed during the reinvestment period, subject to compliance with the terms of the Credit Facility.

We may lose the ability to manage WhiteHorse Warehouse even if we continue to own its equity.

If an event of default occurs under the Credit Facility or if we resign or are terminated for cause as collateral manager under the Collateral Management Agreement, we may no longer manage the WhiteHorse Warehouse portfolio investments even though we are required to continue to own the equity interests in WhiteHorse Warehouse. If an agent for the Lender or the successor collateral manager does not manage WhiteHorse Warehouse’s portfolio in the same manner that we would have, our performance may not meet expectations and result in losses.

If the Lender under the Credit Facility is still a commercial paper conduit, it may not be obligated to advance amounts to us under the Credit Facility.

For so long as the Lender under the Credit Facility is a commercial paper conduit, the Lender is not obligated to advance amounts under the Credit Facility to us unless the following circumstances occur: (1) if the Lender has funds that may be used to fund advances under the

 

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Credit Facility and those funds are not required to repay commercial paper notes or other short term funding backing the commercial paper notes issued by a limited purpose entity providing funding or financing to the Lender when due and (2) after giving effect to any advance made under the Credit Facility, the Lender (or limited purpose entity that finances the Lender) could issue commercial paper to refinance all of the Lender’s outstanding commercial paper (assuming it has all matured at such time) or all of the commercial paper of the Lender (or the limited purpose entity that finances such Lender) is paid in full.

We will be exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates, and since we intend to use debt to finance our investments, changes in interest rates may affect our cost of capital and net investment income.

Interest rate fluctuations may have a substantial negative impact on our investments, the value of our common stock and our rate of return on invested capital. Since we plan to use debt to finance 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 periods of rising interest rates when we have debt outstanding, our cost of funds will increase, which could reduce our net investment income. Conversely, in periods of falling interest rates, the probability that our loans and other investments in portfolio companies will be pre-paid increases. In such event, we can offer no assurance that we will be able to make new loans on the same terms, or at all. If we cannot make new loans on terms that are the same or better than the investments that are repaid, then our results of operations and financial condition will be adversely affected. We expect that our investments will be financed primarily with equity and long-term debt. We may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. These techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. These activities may limit our ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to the hedged portfolio. Adverse developments resulting from changes in interest rates or hedging transactions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, our ability to engage in hedging transactions may also be adversely affected by recent rules adopted by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or the CFTC, unless we register with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator.

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 in the amount of incentive fees payable to our investment adviser with respect to Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income. Also, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make investment in our common stock less attractive if we are not able to increase our dividend rate, which could reduce the market value of our common stock.

There are significant potential conflicts of interest related to the investment committee, our investment adviser and its affiliates, including their obligations to other clients, that could affect our investment returns.

As a result of our arrangements with H.I.G. Capital, our investment adviser and the investment committee, there may be times when H.I.G. Capital, our investment adviser or such persons have interests that differ from those of our stockholders, giving rise to a conflict of interest.

 

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The members of the investment committee serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same or a related line of business as we do, or of investment funds managed by our investment adviser or its affiliates. Similarly, our investment adviser or its affiliates may have other clients with similar, different or competing investment objectives. In serving in these multiple capacities, they may have obligations to other clients or investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which may not be in the best interests of us or our stockholders. For example, the members of the investment committee have, and will continue to have, management responsibilities for other investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles managed or sponsored by our investment adviser and its affiliates. Our investment objectives may overlap with the investment objectives of such affiliated investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles. As a result, those individuals may face conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities among us and other investment funds or accounts advised by or affiliated with our investment adviser. Our investment adviser will seek to allocate investment opportunities among eligible accounts in a manner that is fair and equitable over time and consistent with its allocation policy. However, we can offer no assurance that such opportunities will be allocated to us fairly or equitably in the short-term or over time. Where we are able to co-invest consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act, if sufficient securities or loan amounts are available to satisfy our and each such account’s proposed demand, the opportunity will be allocated in accordance with our investment adviser’s pre-transaction determination. If there is an insufficient amount of an investment opportunity to satisfy our demand and that of other accounts sponsored or managed by our investment adviser or its affiliates, the allocation policy further provides that allocations among us and such other accounts will generally be made pro rata based on the amount that each such party would have invested if sufficient loan amounts were available. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to participate in all suitable investment opportunities. Where we are unable to co-invest consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act, our investment adviser’s allocation policy provides for investments to be allocated on a random or rotational basis to assure that all of its clients have fair and equitable access to such investment opportunities.

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

We will need additional capital to fund growth in our investment portfolio once we have fully invested the proceeds of this offering. In addition to the Credit Facility and the Unsecured Term Loan, we may issue debt or equity securities or borrow from financial institutions in order to obtain additional capital. Unfavorable economic conditions 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. A reduction in the availability of new capital could limit our ability to grow. We will be required to 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, to our stockholders to maintain our RIC status. As a result, these earnings will not be available to fund new investments. If we fail to obtain additional capital to fund new investments, this could limit our ability to grow, which may have an adverse effect on the value of our securities.

In addition, as a business development company, we are generally required to maintain a ratio of at least 200% of total assets to total borrowings, which may restrict our ability to borrow in certain circumstances.

 

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The investment committee, our investment adviser or its affiliates may, from time to time, possess material non-public information, limiting our investment discretion.

Principals of our investment adviser and its affiliates and members of the investment committee may serve as directors of, or in a similar capacity with, companies in which we invest, the securities of which are purchased or sold on our behalf. Although we intend that the majority of our investments will be made in non-public securities, if we obtain material non-public information with respect to public companies, or we become subject to trading restrictions under the internal trading policies of those companies or as a result of applicable law or regulations, we could be prohibited for a period of time from purchasing or selling the securities of such companies, and this prohibition may have an adverse effect on us.

Our incentive fee structure may create incentives for our investment adviser that are not fully aligned with the interests of our stockholders and may induce our investment adviser to make speculative investments.

In the course of our investing activities, we will pay management and incentive fees to our investment adviser. The incentive fee payable by us to our investment adviser may create an incentive for our investment adviser to make investments on our behalf that are risky or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement. The management fee is based on our consolidated gross assets. 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 one might achieve through direct investments. Because the management fee is based on our consolidated gross assets, our investment adviser will benefit when we incur debt or use leverage. The use of leverage will increase the likelihood of default, which would disfavor the holders of our common stock, including investors in this offering.

Additionally, under the incentive fee structure, our investment adviser may benefit when capital gains are recognized and, because our investment adviser determines when a holding is sold, our investment adviser controls the timing of the recognition of such capital gains. Our board is charged with protecting our interests by monitoring how our investment adviser addresses these and other conflicts of interest associated with its management services and compensation. While they are not expected to review or approve each investment or realization, our independent directors will periodically review our investment adviser’s services and fees as well as its portfolio management decisions and portfolio performance. In connection with these reviews, our independent directors will consider whether such fees and our expenses (including those related to leverage) remain appropriate. As a result of this arrangement, our investment adviser or its affiliates may from time to time have interests that differ from those of our stockholders, giving rise to a conflict.

Unlike that portion of the incentive fee based on income, there is no Hurdle Rate applicable to the incentive fee based on net capital gains. As a result, our investment adviser may seek to invest more capital in investments that are likely to result in capital gains as compared to income producing securities. This 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 valuation process for certain of our portfolio holdings creates a conflict of interest.

Many of our portfolio investments are expected to be made in the form of securities that are not publicly traded. As a result, our board will determine the fair value of these securities in

 

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good faith as described elsewhere in this prospectus. In connection with that determination, investment professionals from our investment adviser will provide our board with portfolio company valuations based upon the most recent portfolio company financial statements available and projected financial results of each portfolio company. In addition, certain members of our board, including Messrs. John Bolduc and Jay Carvell, have an indirect pecuniary interest in our investment adviser. The participation of our investment adviser’s investment professionals in our valuation process, and the indirect pecuniary interest in our investment adviser by certain members of our board, could result in a conflict of interest as the management fee paid to our investment adviser is based, in part, on our consolidated gross assets.

Conflicts related to other arrangements with our investment adviser or its affiliates.

We have entered into a license agreement with an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital under which we have been granted a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the name “WhiteHorse.” See “The Adviser and the Administrator—License Agreement.” In addition, we will pay to WhiteHorse Administration our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by WhiteHorse Administration in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, such as rent and our allocable portion of the cost of our chief financial officer, chief operating officer, chief compliance officer and their respective staffs. This will create conflicts of interest that our board must monitor.

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

The Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement were negotiated between related parties. Consequently, their terms, including fees payable to our investment adviser, may not be as favorable to us as if they had been negotiated with an unaffiliated third party. In addition, we may choose not to enforce, or to enforce less vigorously, our rights and remedies under these agreements because of our desire to maintain our ongoing relationship with our investment adviser, our administrator and their respective affiliates. Any such decision, however, would breach our fiduciary obligations to our stockholders.

Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates will be restricted, which may limit the scope of investments available to us.

We are prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our independent directors and, in some cases, of the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, five percent or more of our outstanding voting securities will be our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act, and we are generally prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to, or entering into certain “joint” transactions (which could include investments in the same portfolio company) with such affiliates, absent the prior approval of our independent directors. Our investment adviser and its affiliates, including persons that control, are controlled by or are under common control with, us or our investment adviser, are also considered to be our affiliates under the 1940 Act, and we are generally prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to, or entering into “joint” transactions with such affiliates without prior approval of our independent directors and, in some cases, exemptive relief from the SEC.

 

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We may, however, invest alongside our investment adviser’s and its affiliates’ other clients in certain circumstances where doing so is consistent with applicable law and SEC staff interpretations. For example, we may invest alongside such accounts consistent with guidance promulgated by the staff of the SEC permitting us and such other accounts to purchase interests in a single class of privately placed securities so long as certain conditions are met, including that our investment adviser, acting on our behalf and on behalf of other clients, negotiates no term other than price. We may also invest alongside our investment adviser’s other clients as otherwise permissible under regulatory guidance, applicable regulations and the allocation policy of H.I.G. Capital and our investment adviser. Under this allocation policy, a fixed calculation, based on the type of investment, will be applied to determine the amount of each opportunity to be allocated to us. This allocation policy will be periodically reviewed by our investment adviser and approved by our independent directors. We expect that these determinations will be made similarly for other accounts sponsored or managed by our investment adviser and its affiliates. If sufficient securities or loan amounts are available to satisfy our and each such account’s proposed demand, we expect that the opportunity will be allocated in accordance with our investment adviser’s pre-transaction determination. Where there is an insufficient amount of an investment opportunity to satisfy us and other accounts sponsored or managed by our investment adviser or its affiliates, the allocation policy further provides that allocations among us and such other accounts will generally be made pro rata based on the amount that each such party would have invested if sufficient securities or loan amounts were available. However, we can offer no assurance that investment opportunities will be allocated to us fairly or equitably in the short-term or over time.

In situations where co-investment with other accounts managed by our investment adviser or its affiliates is not permitted or appropriate, H.I.G. Capital and our investment adviser will need to decide which client will proceed with the investment. Our investment adviser’s allocation policy provides, in such circumstances, for investments to be allocated on a random or rotational basis to assure that all clients have fair and equitable access to such investment opportunities. Moreover, except in certain circumstances, we will be unable to invest in any issuer in which a fund managed by our investment adviser or its affiliates has previously invested. Similar restrictions limit our ability to transact business with our officers or directors or their affiliates. These restrictions may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to us.

Our ability to participate in follow-on investments or to sell or otherwise exit investments in which investment funds, accounts or investment vehicles managed by H.I.G. Capital also has an investment may be restricted.

We may be considered affiliates with respect to certain of our portfolio companies because certain investment funds, accounts or investment vehicles managed by H.I.G. Capital also hold interests in these portfolio companies and, as such, these interests may be considered a joint enterprise under the 1940 Act. To the extent that our interests in these portfolio companies may need to be restructured in the future or to the extent that we choose to participate in follow-on investments or to exit certain of these transactions, our ability to do so will be limited. We intend to seek exemptive relief in relation to certain joint transactions; however, there is no assurance that we will obtain relief that would permit us to negotiate future restructurings or other transactions that may be considered a joint enterprise.

 

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Many of our portfolio investments will be recorded at fair value as determined in good faith by our board. As a result, there will be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.

Many of our portfolio investments will take the form of securities that are not publicly traded. The fair value of securities and other investments that are not publicly traded may not be readily determinable, and we value these securities at fair value as determined in good faith by our board, including to reflect significant events affecting the value of our securities. As discussed in more detail under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies,” most, if not all, of our investments (other than cash and cash equivalents) are classified as Level 3 under Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. This means that our portfolio valuations are based on unobservable inputs and our own assumptions about how market participants would price the asset or liability in question. Inputs into the determination of fair value of our portfolio investments requires significant management judgment or estimation.

Even if observable market data are available, such information may be the result of consensus pricing information or broker quotes, which include a disclaimer that the broker would not be held to such a price in an actual transaction. Consensus pricing is a methodology for the determination of fair value based on quotations from market makers. These quotations include a disclaimer that the market maker would not be held to such a price in an actual transaction. The non-binding nature of consensus pricing and/or quotes accompanied by disclaimers materially reduces the reliability of such information. We have retained the services of one or more independent service providers to periodically review the valuation of these securities. The types of factors that the board may take into account in determining the fair value of our investments generally include, as appropriate, comparison to publicly traded securities including such factors as yield, maturity and measures of credit quality, the enterprise value of a portfolio company, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow, the markets in which the portfolio company does business and other relevant factors. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these securities existed. In addition, the determination of fair value and thus the amount of unrealized losses we may incur in any year, is, to a degree, subjective, in that it is based on unobservable inputs and certain assumptions. 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 adjust quarterly the valuation of our portfolio to reflect our board’s determination of the fair value of each investment in our portfolio. Any changes in fair value are recorded in our statement of operations as a net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation.

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

We will generally make investments in private companies. Substantially all of these investments will be 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 or if an investment is held by one of

 

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our subsidiaries and is subject to contractual limitations on sale, such as the limitations on transfer of assets under certain circumstances under the Credit Facility. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Business—We are subject to risks associated with the Credit Facility.”

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 business development company, we are required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at fair value as determined in good faith by our board under our valuation policy and process. As part of the valuation process, we may take into account the following types of factors, if relevant, in determining the fair value of our investments:

 

   

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

 

   

the enterprise value of a portfolio company;

 

   

the nature and realizable value of any collateral;

 

   

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

 

   

the markets in which the portfolio company does business; and

 

   

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

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

We have not yet identified the investments we will acquire using the proceeds of this offering.

While we currently hold a portfolio of investments, we have not yet identified additional potential investments for our portfolio that we will acquire with the proceeds of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement. Privately negotiated investments in illiquid securities or loans to private small-cap companies require substantial due diligence and structuring, and we cannot assure you that we will achieve our anticipated investment pace. As a result, you will be unable to evaluate any future investments prior to purchasing our shares of common stock. Additionally, our investment adviser, directly or indirectly through us acting in our capacity as collateral manager to WhiteHorse Warehouse, 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.

During this period, we will invest uninvested proceeds in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment. We expect these temporary investments to earn yields substantially lower than the income that we expect to receive in respect of investments in first lien, second lien, unitranche and mezzanine loans and equity securities. As a result, any distributions we make during this period may be substantially smaller than the distributions that we expect to pay when our portfolio is fully invested.

 

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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 senior 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 prior period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.

Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business or cause us to alter our business strategy.

We and our portfolio companies will be subject to regulation at the local, state and federal level. We are also subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations and are subject to judicial and administrative decisions that affect our operations, including maximum interest rates, fees and other charges, disclosures to portfolio companies, the terms of secured transactions, collection and foreclosure proceedings and other trade practices. If these laws, regulations or decisions change, or if we expand our business into additional jurisdictions, we may have to incur significant expenses in order to comply or we might have to restrict our operations. New legislation may be enacted or new interpretations, rulings or regulations could be adopted, including those governing the types of investments we or our portfolio companies are permitted to make, any of which could harm us and our stockholders, potentially with retroactive effect. In particular, on July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, became law. The scope of the Dodd-Frank Act impacts many aspects of the financial services industry, and it requires the development and adoption of many implementing regulations that will continue for several years following its enactment. The effects of the Dodd-Frank Act on the financial services industry will depend, in large part, upon the extent to which regulators exercise the authority granted to them and the approaches taken in implementing regulations. While the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act on us and our portfolio companies may not be known for an extended period of time, the Dodd-Frank Act, including future rules implementing its provisions and the interpretation of those rules, along with other legislative and regulatory proposals directed at the financial services industry or affecting taxation that are proposed or pending in the U.S. Congress, may negatively impact the operations, cash flows or financial condition of us or our portfolio companies, impose additional costs on us or our portfolio companies, intensify the regulatory supervision of us or our portfolio companies or otherwise adversely affect our business or the business of our portfolio companies. In addition, if we do not comply with applicable laws and regulations, we could lose any licenses that we then hold for the conduct of our business and may be subject to civil fines and criminal penalties.

Additionally, changes to the laws and regulations governing our operations related to permitted investments may cause us to alter our investment strategy in order to avail ourselves of new or different opportunities. Such changes could result in material differences to the strategies and plans set forth in this prospectus and may shift our investment focus from the areas of expertise of our investment adviser to other types of investments in which our investment adviser may have little or no expertise or experience. Any such changes, if they occur, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.

 

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

Our board has the authority to modify or waive certain of our operating policies and strategies without prior notice and without stockholder approval (except as required by the 1940 Act). 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 business development company. 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 of any such changes may adversely affect our business and impact our ability to make distributions.

Risks Related to our Investments

Our investments may be risky, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

We were formed in December 2011 to invest primarily in (1) first lien senior secured loans, (2) second lien senior secured loans, (3) “one-stop” senior secured or “unitranche” loans, (4) subordinated or mezzanine loans and (5) to a lesser extent, selected equity co-investments, in each case in small-cap companies in North America. The portfolio companies in which we invest usually have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the debt securities in which we invest. 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 are entitled to receive payments in respect of the debt securities in which we 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. After repaying senior creditors, the portfolio company may not have sufficient assets to repay its obligation to us in full, or at all. In the case of debt ranking equally with debt securities in which we invest, we would have to share any distributions on an equal and ratable basis with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.

Secured Loans.     When we extend first lien senior secured, second lien senior secured and unitranche loans, we will generally take a security interest in the available assets of these portfolio companies, including the equity interests of their subsidiaries. We expect this security interest 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. Also, in the case of first lien loans, our lien may be subordinated to claims of other creditors and, in the case of second lien loans, our lien will 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.

The rights we may have with respect to the collateral securing loans we make to our portfolio companies with senior debt outstanding may also be limited pursuant to the terms of one or more intercreditor agreements that we enter into with the holders of such senior debt. Under a typical intercreditor agreement, at any time that obligations that benefit from first-

 

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priority liens are outstanding, any of the following actions that may be taken in respect of the collateral will be at the direction of the holders of the obligations secured by the first-priority liens:

 

   

the ability to commence enforcement proceedings against the collateral;

 

   

the ability to control the conduct of such proceedings;

 

   

the approval of amendments to collateral documents;

 

   

releases of liens on the collateral; and

 

   

waivers of past defaults under collateral documents.

We may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if our rights are adversely affected.

Mezzanine Loans; Unsecured Loans.     Our mezzanine investments will generally be subordinated to senior loans and will generally be unsecured. This may result in greater risk and volatility or a loss of principal. These investments may involve additional risks that could adversely affect our investment returns. To the extent interest payments associated with such debt are deferred, such debt may be subject to greater fluctuations in valuations, and such debt could subject us and our stockholders to non-cash income as described above under “Risk Factors—We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.” Since, generally, we will not receive any substantial repayments of principal prior to the maturity of our mezzanine debt investments, such investments are riskier than amortizing loans.

There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from sales of collateral securing other loans of a portfolio company would be sufficient to satisfy our unsecured obligations after payment in full of all secured loan obligations. If such proceeds were not sufficient to repay the outstanding secured loan obligations, then our unsecured claims would rank equally with the unpaid portion of such secured creditors’ claims against the portfolio company’s remaining assets, if any.

Equity Investments.     We may make selected equity investments. In addition, when we invest in first lien, second lien, unitranche or mezzanine loans, we may acquire warrants to purchase equity securities. Our goal is ultimately to dispose of these equity interests and realize gains upon our disposition of such interests. However, the equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience.

We have invested, and expect in the future to invest, in securities that are rated below investment grade by rating agencies or that may be rated below investment grade if they were so rated. Below investment grade securities, which are often referred to as ‘junk bonds,’ are viewed as speculative investments because of concerns with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

We are subject to risks associated with small-cap companies.

Investing in small-cap 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;

 

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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 changing 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;

 

   

generally little public information exists about these companies, and we are required to rely on our investment adviser to obtain adequate information to evaluate the potential returns from investing in these companies;

 

   

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.

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

We are classified as a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, which means that we are not limited by the 1940 Act with respect to the proportion of our assets that we may invest in securities of a single issuer. To the extent that we assume large positions in the securities of a small number of issuers, our net asset value may fluctuate to a greater extent than that of a diversified investment company as a result of changes in the financial condition or the market’s assessment of the issuer. We may also be more susceptible to any single economic or regulatory occurrence than a diversified investment company. Beyond the asset diversification requirements associated with our qualification as a RIC under the Code and certain contractual diversification requirements imposed on us under the Credit Facility or other agreements, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification, and our investments could be concentrated in relatively few portfolio companies.

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.

Our portfolio may be concentrated in a limited number of portfolio companies and industries. Beyond the asset diversification requirements associated with our qualification as a RIC under the Code and certain contractual diversification requirements imposed on us under the Credit Facility or other agreements, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification. As a result, the aggregate returns we realize may be significantly adversely affected if a small number of investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one investment. Additionally, while we are not targeting any specific industries, our investments may be concentrated in relatively few industries. As a result, a downturn in any particular industry in which we are invested could also significantly impact the aggregate returns we realize.

 

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

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

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

Economic recessions or downturns could impair the ability of our portfolio companies to repay loans and increase our costs, which, in turn, could increase our non-performing assets, decrease the value of our portfolio, reduce our volume of new loans and otherwise harm our operating results.

The U.S. economy and that of most other countries have recently been in a recessionary period. Many of our 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 are likely to increase and the value of our portfolio is likely to decrease during these periods. Adverse economic conditions also may decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity investments. 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 making new investments, increase credit losses and harm our operating results, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

We may be subject to risks associated with syndicated loans.

From time to time, we may acquire interests in syndicated loans. Under the documentation for such loans, a financial institution or other entity typically is designated as the administrative agent and/or collateral agent. This agent is granted a lien on any collateral on behalf of the other lenders and distributes payments on the indebtedness as they are received. The agent is the party responsible for administering and enforcing the loan and generally may take actions only in accordance with the instructions of a majority or two-thirds in commitments and/or principal amount of the associated indebtedness. In most cases, we do not expect to hold a sufficient

 

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amount of the indebtedness to be able to compel any actions by the agent. For example, in many cases, our investments may represent less than the amount of associated indebtedness sufficient to compel such actions or represent subordinated debt that is precluded from acting and, consequently, we would only be able to direct such actions if instructions from us were made in conjunction with other holders of associated indebtedness that together with us compose the requisite percentage of the related indebtedness then entitled to take action. Conversely, if holders of the required amount of the associated indebtedness (not including amounts held by us) desire to take certain actions, such actions may be taken even if we did not support such actions. Furthermore, if an investment is subordinated to one or more senior loans made to the applicable obligor, our ability to exercise such rights may be subordinated to the exercise of such rights by the senior lenders. Accordingly, we may be precluded from directing such actions unless we act together with other holders of the indebtedness. If we are unable to direct such actions, we cannot assure you that the actions taken will be in our best interests.

If an investment is a syndicated revolving loan or delayed drawdown loan, other lenders may fail to satisfy their full contractual funding commitments for such loan, which could create a breach of contract, result in a lawsuit by the obligor against the lenders and adversely affect the fair market value of our investment.

There is a risk that a loan agent may become bankrupt or insolvent. Such an event would delay, and possibly impair, any enforcement actions undertaken by holders of the associated indebtedness, including attempts to realize upon the collateral securing the associated indebtedness and/or direct the agent to take actions against the related obligor or the collateral securing the associated indebtedness and actions to realize on proceeds of payments made by obligors that are in the possession or control of any other financial institution. In addition, we may be unable to remove the agent in circumstances in which removal would be in our best interests. Moreover, agented loans typically allow for the agent to resign with certain advance notice.

Our failure to make follow-on investments in our portfolio companies could impair the value of our portfolio, and our ability to make follow-on investments in certain portfolio companies may be restricted.

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

 

   

increase or maintain in whole or in part our equity ownership percentage;

 

   

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

 

   

attempt to preserve or enhance the value of our investment.

We will have the discretion to make any follow-on investments, subject to the availability of capital resources, the limitations of the 1940 Act, the requirements associated with our status as a RIC and contractual requirements imposed on us under the Credit Facility or otherwise. We may elect not to make follow-on investments or otherwise lack sufficient funds to make those investments. 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 do not want to increase our exposure to the portfolio company, because we prefer other opportunities or because we are inhibited by compliance with business development company requirements, our contractual requirements or the desire to maintain our tax status.

 

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Because we will generally not hold controlling equity interests in our portfolio companies, we will 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, we do not currently anticipate taking controlling equity positions in our portfolio companies. In addition, we may not be in a position to control any portfolio company by investing in its debt securities. As a result, we will be subject to the risk that a portfolio company may make business decisions with which we disagree, and the stockholders and management of a portfolio company may take risks or otherwise act in ways that are adverse to our interests. Due to the lack of liquidity for the debt and equity investments 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 we may therefore suffer a decrease in the value of our investments.

Defaults by our portfolio companies will 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, termination of its loans and foreclosure on its assets. This could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize such portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt or equity securities that we hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms, which may include the waiver of certain financial covenants, with a defaulting portfolio company. A payment default on a loan to a portfolio company or a default leading to the acceleration of debt of a portfolio company could cause the loan to such portfolio company held by us to become, or to be deemed to be, a defaulted obligation under the Credit Facility. This, in turn, could result in a coverage test under the Credit Facility not being met and the diversion of assets held by WhiteHorse Warehouse to pay down debt under the Credit Facility rather than to make distributions. Such a portfolio company default could also lead to an event of default and acceleration under the Credit Facility and liquidation by the related lender of the assets securing the Credit Facility. Any such diversion of cash flow or any event of default could result in our being unable to make distributions to our stockholders in amounts sufficient to maintain our status as a RIC, or at all, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, our investment adviser will not assume any responsibility to us other than to render the services called for under that agreement, and it will not be responsible for any action of our board in following or declining to follow our investment adviser’s advice or recommendations. Our investment adviser maintains a contractual, as opposed to a fiduciary, relationship with us. Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, our investment adviser, its officers, members, personnel and any person controlling or controlled by our investment adviser will not be liable to us, any subsidiary of ours, our directors, our stockholders or any subsidiary’s stockholders or partners for acts or omissions performed in accordance with and pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, except those resulting from acts constituting gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or reckless disregard of our investment adviser’s duties under the Investment Advisory Agreement. In addition, we have agreed to indemnify our investment adviser and each of its officers, directors,

 

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

Our investment adviser may be paid incentive compensation even if we incur a net loss, and we cannot recover any portion of the incentive fee previously paid.

Our investment adviser is entitled to incentive compensation for each fiscal quarter in an amount equal to a percentage of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, subject to the Hurdle Rate and a catch-up provision. Our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income excludes realized and unrealized capital losses that we may incur in the fiscal quarter, even if such capital losses result in a net loss for that quarter. Thus, we may be required to pay our investment adviser incentive compensation for a fiscal quarter even if we incur a net loss. In addition, if we pay the capital gains portion of the incentive fee and thereafter experience additional realized capital losses or unrealized capital depreciation, we will not be able to recover any portion of the incentive fee previously paid.

Our portfolio companies may prepay loans, which prepayment may reduce our yields if capital returned cannot be invested in transactions with equal or greater expected yields.

The loans in our investment portfolio may be prepayable at any time. It is not clear at this time when each loan may be prepaid. Whether a loan is prepaid will depend both on the continued positive performance of the portfolio company and the existence of favorable financing market conditions that allow such company the ability to replace existing financing with less expensive capital. As market conditions change we do not know when, and if, prepayment may be possible for each portfolio company. In the case of some of these loans, having the loan prepaid may reduce the achievable yield for us if the capital returned cannot be invested in transactions with equal or greater expected yields, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The disposition of our investments may result in contingent liabilities.

We currently expect that a significant portion of our investments will involve private securities. In connection with the disposition of an investment in a private company, we may be required to make representations about the business and financial affairs of the portfolio company typical of those made in connection with the sale of a business. We may also be required to indemnify the purchasers of such investment to the extent that any such representations turn out to be inaccurate or with respect to certain potential liabilities. These arrangements may result in contingent liabilities that ultimately yield funding obligations that must be satisfied through our return of certain distributions previously made to us.

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 borrow under a credit facility in currencies selected to minimize our foreign currency exposure or use 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 caused by these risks

 

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does not eliminate the possibility of fluctuations in the values of such positions or prevent losses if the values of such positions decline for other reasons. Such hedging transactions may also limit the opportunity for gain if the values of the underlying portfolio positions should increase. Moreover, it may not be possible to hedge against an exchange rate or interest rate fluctuation that is so generally anticipated that we are not able to enter into a hedging transaction at an acceptable price. Our ability to engage in hedging transactions may also be adversely affected by recent rules adopted by the CFTC unless we register as a commodity pool operator.

While we may enter into such transactions to seek to reduce currency exchange rate and interest rate risks, unanticipated changes in currency exchange rates or interest rates may result in poorer overall investment performance than if we had not engaged in any such hedging transactions. In addition, the degree of correlation between price movements of the instruments used in a hedging strategy and price movements in the portfolio positions being hedged may vary. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, 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.

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

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

We have also adopted measures that may make it difficult for a third party to obtain control of us, including provisions of our certificate of incorporation classifying our board in three classes serving staggered three-year terms and provisions of our certificate of incorporation authorizing our board to classify or reclassify shares of our preferred stock in one or more classes or series, to cause the issuance of additional shares of our stock and to amend our certificate of incorporation, without stockholder approval, 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 certificate of incorporation and bylaws, may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a

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we issue preferred stock, such securities would rank “senior” to common stock in our capital structure, resulting in preferred stockholders having separate voting rights, dividend and liquidation rights, and possibly other rights, preferences or privileges more favorable than those granted to holders of our common stock.

If we or one of our affiliates approved by the Lender is no longer the collateral manager under the Credit Facility or if certain change of control events occur, then an event of default will occur under the Credit Facility which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. A change of control under the Credit Facility occurs if (1) WhiteHorse Warehouse ceases to be our wholly owned subsidiary, (2) Anthony Tamer and Sami Mnaymneh, together, cease to own beneficially the power to vote a majority of the equity interests having direct or indirect ordinary voting power in our investment adviser and certain of its affiliates or (3) H.I.G. Capital Management, Inc., either directly or through its wholly owned subsidiaries or certain affiliates, ceases to provide all or substantially all of the personnel, investment committee and other services necessary for us to perform our duties as collateral manager under the Credit Facility documents. The occurrence of an event of default could result in us being unable to make distributions to our stockholders sufficient to maintain our status as a RIC or at all, terminates the reinvestment period if then in effect, permits the facility agent on behalf of the Lender to take over management of WhiteHorse Warehouse’s portfolio and to direct the liquidation of its assets, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

WhiteHorse Advisers can resign as our investment adviser on 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, results of operations and cash flows.

WhiteHorse Advisers has the right, under the Investment Advisory Agreement, to resign at any time upon not less 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 objectives may result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

WhiteHorse Administration can resign from its role as our Administrator under the Administration Agreement, and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business, results of operations and cash flows.

WhiteHorse Administration has the right to resign under the Administration Agreement, whether we have found a replacement or not. If WhiteHorse Administration resigns, we may not be able to find a new administrator or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms, or at all. If 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

 

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adversely affected and the market price of our shares may decline. In addition, the coordination of our internal management and administrative activities is likely to suffer if we are unable to identify and reach an agreement with a service provider or individuals with the expertise possessed by WhiteHorse Administration. Even if we are able to retain a comparable service provider or individuals to perform such services, whether internal or external, their integration into our business and lack of familiarity with our operations may result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Investments in securities of foreign companies, if any, may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.

We may make investments in 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.

In addition, any investments that we make that are denominated in a foreign currency will be subject to the risk that the value of a particular currency will change in relation to one or more other currencies. Among the factors that may affect currency values are trade balances, the level of short-term interest rates, differences in relative values of similar assets in different currencies, long-term opportunities for investment and capital appreciation, and political developments. 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.

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 Exchange Act, as well as additional corporate governance requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and other rules implemented by the SEC.

We are an “emerging growth company,” and we do not know if such status will make our common stock less attractive to investors.

We currently are, and following the completion of this offering expect to remain, an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or the JOBS Act, signed into law on April 5, 2012 until the earliest of:

 

   

the last day of our fiscal year ending December 31, 2017;

 

   

the year in which our total annual gross revenues first exceed $1 billion;

 

   

the date on which we have, during the prior three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt; and

 

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the last day of a fiscal year in which we (1) have an aggregate worldwide market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates of $700 million or more, computed at the end of each fiscal year as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, and (2) have been an Exchange Act reporting company for at least one year (and filed at least one annual report under the Exchange Act).

Although we are still evaluating the JOBS Act, we currently intend to take advantage of some or all of the reduced regulatory and disclosure requirements permitted by the JOBS Act and, as a result, some investors may consider our common stock less attractive, which could reduce the market value of our common stock. For example, while we are an emerging growth company, we will take advantage of exemption from the provisions of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requiring that our independent registered public accounting firm provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and the extended transition period available to emerging growth companies to comply with “new or revised accounting standards” until those standards are applicable to private companies. As a result, our financial statements may not be comparable to the financial statements of issuers who are required to comply with the effective dates for new or revised accounting standards that are applicable to public companies. This may increase the risk that material weaknesses or other deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting go undetected.

Efforts to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act will involve significant expenditures, and non-compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may adversely affect us and the market price of our common stock.

Under current SEC rules, after completion of this offering, we will be required to report on our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and related rules and regulations of the SEC, and under the JOBS Act. Thereafter, we will be required to review on an annual basis our internal control over financial reporting, and on a quarterly and annual basis to evaluate and disclose changes in our internal control over financial reporting.

As a result, we expect to incur additional expenses in the near term that may negatively impact our financial performance and our ability to make distributions. This process also will result in a diversion of management’s time and attention. We cannot be certain as to the timing of completion of our evaluation, testing and remediation actions or the impact of the same on our operations, and we may not be able to ensure that the process is effective or that our internal control over financial reporting is or will be effective in a timely manner. In the event that we are unable to maintain or achieve compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related rules, we and the market price of our common stock may be adversely affected.

We are highly dependent on information systems and systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.

Our business is highly dependent on the communications and information systems of H.I.G. Capital, to which we have access through our administrator, WhiteHorse Administration. In addition, certain of these systems are provided to H.I.G. Capital by third-party service providers. Any failure or interruption of such systems, including as a result of the termination of an agreement with any such third-party service provider, could cause delays or other problems in our activities. This, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.

 

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Risks Relating to this Offering

We cannot assure you that we will be able to deploy the proceeds of our initial public offering and the Concurrent Private Placement within the timeframe we have contemplated.

We anticipate that approximately $         million of the net proceeds of our initial public offering (after expenses of the offering of approximately $         million) and the Concurrent Private Placement will be invested in portfolio companies in accordance with our investment objectives and the strategies described in this prospectus within six to 12 months of the closing of this offering. We cannot assure you, however, that we will be able to locate a sufficient number of suitable investment opportunities to allow us to deploy those proceeds successfully in that timeframe. To the extent we are unable to invest those proceeds within our contemplated timeframe after the completion of our initial public offering, our investment income and, in turn, our results of operations, will likely be materially adversely affected. Delays in investing the proceeds of this offering may cause us to underperform other investment vehicles pursuing similar strategies.

There is a risk that you 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. Also, due to the asset coverage test applicable to us as a business development company, we may be limited in our ability to make distributions. If more stockholders opt to receive cash dividends and other distributions rather than participate in our dividend reinvestment plan, we may be forced to liquidate some of our investments and raise cash in order to make distribution payments. In addition, after the reinvestment period under the Credit Facility, asset sales proceeds, if any (including any realized gains), must be used to pay down any outstanding debt and certain other amounts prior to distributing cash from WhiteHorse Warehouse to us. Also, if certain coverage tests are not met under the Credit Facility or if an event of default and acceleration occurs under the Credit Facility, then income and capital gains which would otherwise be distributable by us to our stockholders will be diverted to pay down debt or other amounts due under the Credit Facility. All distributions will be paid at the discretion of our board and will depend on our earnings, our financial condition, maintenance of our RIC status, compliance with applicable business development company regulations and such other factors as our board may deem relevant from time to time. We cannot assure you that we will pay distributions to our stockholders in the future.

Investing in our shares may involve an above average degree of risk and is intended for long-term investors.

The investments we make in accordance with our investment objectives and strategies may result in a higher amount of risk than alternative investment options and volatility or loss of principal. Our investments in portfolio companies may be highly speculative and aggressive, and therefore, an investment in our shares may not be suitable for someone with lower risk tolerance. In addition, our common stock is intended for long-term investors and should not be treated as a trading vehicle. Our shares may trade at a price that is less than the offering price. This risk may be greater for investors who sell their shares in a relatively short period of time after completion of this offering.

 

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The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.

The market price and liquidity of the market for shares of our common stock may be significantly affected by numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating performance. These factors include:

 

   

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;

 

   

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

 

   

any loss of RIC or business development company status;

 

   

changes in earnings or variations in operating results;

 

   

changes in the value of our portfolio of investments;

 

   

changes in accounting guidelines governing valuation of our investments;

 

   

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

 

   

the inability of our investment adviser to employ additional experienced investment professionals or the departure of any of our investment adviser’s key personnel, including Messrs. Mnaymneh and Tamer;

 

   

operating performance of companies comparable to us;

 

   

general economic trends and other external factors; and

 

   

loss of a major funding source or an event of default under a material financing contract.

We may allocate the net proceeds from this offering in ways with which you may not agree.

We will have significant flexibility in investing the net proceeds of this offering. Accordingly, we may use the net proceeds from this offering in ways with which you may not agree or for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of the offering.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock, and we cannot assure you that the market price of our shares will not decline following the offering.

We cannot assure you that a trading market will develop for our common stock after this offering or, if one develops, that such trading market can be sustained. Shares of companies offered in an initial public offering often trade at a discount to the initial offering price due to underwriting discounts and related offering expenses. Also, shares of closed-end investment companies, including business development companies, frequently trade at a discount from net asset value. This characteristic of closed-end investment companies is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share may decline. We cannot predict whether our common stock will trade at, above or below net asset value.

Investors in this offering will suffer immediate dilution upon the closing of this offering.

After giving effect to the underwriting discount for this offering of $         per share and offering and organizational expenses of $         per share, upon the completion of this offering, taking into account the          shares to be issued in the Concurrent Private Placement, our net asset value per share is estimated to be approximately $         per share, compared to a price of $         per share in this offering. Accordingly, investors purchasing shares in this offering will pay a price per share of common stock that exceeds the estimated net asset value per share of common stock after this offering by $         and will bear the costs of the underwriting discount and, indirectly, other offering and organizational expenses.

 

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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.

Upon completion of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement, we will have          shares of common stock outstanding (or          shares of common stock if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is fully exercised). Following this offering and the expiration of applicable lock-up periods, sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, or the availability of such shares 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 equity securities should we desire to do so. Additionally, we will pay most of the costs associated with the registration of the shares of common stock sold by us in the Concurrent Private Placement pursuant to a registration rights agreement.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus involve risks and uncertainties, including statements as to:

 

   

our future operating results;

 

   

changes in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment or conditions affecting the financial and capital markets, which could result in changes to the value of our assets;

 

   

our business prospects and the prospects of our prospective portfolio companies;

 

   

the impact of investments that we expect to make;

 

   

the impact of increased competition;

 

   

our contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties;

 

   

the dependence of our future success on the general economy and its impact on the industries in which we invest;

 

   

the ability of our prospective portfolio companies to achieve their objectives;

 

   

the relative and absolute performance of our investment adviser;

 

   

our expected financings and investments;

 

   

our ability to pay dividends or make distributions;

 

   

the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital;

 

   

the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our prospective portfolio companies; and

 

   

the impact of future acquisitions and divestitures.

We use words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements for any reason, including the factors set forth in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus.

We have based the forward-looking statements included in this prospectus on information available to us on the date of this prospectus, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Although we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we in the future may file with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.

You should understand that under Sections 27A(b)(2)(B) and (D) of the Securities Act and Sections 21E(b)(2)(B) and (D) of the Exchange Act, the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 do not apply to statements made in connection with this offering or any periodic reports we file under the Exchange Act.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds we will receive from the sale of shares of our common stock in this offering will be approximately $         million (or approximately $         million if the underwriters fully exercise their option to purchase additional shares). This assumes, in each case, an initial public offering price of $         per share, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses of approximately $         payable by us. The amount of net proceeds may be more or less than the amount described in this prospectus depending on the public offering price of the common stock and the actual number of shares of common stock we sell in the offering, both of which will be determined at pricing. We may change the size of this offering based on demand and market conditions.

Separately, immediately prior to the closing of this offering, we expect to sell          shares of common stock to our directors and officers, our investment adviser and the managers of our investment adviser at the initial offering price of $         per share of $         in the Concurrent Private Placement. We will receive the full proceeds of this private placement, and no underwriting discounts or commissions will be paid in respect of these shares.

We plan to invest the net proceeds of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement in accordance with our investment objectives and strategies described in this prospectus and for general corporate purposes, including payment of operating expenses. We anticipate that substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement will be invested within six to 12 months of the closing of this offering, in accordance with our investment objectives and strategies, depending on the availability of appropriate investment opportunities and market conditions. The time period during which we anticipate investing such proceeds can be affected by a number of factors. For example, because we do not intend to invest in securities that are traded on a securities exchange or for which there is public information available, we anticipate that our investment adviser will need to conduct extensive due diligence and to negotiate individualized terms prior to entering into each investment. We cannot assure you we will achieve our targeted investment pace.

Pending these investments, we intend to invest the remaining net proceeds of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment. During the period when the proceeds of this offering are not fully invested, we expect that our investment earnings, and hence the return to shareholders, will be lower than after we are fully invested. See “Regulation—Temporary Investments” for additional information about temporary investments we may make while waiting to make longer-term investments in pursuit of our investment objectives.

 

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DISTRIBUTIONS

We intend to make quarterly distributions to our stockholders. The timing and amount of our quarterly distributions, if any, will be determined by our board. Any distributions to our stockholders will be declared out of assets legally available for distribution.

Our board intends to declare a distribution of approximately $         per share, payable at or near the end of the fourth calendar quarter of 2012. This distribution is contingent upon the completion of this offering during the fourth calendar quarter of 2012. The amount of any such distribution will be proportionately reduced to reflect the number of days remaining in the quarter after the completion of this offering. We anticipate that this distribution will be paid from income primarily generated by interest and dividend income earned on our investment portfolio. The specific tax characteristics of our distributions each year will be reported to stockholders after the end of the calendar year.

We intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. To obtain RIC tax benefits, 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 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 on which we paid no U.S. federal income tax.

To the extent that we pay our required distributions and such distributions are in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, such excess distributions will be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of a stockholder’s tax basis in his or her shares and then as capital gain. Reducing a stockholder’s tax basis will have the effect of increasing his or her gain (or reducing loss) on a subsequent sale of shares.

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. In such event, the consequences of our retention of net capital gains are as described under “Tax Matters.”

We can offer no assurance that we will achieve future results that will permit the payment of any cash distributions. The amount, if any, of distributions will depend on a number of factors, including our actual and projected results of operations, liquidity, cash flows and financial conditions, the revenue we actually receive from our investments, our operating expenses and our debt service requirements. In addition, under the terms of the Credit Facility, the Unsecured Term Loan and any other senior securities we may issue, we may or 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.

We intend to monitor and, to the extent practicable, maintain a leverage ratio that is consistent with the leverage ratio maintained by other listed business development companies.

We intend to maintain an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for our common stockholders. As a result, if we declare a dividend or other distribution, then stockholders’ cash distributions 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 distributions. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth, as of September 30, 2012:

 

   

the actual consolidated capitalization of WhiteHorse Finance;

 

   

the pro forma consolidated capitalization of WhiteHorse Finance, Inc. after giving effect to: (a) the Changes to the Portfolio, (b) our borrowing under the Unsecured Term Loan and (c) the Distribution to the Members of $[        ], as contemplated in this prospectus and (d) the completion of the BDC Conversion, including the conversion of all outstanding units in WhiteHorse Finance, LLC into shares of common stock of WhiteHorse Finance, Inc., in each case as if such transactions had occurred as of September 30, 2012; and

 

   

the pro forma consolidated capitalization of WhiteHorse Finance as adjusted to reflect the sale of shares of our common stock in this offering at an assumed public offering price of $         per share (the estimated initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus) after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated organization and offering expenses of approximately $         million payable by us and the sale of          shares in the Concurrent Private Placement at the same assumed offering price per share.

 

     As of September 30, 2012  
     Actual      Pro Forma(1)      Pro Forma
as Adjusted(2)
 
     (Unaudited)      (Unaudited)      (Unaudited)  
     (dollars in thousands except per unit and
per share data)
 

Assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 53,458       $                        $                    

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

     2,386         

Investments at fair value

     288,909         

Other assets

     11,892         
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 356,645       $         $     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

        

Credit facility

   $ 51,250         

Unsecured term loan

             

Other liabilities

     4,731         
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 55,981         
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Members’ Capital Units, 100,000,000 authorized, 23,983,586 issued and outstanding:

        

Net assets

   $ 300,664         

Stockholders’ equity:

        

Common stock, par value $0.001 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding, actual; shares issued and outstanding, pro forma; and shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted

           $         $     

Capital in excess of par

             

Total stockholders’ equity

             
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pro forma net asset value per share

             

 

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(1) Gives pro forma effect to (A) the Changes to the Portfolio, which include (i) our investment of $17.5 million into a new loan origination, (ii) an additional investment of $2.8 million into an existing portfolio company, (iii) the refinancing of our investment in one of our portfolio companies having a fair value of $40.7 million as of September 30, 2012, (iv) the additional draw of $1.1 million on a previously undrawn delayed draw facility by one of our portfolio companies, (v) the partial sale of our investment in one portfolio company at par with a corresponding fair value of $6.5 million as of September 30, 2012, and (vi) the full paydown of our investment in one portfolio company with a fair value of $34.4 million as of September 30, 2012, (B) our borrowing under the Unsecured Term Loan, (C) the Distribution to the Members, and (D) the completion of the BDC Conversion.
(2)

Adjusts the pro forma information to give effect to this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement and the application of the proceeds from such security issuances, as described under “Use of Proceeds.”

 

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DILUTION

The dilution to investors in this offering is represented by the difference between the offering price per share and the pro forma net asset value per share after this offering. Net asset value per share is determined by dividing our net asset value, which is our total tangible assets less total liabilities, by the number of outstanding shares of common stock.

As of September 30, 2012, we had          shares outstanding, and our net asset value was $         million, or approximately $         per share of common stock (after giving effect to each of the pro forma adjustments set forth under “Capitalization”). After giving effect to the sale of the shares to be sold in this offering and the deduction of discounts and estimated expenses of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement, our pro forma net asset value would have been approximately $         million, or $         per share, representing an immediate decrease in net asset value of $         per share, or         %, to shares sold in this offering.

The following table illustrates the dilution to the shares on a per share basis:

 

Assumed initial public offering price per share

   $                

Net asset value upon completion of the Formation Transactions

   $     

Increase in net asset value attributable to this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement

   $     

Pro forma net asset value after this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement

   $     

Dilution to new stockholders (without exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares)

   $     

The following table sets forth information with respect to the shares prior to and following this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement (without exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares):

 

     Shares
Purchased
    Total
Consideration
    Average
Price
Per Share
     Number        %     Amount        %      

Shares outstanding upon completion of the Formation Transactions

                            

Shares to be sold in this offering

                            

Shares to be sold in the Concurrent Private Placement

                            
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Total

     100     100.0  

The pro forma net asset value upon completion of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement is calculated as follows:

 

Numerator:

  

Net asset value upon completion of the Formation Transactions

   $            

Assumed proceeds from this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement (after deduction of underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by us)

   $     

Net Asset value upon completion of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement

   $     

Denominator:

  

Shares outstanding upon completion of the Formation Transactions

  

Shares included in this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement

  

 

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SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION

The selected financial and other information below should be read in conjunction with our “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto. Financial information at September 30, 2012 and for the nine months then ended has been derived from our unaudited financial statements. Financial information at January 1, 2012 was derived from our financial statement that was audited by Crowe Horwath LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm.

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2012

(unaudited)
    Period from December 28,
2011 (commencement of
operations) through
January 1, 2012

(unaudited)
 
     (dollars in thousands)     (dollars in thousands)  

Income statement data:

    

Net investment income

   $ 28,474        N/A   

Total expenses

     387        N/A   

Other data:

    

Net investment yield(1)

     15.31     N/A   

Number of portfolio companies at period end

     12        8   
     At September 30, 2012
(dollars in thousands
except per unit data)
(unaudited)
    At January 1, 2012
(dollars in thousands
except per unit data)
(audited)
 

Balance sheet data:

    

Investments, fair value

   $ 288,909      $ 176,286   

Cash and cash equivalents

     53,458          

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

     2,386          

Total assets

     356,645      $ 176,286   

Credit facility

     51,250          

Total liabilities

   $ 55,981          

Members’ capital, units issued and outstanding

     23,983,586        11,752,383   

Per unit data:

    

Members’ capital per unit(2)

   $ 12.54      $ 15.00   

 

(1) Net investment yield is calculated based on annualized net investment income, which includes interest income and excludes realized and unrealized gains on investments, divided by weighted average Members’ capital.
(2)

Based on 23,983,586 units of WhiteHorse Finance outstanding as of September 30, 2012 and 11,752,383 units of WhiteHorse Finance outstanding as of January 1, 2012. Each of the outstanding units of WhiteHorse Finance will be converted into [            ] shares of common stock of WhiteHorse Finance in connection with the BDC Conversion, which is expected to be completed immediately prior to the closing of this offering. Upon the completion of the BDC Conversion, we expect Members’ capital to be $[    ] per share of common stock.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and other parts of this prospectus contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. The discussion and analysis contained in this section refers to the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of WhiteHorse Finance, LLC. Prior to the completion of this offering, WhiteHorse Finance, LLC will convert into WhiteHorse Finance, Inc. and file an election to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act. Please see “Risk Factors” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with this discussion and analysis. 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 this prospectus.

Overview

We are a newly organized, externally managed, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that intends to file an election to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act. In addition, for tax purposes, we intend to elect to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.

We are a direct lender targeting debt investments in privately held, small-cap companies located in North America. We define the small-cap market as those companies with enterprise values between $50 million and $350 million. Our investment objective is to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns primarily by originating and investing in senior secured loans, including first lien and second lien facilities, to performing small-cap companies across a broad range of industries that typically carry a floating interest rate based on LIBOR plus a spread and will have a term of three to six years. While we intend to focus principally on originating senior secured loans to small-cap companies, we may also opportunistically make investments at other levels of a company’s capital structure, including mezzanine loans or equity interests, and in companies outside of the small-cap market, to the extent we believe the investment presents an opportunity to achieve an attractive risk-adjusted return. We also may receive warrants to purchase common stock in connection with our debt investments. We expect to generate current income through the receipt of interest payments, as well as origination and other fees, capital appreciation and dividends.

Our investment activities are managed by WhiteHorse Advisers and supervised by our board, a majority of whom are independent of us, WhiteHorse Advisers and its affiliates. Under our Investment Advisory Agreement, we have agreed to pay WhiteHorse Advisers an annual base management fee based on our average consolidated gross assets as well as an incentive fee based on our investment performance. We have also entered into an Administration Agreement with WhiteHorse Administration. Under our Administration Agreement, we have agreed to reimburse WhiteHorse Administration for our allocable portion (subject to the review and approval of our independent directors) of overhead and other expenses incurred by WhiteHorse Administration in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement.

As of September 30, 2012, our existing investment portfolio consisted of senior secured loans and senior notes across twelve positions with an aggregate fair value of $288.9 million and a par value of $292.0 million. As of that date, the majority of our portfolio was comprised of senior secured loans to small-cap borrowers. As of September 30, 2012, our portfolio had an average investment size of $24.3 million, with investment sizes ranging from $1.5 million to

 

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$62.0 million, a weighted average unlevered cash current yield of 13.9%, and a yield to maturity of 16.9%, with yields to maturity ranging from 9.7% to 30.4%. Yield to maturity is calculated based on the cost of purchased investments or the fair value of contributed investments, in each case on the date of purchase or contribution, as applicable; and uses the relevant published LIBOR curve as of such date; and assumes (i) all scheduled interest payments are made as scheduled and (ii) each investment is held to maturity with no prepayments or losses and is repaid at par upon maturity. Also as of September 30, 2012, the weighted average remaining term of our debt investments was approximately 2.8 years, with remaining terms ranging from 0.8 years to 5.0 years.

Revenues

We plan to generate revenue in the form of interest payable on the debt securities that we hold and capital gains and distributions, if any, on the warrants or other equity interests that we may acquire in portfolio companies. We expect our debt investments, whether in the form of senior secured loans or mezzanine loans, to have a term of three to six years and typically to bear interest at a fixed or floating rate based on LIBOR. Interest on debt securities will be payable generally monthly or quarterly, with the amortization of principal generally being deferred for several years from the date of the initial investment. In some cases, we will also defer payments of interest for the first few years after our investment. The principal amount of the debt securities and any accrued but unpaid interest will generally become due at the maturity date. In addition, we may generate revenue in the form of commitment, origination, structuring or diligence fees, fees for providing managerial assistance and possibly consulting fees. We capitalize loan origination fees, original issue discount and market discount, and we then amortize such amounts as interest income. Upon the prepayment of a loan or debt security, we record any unamortized loan origination fees as interest income. We record prepayment premiums on loans and debt securities as interest income when we receive such amounts.

Expenses

Our primary operating expenses subsequent to the completion of this offering will include the payment of (1) investment advisory fees to WhiteHorse Advisers; (2) the allocable portion of overhead under the Administration Agreement; (3) the interest expense on our outstanding debt; and (4) other operating costs as detailed below. Our investment advisory fees will compensate our investment adviser for its work in identifying, evaluating, negotiating, consummating and monitoring our investments. See “The Adviser and the Administrator.”

We will bear all other costs and expenses of our operations and transactions, including:

 

   

our organization;

 

   

calculating our net asset value and net asset value per share (including the costs and expenses of independent valuation firms);

 

   

fees and expenses, including travel expenses, incurred by WhiteHorse Advisers or payable to third parties in performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies, monitoring our investments and, if necessary, enforcing our rights;

 

   

interest payable on debt incurred to finance our investments;

 

   

the costs of this and all future offerings of common shares and other securities, and other incurrences of debt;

 

   

the base management fee and any management fee;

 

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distributions on our shares;

 

   

administration fees payable to WhiteHorse Administration under the Administration Agreement;

 

   

the allocated costs incurred by WhiteHorse Administration as our administrator in providing managerial assistance to those portfolio companies that request it;

 

   

transfer agent and custody fees and expenses;

 

   

amounts payable to third parties relating to, or associated with, evaluating, making and disposing of investments;

 

   

brokerage fees and commissions;

 

   

registration fees;

 

   

listing fees;

 

   

taxes;

 

   

independent director fees and expenses;

 

   

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

 

   

the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to our stockholders, including printing costs;

 

   

costs of holding stockholder meetings;

 

   

our fidelity bond;

 

   

directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance and any other insurance premiums;

 

   

litigation, indemnification and other non-recurring or extraordinary expenses;

 

   

direct costs and expenses of administration and operation, including audit and legal costs;

 

   

fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts, including deal sourcing and payments to financial sponsors;

 

   

dues, fees and charges of any trade association of which we are a member; and

 

   

all other expenses reasonably incurred by us or WhiteHorse Administration in connection with administering our business, such as the allocable portion of overhead under our Administration Agreement, including rent and our allocable portion of the costs and expenses of our chief compliance officer, chief financial officer, chief operating officer and their respective staffs.

Recent Developments

Our Formation.     We were formed in December 2011. The Members contributed assets to us with a fair value of $176.3 million as of January 1, 2012 in exchange for units in WhiteHorse Finance, LLC. For this initial formation transaction, we retained an independent, third-party valuation firm to provide the fair value of such contributed assets as of the date of such contribution, except in the case of one asset contributed on January 1, 2012. In this case, the fair value was determined based on an internal valuation methodology as the result of its acquisition in a recent arm’s length transaction with an unaffiliated third party.

 

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Credit Facility.     On September 27, 2012, WhiteHorse Warehouse, as the borrower, entered into a $150 million secured revolving credit facility with the Lender. The Credit Facility has a stated maturity date of September 27, 2020. Our ability to draw under the Credit Facility is scheduled to terminate 24 months after the closing date of the Credit Facility. On September 27, 2012, WhiteHorse Warehouse drew $51.3 million under that facility. The Credit Facility is secured by all of the assets of WhiteHorse Warehouse, which includes nine loans with a fair value of $198.1 million, as of September 30, 2012. We expect to cause WhiteHorse Warehouse to continue to acquire and finance primarily senior secured loans in a manner consistent with our investment strategy. WhiteHorse Warehouse will not originate loans. Rather, we expect to originate and acquire loans and transfer to WhiteHorse Warehouse some of the loans that meet the objective requirements described elsewhere in this prospectus. WhiteHorse Warehouse is consolidated with us for accounting purposes and for purposes of our compliance with the asset coverage test under the 1940 Act. In connection with the Credit Facility, we and WhiteHorse Warehouse entered into the Loan Sale Agreement and the Collateral Management Agreement and we entered into the Risk Retention Letter. As of September 30, 2012, we had $51.3 million in outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility.

Unsecured Term Loan.     On November [    ], 2012, we entered into the $90.0 million Unsecured Term Loan. The Unsecured Term Loan has a stated maturity date of July 3, 2014. Under the terms of the Unsecured Term Loan, with respect to which we pledged no collateral to the lenders, we are required to pay interest monthly at an annual rate of LIBOR plus 2.75% per year, except at our option and under certain other circumstances at one of several other interest rates. The Unsecured Term Loan is subject to customary covenants and events of default, such as failure to pay the principal of, or interest on, the Unsecured Term Loan, certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur or a payment default under certain of our other debt obligations. The Unsecured Term Loan includes customary restrictions that limit our ability to pay dividends under certain circumstances, to merge with another entity unless we are the surviving entity following the merger and to amend our organizational documents. One of our Members, Loan Fund II, has guaranteed our obligation to make payments under the Unsecured Term Loan.

Distribution to the Members .    On November [    ], 2012, we made a single, one-time distribution of $[            ] million to the Members. This distribution was funded with the proceeds from the Credit Facility and the Unsecured Term Loan as well as cash generated from the ordinary course of business. The Distribution to the Members represents, in effect, a reduction in the amount of the Members’ initial equity contribution and the replacement of such equity contribution with debt capital from unaffiliated third parties.

BDC Conversion.     Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, WhiteHorse Finance, LLC intends to convert into a Delaware corporation, WhiteHorse Finance, Inc., and all of the outstanding units in WhiteHorse Finance, LLC will be converted into shares of common stock in WhiteHorse Finance, Inc. As part of the BDC Conversion, the Members will receive an aggregate of [            ] shares of our common stock in exchange for the 23,983,586 units they own in us, representing an estimated equivalent price of $[        ] per share based on the fair value of the assets contributed by the Members in connection with our formation, as determined by our board.

Recent Changes to the Portfolio.     On October 9, 2012, we sold $6.5 million of principal in TCO Funding Corp’s senior secured term loan that had a fair value of $6.5 million as of September 30, 2012. As a result of this transaction, we received $6.5 million in proceeds. After giving effect to this sale, our principal balance in TCO Funding Corp’s senior secured term loan is $17.7 million.

 

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On October 10, 2012, we committed to invest $2.8 million to acquire an additional $2.7 million of principal in St. John Knits International, Inc.’s senior secured term loan. After giving effect to this additional investment, our principal balance in St. John Knits International, Inc.’s senior secured term loan is $11.7 million.

On October 15, 2012, our investment in Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.’s senior secured term loan, which had a principal balance of $41.7 million and a fair value of $40.7 million as of September 30, 2012, was refinanced at par. As a result of this transaction, we received $41.7 million in proceeds, of which we invested $17.5 million in a new Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. senior secured term loan on October 15, 2012. As of October 15, 2012, this new loan’s contractual principal outstanding was $17.5 million. The terms of the new senior secured term loan include a cash interest rate of LIBOR + 11.00% with a floor of 2.00% and a maturity date of October 15, 2018.

On October 25, 2012, we funded our investment in AGS LLC’s initial delayed draw loan in the amount of $1.1 million. After giving effect to this additional investment, our principal balance in AGS LLC’s senior secured term loan is $18.4 million, with an outstanding commitment to fund a secondary AGS LLC delayed draw loan in the amount of $1.1 million.

On November 1, 2012, our investment in Hilex Poly Co., LLC’s senior secured term loan, which had a principal balance of $33.4 million and a fair value of $34.4 million, was refinanced at 102.0%. As a result of this transaction, we received $34.1 million in proceeds.

After giving effect to these Changes to the Portfolio, our investment portfolio as of September 30, 2012, on a pro forma basis, has an aggregate fair value of $228.7 million and a par value of $231.7 million, with an average investment size of $21.1 million, a weighted average unlevered cash current yield of 14.5% and a yield to maturity of 18.1%.

Hedging

To the extent that any of our loans 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 settling them, if any, will be borne by us. Our ability to engage in hedging transactions may be adversely affected by recent rules adopted by the CFTC unless we register as a commodity pool operator.

Calculation of Net Asset Value

As of September 30, 2012, our total assets were $356.6 million. Our board has retained an independent valuation firm to review the valuation of each portfolio investment that does not have a readily available market quotation. We plan for this independent valuation firm and any such additional firm retained by our board to provide a valuation review on 25% of our investments for which market quotations are not readily available each quarter subsequent to September 30, 2012 to ensure that the fair value of each investment for which a market quote is not readily available is reviewed by an independent valuation firm at least once during each 12-month period. However, our board does not intend to cause de minimis investments of less than 2.0% of our total assets (up to an aggregate of 10% of our total assets) to be independently reviewed. Ultimately, however, our board is solely responsible for determining the fair value of our assets using a documented valuation policy and consistently applied valuation process. See “Determination of Net Asset Value.” As of September 30, 2012, our investment portfolio consisted only of Level 3 assets.

 

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Investment Activity and Yield

As of September 30, 2012, our existing investment portfolio consisted of senior secured loans and senior notes across twelve positions with an aggregate fair value of $288.9 million and a par value of $292.0 million. As of that date, the majority of our portfolio was comprised of senior secured loans to small-cap borrowers. As of September 30, 2012, our portfolio had an average investment size of $24.3 million, with investment sizes ranging from $1.5 million to $62.0 million, a weighted average unlevered cash current yield of 13.9% and a yield to maturity of 16.9%, with yields to maturity ranging from 9.7% to 30.4%. Yield to maturity is calculated based on the cost of purchased investments or the fair value of contributed investments, in each case on the date of purchase or contribution, as applicable; and uses the relevant published LIBOR curve as of such date; and assumes (i) all scheduled interest payments are made as scheduled and (ii) each investment is held to maturity with no prepayments or losses and is repaid at par upon maturity. Also as of September 30, 2012, the weighted average remaining term of our debt investments was approximately 2.8 years, with the remaining terms ranging from 0.8 years to 5.0 years. As of September 30, 2012, all of our floating positions had interest rate floors that limit minimum interest rates on such loans.

 

     Yield to
Maturity
    Weighted
Average
Unlevered
Current Cash
Yield
    Weighted
Average
Remaining Term
 

WhiteHorse Finance Portfolio as of September 30, 2012

     16.9     13.9     2.8 years   

Small Business Investment Company

An affiliate of WhiteHorse Finance may apply for a license to form a Small Business Investment Company, or SBIC. If the application is approved and the Small Business Administration, or SBA so permits, the SBIC license will be transferred to a wholly owned subsidiary of ours, or the “SBIC subsidiary.” The SBIC subsidiary will be able to rely on an exclusion from the definition of investment company under the 1940 Act, and, therefore, will not elect to be treated as a business development company, nor register as an investment company under the 1940 Act. If this application is approved, the SBIC subsidiary will have an investment objective substantially similar to ours and will make similar types of investments in accordance with SBIC regulations.

To the extent that we, through the SBIC subsidiary, have an SBIC license, the SBIC subsidiary will be allowed to issue SBA-guaranteed debentures, subject to certain regulatory requirements. In addition, if we are able to obtain financing under the SBIC program, our SBIC subsidiary will be subject to regulation and oversight by the SBA, including requirements with respect to maintaining certain minimum financial ratios and other covenants. In the event an affiliate of WhiteHorse Finance applies for a license to form a SBIC, we cannot be certain such approval will be granted or, if granted, the timing of approval for an SBIC license.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

As a business development company, we expect to distribute substantially all of our net income to our stockholders. We will generate cash primarily from the net proceeds of this offering 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. We expect to fund a portion of our investments through future borrowings under the Credit Facility. In the future, we may obtain

 

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borrowings under other credit facilities and issuances of senior securities. We may also borrow funds subsequent to this offering to the extent we determine that additional capital would allow us to take advantage of additional investment opportunities, if the market for debt financing presents attractively priced debt financing opportunities, or if our board determines that leveraging our portfolio would be in our best interest and the best interests of our stockholders.

In the future, we may also securitize a portion of our investments in mezzanine loans or senior secured loans or other assets. We expect that our primary uses of funds will be to make investments in portfolio companies, distribute cash to holders of our common stock and pay our operating expenses, including debt service to the extent we borrow or issue other senior securities to fund our investments. Immediately after this offering and the consummation of the related transactions, we expect to have cash resources of approximately $            million and $            indebtedness. This amount does not take into account proceeds, if any, from the exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares. See “Use of Proceeds.”

We intend to monitor and, to the extent practicable, maintain a leverage ratio that is consistent with the leverage ratio maintained by other listed business development companies.

Credit Facility

On September 27, 2012, WhiteHorse Warehouse, our wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into a $150 million secured revolving Credit Facility with the Lender, which is a commercial paper conduit for which Natixis, New York Branch, provides liquidity support, to finance the business of WhiteHorse Warehouse in acquiring, managing and financing loans consistent with our investment strategy. On September 27, 2012, WhiteHorse Warehouse drew $51.3 million under that facility. As of September 30, 2012, we had $51.3 million in outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility and $2.6 million was available to be drawn. The Credit Facility is secured by all of the assets of WhiteHorse Warehouse, which includes nine loans with a fair value of $198.1 million as of September 30, 2012. In connection with the Credit Facility:

 

   

we and WhiteHorse Warehouse entered into the Loan Sale Agreement, under which we transferred eight of our loans that met certain objective criteria, and pursuant to which we expect to contribute, or transfer through partial equity contributions and partial cash sales, additional loans in the future that meet these criteria, to WhiteHorse Warehouse;

 

   

we and WhiteHorse Warehouse entered into the Collateral Management Agreement, pursuant to which we have agreed to act as collateral manager for WhiteHorse Warehouse; and

 

   

we entered into the Risk Retention Letter, under which we have agreed to own (A) an unhedged net equity interest in WhiteHorse Warehouse equal to at least 5% of its aggregate assets and (B) all of the equity interests in WhiteHorse Warehouse and to take any further actions that may be necessary to comply with a directive promulgated by the European Union relating to certain securitization transactions. These obligations will continue for the life of the Credit Facility.

Our ability to draw under the Credit Facility is scheduled to terminate 24 months after the closing date of the Credit Facility. Our ability to draw under the Credit Facility may also terminate earlier upon the occurrence of certain events, including, among other events, (a) an acceleration of the Credit Facility after an event of default, (b) the occurrence of certain change of control events with respect to us or WhiteHorse Warehouse, (c) if we are no longer the collateral manager for WhiteHorse Warehouse or (d) if WhiteHorse Warehouse elects to terminate and pay amounts owing under the Credit Facility in full or (e) if we or WhiteHorse Warehouse, or any of our or its

 

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executive officers, are indicted for a criminal offense materially related to the performance under the Credit Facility documentation or similar investment advisory services. WhiteHorse Advisers, as our investment adviser pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, will provide to us personnel to enable us to perform the collateral management services that we have contracted to provide under the Collateral Management Agreement. Our investment advisor is not entitled to receive any fees for these services other than those provided to it under the Investment Advisory Agreement. All amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility are scheduled to mature on September 27, 2020. Other than as described below in this paragraph, each loan made under the Credit Facility bears interest at an applicable commercial paper rate plus 2.25% (if the Lender is a commercial conduit which has funded the loan through the issuance of commercial paper) or at LIBOR plus 2.75% (if the Lender is not a commercial paper conduit or has not otherwise funded the loan through the issuance of commercial paper). Given that the Lender is currently a commercial paper conduit established or administered by Natixis, New York Branch, we anticipate that the interest rate under the Credit Facility will be based upon the applicable commercial paper rate, which as of September 30, 2012 was 0.497%. At the expiration of the reinvestment period in 24 months, the interest rate will increase by 0.50%. Following an event of default, the interest rate applicable on obligations under the Credit Facility that are not paid when due will increase by 2.00% per annum. If the commercial paper rate or LIBOR cannot be determined or it is illegal for a Lender to charge such rate, then the interest rate applicable under the Credit Facility will be a base rate equal to the highest of the prime rate as announced in The Wall Street Journal, the federal funds rate plus 0.50% or a specified LIBOR, in each case as defined in the Credit Facility.

Under the investment company rules and regulations pursuant to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Audit and Accounting Guide for Investment Companies, codified in FASB ASC Topic 946, Financial Services-Investment Companies, or ASC 946, we are precluded from consolidating any entity other than another investment company. We generally consolidate any investment company when we own 100% of its partners’ or members’ capital or equity units. We own 100% of the equity interests in WhiteHorse Warehouse, which is deemed to be an investment company. As a result, we intend to consolidate the accounts of WhiteHorse Warehouse into our financial statements, and we treat the debt of WhiteHorse Warehouse as our debt for purposes of determining compliance with the asset coverage test under the 1940 Act.

Under the Loan Sale Agreement, we sold and/or contributed to WhiteHorse Warehouse all of our ownership interest in such loans for the purchase price and other consideration set forth in the Loan Sale Agreement. These transfers were structured by their terms to provide limited recourse to us by WhiteHorse Warehouse relating to certain representations and warranties with respect to certain characteristics, including title and quality, of the portfolio loans that were transferred to WhiteHorse Warehouse.

Under the terms of the Credit Facility, the pool of loans held by WhiteHorse Warehouse must meet certain quality and diversification requirements, including with respect to asset mix, concentration, the nature of the borrower, collateral coverage, term, agency rating, minimum coupon for fixed-rate loans, minimum spread for floating rate loans, sector diversity and other requirements. These are primarily objective requirements determined by the constraints of the market for collateralized loan obligations and rated loan-backed structured finance debt transactions in the United States. Because not all of our portfolio loans met these criteria, only certain of our loans were transferred to WhiteHorse Warehouse.

The obligations of WhiteHorse Warehouse under the Credit Facility are limited recourse obligations of WhiteHorse Warehouse payable solely from the collateral and, following realization of the collateral, and application of the proceeds thereof in accordance with the priority of payments all obligations of and any claims against WhiteHorse Warehouse in connection with the Credit Facility after such realization shall be extinguished and shall not revive again.

 

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A special purpose financing vehicle such as WhiteHorse Warehouse typically has a collateral manager responsible for providing investment advisory and asset management services to it. We currently act as collateral manager for WhiteHorse Warehouse pursuant to the Collateral Management Agreement. However, as collateral manager under the Collateral Management Agreement, we could be held liable for, and have agreed to indemnify certain parties under the Credit Facility with respect to, actual damages and certain other amounts resulting from our bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence or fraud in our performance of our duties as collateral manager under the Credit Facility documents or, as a result of our reckless disregard in our performance of such duties. In addition, if we breach any of our representations, warranties or obligations under the Loan Sale and Contribution Agreement, we may be subject to suit with respect to such breach. Any breach by WhiteHorse Warehouse or by us as collateral manager under a Credit Facility document to which either of us is a party could have a material adverse effect on WhiteHorse Warehouse or on the ability of either WhiteHorse Warehouse or us to perform our respective obligations under the Credit Facility documents or be an event of default under the Credit Facility.

As collateral manager, we intend to select the loans that will be acquired by WhiteHorse Warehouse in accordance with the criteria set forth under the Credit Facility. In our capacity as collateral manager, we intend to monitor the financial condition of the borrowers under the loans held by WhiteHorse Warehouse in accordance with WhiteHorse Warehouse’s investment objective and the Credit Facility documents. As collateral manager, so long as no event of default exists and subject to certain restrictions, we expect to manage WhiteHorse Warehouse’s assets and make decisions regarding sales of its assets. However, limitations under the Credit Facility will impair our ability to sell investments owned by WhiteHorse Warehouse, and we may not be able to sell such investments. WhiteHorse Advisers has also agreed to provide us with access to personnel and an investment committee so that we may fulfill our obligations as the collateral manager to WhiteHorse Warehouse under the Credit Facility.

The Credit Facility is secured by all of the assets held by WhiteHorse Warehouse. Under the Credit Facility, we and WhiteHorse Warehouse, as applicable, are required to make certain customary representations and warranties, agree to certain indemnities, and comply with various covenants, servicing standards, limitations on acquisitions and dispositions of assets, reporting requirements and other customary requirements for similar credit facilities. The Credit Facility includes customary events of default for credit facilities of this nature, including breaches of certain representations, warranties or covenants by WhiteHorse Warehouse or by us, insolvency events affecting WhiteHorse Warehouse or us, the occurrence of a change in control, failure to maintain certain overcollateralization ratios required under the Credit Facility, if we or an approved affiliate or successor collateral manager cease to act as collateral manager, if we or one of our executive officers commits fraud or is indicted for a felony with respect to the Credit Facility or if we, one of our investment advisory affiliates or any of their respective executive officers commits fraud or is indicted for a felony in the performance of similar investment advisory services for others. If we or one of our affiliates approved by the Lender is no longer the collateral manager under the Credit Facility documents or if certain change in control events occur with respect to us or WhiteHorse Warehouse, as further described in this prospectus, then an event of default will occur under the Credit Facility, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Under the terms of the Collateral Management Agreement, under certain circumstances, we may be terminated as collateral manager for cause by the Lender, which may result in an event of default under the Credit Facility. The occurrence of an event of default could, among other consequences, (a) prevent us from making distributions to our stockholders sufficient to maintain our status as a RIC, or at all, (b) terminate the reinvestment period under the Credit Facility, if it is then in effect, and (c) permit the

 

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facility agent to assume the management of WhiteHorse Warehouse’s portfolio and to direct the liquidation of its assets. Any of these developments could or would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, the Lender may exercise customary remedies, including declaring all amounts due and payable under the Credit Facility, blocking distributions in respect of the equity of WhiteHorse Warehouse or selling assets, including selling assets at a lower price than what might otherwise be achieved in an orderly liquidation.

Under the Credit Facility, there are two coverage tests that WhiteHorse Warehouse must meet on certain compliance dates specified in the Credit Facility documents in order to permit WhiteHorse Warehouse to make borrowings under the Credit Facility and to make equity distributions to us in the ordinary course: an interest coverage test and an overcollateralization test. To meet the interest coverage test, WhiteHorse Warehouse must receive interest payments on the loans it holds in an aggregate amount equal to at least 200% of the interest payable to the Lender plus certain capped fees, expenses and indemnities. The overcollateralization test compares, at any given time, the borrowing base under the Credit Facility to (1) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Lender advances, (2) the excess of certain unfunded commitments on loans over the amount reserved with respect to such loans and (3) the amount due for any unsettled purchases of loans at such time. To meet the overcollateralization test, this ratio must exceed a minimum specified amount set forth in the Credit Facility. If either of these coverage tests is not met on a determination date, then WhiteHorse Warehouse must apply all of the cash available under the priority of payments in the Credit Facility to pay down principal under the Credit Facility and, at the collateral manager’s option, to make deposits into an unfunded commitment reserve account until such coverage tests are satisfied. If we fail to receive cash from WhiteHorse Warehouse, we may be unable to make distributions to our stockholders in amounts sufficient to maintain our status as a RIC, or at all.

To the extent that WhiteHorse Warehouse suffers any losses as a result of losses on the loans and other assets it owns or as a result of any action taken by the Lender or its agents under the Credit Facility or otherwise, such losses will be borne first by us as equity owner of WhiteHorse Warehouse.

In addition, the Credit Facility requires that collections and proceeds received with respect to WhiteHorse Warehouse’s assets be invested in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature no later than the business day before the next quarterly payment date pending either reinvestment during the reinvestment period, deposit into the unfunded commitment reserve account (and while in such reserve account will be invested in such high-quality short term investments) or otherwise distributed in accordance with the applicable priority of payments under the Credit Facility. These high-quality investments are expected to have lower yields than the loans owned by WhiteHorse Warehouse and, accordingly, may result in lower distributions to us as equity owner of WhiteHorse Warehouse.

We elected to have our subsidiary, WhiteHorse Warehouse, enter into the Credit Facility because its structure enabled us to incur lower borrowing costs than would be available using alternative financing structures, such as a traditional secured loan facility. These lower borrowing costs indirectly benefit our stockholders by reducing our consolidated interest expense. From the standpoint of the borrower, the Credit Facility structure is analogous to a secured credit facility, in that WhiteHorse Warehouse has pledged certain loan assets as collateral against its obligation to repay money borrowed under the Credit Facility. However, because the loans serving as collateral under the Credit Facility are isolated in a special purpose financing entity, WhiteHorse Warehouse, the lender under the Credit Facility faces a relatively lower risk that other creditors could benefit from claims against such collateral in the event of our bankruptcy. In addition, this financing

 

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structure insulates the lender under the Credit Facility against credit losses that we may experience in respect of portfolio assets that do not serve as collateral under the Credit Facility. As a result of this reduced risk, the lender was able to offer to WhiteHorse Warehouse lower borrowing costs than we could have otherwise obtained and which indirectly benefit our stockholders.

Unsecured Term Loan

On November [    ], 2012, we entered into the $90.0 million Unsecured Term Loan. The Unsecured Term Loan has a stated maturity date of July 3, 2014. Under the terms of the Unsecured Term Loan, with respect to which we pledged no collateral to the lenders, we are required to pay interest monthly at an annual rate of LIBOR plus 2.75% per year except at our option and under certain other circumstances, at one of several other interest rates. We have not yet made any payments of principal of or interest on the Unsecured Term Loan. The Unsecured Term Loan is subject to customary covenants and events of default, such as failure to pay the principal of, or interest on, the Unsecured Term Loan, certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur or a payment default under certain other of our debt obligations. The Unsecured Term Loan includes customary restrictions that limit our ability to pay dividends under certain circumstances, to merge with another entity unless we are the surviving entity following the merger and to amend our organizational documents. One of our Members, Loan Fund II, has guaranteed our obligation to make payments under the Unsecured Term Loan. The Unsecured Term Loan can be prepaid by us in whole or in part without penalty at any time.

Distribution to the Members

On November [    ], 2012, we made a single, one-time distribution of $[    ] million to the Members. This distribution was funded with the proceeds from the Credit Facility and the Unsecured Term Loan as well as cash we generated from the ordinary course of business. The Distribution to the Members represents, in effect, a reduction in the amount of the Members’ initial equity contribution and the replacement of such equity contribution with debt capital from unaffiliated third parties.

Inflation

Inflation has not had a significant effect on our results of operations in any of the reporting periods presented in our financial statements. However, our portfolio companies may, from time to time, experience the impact of inflation on their operating results.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We may become a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of our business to meet the financial needs of our portfolio companies. These instruments may include commitments to extend credit and involve, to varying degrees, elements of liquidity and credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet.

Distribution Policy

Our board will determine the timing and amount, if any, of our distributions. We intend to pay distributions on a quarterly basis. In order to avoid corporate-level tax on the income we distribute as a RIC, we must distribute to our stockholders 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, on an annual basis out of the assets legally available for such distributions. In addition, we also intend to distribute any realized net capital gains ( i.e ., realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) at least annually out of the assets legally available for such distributions. See “Distributions.”

 

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Contractual Obligations

We have entered into certain contracts under which we have material future commitments. We and an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, or our interim investment adviser, entered into an interim investment advisory agreement, pursuant to which our interim investment adviser will provide investment management services to us prior to the consummation of this offering, upon which it will terminate with no continuing payment or other obligations on the part of either party. WhiteHorse Advisers is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser, and we expect to execute the Investment Advisory Agreement in accordance with the 1940 Act at the time we elect to be treated as a business development company, which we expect to occur shortly before the consummation of this offering. WhiteHorse Advisers will serve as our investment adviser. Also under the Investment Advisory Agreement, WhiteHorse Advisers has agreed to provide us with access to personnel and an investment committee so that we may fulfill our obligation to act as collateral manager of WhiteHorse Warehouse under the Collateral Management Agreement. Payments under the Investment Advisory Agreement in future periods will be equal to (1) a management fee equal to a percentage of the value of our consolidated gross assets and (2) an incentive fee based on our performance. See “The Adviser and the Administrator—Investment Advisory Agreement.”

Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, WhiteHorse Administration furnishes us with office facilities and administrative services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations. WhiteHorse Administration also furnishes us with the resources necessary for us to act as Collateral Manager to WhiteHorse Warehouse under the Credit Facility. If requested to provide managerial assistance to our portfolio companies, WhiteHorse Administration will be paid an additional amount based on the services provided, which amount will not in any case exceed the amount we receive from the portfolio companies for such services. Payments under the Administration Agreement will be based upon our allocable portion of WhiteHorse Administration’s overhead in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent, technology systems, insurance and our allocable portion of the costs of our chief compliance officer, chief financial officer, chief operating officer and their respective staffs. See “The Adviser and the Administrator—Administration Agreement.”

In connection with the Credit Facility:

 

   

we and WhiteHorse Warehouse have entered into the Loan Sale Agreement, under which we transferred some of the loans that we had originated or acquired and that met certain objective criteria, and pursuant to which we expect to contribute, or transfer through partial equity contributions and partial cash sales, additional loans in the future that meets these criteria, to WhiteHorse Warehouse;

 

   

we and WhiteHorse Warehouse have entered into the Collateral Management Agreement, pursuant to which we have agreed to act as collateral manager for WhiteHorse Warehouse; and

 

   

we entered into the Risk Retention Letter, under which we have agreed to own (A) an unhedged net equity interest in WhiteHorse Warehouse equal to at least 5% of its aggregate assets and (B) all of the equity interests in WhiteHorse Warehouse and to take any further actions that may be necessary to comply with a directive promulgated by the European Union relating to certain securitization transactions. These obligations will continue for the life of the Credit Facility. For additional information on the Credit Facility, see “Description of the Credit Facility.”

If we fail to perform our obligations under the Credit Facility or the related Loan Sale Agreement and Collateral Management Agreement, an event of default may occur under the Credit Facility, which could cause the Lenders to accelerate all of the outstanding debt and other obligations

 

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under the Credit Facility or to exercise other remedies under the Credit Facility. Any such developments could have a material adverse effect on our financial conditions and results of operations.

We have a commitment to lend up to a maximum of $2.3 million under the delayed draw term loan facilities to AGS LLC, of which $2.3 million was undrawn as of September 30, 2012.

If any of our contractual obligations discussed above is terminated, our costs under new agreements that we enter into may increase. In addition, we will likely incur significant time and expense in locating alternative parties to provide the services we expect to receive under our Investment Advisory Agreement and our Administration Agreement. Any new investment management agreement would also be subject to approval by our stockholders.

Senior Securities

Information about our senior securities is shown in the following table for the period ended                 , 2012. The information has been derived from our financial statements which have been audited by                 .

 

Class and Year

   Total
Amount
Outstanding
Exclusive of
Treasury
Securities
     Asset Coverage
per Unit(1)
     Involuntary
Liquidating
Preference
per Unit(2)
     Average
Market
Value
per Unit(3)
 

[            ]

     0         N/A         N/A         N/A   

 

(1) The asset coverage ratio for a class of senior securities representing indebtedness is calculated as our consolidated total assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, divided by senior securities representing indebtedness. This asset coverage ratio is multiplied by $1,000 to determine the Asset Coverage per Unit.
(2) The amount to which such class of senior security would be entitled upon the involuntary liquidation of the issuer in preference to any security junior to it.
(3) Not applicable, as senior securities are not registered for public trading.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. During the period covered by our financial statements, several of the loans in our portfolio had floating interest rates, and we expect that many of our loans to portfolio companies in the future will also have floating interest rates. These loans are usually based on a floating rate based on LIBOR that resets quarterly to the applicable LIBOR rate. Interest rate fluctuations may have a substantial negative impact on our investments, the value of our common stock and our rate of return on invested capital. Since we plan to use debt to finance 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.

Assuming that the balance sheet as of September 30, 2012 were to remain constant and that no actions are taken to alter our existing interest rate sensitivity, a hypothetical immediate 1% change in interest rates would not significantly impact the value of our portfolio.

As of September 30, 2012, all of the floating rate investments in our portfolio had an interest rate floor. Variable-rate investments subject to a floor generally reset periodically to the applicable floor and, in the case of investments in our portfolio, quarterly to a floor based on LIBOR, only if the floor exceeds the index. Under these loans, we do not benefit from increases in interest rates until such rates exceed the floor and thereafter benefit from market rates above any such floor.

 

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Although management believes that this analysis is indicative of our existing sensitivity to interest rate changes, it does not adjust for changes in the credit markets, the size, credit quality or composition of the assets in our portfolio and other business developments, including borrowing, that could affect net increase in net assets resulting from operations, or net income. It also does not adjust for the effect of the time-lag between a change in the relevant interest rate index and the rate adjustment under the applicable loan. Accordingly, we can offer no assurances that actual results would not differ materially from the statement above.

We may in the future hedge against interest rate fluctuations by using standard hedging instruments such as futures, options and forward contracts. While hedging activities may insulate us against adverse changes in interest rates, they may also limit our ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to the investments in our portfolio with fixed interest rates.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of our financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining such estimates could cause actual results to differ. We have identified the following as critical accounting policies.

Valuation of Portfolio Investments

We value our investments in accordance with ASC 820. ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about assets and liabilities measured at fair value. ASC 820’s definition of fair value focuses on exit price in the principal, or most advantageous, market and prioritizes the use of market-based inputs over entity-specific inputs within a measurement of fair value.

Our portfolio consists primarily of debt investments. These investments are valued at their bid quotations obtained from unaffiliated market makers, other financial institutions that trade in similar investments or based on prices provided by independent third party pricing services. For investments where there are no available bid quotations, fair value is derived using proprietary models that consider the analyses of independent valuation agents as well as credit risk, liquidity, market credit spreads and other applicable factors for similar transactions.

Due to the nature of our strategy, our portfolio includes relatively illiquid investments that are privately held. Valuations of privately held investments are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates. The determination of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these investments existed. Our net asset value could be materially affected if the determinations regarding the fair value of our investments were materially higher or lower than the values that we ultimately realize upon the disposal of such investments.

As noted under “Prospectus Summary—Formation Transactions” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Formation Transactions—Our Formation,” the initial contributions were made at a value based upon an independent third party valuation of each asset and subsequently approved and adopted by our investment advisor, with the exception of one asset. One asset contributed by our unitholders had been recently acquired by them in a recent arms’ length transaction with an unaffiliated

 

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third party and was contributed to us at the value based on such acquisition price. We believe that this valuation methodology appropriately addresses potential conflicts of interests raised by the fact that the contributions were made by persons affiliated with our investment adviser. At the end of each interim period, our investment advisor determines the fair value of each of our assets based upon the circumstances and level of data available, which valuation is then reviewed, approved and adopted by our investment committee.

Our board is ultimately and solely responsible for determining the fair value of the portfolio investments that are not publicly traded, whose market prices are not readily available on a quarterly basis in good faith or any other situation where portfolio investments require a fair value determination.

The valuation process is conducted at the end of each fiscal quarter, with a portion of our valuations of portfolio companies without market quotations subject to review by the independent valuation firms each quarter. When an external event with respect to one of our portfolio companies, such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, we expect to use the pricing indicated by such external event to corroborate our valuation.

With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, our board undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

 

   

Our quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by investment professionals of our investment adviser responsible for credit monitoring.

 

   

Preliminary valuation conclusions are then documented and discussed with our investment committee and our investment adviser.

 

   

The audit committee of the board reviews these preliminary valuations.

 

   

At least once annually, the valuation for each portfolio investment is reviewed by an independent valuation firm.

 

   

The board discusses valuations and determines the fair value of each investment in our portfolio in good faith.

See “Determination of Net Asset Value.”

Investment Transactions and Related Investment Income and Expense

We record our investment transactions on a trade date basis, which is the date when we have determined that all material terms have been defined for the transactions. These transactions could possibly settle on a subsequent date depending on the transaction type. All related revenue and expenses attributable to these transactions are reflected on our consolidated statement of operations commencing on the trade date unless otherwise specified by the transaction documents. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are recorded on the specific identification method.

We accrue interest income if we expect that ultimately we will be able to collect it. Generally, when an interest payment default occurs on a loan in our portfolio, or if our management otherwise believes that the issuer of the loan will not be able to service the loan and other obligations, we place the loan on non-accrual status and will cease recognizing interest income on that loan until all principal and interest is current through payment or until a restructuring occurs, such that the interest income is deemed to be collectible. However, we remain contractually entitled to this interest. We may make exceptions to this policy if the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection. Accrued interest is written off when it becomes probable that such interest will not be collected and the amount of uncollectible interest can be reasonably estimated. Any original issue discounts, as well as any other purchase discounts or premiums on debt investments, are accreted or amortized to interest income or expense, respectively, over the maturity periods of the investments.

 

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Interest expense is recorded on an accrual basis. Certain expenses related to legal and tax consultation, due diligence, rating fees, valuation expenses and independent collateral appraisals may arise when we make certain investments. These expenses are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations as they are incurred.

Loan Origination, Facility, Commitment and Amendment Fees

We may receive fees in addition to interest income from the loans during the life of the investment. We may receive origination fees upon the origination of an investment. These origination fees are initially deferred and deducted from the cost basis of the investment and subsequently accreted into income over the term of the loan. We may receive facility, commitment and amendment fees, which are paid to us on an ongoing basis. Facility fees, sometimes referred to as asset management fees, are accrued as a percentage periodic fee on the base amount (either the funded facility amount or the committed principal amount). Commitment fees are based upon the undrawn portion committed by us and are recorded on an accrual basis. Amendment fees are paid in connection with loan amendments and waivers and are accounted for upon completion of the amendments or waivers, generally when such fees are receivable. Any such fees are included in other income on the consolidated statement of operations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On May 12, 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, or ASU 2011-04. ASU 2011-04 amends ASC 820, which will require entities to change the wording used to describe the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. ASU 2011-04 clarifies the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements related to the application of the highest and best use and valuation premise concepts for financial and nonfinancial instruments, measuring the fair value of an instrument classified in shareholder’s equity and disclosures about fair value measurements. ASU 2011-04 changes the measurement of the fair value of financial instruments that are managed within a portfolio and the application of premiums and discounts in a fair value measurement related to size as a characteristic of the reporting entity’s holding rather than a characteristic of the asset or liability. ASU 2011-04 also requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy including the valuation processes used by the reporting entity, the sensitivity of the fair value to changes in unobservable inputs (applicable only to public companies), and the interrelationships between those unobservable inputs, if any. Lastly, ASU 2011-04 requires entities to disclose any amounts (not just significant) transferred between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy (applicable to only public companies). All the amendments to ASC 820 made by ASU 2011-04 became effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of ASU 2011-04 did not have a material impact on our financial statement, except that it enhanced the disclosures around fair value of investments.

 

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THE COMPANY

We are a newly organized, externally managed, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that intends to file an election to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act. In addition, for tax purposes, we intend to elect to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.

We are a direct lender targeting debt investments in privately held, small-cap companies located in North America. We define the small-cap market as those companies with enterprise values between $50 million and $350 million. Our investment objective is to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns primarily by originating and investing in senior secured loans, including first lien and second lien facilities, to performing small-cap companies across a broad range of industries that typically carry a floating interest rate based on LIBOR and have a term of three to six years. While we intend to focus principally on originating senior secured loans to small-cap companies, we may also opportunistically make investments at other levels of a company’s capital structure, including mezzanine loans or equity interests, and in companies outside of the small-cap market, to the extent we believe the investment presents an opportunity to achieve an attractive risk-adjusted return. We also may receive warrants to purchase common stock in connection with our debt investments. We expect to generate current income through the receipt of interest payments, as well as origination and other fees, capital appreciation and dividends.

We have invested, and expect in the future to invest, in securities that are rated below investment grade by rating agencies or that may be rated below investment grade if they were so rated. Below investment grade securities, which are often referred to as ‘junk bonds,’ are viewed as speculative investments because of concerns with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

As of September 30, 2012, our existing investment portfolio consisted of senior secured loans and senior notes across twelve positions with an aggregate fair value of $288.9 million and a par value of $292.0 million. As of that date, the majority of our portfolio was comprised of senior secured loans to small-cap borrowers. As of September 30, 2012, our portfolio had an average investment size of $24.3 million, with investment sizes ranging from $1.5 million to $62.0 million, a weighted average unlevered cash current yield of 13.9% and a yield to maturity of 16.9%, with yields to maturity ranging from 9.7% to 30.4%. Yield to maturity is calculated based on the cost of purchased investments or the fair value of contributed investments, in each case on the date, as applicable; and uses the relevant published LIBOR curve as of such date; and assumes (i) all scheduled interest payments are made as scheduled and (ii) each investment is held to maturity with no prepayments or losses and is repaid at par upon maturity. Also as of September 30, 2012, the weighted average remaining term of our debt investments was approximately 2.8 years, with remaining terms ranging from 0.8 years to 5.0 years.

We believe that market inefficiencies and an imbalance between the supply of and demand for capital in the small-cap credit market creates an attractive investment opportunity through the origination of primary loans. It is our belief that unsophisticated marketing processes often employed by small-cap companies seeking debt capital as well as a lack of coverage and speed of execution at many investment firms often result in these loans being priced and structured less efficiently than loans to larger companies. Additionally, we believe the persistent scarcity of capital available to small-cap companies relative to strong demand for such loans has also contributed to more favorable transaction structures for lenders. As a result of these factors, we believe that, relative to loans made to large companies, loans made to small-cap companies are more likely to offer attractive economics in the form of interest rates, fees, and prepayment penalties as well as increased security features in the form of stricter covenants and higher

 

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quality collateral. By utilizing the experience and expertise of H.I.G. Capital in the small-cap market, we believe that we are well positioned to capitalize on these market dynamics to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns for investors.

H.I.G. Capital

H.I.G. Capital is one of the leading global alternative asset managers focused on the small-cap market, both in the United States and Europe. H.I.G. Capital was founded in 1993 and, over the past 19 years, has grown by continually enhancing its strategic investment capabilities into additional asset classes within the small-cap market. As of September 30, 2012, H.I.G. Capital managed over $10 billion of capital through a number of buyout, credit-oriented and growth capital funds each of which is focused on the small-cap market. As of such date, H.I.G. Capital operated through domestic offices in Miami, New York, Boston, San Francisco, Dallas, Atlanta and Chicago and international offices in London, Hamburg, Paris, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro, with approximately 260 investment professionals with the operating, strategy and investing experience to execute the firm’s value-added small-cap investment strategy. H.I.G. Capital’s investment professionals share a common investment philosophy built around a highly analytical, private equity-like framework of rigorous business assessment, extensive due diligence and a disciplined risk valuation methodology that guides credit investment decisions. In addition, H.I.G. Capital has a network of over 170 current and former controlled portfolio companies, and an administrative staff of approximately 130 employees as of September 30, 2012, including in-house legal, compliance, accounting and information technology professionals. Further, over the past 19 years, H.I.G. Capital has built an extensive and proprietary network of informal and unconventional deal sources in the small-cap business community consisting of accountants, attorneys, brokers, insurance agents, consultants and financial advisors who have access to small-cap companies. We believe that H.I.G. Capital, as an experienced small-cap investor, has a demonstrated ability to identify, source, analyze, invest and monitor investments in the small-cap market.

H.I.G. Capital has significant investment experience in the small-cap credit market. As of September 30, 2012, H.I.G. Capital’s credit platform managed approximately $5 billion of capital across multiple investment funds supported by 78 dedicated credit investment professionals. These investment professionals bring a depth of experience and skills across a broad range of industries and transaction types, including primary loan originations, secondary debt purchases and special situations and distressed debt investing.

Our Investment Adviser

Our investment activities are managed by our investment adviser, H.I.G. WhiteHorse Advisers, LLC. H.I.G. WhiteHorse Advisers, LLC is an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital. Our investment adviser is responsible for sourcing potential investments, conducting research and diligence on prospective companies, analyzing investment opportunities, structuring our investments and monitoring our portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. Our investment adviser was organized in Delaware and is a registered investment adviser under the Advisers Act. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, we will pay our investment adviser a base management fee and an incentive fee for its services. See “The Adviser and the Administrator—Investment Advisory Agreement” for a discussion of the base management fee and incentive fee that we have agreed to pay our investment adviser. Prior to the consummation of this offering, we were provided with investment management services under the interim investment advisory agreement, which will terminate upon consummation of this offering.

Our investment adviser has entered into the Staffing Agreement with an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital under which the affiliate has agreed to make experienced investment professionals

 

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available to our investment adviser and to provide access to the senior investment personnel of H.I.G. Capital. We believe that the Staffing Agreement will provide our investment adviser with access to deal flow generated by H.I.G. Capital in the ordinary course of business and commits certain members of H.I.G. Capital’s investment committee to serve as members of the investment committee. In addition, the affiliate of H.I.G. Capital is obligated under the Staffing Agreement to allocate investment opportunities among its managed affiliates fairly and equitably over time in accordance with its allocation policy. See “Certain Relationships—Investment Advisory Agreement.” Our investment adviser intends to take advantage of the significant deal origination, credit underwriting, due diligence, investment structuring, execution, portfolio management and monitoring experience of H.I.G. Capital’s senior investment professionals.

The investment committee will oversee our investment activities and will be led by senior investment professionals of H.I.G. Capital with an average of more than 20 years of investment experience as of September 30, 2012. These professionals have extensive experience investing in the small-cap credit market, having collectively invested in more than 1,000 loans.

WhiteHorse Administration

WhiteHorse Administration, LLC, an affiliate of our investment adviser, will provide certain administrative services and facilities necessary for us to operate, including, office facilities and equipment and clerical, bookkeeping and record-keeping services. WhiteHorse Administration will oversee our financial reporting as well as prepare our reports to stockholders and reports required to be filed with the SEC. WhiteHorse Administration will also manage the determination and publication of our net asset value and the preparation and filing of our tax returns and will generally monitor the payment of our expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to us by others including under the Staffing Agreement. WhiteHorse Administration may retain third parties to assist in providing administrative services to us. To the extent that WhiteHorse Administration outsources any of its functions, we will pay the fees associated with such functions on a direct basis without any profit to WhiteHorse Administration.

Market Opportunity

We believe that market inefficiencies and an imbalance between the supply of and demand for capital in the small-cap credit market create an attractive investment opportunity through the origination of primary loans for the following reasons:

Specialized Lending Requirements.     We believe that several factors render traditional banks and providers of credit ill-suited to lend to small-cap companies. For example, based on the experience of our investment adviser, lending to small-cap companies: (1) is generally more labor intensive than lending to larger companies due to fewer management resources at small-cap companies and often fragmented information available regarding such companies, particularly where no financial sponsor is involved, (2) requires more rigorous due diligence and underwriting practices than lending to larger companies, and (3) requires a substantial network of deal sources to identify appropriate opportunities because such borrowers often do not engage a financial advisor, or engage smaller, less sophisticated financial advisors focused on the small-cap market. As a result, only a limited segment of the lending community has historically served small-cap borrowers.

Reduced Lending by Commercial Banks.     Recent regulatory changes, including the Dodd-Frank Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, and the introduction of new international capital and liquidity

 

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requirements under the Basel III Accords, or Basel III, in addition to the continued ownership of legacy non-performing assets, have significantly curtailed banks’ lending capacity. In response, we believe that many commercial lenders have de-emphasized their service and product offerings to small-cap companies in favor of lending, managing capital markets transactions and providing other non-lending services to their larger customers. We expect bank lending to small-cap companies to continue to be constrained for several years as Basel III rules phase in and rules and regulations are promulgated and interpreted under the Dodd-Frank Act. The chart below shows that the lending activity of smaller U.S. commercial banks (defined as banks with $100 million to $1.0 billion in assets), which we believe lend to the small-cap space, remains constrained and has continued to contract since the 2008 crisis. In addition, the number of FDIC insured commercial banks and savings institutions has declined from 2000 through June 30, 2012. We believe that the relative decline in competition will drive a higher volume of deal flow to us.

 

Number of FDIC insured commercial banks
and savings institutions

  Bank lending activity (indexed commercial
and industrial loans)

 

LOGO

 

Source: FDIC

 

 

LOGO

 

Source: FDIC

Reduced Credit Supply from Non-Bank Lenders.     We believe lending to small-cap companies from non-bank lenders will also be constrained as many of those lenders have gone out of business, exited the market or are winding down. Numerous hedge funds previously active in leveraged loans have disappeared or contracted during the recent financial market crisis, while others exited the lending market due to asset-liability mismatches. Other non-bank lenders exited lending due to balance sheet pressures. Additionally, the reduction in new issuance of collateralized loan obligations, or CLOs, has reduced liquidity in the small-cap loan market. Along with the constraints in bank lending, this situation provides a promising environment in which to originate loans to small-cap companies.

 

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CLO Issuance

($ in billions)

  Active Institutional Loan Investor Groups in Primary Syndications
 
  (Investor groups that made 10 or more primary commitments per year.)

LOGO

 

Source: Standard & Poor’s Leveraged Commentary & Data

 

LOGO

 

Source: Standard & Poor’s Leveraged Commentary & Data

Significant Demand for Credit.     We believe that, despite the constrained supply situation, demand for debt financing from small-cap companies will remain strong. Small-cap companies consistently require credit to support investments and growth initiatives and to finance acquisitions. In addition, we believe there will be substantial demand for refinancings as a large amount of the corporate debt issued to small-cap borrowers prior to the 2008 crisis is scheduled to mature in the next few years. When combined with the decreased availability of debt financing for companies described above, these factors should increase lending opportunities for us.

Inefficient Market.     We believe there are a number of inefficiencies in the small-cap credit market that will allow us to achieve a superior risk-return profile relative to other types of loans. For example, small-cap borrowers may not hire a financial advisor, or may hire a financial advisor with lesser capabilities relative to larger advisors. Therefore, small-cap borrowers typically may not receive multiple financing offers and may be less sophisticated in negotiating the terms of their financing. Moreover, the simpler capital structures frequently found in small-cap companies facilitate lenders negotiating enhanced protections and encountering fewer intercreditor issues. In addition, small-cap lenders face less competition than lenders to larger companies. As a result, small-cap lenders frequently have greater flexibility in structuring favorable transactions.

Competitive Strengths

We believe we are well-positioned to take advantage of opportunities in the small-cap market due the following competitive strengths:

Leading Small-Cap Market Position .    H.I.G. Capital is one of the leading global alternative asset managers focused on the small-cap market. With more than $10 billion of capital under management as of September 30, 2012 and 19 years of investment experience focused primarily on small-cap companies, H.I.G. Capital believes it has a specialized knowledge of the small-cap marketplace and an expertise in evaluating the issues and opportunities facing small-cap companies throughout economic cycles. H.I.G. Capital’s investment professionals share a common investment philosophy tailored to small-cap companies and built around a highly analytical, private equity-like framework of rigorous business assessment, extensive due diligence and a disciplined risk valuation methodology that guides investment decisions.

 

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Large and Experienced Team with Substantial Resources .    Our investment adviser has access through the Staffing Agreement to the resources and expertise of H.I.G. Capital’s more than 370 employees in twelve offices across the United States, Europe and South America as of September 30, 2012. As of such date, H.I.G. Capital had approximately 260 experienced investment professionals, including 78 professionals dedicated to debt investing. We believe the size of H.I.G. Capital’s investment team provides a number of advantages, including the resources needed to diligently evaluate a large number of investment opportunities and rigorously monitor our investments, as well as access to in-house specialized industry knowledge and situational experience. In addition, H.I.G. Capital has a network of over 170 current and former controlled portfolio companies, an in-house team of operators and strategy consultants (that we believe can provide support in evaluating strategic issues), and an administrative staff of approximately 130 employees, including H.I.G. Capital’s in-house legal, compliance, accounting and information technology professionals. We believe that the quality of these resources provides a significant advantage and will contribute to the strength of our business.

Extensive Deal Sourcing Infrastructure.     We believe that, given the inefficiencies of the small-cap market, finding smaller companies that represent attractive debt investment opportunities requires a different sourcing network than that used for investing in larger companies. Through the Staffing Agreement, our investment adviser expects to have access to H.I.G. Capital’s extensive proprietary deal flow network of informal and unconventional potential deal sources in the small-cap business community, including accountants, attorneys, brokers, insurance agents, consultants and financial advisors who have access to small-cap companies. This sourcing network has been built over the past 19 years, as H.I.G. Capital has focused its growth on increasing and improving its strategic capabilities for investing in the small-cap market. Unlike other private equity firms that have grown “vertically” during this timeframe by raising larger funds focused on investing in larger companies, H.I.G. Capital has expanded “horizontally” by creating more funds and strategies centered on the small-cap market. As a result, we believe H.I.G. Capital has established itself as a “go to” investor for small-cap companies. H.I.G. Capital’s approximately 260 investment professionals are actively involved in sourcing opportunities. In addition, H.I.G. Capital’s in-house business development group of approximately 15 dedicated deal sourcing professionals, as of September 30, 2012, remains in close contact with potential sources of opportunities through an outbound calling program. We believe H.I.G. Capital’s extensive deal sourcing infrastructure provides us access to investment opportunities that may not be available to many of our competitors.

Deep Credit Expertise :    We believe we will benefit from H.I.G. Capital’s extensive small-cap credit experience in evaluating, structuring and monitoring our investments. As of September 30, 2012, H.I.G. Capital’s credit platform managed approximately $5 billion of capital across multiple investment funds supported by 78 dedicated credit investment professionals. These investment professionals have invested in more than 1,000 loans and bring a depth of experience and skills across a broad range of industries and transaction types, including primary loan originations, secondary debt purchases and special situations and distressed debt investments. We believe this credit experience will allow us to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns. For example, our investment adviser’s experience in distressed debt investing should provide us with expertise in credit documentation, loan structuring and restructuring negotiations to help protect our investments and maximize our recovery value to the extent a portfolio company does not perform as expected.

Disciplined Investment and Underwriting Process .    Through its 19 years of investment experience, we believe H.I.G. Capital has developed a disciplined investment process entailing intensive “bottom-up” company-level fundamental analysis which we intend to utilize in order

 

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to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns while preserving downside protection. This thorough due diligence process includes analyzing the following key target company criteria: (1) cash flow generation; (2) underlying asset valuation; (3) competitive position; (4) industry dynamics and (5) strength of management. Each investment is reviewed by the investment committee, which is comprised of senior investment professionals of H.I.G. Capital with an average of more than 20 years of investment experience as of September 30, 2012. This investment committee process brings the experience and perspectives of the committee members to the analysis and consideration of each investment. Subsequently, if an underwriting commitment is approved, our investment adviser will seek to structure and document the loan to protect us from risks identified in the due diligence process. Our investment adviser intends to actively monitor and manage our investment portfolio, including engaging in frequent discussions with management regarding company performance as well as general market conditions.

Investment Strategy/Guidelines

Our investment strategy is to generate current income and capital appreciation primarily by originating secured loans. We expect our typical investment size to range from $10 million to $50 million. We will primarily target borrowers in the United States with enterprise values of $50 million to $350 million across a broad range of industries. We expect that the proceeds of our loans will be used for a variety of purposes, including refinancings of existing debt, acquisition financing or providing working capital to support growth or realignment. We intend to focus principally on originating senior secured loans to performing privately held small-cap companies across a broad range of industries that typically carry a floating interest rate based on LIBOR and have a term of three to six years. While we intend to focus principally on originating senior secured loans to small-cap companies, we may also opportunistically make investments at other levels of a company’s capital structure, including in mezzanine loans or equity interests, and in companies outside of the small-cap market, to the extent we believe an investment presents an opportunity to achieve an attractive risk-adjusted return. We also may receive warrants to purchase common stock in connection with our debt investments. We expect to generate current income through the receipt of interest payments, origination and other fees, and dividends. Our typical loans will carry a floating interest rate based on LIBOR plus a spread, will have with a term of three to six years, will be secured by all tangible and intangible assets of the borrower and will include covenants, monitoring and information rights in favor of the lender.

Target businesses will typically exhibit some or all of the following characteristics:

 

   

Enterprise value of between $50 million and $350 million;

 

   

organized in the United States;

 

   

an experienced management team;

 

   

stable and predictable free cash flows;

 

   

discernible downside protection through recurring revenue or strong tangible asset coverage;

 

   

products and services with distinctive competitive advantages or other barriers to entry;

 

   

low technology and market risk; and

 

   

strong customer relationships

While we believe that the criteria listed above are important in identifying and investing in prospective portfolio companies, not all of these criteria will be met by each prospective portfolio company. See “Regulation—Qualifying Assets.”

 

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Investment Process Overview

Sourcing.     We believe that identifying small-cap companies that represent attractive debt investment opportunities requires a different sourcing network than is required for investments in larger companies. Whereas larger companies typically hire an investment bank to help develop marketing materials and run a financing process involving a large number of potential lenders to ensure pricing is determined by the market, small-cap companies typically do not have the resources to hire large financial advisors or investment banks. While these small-cap lending opportunities are far less competitive, they are more difficult to source.

We expect that our deal flow and idea generation for small-cap investments will primarily originate from H.I.G. Capital’s existing and extensive network of informal and unconventional deal sources in the small-cap business community. Built over the past 19 years, this deal sourcing network includes accountants, attorneys, brokers, insurance agents, consultants and financial advisors who have access to small-cap companies. While other alternative asset managers have grown “vertically” during this timeframe by raising funds focused on investing in larger companies, H.I.G. Capital has expanded “horizontally” by creating more funds and strategies centered on the small-cap market. As a result, we believe H.I.G. Capital has established itself as a “go to” investor for small-cap companies and their financial advisors across asset classes.

The contacts in H.I.G. Capital’s network generally operate outside of the structured investment banking infrastructure and typically play a limited introductory role to the companies and their management teams. In addition, H.I.G. Capital promotes a culture in which sourcing is considered a focus for all of its approximately 260 investment professionals in each of its twelve offices, from analysts to managing directors. Lastly, H.I.G. Capital’s in-house business development group of approximately 15 dedicated deal sourcing professionals supplements this effort through an outbound calling program.

Due Diligence .    We believe that the cornerstone of generating attractive risk-adjusted returns is a thorough due diligence process. We intend to utilize the same methodology to evaluate potential investments that H.I.G. Capital has used over the past 19 years, which includes employing a highly analytical, private equity-like framework for rigorously assessing companies, extensive due diligence and a disciplined risk valuation methodology that guides investment decisions. As part of every transaction we consider, we expect to analyze the following key target company criteria: (1) cash flow generation, (2) underlying asset valuation, (3) competitive position, (4) industry dynamics and (5) strength of management. In addition, our due diligence process for small-cap companies will typically entail:

 

   

a thorough review of historical and pro forma financial information;

 

   

on-site visits with management;

 

   

a review of loan documents and material contracts;

 

   

third-party “quality of earnings” accounting due diligence, when appropriate;

 

   

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

 

   

background checks on key managers; and

 

   

the commission of third-party market studies, when appropriate.

During the due diligence process, we intend to utilize the significant resources across the broad H.I.G. Capital platform, including the sector expertise of the firm’s team of approximately

 

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260 investment professionals, its industry contacts, and H.I.G. Capital’s network of over 170 current and former controlled portfolio companies. We believe that our access to these significant resources will provide a great deal of supplementary information that should enable us to evaluate opportunities more quickly and effectively than our competitors. Furthermore, H.I.G. Capital has a team of in-house operators and strategy consultants that can provide support in evaluating strategic issues. Legal and financial due diligence may also be conducted by attorneys and independent accountants as well as other outside advisers, as appropriate.

Structuring Originations.     Our investment adviser’s team has substantial expertise in structuring and documenting loans originated to small-cap companies. Our investment adviser intends to work with outside counsel to structure loans with strong creditor protections and contractual controls over borrower operations. Our investment adviser intends to work to obtain extensive operating and financial covenants, detailed reporting requirements, governance rights and board seats to protect our investment while allowing the borrower the necessary flexibility to successfully execute its business plan. We believe that our investment adviser’s extensive experience investing in distressed debt and special situations will allow it to anticipate the form of any potential restructuring in order to maximize our potential recovery in such an event, and they would be better able to seek to structure our loan and credit documentation to protect us from risks identified in the due diligence process. Our investment adviser will also evaluate the broader capital structure of the borrower to ensure that we will have strong rights as compared to other participants in the borrower’s capital structure.

Portfolio Management and Monitoring.     We intend to actively monitor and manage the portfolio with regard to individual company performance as well as general market conditions. Investment decisions on new originations generally will include an analysis of the impact of the new loan on our broader portfolio, including a “top-down” assessment of portfolio diversification and risk exposure. This assessment is expected to include a review of portfolio concentration by issuer, industry, geography and type of credit as well as an evaluation of our portfolio’s exposure to macroeconomic factors and cyclical trends.

We believe that consistent, active monitoring of individual companies and the broader market is integral to portfolio management and a critical component of our investment process. We expect that our investment adviser will use several methods of evaluating and monitoring the performance and fair value of our investments, which may include the following:

 

   

frequent discussions with management and sponsors, including board observation rights where possible;

 

   

comparing/ analyzing financial performance to the portfolio company’s business plan, as well as our internal projections developed at underwriting;

 

   

tracking portfolio company compliance with covenants as well as other metrics identified at initial investment stage, such as acquisitions, divestitures, product development and specified management hires; and

 

   

periodic review by the investment committee of each asset in the portfolio and more rigorous monitoring of “watch list” positions.

As part of the monitoring process, our investment advisor regularly assesses the risk profile of each of our investments and, on a quarterly basis, grades each investment on a risk scale of 1 to 5. This risk rating system is intended to identify and assess risks relative to when we initially made the investment and could be impacted by such factors as company-specific performance, changes in collateral, changes in potential exit opportunities or macroeconomic conditions.

 

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All investments are initially assigned a rating of 2, as this grade represents a company that is meeting initial expectations with regard to performance and outlook. A rating may be improved to a 1 if, in the opinion of our investment advisor, a portfolio company’s risk of loss has been reduced relative to initial expectations. An investment will be assigned a rating of 3 if the risk of loss has increased relative to initial expectations and will be assigned a rating of 4 if our investment principal is at a material risk of not being fully repaid. A rating of five indicates an investment is in payment default and has significant risk of not receiving a full repayment.

The following table shows the distribution of our investments on the 1 to 5 investment performance rating scale at fair value as of September 30, 2012:

 

     September 30, 2012  

Investment Performance Rating

   Investments at Fair Value
(Dollars in Thousands)
     Percentage of
Total Portfolio
 

1

   $ 34,363         11.9 %

2

   $ 254,546         88.1 %

3

   $ 0         0.0 %

4

   $ 0         0.0 %

5

     0         0.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Portfolio

   $ 288,909         100.0 %

Investment Committee and Decision Process

The investment committee will oversee our investment activities and will be led by senior investment professionals of H.I.G. Capital with an average of more than 20 years of investment experience as of September 30, 2012. These professionals have extensive experience investing in the small-cap credit market, having collectively invested in more than 1,000 loans. The investment committee process is intended to bring the experience and perspectives of the various members to the analysis and consideration of each investment. The investment committee process is a highly collaborative effort, typically beginning at the term sheet phase of a transaction and continuing through the close of the transaction. When an opportunity is first discussed, the investment committee assists the investment team in exploring the key issues requiring due diligence or deal structuring and identifying the available resources within H.I.G. Capital, including other H.I.G. investment professionals or senior managers from current and former portfolio companies with specific industry experience. Throughout the transaction process, the investment team will meet regularly with the investment committee in a process which requires all of the investment committee’s concerns to be appropriately addressed through due diligence and transaction structuring. This collaborative process between the investment team and the investment committee means that, by the time a potential transaction is ready for final approval or rejection, the investment committee members are already deeply familiar with it and have had an opportunity to address any concerns. As a result, investment committee decisions are made by consensus. The investment committee will meet regularly, including special meetings on short notice, to approve or discuss material developments on new or existing investments.

Managerial Assistance

As a business development company, we will offer, and must provide upon request, managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. This assistance could involve monitoring the operations of our portfolio companies, participating in board and management meetings, consulting with and advising officers of portfolio companies and providing other organizational and financial guidance. Our administrator will provide such managerial assistance on our behalf

 

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to portfolio companies that request this assistance. We may receive fees for these services and will reimburse our administrator for its allocated costs in providing such assistance, subject to the review and approval by our board, including our independent directors. See “The Adviser and the Administrator—Administration Agreement.”

Competition

Our primary competitors that provide financing to small-cap companies include public and private investment funds, including other business development companies, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies, specialty finance companies and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity and hedge funds. As the economic recovery continues, we expect that we may face enhanced competition in the future. 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 will impose on us as a business development company and that the Code will impose on us as a RIC and may not be subject to contractual restrictions similar to those under the Credit Facility and the Unsecured Term Loan. For additional information concerning the competitive risks we face, see “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Business and Structure—The highly competitive market for investment opportunities in which we operate may limit our investment opportunities.”

Administration

We will not have any direct employees, and our day-to-day investment operations will be managed by our investment adviser. We have a chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief operating officer and chief compliance officer and, to the extent necessary, our board may elect to hire additional personnel going forward. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreements, our investment adviser and our Administrator, respectively, have agreed to provide us with access to personnel, an investment committee and certain other resources so that we may perform our obligations as collateral manager under the Credit Facility. Our officers will be employees of an affiliate of WhiteHorse Administration, an affiliate of our investment adviser, and our allocable portion of the cost of our chief financial officer, chief operating officer, chief compliance officer and their respective staffs will be paid by us pursuant to the Administration Agreement. Some of our executive officers described under “Management of the Company” are also officers of WhiteHorse Advisers. See “The Adviser and the Administrator—Administration Agreement.”

Properties

Our executive offices are located at 1450 Brickell Avenue, 31st Floor, Miami, Florida 33131 and are provided by our administrator pursuant to our 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 our investment adviser, our administrator, H.I.G. Capital or us 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.

 

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PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

The following table sets forth certain information as of September 30, 2012, for each portfolio company in which we had an investment. Except as disclosed in the footnotes to the following table, other than these investments, our only formal relationships with our portfolio companies are the managerial assistance that we may provide upon request and the board observer or participation rights we may receive in connection with our investment. See “Regulation—Managerial Assistance to Portfolio Companies.”

As of September 30, 2012, our existing investment portfolio consisted of senior secured loans and senior notes across twelve positions with an aggregate fair value of $288.9 million and a par value of $292.0 million. As of that date, the majority of our portfolio was comprised of senior secured loans to small-cap borrowers. As of September 30, 2012, our portfolio had an average investment size of $24.3 million, with investment sizes ranging from $1.5 million to $62.0 million, a weighted average unlevered cash current yield of 13.9%, and a yield to maturity of 16.9%, with yields to maturity ranging from 9.7% to 30.4%. Yield to maturity is calculated based on the cost of purchased investments or the fair value of contributed investments, in each case on the date of purchase or contribution, as applicable; and uses the relevant published LIBOR curve as of such date; and assumes (i) all scheduled interest payments are made as scheduled and (ii) each investment is held to maturity with no prepayments or losses and is repaid at par upon maturity. Also as of September 30, 2012, the weighted average remaining term of our debt investments was approximately 2.8 years, with remaining terms ranging from 0.8 years to 5.0 years.

The investments in our existing portfolio were selected because they are similar to the type of investments we plan to make going forward. These investments are generally senior secured loans to U.S.-based small-cap companies. The investments have what our investment adviser believes to be appropriate risk adjusted returns for a business development company, meaning a low absolute risk of loss and a level of expected return that our investment adviser believes is attractive. These investments were selected to allow the portfolio to meet the diversification requirements applicable to RICs. We do not believe that there are any material differences in the underwriting standards that were used to originate these investments and the underwriting standards described in this prospectus that we expect to implement. Not all of our current investments meet all of these criteria, and we cannot be certain that our investment adviser will be able to make or will decide to make investments in the future that meet any or all of these criteria.

 

Name and Address
of Portfolio Company

 

Industry

 

Type of
Investment

 

Interest
Rate

  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Due at
Maturity
(in
thousands)
    Fair Value of
Investment
(in thousands)
 

Acella Pharmaceuticals,

    LLC(1)(2)

9005 Westside Drive

Alpharetta, GA 30009

  Drugs
  Senior Secured  

15.00%

(LIBOR + 11.00%;
1.00% Floor; 3.00% PIK)

  12/30/15   $ 62,047      $ 62,047   

AGS LLC(1)(6)

6680 Amelia Earhart Court

Las Vegas, NV 89119

 

Leisure Goods

  Senior Secured   11.5%

(LIBOR + 10.00%;
1.5% Floor)
  8/15/16     17,309        16,617   

FCC Holdings, LLC(3)(4)

4855 Technology Way Suite 500

Boca Raton, FL 33431

  Financial Intermediaries   Senior Unsecured Note   14.00%
(13.00% cash; 1.0% PIK)
  12/15/15     15,879        13,100   

 

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Name and Address
of Portfolio Company

 

Industry

 

Type of
Investment

 

Interest
Rate

  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Due at
Maturity
(in
thousands)
    Fair Value of
Investment
(in thousands)
 

Genoa Healthcare Group, LLC(1)

10210 Highland Manor Drive, Suite 270

Tampa, FL 33610

  Healthcare   Senior Secured  

14.00%

(LIBOR + 9.50%;
3.00% Floor; 1.5% PIK)

  2/10/15     26,957        26,957   

GMT Holdings 1 Ltd. &

GMT Holdings 12 Ltd.(8)

3300 S. Parker Road, Suite 500

Aurora, CO 80014

  Equipment Leasing   Senior Secured   25.00%   6/30/13     43,146        43,361   

Hilex Poly Co. LLC(1)(7)

101 E. Carolina Ave.

Hartsville, SC 29550

  Chemicals & Plastics   Senior Secured  

11.25%

(LIBOR + 9.25%; 2.00% Floor)

  11/19/15     33,395        34,363   

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.(1)(3)(5)

3 Sylvan Way, Suite 301

Parsippany, NJ 07054

  Business Equipment & Services   Senior Secured  

10.00%

(LIBOR + 8.00%; 2.00% Floor)

  8/1/16     41,718        40,717   

Metropolitan Health Networks, Inc.(1)

777 Yamato Road, Suite 510

Boca Raton, FL 33431

  Healthcare   Senior Secured  

13.50%

(LIBOR + 11.75%; 1.75% Floor)

  10/4/17     8,861        8,931   

Pre-Paid Legal Services Inc.(1)

One Pre-Paid Way

Ada, OK 74820

  Insurance   Senior Secured Term Loan A  

7.50%

(LIBOR + 6.00%; 1.50% Floor)

  12/31/16     1,525        1,511   

Pre-Paid Legal Services Inc.(1)

One Pre-Paid Way

Ada, OK 74820

  Insurance   Senior Secured Term Loan B  

11.00%

(LIBOR + 9.50%; 1.50% Floor)

  12/31/16     7,929        7,969   

St. John Knits International, Inc.

17622 Armstrong Ave

Irvine, CA 92614

  Retailers   Senior Secured   13.00%   3/3/15     9,012        9,048   

TCO Funding Corp.(1)

2500 Northwinds Parkway, Suite 500

Alpharetta, GA 30009

  Building & Development   Senior Secured  

9.50%

(LIBOR + 7.50%,

2.00% Floor)

  4/27/14     24,215        24,288   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets as of 9/30/2012

  $ 291,993      $ 288,909   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 
(1) A majority of the variable rate debt investments bear interest at a rate that may be determined by reference to LIBOR and that is reset periodically. For each debt investment, the interest rate in effect at September 30, 2012 has been provided.
(2) The terms were amended on October 1, 2012 to adjust the cash interest rate from 12.0% to 11.0% in exchange for a one year extension of the loan’s “no call” protection and to resolve a technical default.
(3) An affiliate of our investment adviser owns more than 50% of the voting securities of the company, or controls the board or is the controlling member.
(4) The terms were amended March 29, 2012 to adjust the interest rate from 12.0% to 13.0%, as well as to add additional PIK interest with rates ranging from 0.0% to 2.0% based on a quarterly tangible net worth test; the PIK rate in effect at September 30, 2012 has been provided.
(5) The investment in Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. was refinanced at par on October 15, 2012. As part of this refinancing, we exchanged our existing holdings in Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. for a new investment with a stated value of $17.5 million in a new Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. senior secured term loan. For a description of this and other changes to the portfolio subsequent to September 30, 2012, please see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition—Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources—Recent Changes to the Portfolio.”
(6) The investment in AGS LLC includes commitments to fund two delayed draw loans totaling $2.3 million. On October 25, 2012, we funded the initial delayed draw loan in the amount of $1.1 million.
(7) The investment in Hilex Poly Co. LLC was refinanced at 102.0% on November 1, 2012.
(8) The investment in GMT Holdings 1, Ltd. & GMT Holdings 12, Ltd. are held through our subsidiary Bayside Financing Sà.r.l.

During the period from September 30, 2009 through September 30, 2012, or, in the case of investments in our portfolio that were originated by us or acquired by our Members more recently than September 30, 2009 and then contributed to us, during the period since the investment was

 

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originated by us or acquired by our Members, none of the positions in our existing portfolio is or has been on a partial or non-accrual basis. During the same period, there were no material changes to the credit quality of any our positions. Other than as described in this Portfolio Companies section, during the same period, none of our investments have undergone a restructuring or experienced a change in its type of income. For more information about the performance of our investments please see the investment performance ratings scale, in “The Company – Investment Process Overview – Portfolio Management and Monitoring.”

Set forth below is a brief description of each portfolio company and additional information relevant to our investments.

Acella Pharmaceuticals, LLC

Acella Pharmaceuticals, LLC develops and markets generic pharmaceuticals for the dermatology, women’s health and nutraceuticals markets.

AGS LLC

AGS LLC is a designer, manufacturer and operator of electronic games for lease to gaming providers.

FCC Holdings, LLC

FCC Holdings, LLC is a leading commercial finance company specializing in asset-based loans and factoring facilities to small and mid-sized companies.

Genoa Healthcare Group, LLC

Genoa Healthcare Group, LLC is Florida’s largest provider of skilled nursing services offering centers that provide skilled nursing, rehabilitation and other specialty services for their patients.

GMT Holdings 1 Ltd. & GMT Holdings 12 Ltd.

GMT Holdings 1 Ltd. & GMT Holdings 12 Ltd. are aircraft leasing companies that own and lease ten A320 and A340 airplanes. As each lease terminates, they part-out the aircraft through a third party and sell the engines and other parts in the secondary market. The interest rate on our investment in GMT Holdings 1 Ltd. & GMT Holdings 12 Ltd.’s senior secured term loan was structured from inception to PIK over the loan’s first 9 months and then to pay cash interest thereafter until maturity. The interest rate on this loan converted from all PIK interest to all cash interest as scheduled.

Hilex Poly Co. LLC

Hilex Poly Co. LLC is the nation’s largest manufacturer of plastic shopping bags, produce bags and related bags and films. Its products are sold primarily to grocery stores, convenience stores, retail stores, quick service restaurants and other consumer businesses.

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. is the second largest paid tax return preparer in the United States, generating revenue through fees paid by franchisees, service revenues earned at

 

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company-owned offices and financial product fees. Our investment in Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.’s senior secured term loan was made as exit financing to support its emergence from bankruptcy proceedings. This investment was refinanced at par on October 15, 2012. As part of this refinancing, we invested $17.5 million into a new Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. senior secured term loan.

Metropolitan Health Networks, Inc.

Metropolitan Health Networks, Inc. provides and arranges for medical care primarily to Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. Its provider service network includes over 30 owned primary care practices and over 450 affiliated independent practice associations.

Pre-Paid Legal Services Inc.

Pre-Paid Legal Services Inc. is a leading marketer of memberships of affordable professional legal services and identity theft solutions to families and small businesses across the United States and Canada. For a monthly fee, a member and his or her family gains access to a national network of attorneys that can be used for a range of legal services.

St. John Knits International, Inc.

St. John Knits International, Inc. engages in the design, manufacture, and marketing of fine clothing and accessories for women and is the largest women’s “Ready to Wear” supplier for each of the Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks department stores.

TCO Funding Corp.

TCO Funding Corp. is a full-service provider of specialty products and engineering services used in the cost-effective development of commercial, residential, industrial and municipal sites, as well as in transportation infrastructure.

 

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MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our board. The board currently consists of five members, three of whom are not “interested persons” of WhiteHorse Finance, as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, and are “independent” as determined by our board, consistent with the rules of the NASDAQ Global Market. We refer to these individuals as our independent directors. Our board elects our officers, who will serve at the discretion of the board.

Board and its Leadership Structure

Under our certificate of incorporation, our directors are divided into three classes. Each class of directors will hold office for a three-year term. However, the initial members of the three classes have initial terms of one, two and three years, respectively. At each annual meeting of our stockholders, the successors to the class of directors whose terms expire at such meeting will 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. Each director will hold office for the term to which he or she is elected and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.

Oversight of our investment activities extends to oversight of the risk management processes employed by our investment adviser as part of its day-to-day management of our investment activities. The board anticipates reviewing risk management processes at both regular and special board meetings throughout the year, consulting with appropriate representatives of our investment adviser as necessary and periodically requesting the production of risk management reports or presentations. The goal of the board’ risk oversight function is to ensure that the risks associated with our investment activities are accurately identified, thoroughly investigated and responsibly addressed. Investors should note, however, that the board’s oversight function cannot eliminate all risks or ensure that particular events do not adversely affect the value of our investments.

The board has established an audit committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee, and may establish additional committees from time to time as necessary. The scope of each committee’s responsibilities is discussed in greater detail below. John Bolduc, Executive Managing Director of H.I.G. Capital, and therefore an interested person of WhiteHorse Finance, serves as chairman of the board. Our board believes that it is in the best interests of our investors for Mr. Bolduc to lead the board because of his familiarity with our portfolio companies, his broad experience with the day-to-day management and operation of other investment funds and his significant background in credit investing and in the financial services industry, as described below.

The board does not have a lead independent director. However, Rick D. Puckett, the chairman of the audit committee, is an independent director and acts as a liaison between the independent directors and management between meetings of the board. Mr. Puckett is involved in the preparation of agendas for board and committee meetings. The board believes that its leadership structure is appropriate because the structure allocates areas of responsibility among the individual directors and the committees in a manner that enhances effective oversight. The board also believes that its small size creates an efficient governance structure that provides opportunity for direct communication and interaction between our investment adviser and the board.

 

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Directors

Information regarding the members of the board as of the date of this prospectus is as follows:

 

Name

  Age    

Position

 

Director
Since

  Expiration
of Term
 

Interested Directors

       

John Bolduc

    48      Chairman of the Board of Directors   2012     2015   

Jay Carvell

    46      Chief Executive Officer   2012     2014   

Independent Directors

       

Rick D. Puckett

    59      Director, Chairman of the audit committee   2012     2015   

Thomas C. Davis

    64      Director, Chairman of the nominating and corporate governance committees   2012     2014   

Alexander W. Pease

    41      Director   2012     2013   

The address for each director is c/o WhiteHorse Finance, LLC, 1450 Brickell Avenue, 31st Floor, Miami, Florida 33131.

Executive Officers Who are Not Directors

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

 

Name

   Age     

Position

Alastair G. C. Merrick

     59       Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer

Ethan Underwood

     38       Chief Operating Officer

The address for each executive officer is c/o WhiteHorse Finance, LLC, 1450 Brickell Avenue, 31st Floor, Miami, Florida 33131.

Officers Who are Not Directors

 

Name

   Age     

Position

Edward Cook

     47       Chief Compliance Officer

The address for each officer is c/o WhiteHorse Finance, LLC, 1450 Brickell Avenue, 31st Floor, Miami, Florida 33131.

Biographical Information

Directors

Our directors have been divided into two groups—interested directors and independent directors. Interested directors are “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act.

Interested Directors

John Bolduc:     Mr. Bolduc is Chairman of our board. Mr. Bolduc is an Executive Managing Director of H.I.G. Capital, having joined the firm in 1993. Mr. Bolduc is responsible for leading H.I.G. Capital’s credit platform, which manages approximately $5 billion of capital across multiple investment funds. He has more than 24 years of experience focused on credit investments, including primary loans and distressed debt, as well as private equity investments. Mr. Bolduc currently serves on the board of several privately held companies. Prior to joining H.I.G. Capital in 1993, Mr. Bolduc was at the management-consulting firm of Bain & Company, a leading worldwide management-consulting firm, where he directed domestic and international

 

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assignments for Fortune 500 clients. Prior to joining Bain & Company, Mr. Bolduc worked for three years as the Assistant to the President of Chemed Corporation (NYSE: CHE), a specialty chemical company. Mr. Bolduc is a graduate of Lehigh University with a B.S. degree in Computer Science and earned his M.B.A. from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.

Mr. Bolduc was selected to serve as Chairman of our board due, in part, to his familiarity with our portfolio companies, his broad experience with the day-to-day management and operation of other investment funds and his significant background investing in debt and working in the financial services industry.

Jay Carvell:     Mr. Carvell is our Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Carvell also serves as a Managing Director at an H.I.G. Capital-affiliated investment adviser. He is responsible for all aspects of our investment process, including sourcing, structuring and post-closing strategies, as well as portfolio management. Prior to joining H.I.G. Capital, Mr. Carvell was a founding partner of WhiteHorse Capital Partners, L.P., a leading credit investor and manager of collateralized loan obligations, or CLOs. At WhiteHorse Capital Partners, Mr. Carvell co-managed portfolios of par and distressed loans across numerous industries and sectors through several market cycles. Mr. Carvell has over 15 years of experience in credit investment and management, including structuring and placement, trading and restructuring and reorganization. This experience branches across small, mid-cap and broadly syndicated credits. Before founding WhiteHorse Capital Partners in 2003, Mr. Carvell held various positions with Highland Capital Management, L.P. and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Mr. Carvell earned both a B.A. and an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Mr. Carvell was selected to serve as a director on our board due to his experience investing in credit and managing WhiteHorse Capital Partners. Mr. Carvell’s experience building WhiteHorse Capital Partners brings expertise on developing a successful credit investment firm to the board.

Independent Directors

Thomas C. Davis:     Mr. Davis has served as a director since 2012. He currently serves on the board of directors of Dean Foods Company, Westwood Holdings Group, Inc., Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc. and BioHorizons, Inc. Mr. Davis is actively involved in investing in and financing small-cap companies through a wholly owned financial advisory firm called The Concorde Group, Inc., of which he serves as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Davis previously served as the Managing Partner and head of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Inc.’s investment banking and corporate finance activities in the Southwestern United States from March 1984 to February 2001, when Credit Suisse First Boston acquired Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. At Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Mr. Davis was responsible for the mergers and acquisitions activity and the equity and leveraged finance activity that Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette undertook in the Southwestern United States. In this capacity, Mr. Davis worked with several large private equity firms as clients, in addition to a variety of public and private companies in the following industries: broadcast and telecommunications, energy, food service and health care. Mr. Davis received a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and was an officer in the United States Navy.

Mr. Davis’ experience as Managing Partner at a large investment banking firm overseeing corporate finance activities and as a board member of several companies are among the attributes that led to the conclusion that Mr. Davis should serve on our board of directors.

 

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Alexander W. Pease:     Mr. Pease has served as a director since 2012. He is currently Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of EnPro Industries, Inc. and has held these positions since May 2011. EnPro Industries, Inc. is a diversified, specialty manufacturing company with operations in nine countries worldwide. In addition to his finance responsibilities, Mr. Pease also has responsibility for mergers and acquisitions, strategy, supply chain management, information technology and continuous improvement. Prior to joining EnPro Industries, Inc. in February 2011, Mr. Pease was a principal with McKinsey and Company, Inc., where he was a leader in the Global Energy and Materials and Operations practices. Prior to joining McKinsey and Company, Inc., Mr. Pease spent six years in the United States Navy as a SEAL Team leader with a wide range of international operating experience. Mr. Pease is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a B.S. degree in English and Spanish and earned his M.B.A. from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.

Mr. Pease’s experience as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at a public company and as a principal at a leading management consulting firm are among the attributes that led to the conclusion that Mr. Pease should serve on our board of directors.

Rick D. Puckett:     Mr Puckett has served as a director since 2012. He has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. since December 2010 and served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Lance, Inc. from 2006 to December 2010. Prior to joining Lance, Inc., Mr. Puckett served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of United Natural Foods, Inc., a wholesale distributor of natural and organic products, from 2005 to January 2006 and as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of United Natural Foods, Inc. from 2003 to 2005. Mr. Puckett earned both his B.S. in Accounting and his M.B.A. from the University of Kentucky and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Mr. Puckett’s experience as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at a public company and his training as a Certified Public Accountant are among the attributes that led to the conclusion that Mr. Puckett should serve on our board of directors.

Executive officers who are not directors

Alastair Merrick:     Mr. Merrick is our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Before joining H.I.G. Capital in June 2012, Mr. Merrick served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer for Churchill Financial Group Inc., a leading middle market finance and asset management company. Prior to joining Churchill Financial Group, Inc. in 2006, Mr. Merrick was Chief Financial Officer for E*TRADE Bank. Prior to joining E*TRADE Bank, Mr. Merrick spent 16 years at IBJ Whitehall Financial Group, eventually serving as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Operations. Mr. Merrick began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Mr. Merrick earned his B.A. in Economics from The University of Leeds in the United Kingdom and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Ethan Underwood:     Mr. Underwood is our Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Underwood is also a Managing Director of an H.I.G. Capital-affiliated investment adviser. He is responsible for all aspects of the investment process, including sourcing, structuring and post-close strategies, as well as portfolio management. Prior to joining H.I.G. Capital, Mr. Underwood was a founding partner of WhiteHorse Capital Partners, L.P., a leading credit investor and manager of CLOs. At WhiteHorse Capital Partners, Mr. Underwood co-managed portfolios of par and distressed middle market and broadly syndicated loans across numerous industries and sectors through several market cycles. Before founding WhiteHorse Capital Partners in 2003, Mr. Underwood served as portfolio manager for Highland Capital Management, L.P., and he began his career at

 

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PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Mr. Underwood earned a B.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Officers Who are Not Directors

Edward Cook:     Mr. Cook has been our Chief Compliance Officer since September 2012. He also currently serves as a Director of Alaric Compliance Services, LLC, a position he has held since November 2007. Mr. Cook also serves as the Chief Compliance Officer to Broadmark Asset Management, LLC, a registered investment adviser, and Solar Capital Partners, LLC, a registered investment adviser that advises business development companies, positions he has held since March 2011 and November 2008, respectively. He has also developed the compliance programs for funds of funds and has worked in other supporting capacities for mutual funds. From April 2004 to October 2007, Mr. Cook served as Counsel to the head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Department of Homeland Security, where he contributed to the development of national anti-money laundering strategy. He began as an attorney practicing over 20 years ago, initially with Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP. His securities practice also included the Drexel Burnham Lambert Inc. reorganization as well as other matters for financial industry clients. Mr. Cook also worked for several years as a commercial litigator at the law firm of Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman and Dicker LLP and has acted as counsel to a number of small corporations. In his nearly five years on active duty with the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps, Mr. Cook served as a trial attorney and later as legal advisor to several admirals. He presently holds the rank of Commander in the Navy Reserve. Additionally, Mr. Cook’s public sector experience includes his role as a municipal judge elected for two terms. Mr. Cook received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he was an editor of the Journal of Law and Politics, and his A.B. from the College of William & Mary. He is admitted to practice law in New York and before the Second and Fourth Circuits of the U.S. Court of Appeals, the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, and the U.S. Tax Court.

Committees of the Board of Directors

Audit Committee

The members of the audit committee are Messrs. Davis, Pease and Puckett, each of whom is independent for purposes of the 1940 Act and The NASDAQ Global Market corporate governance regulations. Mr. Puckett serves as chairman of the audit committee. The audit committee is responsible for approving our independent accountants, reviewing with our independent accountants the plans and results of the audit engagement, approving professional services provided by our independent accountants, reviewing the independence of our independent accountants and reviewing the adequacy of our internal accounting controls. The audit committee is also responsible for aiding our board in fair value pricing debt and equity securities that are not publicly-traded or for which current market values are not readily available. The board and audit committee will use the services of one or more independent valuation firms to help them determine the fair value of these securities. Our board has determined that Mr. Puckett is an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined in Regulation S-K under the Securities Act. In addition, each member of our audit committee meets the current independence and experience requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The members of the nominating and corporate governance committee are Messrs. Davis, Pease and Puckett, each of whom is independent for purposes of the 1940 Act and the corporate governance regulations of The NASDAQ Global Market. Mr. Davis serves as chairman of the

 

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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 or a committee of the board, developing and recommending to the board a set of corporate governance principles and overseeing the evaluation of the board and our management.

The nominating and corporate governance committee will consider nominees to the board recommended by a stockholder, if such stockholder complies with the advance notice provisions of our bylaws. Our bylaws provide that a stockholder who wishes to nominate a person for election as a director at a meeting of stockholders must deliver written notice to our corporate secretary. This notice must contain, as to each nominee, all of the information relating to such person as would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement meeting the requirements of Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act and certain other information set forth in the bylaws. In order to be eligible to be a nominee for election as a director by a stockholder, such potential nominee must deliver to our corporate secretary a written questionnaire providing the requested information about the background and qualifications of such person and a written representation and agreement that such person is not and will not become a party to any voting agreements, any agreement or understanding with any person with respect to any compensation or indemnification in connection with service on the board, and would be in compliance with all of our publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines.

Compensation Committee

We will not have a compensation committee because our executive officers will not receive any direct compensation from us.

Compensation of Directors

Our independent directors each will receive an annual fee of $50,000. They will also receive $3,500 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each quarterly board meeting and will receive $1,500 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each in-person committee meeting. In addition, the Chairman of the Audit Committee will receive an annual fee of $10,000, and the chairman of the nominating and corporate governance committee will receive an annual fee of $5,000 for their additional services in these capacities. No compensation is expected to be paid to directors who are “interested persons.” In addition, we have purchased directors’ and officers’ liability insurance on behalf of our directors and officers.

Compensation of Chief Executive Officer and Other Executive Officers

None of our officers will receive direct compensation from us. An allocable portion of the compensation of our chief financial officer, chief operating officer and our chief compliance officer will be paid by WhiteHorse Administration, subject to reimbursement by us of an allocable portion of such compensation for services rendered by them to us. To the extent that our administrator outsources any of its functions we will pay the fees associated with such functions on a direct basis without profit to the administrators.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS

We have entered into an agreement with our interim investment adviser and expect to enter into an agreement with our investment adviser, under each of these agreements our senior management and members of the investment committee have, in the case of the interim investment advisory agreement, or will have, in the case of the investment advisory agreement, ownership and financial interests. Members of our senior management and members of the investment committee also serve as principals of other investment managers affiliated with our investment adviser and our interim investment adviser that do and may in the future manage investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles with investment objectives similar to ours. In addition, our executive officers and directors and the members of our investment adviser and our interim investment adviser and members of the investment committee serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same, or related, lines of business as we do or of investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles managed by our affiliates. These investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles may have investment objectives similar to our investment objectives. As a result, we may not be given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles managed by our investment or its affiliates or by members of the investment committee. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Business and Structure—There are significant potential conflicts of interest that could affect our investment returns.” Where we are able to co-invest consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act, if sufficient securities or loan amounts are available to satisfy our and each such account’s proposed demand, the opportunity will be allocated in accordance with our investment adviser’s pre-transaction determination. Where we are unable to co-invest consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act, our investment adviser’s allocation policy provides for investments to be allocated on a random or rotational basis to assure that all clients have fair and equitable access to such investment opportunities.

Policies and Procedures for Managing Conflicts

Our investment adviser and its affiliates have both subjective and objective procedures and policies in place and designed to manage the potential conflicts of interest between our investment adviser’s fiduciary obligations to us and its similar fiduciary obligations to other clients. For example, such policies and procedures are designed to ensure that investment opportunities are allocated in a fair and equitable manner among us and their other clients. An investment opportunity that is suitable for multiple clients of our investment adviser and its affiliates may not be capable of being shared among some or all of such clients and affiliates due to the limited scale of the opportunity or other factors, including regulatory restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act. There can be no assurance that our investment adviser’s or its affiliates’ efforts to allocate any particular investment opportunity fairly among all clients for whom such opportunity is appropriate will result in an allocation of all or part of such opportunity to us. Not all conflicts of interest can be expected to be resolved in our favor.

Our investment adviser may manage investment vehicles with similar or overlapping investment strategies with us and has put in place a conflict-resolution policy that addresses the co-investment restrictions set forth under the 1940 Act and seeks to ensure the equitable allocation of investment opportunities when we are able to invest alongside other accounts managed by our adviser and its affiliates. When we invest alongside such other accounts as permitted, such investments are made consistent with the allocation policy of H.I.G. Capital and our investment adviser. Under this allocation policy, a fixed calculation, based on the type of investment, will be applied to determine the amount of each opportunity to be allocated to us. This allocation policy will be periodically reviewed by our investment adviser and approved by

 

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our independent directors. We expect that these determinations will be made similarly for other accounts sponsored or managed by our investment adviser and its affiliates. Where we are able to co-invest consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act, if sufficient securities or loan amounts are available to satisfy our and each such account’s proposed demand, we expect that the opportunity will be allocated in accordance with our investment adviser’s pre-transaction determination. If there is an insufficient amount of an investment opportunity to satisfy us and other accounts sponsored or managed by our investment adviser or its affiliates, the allocation policy further provides that allocations among us and such other accounts will generally be made pro rata based on the amount that each such party would have invested if sufficient securities or loan amounts were available. However, we can offer no assurance that investment opportunities will be allocated to us fairly or equitably in the short-term or over time. We expect that these determinations will be made similarly for other accounts sponsored or managed by H.I.G. Capital and its affiliates. In situations where co-investment with other accounts managed by our investment adviser or its affiliates is not permitted or appropriate, H.I.G. Capital and our investment adviser will need to decide which client will proceed with the investment. Our investment adviser’s allocation policy provides, in such circumstances, for investments to be allocated on a random or rotational basis to assure that all clients have fair and equitable access to such investment opportunities.

Co-Investment Opportunities

We have in the past and expect in the future to co-invest on a concurrent basis with other affiliates, unless doing so is impermissible with existing regulatory guidance, applicable regulations and our allocation procedures. Certain types of 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 we will obtain any such order. See “Regulation.” We, H.I.G. Capital and our investment adviser intend to submit an exemptive application to the SEC to permit greater flexibility to negotiate the terms of co-investments if our board determines that it would be advantageous for us to co-invest with other accounts managed by our investment adviser or its affiliates in a manner consistent with our investment objectives, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors.

Certain funds and other vehicles advised by an affiliate of our investment adviser own more than 50% of the voting securities of two of our portfolio companies, control the board of such companies or are the controlling members of such companies, which we refer to in this prospectus as affiliate control investments. Such investments at different points in the capital structure of a single portfolio company can give rise to actual or potential conflicts of interest, and we will not be able to make any similar investments after we elect to be treated as a business development company immediately prior to this offering. As a result of these affiliate control investments, some investment opportunities with respect to these two portfolio companies will not be available to us. For example, under the 1940 Act and the regulations thereunder, we may not be permitted, or will be limited in our ability, to participate in follow-on offerings of securities by such portfolio companies or to sell or otherwise exit our investments in such portfolio companies. The funds and other vehicles advised by the affiliate of our investment adviser will be similarly limited in their ability to participate in such investment opportunities for as long as we retain our interest in such investment securities. Apart from these limitations with respect to such portfolio companies, we do not believe that the existence of such affiliate control investments will have an adverse impact on our investment activity. We have no present intention to sell such investments and expect, subject to any change in circumstances with respect to such investments, to hold them to maturity. We are also not aware of any plans by either such portfolio company to undertake any follow on offering of securities in which we would be prohibited from investing.

 

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Our board of directors has reviewed the potential impact on our investment activity of these affiliate control investments and has concluded that the potential impact should be minimal. In reaching this conclusion, the board considered several factors, including (1) that such limitations will not affect us after such time as our investments in these two portfolio companies are either repaid at maturity or refinanced and (2) that these investments are generally consistent with our investment strategy and may be held through maturity, barring any unforeseen developments, without adversely impacting our investment strategy. We do not intend, and are prohibited by the terms of the 1940 Act and the related rules thereunder, from investing in securities issued by any company in which an affiliate of ours or of our investment adviser holds a control investment except pursuant to the terms of an order of exemptive relief granted by the SEC or otherwise in accordance with interpretive guidance, if any, provided by the staff of the SEC permitting such investments.

Material Non-Public Information

Our senior management, members of the investment committee and other investment professionals from our investment adviser may serve as directors of, or in a similar capacity with, companies in which we invest or in which we are considering making an investment. Through these and other relationships with a company, these individuals may obtain material non-public information that might restrict our ability to buy or sell the securities of such public company under its policies, our policies or applicable law.

Investment Advisory Agreement

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, WhiteHorse Advisers has agreed to provide investment advisory services to us. WhiteHorse Advisers has also agreed to provide us with access to personnel and an investment committee so that we may fulfill our obligations as collateral manager to WhiteHorse Warehouse under the Credit Facility, and we will pay WhiteHorse Advisers a fee for investment management services consisting of a base management fee and an incentive fee. This fee structure may create an incentive for WhiteHorse Advisers to invest in certain types of securities.

The management fee and incentive fee paid to our investment adviser are based on the value of our investments and there may be a conflict of interest when personnel of our investment adviser are involved in the valuation process for our portfolio investments. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Business and Structure—There are significant conflicts of interest that could affect our investment returns.”

Our investment adviser is an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital and will, in turn, depend upon access to the investment professionals and other resources of H.I.G. Capital and its affiliates to fulfill its obligations to us under the Investment Advisory Agreement. WhiteHorse Advisers will also depend on an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital to obtain access to deal flow generated by the professionals of H.I.G. Capital. Under the Staffing Agreement, an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital has agreed to provide our investment adviser with the resources necessary to fulfill these obligations. The Staffing Agreement provides that the affiliate of H.I.G. Capital will make available to WhiteHorse Advisers experienced investment professionals and access to its senior investment personnel for purposes of evaluating, negotiating, structuring, closing and monitoring our investments. We are not a party to this Staffing Agreement and cannot assure you that the affiliate of H.I.G. Capital will fulfill its obligations under such agreement. If the affiliate fails to perform, we cannot assure you that our investment adviser will enforce the Staffing Agreement, that such agreement will not be terminated by either party or that we will continue to have access to the investment professionals of H.I.G. Capital and its affiliates or their market knowledge and deal flow.

 

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Administration Agreement

We have entered into an Administration Agreement, pursuant to which WhiteHorse Administration furnishes us with office facilities, equipment and clerical, bookkeeping, recordkeeping and other administrative services to enable us to operate. WhiteHorse Administration also provides us with access to the resources necessary for us to perform our obligations as collateral manager of WhiteHorse Warehouse under the Credit Facility. Under our Administration Agreement, WhiteHorse Administration performs, or oversees the performance of, our required administrative services, which include being responsible for the financial records which we are required to maintain and preparing reports to our stockholders and reports filed with the SEC. WhiteHorse Advisers is the sole member of and controls WhiteHorse Administration.

Concurrent Private Placement

Concurrently with the closing of this offering, we will sell to certain of our officers and directors, their immediate family members or entities owned by, or family trusts for the benefit of, such persons,         shares of our common stock in the Concurrent Private Placement at the initial public offering price per share, resulting in aggregate net cash proceeds to us of $         million. Under a registration rights agreement signed at the time of such private placement, the holders of these shares will receive registration rights entitling them to make up to two demands on us to register their shares under the Securities Act. Holders of a majority of these shares may elect to exercise their registration rights at any time after the date on which these shares of common stock are released from the lock-up arrangement agreed to as part of this offering.

License Agreement

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

Formation Transactions

Our Formation .    We were formed on December 28, 2011 and commenced operations on January 1, 2012 as H.I.G. WhiteHorse Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. We changed our name to WhiteHorse Finance, LLC on April 18, 2012. The Members contributed assets to us with a fair value of $176.3 million in exchange for units in WhiteHorse Finance, LLC. These assets were contributed as of January 1, 2012 in exchange for 11,752,383 units in WhiteHorse Finance. For this initial formation transaction, we retained an independent, third-party valuation firm to provide the fair value of such contributed assets as of the date of such contribution, except in the case of one asset contributed on January 1, 2012. In this case, the fair value was determined based on its acquisition in a recent arm’s length transaction with an unaffiliated third party.

Credit Facility .    On September 27, 2012, our wholly owned subsidiary, WhiteHorse Warehouse, as the borrower, entered into a $150 million secured revolving credit facility with an asset-backed commercial paper conduit, as lender, for which Natixis, New York Branch, provides liquidity support. The Credit Facility has a stated maturity date of September 27, 2020. Our ability to draw under the Credit Facility is scheduled to terminate 24 months after the closing date of the Credit Facility. On September 27, 2012, WhiteHorse Warehouse drew $51.3 million under that facility. The Credit Facility is secured by all of the assets of WhiteHorse

 

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Warehouse, which includes nine loans with a fair value of $198.1 million as of September 30, 2012. We expect to cause WhiteHorse Warehouse to continue to acquire and finance primarily senior secured loans in a manner consistent with our investment strategy. WhiteHorse Warehouse will not originate loans. Rather, we expect to originate and acquire loans and transfer to WhiteHorse Warehouse some of the loans that meet the objective requirements described elsewhere in this prospectus. As of September 30, 2012, we had $51.3 million in outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility. WhiteHorse Warehouse is consolidated with us for accounting purposes and for purposes of our compliance with the asset coverage test under the 1940 Act. In connection with the Credit Facility, we and WhiteHorse Warehouse entered into the Loan Sale Agreement and the Collateral Management Agreement and we entered into the Risk Retention Letter.

Unsecured Term Loan .    On November [    ], 2012, we entered into the $90.0 million Unsecured Term Loan. The Unsecured Term Loan has a stated maturity date of July 3, 2014. Under the terms of the Unsecured Term Loan, with respect to which we pledged no collateral to the lenders, we are required to pay interest monthly at an annual rate of LIBOR plus 2.75% per year except at our option and under certain other circumstances, at one of several other interest rates. The Unsecured Term Loan is subject to customary covenants and events of default, such as the failure to pay the principal of, or interest on, the Unsecured Term Loan, certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur or a payment default under certain of our other debt obligations. The Unsecured Term Loan includes customary restrictions that limit our ability to pay dividends under certain circumstances, to merge with another entity unless we are the surviving entity following the merger and to amend our organizational documents. One of our Members, Loan Fund II, has guaranteed our obligation to make payments under the Unsecured Term Loan. Loan Fund II, as guarantor of the Unsecured Term Loan, has the right to require the lender to assign the loan to it under certain circumstances. We are permitted to prepay amounts outstanding under the Unsecured Term Loan in whole or in part without penalty.

Distribution to the Members . On November [    ], 2012, we made a single, one-time distribution of $[    ] million to the Members. This distribution was funded with the proceeds from the Credit Facility and the Unsecured Term Loan as well as cash we generated from the ordinary course of business. The Distribution to the Members represents, in effect, a reduction in the amount of the Members’ initial equity contribution and the replacement of such equity contribution with debt capital from unaffiliated third parties.

BDC Conversion .    Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, WhiteHorse Finance, LLC intends to convert into a Delaware corporation, WhiteHorse Finance, Inc., and all of the outstanding units in WhiteHorse Finance, LLC will be converted into         shares of common stock in WhiteHorse Finance, Inc. As part of the BDC Conversion, the Members will receive an aggregate of         shares of our common stock in exchange for the 23,983,586 units they own in WhiteHorse Finance, LLC, representing an estimated equivalent price of $         per share based on the fair value of the assets contributed by the Members in connection with our formation, as determined by our board. Upon completion of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement, the Members will own, collectively, an interest of approximately [    ]% in us, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares. H.I.G. Bayside Debt & LBO Fund II, L.P. and H.I.G. Bayside Loan Opportunity Fund II, L.P. are our Members and are control persons of us. The voting rights to the securities owned by each of the Members have been passed through to their respective members and limited partners.

 

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CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

Immediately prior to the completion of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement, there will be shares of common stock outstanding and         stockholders of record. At that time, we will have no other shares of capital stock outstanding. The following table sets forth 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.

The shares shown in the table below as being owned by H.I.G. Bayside Debt & LBO Fund II, L.P., and H.I.G. Bayside Loan Opportunity Fund II, L.P. reflect the fact that each may be viewed as having investment power over [        ] shares of our common stock, although voting rights to such securities have been passed through to the respective limited partners.

 

        Percentage of common stock outstanding  
        Immediately prior
to this offering
and Concurrent Private
Placement(1)
    Immediately after
this offering(2)
and Concurrent Private
Placement(1)
 

Name and address

  Type of
ownership
  Shares
owned
  Percentage     Shares
owned
  Percentage  

H. I. G. Bayside Debt & LBO Fund II, L.P.(4)

        %          %   

H. I. G. Bayside Loan Opportunity Fund II, L.P.(4)

        %          %   

John Bolduc(3)

        %          %   

Jay Carvell(3)

        %          %   

Anthony Tamer(4)

         

Sami Mnaymneh(4)

         

Thomas C. Davis(3)

        %          %   

Alexander W. Pease(3)

        %          %   

Rick D. Puckett(3)

        %          %   

Edward Cook(3)

        %          %   

Alastair G. C. Merrick(3)

        %          %   

Ethan Underwood(3)

         

All officers and directors as a group (persons)

        %          %   

 

(1) Immediately prior to the closing of this offering, we expect to sell          shares of common stock in the Concurrent Private Placement at a price of $         per share. We will receive the full proceeds of the Concurrent Private Placement, and no underwriting discounts or commissions will be paid in respect of these shares.
(2) Assumes the issuance of          shares offered by this prospectus. Does not reflect [        ] shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.
(3) The address for each of our directors and officers is c/o WhiteHorse Finance, LLC, 1450 Brickell Avenue, 31st Floor, Miami, Florida 33131.
(4) The address of H.I.G. Bayside Debt & LBO Fund II, L.P., and H.I.G. Bayside Loan Opportunity Fund II, L.P., each a Delaware limited partnership, is 1450 Brickell Avenue, 31st Floor, Miami, Florida 33131.
  H.I.G. Bayside Debt & LBO Fund II, L.P. and H.I.G. Bayside Loan Opportunity Fund II, L.P. are our Members and are control persons of us. The shares of common stock shown in the above table as being owned by each named entity reflect the fact that each may be viewed as having investment power over          shares of our common stock indirectly owned of record by such entities, although voting rights to such securities have been passed through to the respective limited partners. Each of H.I.G. Bayside Debt & LBO Fund II, L.P. and H.I.G. Bayside Loan Opportunity Fund II, L.P. disclaim beneficial ownership of such shares of common stock, except to the extent of their respective pecuniary interests therein.
  Messrs. Mnaymneh and Tamer are control persons of H.I.G.-GP II, Inc., which is the manager of the general partner of each of the Members. The shares of common stock shown in the above table as being owned by each named individual reflect the fact that, due to their control of such entities, each may be viewed as having investment power over [        ] shares of common stock indirectly owned by such entities, although voting rights to such securities have been passed through to the respective members and limited partners. Messrs. Mnaymneh and Tamer disclaim beneficial ownership of such shares of common stock except to the extent of their respective pecuniary interests therein.
* Less than 1 percent.

 

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The following table sets forth the dollar range of our equity securities beneficially owned by each of our directors after giving effect to the Concurrent Private Placement. 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
WhiteHorse Finance(1)

Independent Directors

  

Thomas C. Davis

  

Alexander W. Pease

  

Rick D. Puckett

  

Interested Directors

  

John Bolduc

  

Jay Carvell

  

 

(1)

Dollar ranges are as follows: None, $1 – $10,000, $10,001 – $50,000, $50,001 – $100,000, or $100,001 – $500,000; $500,001 – $1,000,000; and Over $1,000,000.

 

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THE ADVISER AND THE ADMINISTRATOR

WhiteHorse Advisers will serve as our investment adviser. WhiteHorse Advisers is a newly-formed investment adviser that is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and is an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, and we and WhiteHorse Advisers have entered enter into the Investment Advisory Agreement.

WhiteHorse Advisers is a Delaware limited liability company. The principal executive offices of WhiteHorse Advisers are located at 1450 Brickell Avenue, 31st Floor, Miami, Florida 33131.

Investment Committee

Each of the individuals listed below, in addition to Messrs. Carvell, Bolduc and Underwood, is a member of the investment committee and has primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of our portfolio. The members of the investment committee are also members of our investment adviser’s investment committee. All of the portfolio managers are employed by H.I.G. Capital.

The members of the investment committee will receive no compensation from us. These members will be employees of an affiliate of our investment adviser and will receive no direct compensation from our investment adviser.

Members of Our Investment Adviser’s Investment Committee Who Are Not Our Directors or Officers

Sami Mnaymneh:     Mr. Mnaymneh is a co-founding Partner of H.I.G. Capital and has served as a Managing Partner of the firm since 1993. He has directed H.I.G. Capital’s development since its inception and, alongside Mr. Tamer, is responsible for the day-to-day management of H.I.G. Capital. He approves all capital commitments made by H.I.G. Capital and is a board member of several H.I.G. Capital portfolio companies. Prior to co-founding H.I.G. Capital, Mr. Mnaymneh was a Managing Director at The Blackstone Group in New York. Prior to that time, he was a Vice President in the Mergers & Acquisitions department at Morgan Stanley & Co., where he devoted a significant amount of his time to leveraged buyouts, serving as senior advisor to a number of large and prominent private equity firms. Mr. Mnaymneh currently serves on the Board of Columbia College and on the Dean’s Council of Harvard Law School. Mr. Mnaymneh received a B.A. degree from Columbia University ( Summa Cum Laude ), a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, respectively, with honors. Mr. Mnaymneh splits his time between H.I.G. Capital’s London and Miami offices.

Anthony Tamer:      Mr. Tamer is a co-founding Partner of H.I.G. Capital and has served as a Managing Partner of the firm since 1993. He has directed H.I.G. Capital’s development since its inception and, alongside Mr. Mnaymneh, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the firm. Prior to founding H.I.G. Capital, Mr. Tamer was a Partner at Bain & Company, a leading management consulting firm. His focus at Bain & Company was on developing business unit strategies, improving clients’ competitive positions, implementing productivity improvement and cycle time reduction programs, and leading acquisition and divestiture activities for Fortune 500 clients. Mr. Tamer has extensive operating experience, having held marketing, engineering and manufacturing positions at Hewlett-Packard and Sprint Corporation. Mr. Tamer holds a B.S. degree from Rutgers University, an M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University and an M.B.A. degree from Harvard Business School.

Ethan Underwood:      See “Management of the Company—Biographical Information” for a biography of Mr. Underwood.

 

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Lewis Schoenwetter:      Mr. Schoenwetter has over seventeen years of debt and private equity investing experience in a broad range of industries, including business services, manufacturing, distribution, telecom and healthcare. Mr. Schoenwetter has been involved in all aspects of the investment process including sourcing, transaction structuring, financing and execution of post-closing strategies. He currently serves on the board of numerous H.I.G. Capital portfolio companies. Prior to joining H.I.G. Capital, Mr. Schoenwetter was a Director with Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, Inc. In this role, he was responsible for investment analysis and working with the management of portfolio companies to create value. Prior to joining Levine Leichtman, Mr. Schoenwetter worked in the private equity group at ABN AMRO Bank N.V. and in Bank of America’s leveraged finance group. Mr. Schoenwetter earned a B.A. from Marquette University and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago.

Pankaj Gupta:     Mr. Gupta is a Managing Director of an H.I.G. Capital-affiliated investment adviser. Mr. Gupta has over fourteen years of experience in private debt and equity investing across a broad range of industries, including business services, manufacturing, distribution, telecom, healthcare, consumer products and consumer services. Prior to joining H.I.G. Capital, Mr. Gupta served as a Managing Director of American Capital Ltd., a middle-market investment firm, where he co-managed the firm’s debt investment business and sat on the boards of directors of several of the firm’s portfolio companies. Prior to joining American Capital Ltd., Mr. Gupta spent six years at Audax Group LP, a Boston and New York-based private equity and mezzanine firm, where he was responsible for the origination, structuring, execution and monitoring of mezzanine investments. Mr. Gupta also worked in the private equity group of J.H. Whitney & Co., LLC. Mr. Gupta earned a B.A. in Economics from Dartmouth College.

Portfolio Management

The portfolio managers who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of WhiteHorse Finance manage a total of 49 registered investment companies, pooled investment vehicles or other accounts with a total amount of approximately $35.0 billion in assets under management. The table below shows the dollar range of shares of common stock to be beneficially owned by each manager of our investment adviser and each of our officers after giving effect to the Concurrent Private Placement.

 

Name

   Dollar Range of Equity Securities
in WhiteHorse Finance(1)

Sami Mnaymneh

  

Anthony Tamer

  

Ethan Underwood

  

Lewis Schoenwetter

  

Pankaj Gupta

  

Jay Carvell

  

John Bolduc

  

 

(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.

 

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Investment Advisory Agreement

WhiteHorse Advisers will serve as our investment adviser subsequent to consummation of this offering in accordance with the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement. Subject to the overall supervision of our board, our investment adviser will manage the day-to-day operations of, and provide investment management services to, us. Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, WhiteHorse Advisers does and 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); and

 

   

close, monitor and administer the investments we make, including the exercise of any voting or consent rights.

In addition, WhiteHorse Advisers has agreed to provide us with access to personnel and an investment committee so that we may fulfill our obligations as collateral manager to WhiteHorse Warehouse under the Credit Facility.

WhiteHorse Advisers’ services under the Investment Advisory 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. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, we will pay WhiteHorse Advisers a fee for investment management services consisting of a base management fee and an incentive fee.

Management Fee.

The base management fee will be calculated at an annual rate of 2.0% of our consolidated gross assets, including cash and cash equivalents and assets purchased with borrowed funds, and is payable quarterly in arrears. The base management fee will be calculated based on the average carrying value of our consolidated gross assets at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters and will be appropriately adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the current calendar quarter. Base investment advisory fees for any partial month or quarter will be appropriately pro rated. Our investment advisor has agreed to exclude cash and cash equivalents from the calculation of the base management fee for the calendar quarters ending December 31, 2012, March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013.

Incentive Fee.

The incentive fee consists of two components that are independent of each other, except as provided by the incentive fee cap discussed below.

We have structured the calculation of these incentive fees, which we refer to collectively in this prospectus as the “Income and Capital Gain Incentive Fee Calculations,” to include a fee limitation such that no incentive fee will be paid to our investment adviser for any quarter if, after such payment, the cumulative incentive fees paid to our investment adviser for the period that includes the current fiscal quarter and the 11 preceding fiscal quarters, which we refer to in this prospectus as the Incentive Fee Look-back Period, would exceed 20.0% of our Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income during the Incentive Fee Look-back Period.

We accomplish this limitation by subjecting each incentive fee payable to a cap, which we refer to in this prospectus as the Incentive Fee Cap. The Incentive Fee Cap in any quarter is equal to (a) 20.0% of Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income during the Incentive Look-back

 

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Period less (b) cumulative incentive fees of any kind paid to our investment adviser by us for the Incentive Fee Look-back Period. To the extent the Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value in any quarter, we will pay no incentive fee to our investment adviser in that quarter. We will only pay incentive fees to the extent allowed by the Incentive Fee Cap. To the extent that the payment of incentive fees is limited by the Incentive Fee Cap, the payment of such fees may be deferred and paid in subsequent quarters up to three years after their date of deferment, subject to applicable limitations included in the Investment Advisory Agreement.

In this prospectus, Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income refers to the sum of (a) Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for each period during the Incentive Fee Look-back Period and (b) the sum of cumulative realized capital gains, cumulative realized capital losses, cumulative unrealized capital depreciation and cumulative unrealized capital appreciation during the applicable Incentive Fee Look-back Period.

The first component, which is income-based, will be calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter, subject to the Incentive Fee Cap. For this purpose, Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income means, in each case on a consolidated basis, interest income, distribution 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, any interest expense and any dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the incentive fee). Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation.

The operation of the first component 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 Rate of 1.75% (7.00% annualized);

 

   

100% 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 Rate but is less than 2.1875% in any calendar quarter (8.75% annualized) is payable to our investment adviser. We refer to this portion of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (which exceeds the Hurdle Rate but is less than 2.1875%) as the “catch-up.” The effect of the “catch-up” provision is that, if such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter, our investment adviser will receive 20% of such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income as if the Hurdle Rate did not apply; and

 

   

20% of the amount of such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter (8.75% annualized) is payable to our investment adviser (once the Hurdle Rate is reached and the catch-up is achieved, 20% of all Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income).

The portion of such incentive fee that is attributable to deferred interest (such as PIK interest or original issue discount) will be paid to our investment adviser, together with interest from the date of deferral to the date of payment, only if and to the extent we actually receive such interest in cash, and any accrual will be reversed if and to the extent such interest is reversed in connection with any write-off or similar treatment of the investment giving rise to any deferred interest accrual. Any reversal of such amounts would reduce net income for the quarter by the net

 

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amount of the reversal (after taking into account the reversal of incentive fees payable) and would result in a reduction and possibly elimination of the incentive fees for such quarter.

There is no accumulation of amounts on the Hurdle Rate from quarter to quarter and, accordingly, there is no clawback of amounts previously paid if subsequent quarters are below the quarterly Hurdle Rate and there is no delay of payment if prior quarters are below the quarterly Hurdle Rate. Since the Hurdle Rate is fixed, as interest rates rise, it will be easier for our investment adviser to surpass the Hurdle Rate and receive an incentive fee based on Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income.

Our net investment income used to calculate this component of the incentive fee is also included in the amount of our consolidated gross assets used to calculate the 2.0% base management fee. These calculations will be appropriately prorated for any period of less than three months and adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the current quarter.

The following is a graphical representation of the calculation of the income-based component of the incentive fee:

Quarterly Incentive Fee based on 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 first component of incentive fee

The second component, the capital gains component of the incentive fee, will be determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement, as of the termination date), commencing on December 31, 2012, and will equal 20% of our cumulative aggregate realized capital gains from the most recent valuation completed prior to the date of the Investment Advisory Agreement through the end of that calendar year, computed net of our aggregate cumulative realized capital losses and our aggregate cumulative unrealized capital depreciation through the end of such year, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gains incentive fees and subject to the Incentive Fee Cap. If such amount is negative, then no capital gains incentive fee will be payable for such year. Additionally, if the Investment Advisory Agreement is terminated as of a date that is not a calendar year end, the termination date will be treated as though it were a calendar year end for purposes of calculating and paying the capital gains incentive fee. The capital gains component of the incentive fee is not subject to any minimum return to stockholders.

Because of the structure of the incentive fee, it is possible that we may pay an incentive fee in a quarter where we incur a loss. For example, if we receive Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income in excess of the Hurdle Rate, we will pay the applicable incentive fee even if we have incurred a loss in that quarter due to realized and unrealized capital losses.

Examples of Quarterly Incentive Fee Calculation

Each of the following examples assumes that the Incentive Fee Cap is met.

 

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

Alternative 1

Assumptions

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

Hurdle Rate(1) = 1.75%

Base management fee(2) = 0.50%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(3) = 0.25%

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income

(investment income - (base management fee + other expenses)) = 0.50%

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed the Hurdle Rate, therefore there is no incentive fee.

Alternative 2

Assumptions

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

Hurdle Rate(1) = 1.75%

Base management fee(2) = 0.50%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(3) = 0.25%

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income

(investment income - (base management fee + other expenses)) = 1.95%

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income exceeds the Hurdle Rate, therefore there is an incentive fee.

Incentive fee = (100% x “Catch-Up”) + (the greater of 0% AND (20% x (Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income - 2.1875%)))

= (100.0% x (Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income - 1.75%)) + 0%

= 100.0% x (1.95% - 1.75%)

= 100.0% x 0.20%

= 0.20%

Alternative 3

Assumptions

Investment income (including interest, distributions, fees, etc.) = 3.00%

Hurdle Rate(1) = 1.75%

Base management fee(2) = 0.50%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(3) = 0.25%

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income

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

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income exceeds the Hurdle Rate, therefore there is an incentive fee.

Incentive fee = (100% x “Catch-Up”) + (the greater of 0% AND (20% x (Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income - 2.1875%)))

= (100% × (2.1875% - 1.75%)) + (20.0% × (2.25% - 2.1875%))

= 0.4375% + (20.0% × 0.0625%)

= 0.4375% + 0.0125%

= 0.45%

 

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(*) The hypothetical amount of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income shown is based on a percentage of net assets.
(1) Represents 7.00% annualized Hurdle Rate.
(2) Represents 2.00% annualized base management fee. This amount does not reflect that our investment advisor has agreed to exclude cash and cash equivalents from the calculation of the base management fee for the calendar quarters ending December 31, 2012, March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013.
(3) Excludes organizational and offering expenses.

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, or 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 would be:

 

   

Year 1: None

 

   

Year 2: Capital gains incentive fee of $6.0 million ($30 million realized capital gains on sale of Investment A multiplied by 20.0%)

 

   

Year 3: None; $5.0 million (20.0% multiplied by ($30 million cumulative capital gains less $5.0 million cumulative capital depreciation)) less $6.0 million (previous capital gains fee paid in Year 2)

 

   

Year 4: Capital gains incentive fee of $200,000; $6.2 million ($31 million cumulative realized capital gains multiplied by 20.0%) less $6.0 million (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 would be:

 

   

Year 1: None

 

   

Year 2: Capital gains incentive fee of $5.0 million; 20.0% multiplied by $25 million ($30 million realized capital gains on Investment A less $5 million unrealized capital depreciation on Investment B)

 

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Year 3: Capital gains incentive fee of $1.4 million; $6.4 million (20.0% multiplied by $32 million ($35 million cumulative realized capital gains less $3 million unrealized capital depreciation on Investment B)) less $5.0 million (capital gains fee received in Year 2)

 

   

Year 4: None

 

   

Year 5: None; $5.0 million of capital gains incentive fee (20.0% multiplied by $25 million (cumulative realized capital gains of $35 million less realized capital losses of $10 million)) less $6.4 million (cumulative capital gains fee paid in Year 2 and Year 3)

Payment of Our Expenses

All investment professionals of our 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, will be provided and paid for by our investment adviser.

We will bear all other costs and expenses of our operations and transactions, including:

 

   

our organization;

 

   

calculating our net asset value and net asset value per share (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm);

 

   

fees and expenses, including travel expenses, incurred by WhiteHorse Advisers or payable to third parties in performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies, monitoring our investments and, if necessary, enforcing our rights;

 

   

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

 

   

the costs of this and all future offerings of common shares and other securities, if any;

 

   

the base management fee and any incentive fee;

 

   

distributions on our shares;

 

   

administration fees payable to WhiteHorse Administration under the Administration Agreement;

 

   

transfer agent and custody fees and expenses;

 

   

the allocated costs incurred by WhiteHorse Administration as our administrator in providing managerial assistance to those portfolio companies that request it;

 

   

amounts payable to third parties relating to, or associated with, evaluating, making and disposing of investments;

 

   

brokerage fees and commissions;

 

   

registration fees;

 

   

listing fees;

 

   

taxes;

 

   

independent director fees and expenses;

 

   

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

 

   

the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to our stockholders, including printing costs;

 

   

costs of holding stockholder meetings;

 

   

our fidelity bond;

 

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directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums;

 

   

litigation, indemnification and other non-recurring or extraordinary expenses;

 

   

direct costs and expenses of administration and operation, including audit and legal costs;

 

   

fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts to investors and sponsors;

 

   

dues, fees and charges of any trade association of which we are a member; and

 

   

all other expenses reasonably incurred by us or WhiteHorse Administration in connection with administering our business, such as the allocable portion of overhead under our Administration Agreement, including rent and our allocable portion of the costs and expenses of our chief compliance officer, chief financial officer, chief operating officer and their respective staffs.

Duration and Termination

The Investment Advisory Agreement was approved by our board, including a majority of our directors who are not interested persons of WhiteHorse Finance, on September 18, 2012. Unless terminated earlier as described below, the Investment Advisory Agreement will continue in effect for a period of two years from its execution date. It will remain in effect from year to year thereafter if approved annually by our board, or by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities, including, in either case, approval by a majority of our directors who are not interested persons of WhiteHorse Finance. The Investment Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. The Investment Advisory Agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty upon not more than 60 days’ written notice to the other party. Any termination by us must be authorized either by our board or by vote of our stockholders. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Business and Structure—We depend upon key personnel of our investment adviser and its affiliates.”

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification

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

Board of Directors Approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement

In its consideration of approving the Investment Advisory Agreement, our board focused on information it received relating to, among other things:

 

 

the nature, quality and extent of the advisory and other services to be provided to us by our investment adviser;

 

 

comparative data with respect to advisory fees or similar expenses paid by other business development companies with similar investment objectives;

 

 

our projected operating expenses and expense ratio compared to business development companies with similar investment objectives;

 

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any existing and potential sources of indirect income to our investment adviser or WhiteHorse Administration from their relationships with us and the profitability of those relationships;

 

 

information about the services to be performed and the personnel performing such services under the investment advisory and management agreement;

 

 

the organizational capability and financial condition of our investment adviser and its affiliates;

 

 

our investment adviser’s practices regarding the selection and compensation of brokers that may execute our portfolio transactions and the brokers’ provision of brokerage and research services to our investment adviser; and

 

 

the possibility of obtaining similar services from other third party service providers or through an internally managed structure.

Based on the information that the board reviewed and further discussions, the board, including a majority of the non-interested directors, determined that the investment advisory fee rates are reasonable in relation to the services to be provided. We expect that the board will undertake the same or a similar review in connection with any proposed amendment to, or renewal of, the Investment Advisory Agreement.

Administration Agreement

Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, WhiteHorse Administration furnishes us with office facilities, equipment and clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services to enable us to operate. WhiteHorse Administration also provides us with access to the resources necessary for us to perform our obligations as collateral manager of WhiteHorse Warehouse under the Credit Facility. Under the Administration Agreement, WhiteHorse Administration also performs, or oversees the performance of, our required administrative services, which include being responsible for the financial records which we are required to maintain and preparing reports to our stockholders and reports filed with the SEC. In addition, WhiteHorse Administration assists us in determining and publishing our net asset value, oversees the preparation and filing of our tax returns and the printing and dissemination of reports to our stockholders and generally oversees the payment of our expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to us by others. Payments under the Administration Agreement equal an amount based upon our allocable portion of WhiteHorse Administration’s overhead in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent and our allocable portion of the cost of our chief compliance officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer and their respective staffs. Under the Administration Agreement, WhiteHorse Administration also provides on our behalf managerial assistance to those portfolio companies to which we are required to provide such assistance. The Administration Agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice to the other party. To the extent that our administrator outsources any of its functions, we will pay the fees associated with such functions on a direct basis without any profit to WhiteHorse Administration.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification

The Administration Agreement provides that WhiteHorse Administration and its officers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members, and any other person or entity affiliated with the Administrator, including its members, are not liable to us or any of our stockholders for any act or omission by it or its employees in the supervision or management of our investment activities or for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including

 

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reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) or losses sustained by us or our stockholders, except that the foregoing exculpation does not extend to any act or omission constituting willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations under either Administration Agreement. The Administration Agreement also provides for indemnification by us of WhiteHorse Administration’s members, directors, officers, employees, agents and control persons for liabilities incurred by them in connection with their services to us, subject to the same limitations and to certain conditions.

License Agreement

We have entered into the License Agreement with an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital pursuant to which we have been granted a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the “WhiteHorse” name. Under this agreement, we will have a right to use the WhiteHorse name, for so long as WhiteHorse Advisers or one of its affiliates remains our investment adviser. The License Agreement is terminable by either party at any time in its sole discretion upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the other party and is also terminable by the affiliate of H.I.G. Capital in the case of certain events of non-compliance. Other than with respect to this limited license, we will have no legal right to the “WhiteHorse” name.

 

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DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

The net asset value per share of our outstanding shares of common stock will be determined quarterly by dividing the value of total assets minus liabilities by the total number of shares outstanding at the date as of which the determination is made.

We value our investments in accordance with ASC 820. ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about assets and liabilities measured at fair value. ASC 820’s definition of fair value focuses on exit price in the principal, or most advantageous, market and prioritizes the use of market-based inputs over entity-specific inputs within a measurement of fair value. ASC 820 classifies the inputs used to measure these fair values into the following hierarchy:

Level 1 —quoted unadjusted prices in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date

Level 2 —other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayments, credit risk, etc.)

Level 3 —significant unobservable inputs (including our investment adviser’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in determining the fair values of investments)

The valuation process is conducted at the end of each fiscal quarter, with a portion of our valuations of portfolio companies without market quotations subject to review by the independent valuation firms each quarter. When an external event with respect to one of our portfolio companies, such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, we expect to use the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate our valuation.

Our portfolio consists of debt investments. These investments are valued at their bid quotations obtained from unaffiliated market makers, other financial institutions that trade in similar investments or based on prices provided by independent third party pricing services. For investments where there are no available bid quotations, fair value is derived using proprietary models that consider the analyses of independent valuation agents as well as credit risk, liquidity, market credit spreads and other applicable factors for similar transactions.

Due to the nature of our strategy, our portfolio includes relatively illiquid investments that are privately held. Valuations of privately held investments are inherently uncertain and they may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates. The determination of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these investments existed. Our net asset value could be materially affected if the determinations regarding the fair value of our investments were materially higher or lower than the values that we ultimately realize upon the disposal of such investments.

Our board has retained one or more independent valuation firms to review the valuation of each portfolio investment that does not have a readily available market quotation at least once during each 12-month period. Independent valuation firms retained by our board provide a valuation review on 25% of our investments for which market quotations are not readily available each quarter to ensure that the fair value of each investment for which a market quote is not readily available is reviewed by an independent valuation firm at least once during each 12-month period. However, our board does not intend to have de minimis investments of less than 2.0% of our total assets (up to an aggregate of 10% of our total assets) independently reviewed.

 

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Our board is ultimately and solely responsible for determining the fair value of the portfolio investments that are not publicly traded, whose market prices are not readily available on a quarterly basis in good faith or any other situation where portfolio investments require a fair value determination.

Fair value of publicly traded instruments is generally based on quoted market prices. Fair value of non-publicly traded instruments, and of publicly traded instruments for which quoted market prices are not readily available, may be determined based on other relevant factors, including without limitation, quotations from unaffiliated market makers or independent third party pricing services, the price activity of equivalent instruments and valuation pricing models. For those investments valued using quotations, the bid price is generally used unless we determine that it is not representative of an exit price.

With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, our board will undertake a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

 

   

Our quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by investment professionals of our investment adviser responsible for credit monitoring.

 

   

Preliminary valuation conclusions are then documented and discussed with our investment committee and our investment adviser.

 

   

The audit committee of the board reviews these preliminary valuations.

 

   

At least once annually, the valuation for each portfolio investment is reviewed by an independent valuation firm.

 

   

The board discusses valuations and determines the fair value of each investment in our portfolio in good faith.

Investments for which fair value is determined using inputs defined above as Level 3 are fair valued using the income and market approaches, which may include the discounted cash flow method, reference to performance statistics of industry comparables, relative comparable yield analysis and, in certain cases, third party valuations performed by independent valuation firms. The valuation methods can reference various factors and use various inputs such as assumed growth rates, capitalization rates and discount rates, loan-to-value ratios, liquidation value, relative capital structure priority, market comparables, compliance with applicable loan, covenant and interest coverage performance, book value, market derived multiples, reserve valuation, assessment of credit ratings of an underlying borrower, review of ongoing performance, review of financial projections as compared to actual performance, review of interest rate and yield risk. Such factors may be given different weighting depending on our assessment of the underlying investment, and we may analyze apparently comparable investments in different ways. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Business and Structure—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.”

 

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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 the board authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend or other distribution, then our stockholders who have not ‘opted out’ of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distribution automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the cash distribution.

No action is required on the part of a registered stockholder to have their cash dividend or other 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, LLC, 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 dividends or other 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 dividends and other 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. 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 NASDAQ Global Market on the valuation date fixed by our board for such distribution. Market price per share on that date will be the closing price for such shares on The NASDAQ Global Market 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 dividend or other 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. 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 at the time we issue new shares under the plan 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.

There will be no brokerage charges or other charges to stockholders who participate in the plan. The plan administrator’s fees 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 $15.00 transaction fee plus a $0.10 per share brokerage commissions from the proceeds.

 

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Stockholders who receive dividends and other distributions in the form of stock are subject to the same U.S. 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 dividend or other distribution from us will be equal to the total dollar amount of the dividend or other distribution payable to the stockholder. Any stock received in a dividend or other 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.

Participants may terminate their accounts under the plan by notifying the plan administrator via its website at www.amstock.com , by filling out the transaction request form located at bottom of their statement and sending it to the plan administrator of the address below. Such termination will be effective immediately if the participant’s notice is received by the plan administrator at least three days prior to any payment date; otherwise, such termination will be effective only with respect to any subsequent dividend or other distribution.

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 dividend by us. All correspondence concerning the plan should be directed to the plan administrator by mail at American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, P.O. Box 922, Wall Street Station, New York, New York 10269, or by the Plan Administrator’s Interactive Voice Response System at: 1-888-777-0320.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

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

Capital Stock

Our authorized stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. We have applied to have our common stock traded on The NASDAQ Global Market under the ticker symbol “WHF.” There are no outstanding options or warrants to purchase our stock. No stock has been authorized for issuance under any equity compensation plans. Under Delaware law, our stockholders generally are not personally liable for our debts or obligations.

The following are our outstanding classes of securities as of the date of this prospectus:

 

(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

     100,000,000                   

Preferred Stock

     1,000,000                   

Common Stock

All shares of our common stock have equal rights as to earnings, assets, dividends and voting and, when they are issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Distributions may be paid to the holders of our common stock if, as and when authorized by the board and declared by us out of funds legally available. Shares of our common stock have no preemptive, exchange, conversion or redemption rights and are freely transferable, except when their transfer is restricted by U.S. federal and state securities laws or by contract. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each share of our common stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of our assets that are legally available for distribution after we pay all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of our preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time. Each share of 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 not be able to elect any directors.

Preferred Stock

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the board to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of preferred stock into other classes or series of preferred stock without stockholder approval. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, the board is required by Delaware law and by our certificate of incorporation to set the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Thus, the board

 

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could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest. You should note, however, that any issuance of preferred stock must comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act requires that (1) immediately after issuance and before any dividend or other distribution is made with respect to our common stock and before any purchase of 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 years or more. Some 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.

Provisions of the DGCL and Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

Delaware Anti-Takeover Law

The DGCL and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that could make it more difficult for a potential acquirer to acquire us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. These provisions are expected to discourage certain coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our board. These measures may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders. These provisions could have the effect of depriving stockholders of an opportunity to sell their shares

 

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at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control over us. Such attempts could have the effect of increasing our expenses and disrupting our normal operations. We believe, however, that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the potential disadvantages of discouraging any such acquisition proposals because the negotiation of such proposals may improve their terms.

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

 

   

prior to such time, the board approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

   

upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced; or

 

   

on or after the date the business combination is approved by the board and authorized at a meeting of stockholders, by at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

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

 

   

any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

 

   

any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of 10% or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the corporation or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding stock of the corporation involving the interested stockholder;

 

   

subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;

 

   

any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation owned by the interested stockholder; or

 

   

the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.

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

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

Election of Directors

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

 

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Classified board of directors

Our board is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms, with the term of office of only one of the three classes expiring each year. A classified board of directors may render a change in control of us or removal of our incumbent management more difficult. This provision could delay for up to two years the replacement of a majority of our board. We believe, however, that the longer time required to elect a majority of a classified board of directors helps to ensure the continuity and stability of our management and policies.

Number of Directors; Removal; Vacancies

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

Action by Stockholders

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

Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Nominations and Stockholder Proposals

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

 

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and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal without regard to whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to us and our stockholders.

Stockholder Meetings

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

Calling of Special Meetings of Stockholders

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called by our board, the chairman of the board and our chief executive officer.

Conflict with 1940 Act

Our bylaws provide that, if and to the extent that any provision of the DGCL or any provision of our certificate of incorporation 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

Upon completion of this offering and the Concurrent Private Placement,        shares of our common stock will be outstanding, based on the number of shares outstanding on        , 2012 and assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares. Of these shares,        shares of our common stock sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or limitation under the Securities Act, less that number of shares purchased by our affiliates. Any shares purchased in this offering by our affiliates, as well as the        shares expected to be owned by our officers and directors, our investment adviser and the managers of our investment adviser immediately prior to this offering, will be subject to the public information, manner of sale and volume limitations of Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933.

In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, if six months have elapsed since the date of acquisition of restricted securities from us or any of our affiliates, the holder of such restricted securities can sell such securities; provided that the number of securities sold by such person with 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 also are subject to certain manners of sale provisions, notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us. No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that future sales of securities, or the availability of securities for future sales, 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 affect adversely prevailing market prices of our common stock. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to this Offering.”

Registration Rights

Immediately prior to this offering, we expect to sell        shares of common stock in the Concurrent Private Placement. Under a registration rights agreement signed at the time of such private placement, the holders of these shares will receive registration rights that will entitle them to make up to two demands on us to register their shares under the Securities Act. Holders of a majority of these shares may elect to exercise their registration rights at any time after the date on which these shares of common stock are released from the lock-up arrangement agreed as part of this offering. In addition, these stockholders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights that entitle them to include their shares in certain registration statements that we file subsequent to the closing date of this offering. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

We will pay most of the costs associated with the registration of the shares of common stock sold by us in the Concurrent Private Placement pursuant to such registration rights agreement. If we do register any of these shares, such registration may depress the market price of our common stock.

Lock-Up Agreements

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directors, existing unitholders and investors in the Concurrent Private Placement have agreed with the representatives of the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions, not to:

 

   

offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any such security, or file or cause to be filed any registration statement in connection therewith, under the Securities Act, or

 

   

enter into any swap or other agreement, arrangement or transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any common stock.

 

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REGULATION

We intend to file an election to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act and to elect to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. The 1940 Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to transactions between business development companies and their affiliates (including any investment advisers or sub-advisers), principal underwriters and affiliates of those affiliates or underwriters and requires that a majority of the directors of a business development company be persons other than “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. In addition, the 1940 Act provides that we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw our election as, a business development company unless approved by a majority of our outstanding voting securities.

Our board of directors may decide to issue common stock to finance our operations rather than issuing debt or other senior securities. As a business development company, we are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below current net asset value per share. We may, however, issue or sell our common stock, at a price below the current net asset value of the common stock, or sell warrants, options or rights to acquire such common stock, at a price below the current net asset value of the common stock if our board of directors determines that such sale is in the best interests of us and our stockholders, and if our stockholders approve such sale within the preceding 12 months. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price which, in the determination of our board of directors, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount).

We may invest up to 100% of our assets in securities acquired directly from issuers in privately negotiated transactions. With respect to such securities, we may, for the purpose of public resale, be deemed an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the Securities Act. Our intention is to not write (sell) or buy put or call options to manage risks associated with the publicly traded securities of our portfolio companies, except that we may enter into hedging transactions to manage the risks associated with interest rate fluctuations to the extent that we are permitted to engage in such hedging transactions without registering with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator. However, we may purchase or otherwise receive warrants to purchase the common stock of our portfolio companies in connection with acquisition financing or other investments. Similarly, in connection with an acquisition, we may acquire rights to require the issuers of acquired securities or their affiliates to repurchase them under certain circumstances. We also do not intend to acquire securities issued by any investment company that exceed the limits imposed by the 1940 Act. Under these limits, we generally cannot acquire more than 3% of the voting stock of any registered investment company, invest more than 5% of the value of our total assets in the securities of one investment company or invest more than 10% of the value of our total assets in the securities of more than one investment company. With regard to that portion of our portfolio invested in securities issued by investment companies, it should be noted that such investments might subject our stockholders to additional expenses. None of these policies is fundamental and may be changed without stockholder approval.

 

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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 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:

 

   

does not have any class of securities listed on a national securities exchange or has any class of securities listed on a national securities exchange subject to a $250 million market capitalization maximum; or

 

   

is controlled by a business development company or a group of companies including a business development company, the business development company actually exercises a controlling influence over the management or policies of the eligible portfolio company, and, as a result, the business development company has an affiliated person who is a director of the eligible portfolio company.

 

  (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.

The regulations defining and interpreting qualifying assets may change over time. We expect to adjust our investment focus as needed to comply with and/or take advantage of any regulatory, legislative, administrative or judicial actions in this area.

 

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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. However, where a business development company purchases such securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, one of the other persons in the group 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 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. 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 U.S. 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—Regulations governing our operation as a business development company will affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional debt or equity capital.”

 

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Code of Ethics

We and WhiteHorse Advisers have each adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that establishes procedures for personal investments and restricts certain personal securities transactions. Personnel subject to each code may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as such investments are made in accordance with the code’s requirements. You may read and copy the code of ethics at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. 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 each code 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.

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 described below. The guidelines are 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

As an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act, we have a fiduciary duty to act solely in the best interests of our 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 vote proxies relating to our clients’ portfolio securities in what we perceive to be the best interest of our clients’ shareholders. We review on a case-by-case basis each proposal submitted to a shareholder vote to determine its impact on the portfolio securities held by our clients. In most cases, we will vote in favor of proposals that we believe are likely to increase the value of our clients’ portfolio securities. 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 exists compelling long-term reasons to do so.

Our proxy voting decisions are made by the senior officers who are responsible for monitoring each of our clients’ investments. To ensure that our vote is not the product of a conflict of interest, we require that: (1) anyone involved in the decision making process disclose to our Chief Compliance Officer 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 (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. Where conflicts of interest may be present, we will disclose such conflicts, including to us, and may request guidance on how to vote such proxies.

 

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Proxy Voting Records

You may obtain information without charge about how we voted proxies by making a written request for proxy voting information to: Investor Relations, 1450 Brickell Avenue, 31st Floor, Miami, Florida 33131, or by calling us collect at (305) 379-2322.

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.

Other

We may also be prohibited under the 1940 Act from knowingly participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our board who are not interested persons and, in some cases, prior approval by the SEC. The SEC has interpreted the prohibition on transactions by business development companies with affiliates to prohibit “joint” transactions among entities that share a common investment adviser. The staff of the SEC has granted no-action relief permitting purchases of a single class of privately placed securities, provided that the adviser negotiates no term other than price and certain other conditions are met. Except in certain limited circumstances, we will be unable to invest in any issuer in which another account sponsored or managed by our investment adviser has previously invested.

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

Under the 1940 Act, we are required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company to protect us against larceny and embezzlement. 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.

We and WhiteHorse Advisers will each be required to adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the U.S. federal securities laws, review these 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.

 

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We are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below current net asset value per share. We may, however, issue and 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 determines that such sale is in the best interests of us and our stockholders, and if our stockholders approve such sale within the preceding 12 months. 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, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount).

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, imposes a wide variety of 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 under the Securities Act, 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, our management must prepare an annual report regarding its assessment of our internal control over financial reporting. This report must be audited by our independent registered public accounting firm beginning with the earlier of our fiscal year ending December 31, 2017 and the year in which our revenues first exceed $1.0 billion; and

 

   

pursuant to Item 308 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act and Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange 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 under it. 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 with that act.

 

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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, 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 WhiteHorse Finance, 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, WhiteHorse Finance 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 our investment adviser and WhiteHorse Finance and any other clients. In return for such services, we may pay a higher commission than other brokers would charge if our investment adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the services provided.

 

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TAX MATTERS

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 shares of 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 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 of the date of this prospectus 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, or the IRS, 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.

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

 

   

a citizen or individual resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

   

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

 

   

a trust, if either a U.S. court can exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions or the trust was in existence on August 20, 1996, was treated as a U.S. person prior to that date and has made a valid election to be treated as a U.S. person.

A “Non-U.S. stockholder” is a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that 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 investor that is a partner in a partnership that will hold 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 of common stock will depend on the facts of his, her or its particular situation. We urge investors to consult their own tax advisors regarding the specific consequences of such an investment, including tax reporting requirements, the applicability of U.S. 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.

 

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Election to Be Taxed as a RIC

As a business development company, we intend to elect to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any net ordinary income or capital gains that we timely distribute to our stockholders as dividends. To qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements (as described below). In addition, we must distribute to our stockholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of our “investment company taxable income,” which is generally our net ordinary income plus the excess of realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses (the “Annual Distribution Requirement”).

Taxation as a RIC

If we:

 

   

qualify as a RIC; and

 

   

satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement;

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

We will be subject to a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax on our 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 (both long-term and short-term) for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year and (3) any income realized, but not distributed, in the preceding year (the “Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement”). For this purpose, however, any ordinary income or capital gain net income retained by us that is subject to corporate income tax will be considered to have been distributed. 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 U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must, among other things:

 

   

qualify to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act at all times during each taxable year;

 

   

derive in each taxable year at least 90% of our gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale of stock or other securities, or other income derived with respect to our business of investing in such stock or securities, and net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (partnerships that are traded on an established securities market or tradable on a secondary market, other than partnerships that derive 90% of their income from interest, dividends and other permitted RIC income) (the “90% Income Test”);

 

   

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

 

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no more than 25% of the value of our assets is invested in the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer or 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 in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (the “Diversification Tests”).

We may invest in partnerships, including qualified publicly traded partnerships, which may result in our being subject to state, local or foreign income, franchise or withholding liabilities.

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, with increasing interest rates or 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.

Certain of our investment practices may be subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (1) treat dividends that would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income as non-qualified dividend income, (2) treat dividends that would otherwise be eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction as ineligible for such treatment, (3) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (4) convert lower-taxed long-term capital gain into higher-taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income, (5) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (6) cause us to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (7) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (8) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions and (9) produce income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% Income Test. We intend to monitor our transactions and may make certain tax elections to mitigate the effect of these provisions and prevent our disqualification as a RIC.

Gain or loss realized by us from 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. Such gain or loss generally will be long-term or short-term, depending on how long we held a particular warrant.

Although we do not presently expect to do so, we are authorized to borrow funds and to sell assets in order to satisfy distribution requirements. However, under the 1940 Act, we are not permitted to make distributions to our stockholders while our debt obligations and other senior securities are outstanding unless certain “asset coverage” tests are met. Moreover, our ability to dispose of assets to meet our distribution requirements may be limited by (1) the illiquid nature of our portfolio and/or (2) other requirements relating to our qualification as a RIC, including the Diversification Tests. If we dispose of assets in order to meet the Annual Distribution Requirement or the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement, we may make such dispositions at times that, from an investment standpoint, are not advantageous.

Some of the income and fees that we may recognize will not satisfy the 90% Income Test. In order to ensure that such income and fees do not disqualify us as a RIC for a failure to satisfy the 90% Income Test, we may be required to recognize such income and fees indirectly through one or more entities treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such

 

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corporations will be required to pay U.S. corporate income tax on their earnings, which ultimately will reduce our return on such income and fees.

Failure to Qualify as a RIC

If we were unable to qualify for treatment as a RIC, and if certain cure provisions below are not available, 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. Distributions, including distributions of net long-term capital gain, would generally be taxable to our stockholders as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, corporate stockholders would be eligible to claim a dividends received deduction with respect to such dividends, and for tax years beginning before 2013, non-corporate stockholders would generally be able to treat such dividends as “qualified dividend income,” which is subject to reduced rates of U.S. federal income tax. To the extent that we pay our required distributions and such distributions are in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, such excess distributions will be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of a stockholder’s tax basis in his or her shares and then as capital gain. Reducing a stockholder’s tax basis will have the effect of increasing his or her gain (or reducing loss) on a subsequent sale of shares. If we fail to qualify as a RIC for a period greater than two taxable years, to qualify as a RIC in a subsequent year we may be subject to regular corporate tax on any net built-in gains with respect to certain of our assets ( i.e. , the excess of the aggregate gains, including items of income, over aggregate losses that would have been realized with respect to such assets if we had been liquidated) that we elect to recognize on requalification or when recognized over the next ten years.

The remainder of this discussion assumes that we qualify as a RIC and have satisfied the Annual Distribution Requirement.

Taxation of U.S. Stockholders

Distributions by us generally are taxable to U.S. stockholders as ordinary income or long-term capital gains. Distributions of our “investment company taxable income” (which is, generally, our net ordinary income plus net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses) 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 shares of our common stock. For the tax years beginning on or before December 31, 2012, to the extent such distributions paid by us to non-corporate stockholders (including individuals) are attributable to dividends from U.S. corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations and, if certain holding period requirements are met, such distributions generally will be treated as qualified dividend income and eligible for a maximum U.S. federal tax rate of 15%. In this regard, it is anticipated that distributions paid by us will generally not be attributable to dividends and, therefore, generally will not qualify for the 15% maximum U.S. federal tax rate.

Distributions of our net capital gains (which is generally 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 (currently at a maximum U.S. federal tax rate of 15% through 2012) in the case of individuals, trusts or estates, regardless of the U.S. stockholder’s holding period for his, her or its common stock and regardless of whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional common stock.

Any distributions in excess of our earnings and profits first will reduce a U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in such stockholder’s common stock and, after the adjusted basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such U.S. stockholder.

 

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Stockholders receiving dividends or distributions in the form of additional shares of our common stock purchased in the market should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the amount of money that the stockholders receiving cash dividends or distributions will receive, and should have a cost basis in the shares received equal to such amount. Stockholders receiving dividends in newly issued shares of our common stock will be treated as receiving a distribution equal to the value of the shares received and should have a cost basis of such amount.

Although we currently intend to distribute any net long-term capital gains at least annually, we may in the future decide to retain some or all of our net long-term capital gains but designate the retained amount as a “deemed distribution.” In that case, among other consequences, we will pay tax on the retained amount, each U.S. stockholder will be required to include their share of the deemed distribution in income as if it had been distributed to the U.S. stockholder, and the U.S. stockholder will be entitled to claim a credit equal their allocable share of the tax paid on the deemed distribution by us. The amount of the deemed distribution net of such tax would be added to the U.S. stockholder’s tax basis for their common stock.

For purposes of determining (1) whether the Annual Distribution Requirement is satisfied for any year and (2) the amount of capital gain 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 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.

If an investor purchases shares of our common stock shortly before the record date of a distribution, the price of the shares of our common stock will include the value of the distribution and the investor will be subject to tax on the distribution, even though it represents a return of such investment.

A stockholder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss if the stockholder sells or otherwise disposes of its shares of our common stock. Any gain arising from such sale or disposition generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the stockholder has held such shares of 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 disposition of shares of our common stock held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain dividends received, or undistributed capital gain deemed received, with respect to such shares. 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 common stock acquired will be increased to reflect the disallowed loss.

In general, individual U.S. stockholders currently (through 2012) are subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 15% on their net capital gain, i.e. , the excess of realized net long-term capital gain over realized net short-term capital loss for a taxable year, including a long-term capital gain derived from an investment in our shares of common stock. Such rate is lower than the maximum federal income tax rate on ordinary income currently payable by individuals. 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. Non-corporate stockholders with net capital losses for a year ( i.e. , net capital losses in excess of net capital gains) generally may deduct up to $3,000 of such losses against their ordinary income each year; any net capital losses of a non-corporate stockholder in excess of $3,000 generally may be carried forward and used in subsequent years as provided in the Code.

 

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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 and as long-term capital gain. In addition, the U.S. federal tax status of each year’s distributions generally will be reported to the IRS. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on a U.S. stockholder’s particular situation. Dividends distributed by us generally will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction or the lower tax rates applicable to certain qualified dividends.

We may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax (“backup withholding”), currently at a rate of 28%, from all taxable distributions to any non-corporate U.S. stockholder (1) who fails to furnish us with a correct taxpayer identification number or a certificate that such stockholder is exempt from backup withholding or (2) with respect to whom the IRS notifies us that such stockholder has failed to properly report certain interest and dividend income to the IRS and to respond to notices to that effect. An individual’s taxpayer identification number is his or her social security number. Any amount withheld under backup withholding is allowed as a credit against the U.S. stockholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such stockholder to a refund, provided that proper information is timely provided to the IRS.

If a U.S. stockholder recognizes a loss with respect to shares of our common stock of $2 million or more for an individual stockholder, or $10 million or more for a corporate stockholder, the stockholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct stockholders of portfolio securities are in many cases exempted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, stockholders of a RIC are not exempted. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their specific circumstances.

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, a 3.8% tax on the “net investment income” of certain individuals, and on the undistributed “net investment income” of certain estates and trusts, will be imposed. Among other items, net investment income generally includes gross income from interest, dividends and net gains from certain property sales, less certain deductions. U.S. stockholders are urged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this legislation in their particular circumstances.

Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders

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

Distributions of our “investment company taxable income” to Non-U.S. stockholders (including interest income, net short-term capital gain or foreign-source dividend and interest income, which generally would be free of withholding if paid to Non-U.S. stockholders directly) will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal 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. stockholder and, if an income tax treaty applies, attributable to a permanent establishment in the United States, in which case the distributions will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. persons. In that case, we will not be required to withhold U.S. federal 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.

 

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For taxable years beginning prior to December 31, 2011, U.S. source withholding taxes were not imposed on dividends paid by RICs to the extent the dividends were designated as “interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends.” Under this exemption, interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends generally represented 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 satisfied certain other requirements. The exemption applied to dividends with respect to taxable years of RICs beginning on or before December 31, 2011. No assurance can be given as to whether this exemption will be extended for tax years beginning after December 31, 2011 or whether any of our distributions will be designated as eligible for this exemption from withholding tax.

Actual or deemed distributions of our net capital gains to a Non-U.S. stockholder, and gains realized by a Non-U.S. stockholder upon the sale of our common stock, will not be subject to federal withholding tax and generally 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 Non-U.S. stockholder, the stockholder is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the year of the sale or capital gain dividend and certain other conditions are met. For a corporate Non-U.S. stockholder, distributions and gains realized upon the sale of our common stock that are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate (or at a lower rate if provided for by an applicable treaty).

A Non-U.S. stockholder who is a non-resident alien individual, and who is otherwise subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax, may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax on dividends unless the Non-U.S. stockholder provides us or the dividend paying agent with an IRS 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 otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding.

Effective January 1, 2014, we will be required to withhold U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) on payments of taxable dividends and (effective January 1, 2015) redemption proceeds made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive new reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to us to enable us to determine whether withholding is required.

An investment in shares by a non-U.S. person may also be subject to U.S. federal estate tax. Non-U.S. persons should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the U.S. federal income tax, U.S. federal estate tax, withholding tax, and state, local and foreign tax consequences of acquiring, owning or disposing of our common stock.

 

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UNDERWRITING

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc. are acting as representatives of each of the underwriters named below and joint book-running managers for this offering. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in a purchase agreement among us, our investment adviser and the underwriters, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the number of shares of common stock set forth opposite its name below.

 

Underwriter

   Number of
Shares

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

  

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

  

Barclays Capital Inc.

  
  

 

Total

  
  

 

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the purchase agreement, the underwriters have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase all of the shares sold under the purchase agreement if any of these shares are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the purchase agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the purchase agreement may be terminated.

We and our investment adviser 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 in respect of those liabilities.

The underwriters are offering the shares, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, including the validity of the shares, and other conditions contained in the purchase agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officers’ certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

Commissions and Discounts

The representatives have advised us that the underwriters propose initially to offer the underwritten shares to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $    per share. The underwriters may allow, and the dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of $    per share to other dealers. After the initial offering, the public offering price, concession or any other term of the offering may be changed.

The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds before expenses to us. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares.

 

     Per Share    Without
Option
   With Option

Public offering price

        

Underwriting discount and commissions(1)

        

Proceeds, before expenses, to WhiteHorse Finance.

        

 

(1) Our investment advisor has agreed to pay $[        ] million of the underwriting discount and commission in connection with this offering.

The expenses of the offering, not including the underwriting discount, are estimated at approximately $                     and are payable by us.

 

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Option to purchase additional shares

We have granted an option to the underwriters, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus solely to purchase up to         additional shares at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount. If the underwriters exercise this option, each will be obligated, subject to conditions contained in the purchase agreement, to purchase a number of additional shares proportionate to that underwriter’s initial amount reflected in the above table.

No Sales of Similar Securities

We, our executive officers and directors and all of our security holders holding approximately [    ]% of our common stock outstanding have agreed not to sell or transfer any common stock or securities convertible into, exchangeable for, exercisable for, or repayable with common stock, for 180 days after the date of this prospectus without first obtaining the written consent of     . Currently, there are no securities convertible into, exchangeable for, exercisable for, or repayable with common stock outstanding, and no such securities are anticipated to be assumed by us during the 180-day period after the date of this prospectus. Specifically, we and these other persons have agreed, with certain limited exceptions, not to directly or indirectly:

 

   

offer, pledge, sell or contract to sell any common stock,

 

   

sell any option or contract to purchase any common stock,

 

   

purchase any option or contract to sell any common stock,

 

   

grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of any common stock,

 

   

lend or otherwise dispose of or transfer any common stock,

 

   

request or demand that we file a registration statement related to the common stock, or

 

   

enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic consequence of ownership of any common stock, whether any such swap or transaction is to be settled by delivery of shares or other securities, in cash or otherwise.

This lock-up provision applies to common stock and to securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for or repayable with common stock. It also applies to common stock owned now or acquired later by the directors, officers and affiliates executing the agreement or for which the directors, officers and affiliates executing the agreement later acquires the power of disposition.

NASDAQ Global Market Listing

We expect the shares to be approved for listing on The NASDAQ Global Market, subject to notice of issuance, under the symbol “WHF.”

Determination of the Initial Public Offering Price

Before this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. The initial public offering price will be determined through negotiations between us and the representatives of the underwriters. In addition to prevailing market conditions, the factors to be considered in determining the initial public offering price are:

 

   

the information included in this prospectus and otherwise available to the representatives,

 

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the valuation multiples of publicly traded companies that the representatives believe to be comparable to us,

 

   

our financial information,

 

   

the history of, and the prospects for, our company and the industry in which we compete,

 

   

an assessment of our management, its past and present operations, and the prospects for, and timing of, our future revenues,

 

   

the present state of our development,

 

   

the general condition of the securities markets at the time of the offering,

 

   

the above factors in relation to market values and various valuation measures of other companies engaged in activities similar to ours, and

 

   

other factors deemed relevant by us and the representatives.

An active trading market for the shares may not develop. It is also possible that after the offering the shares will not trade in the public market at or above the initial public offering price.

The underwriters do not expect to sell more than 5% of the shares in the aggregate to accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.

Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

Until the distribution of the shares is completed, SEC rules may limit underwriters and selling group members from bidding for and purchasing our common stock. However, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize the price of the common stock, such as bids or purchases to peg, fix or maintain that price.

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell our common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, purchases on the open market to cover positions created by short sales and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering. “Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares described above. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional shares or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out 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 option to purchase additional shares. “Naked” short sales are sales in excess of the to purchase additional shares option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of our common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of shares of common stock made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of the offering.

The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the

 

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representatives have repurchased shares sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters’ purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market.

Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation that the representatives will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Shares

In connection with the offering, certain of the underwriters or securities dealers may distribute prospectuses by electronic means, such as e-mail. In addition, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc. may facilitate Internet distribution for this offering to certain of its Internet subscription customers. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc. may allocate a limited number of shares for sale to its online brokerage customers. An electronic prospectus is available on the Internet web sites maintained by Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc. web sites are not part of this prospectus.

Other Relationships

Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us, our affiliates or our portfolio companies. They have received, or may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for these transactions. For example, we expect that affiliates of certain of the underwriters may participate as lenders under the Unsecured Term Loan and would be entitled to receive customary fees in such capacity. For more information, see “Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources—Credit Facility.”

In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area

This document is not a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Directive.

 

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In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area, or the EEA, which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), an offer to the public of any shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus may not be made in that Relevant Member State, except that an offer to the public in that Relevant Member State of any shares may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been implemented in that Relevant Member State:

 

  (a) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive and

 

  (b) to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provisions of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than “qualified investors” as defined in the Prospectus Directive) as permitted under the Prospectus Directive subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or

 

  (c) in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive;

Provided, that no such offer of shares will result in a requirement for the publication by us or any representative of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

Any person making or intending to make any offer of shares within the EEA should only do so in circumstances in which no obligation arises for us or any of the underwriters to produce a prospectus for such offer. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized, nor do they authorize, the making of any offer of shares through any financial intermediary, other than offers made by the underwriters which constitute the final offering of shares contemplated in this prospectus.

For the purposes of this provision, and your representation below, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any shares 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 any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase any shares, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State) and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State and the expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.

Each person in a Relevant Member State who receives any communication in respect of, or who acquires any shares under, the offer of shares contemplated by this prospectus will be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed to and with us and each underwriter that:

 

  (a) it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of the law in that Relevant Member State implementing Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive; and

 

  (b) in the case of any shares acquired by it as a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, (i) the shares acquired by it in the offering have not been acquired on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in any Relevant Member State other than “qualified investors” (as defined in the Prospectus Directive), or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the representatives has been given to the offer or resale; or (ii) where shares have been acquired by it on behalf of persons in any Relevant Member State other than qualified investors, the offer of those shares to it is not treated under the Prospectus Directive as having been made to such persons.

 

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Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom

In addition, in the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at, persons who are “qualified investors” within the meaning of Article 2(l)(e) of the Prospectus Directive below 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 falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order and (iii) any other person to whom it may lawfully be communicated pursuant to the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). This document must not be acted on or relied on in the United Kingdom by persons who are not relevant persons. The shares are only available to, and investment activity will only be engaged in with, relevant persons.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland

The shares of common stock may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (“SIX”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares of common stock or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the Holding Company, the shares have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of shares will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA (“FINMA”), and the offer of shares has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (“CISA”). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of shares.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre

This prospectus relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”). This prospectus is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for the prospectus. The shares to which this prospectus relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the shares. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial advisor.

Principal Business Address

The principal business address of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. is 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005. The principal business address of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179. The principal business address for Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013. The principal business address for Barclays Capital Inc. is 745 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10013.

 

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CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DISTRIBUTION PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

Our securities are held under a custody agreement by The Bank of New York Mellon. The address of the custodian is: One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC will act as our transfer agent, distribution paying agent and registrar. The principal business address of American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC is P.O. Box 922, Wall Street Station, New York, New York 10269, telephone number: (800) 937-5449.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters regarding the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for WhiteHorse Finance by Dechert LLP, Washington, D.C. Dechert LLP also represents WhiteHorse Advisers. Certain legal matters in connection with the offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Sidley Austin LLP, New York, New York.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Crowe Horwath LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, located at 488 Madison Avenue, Floor 3, New York, New York 10022, has audited our financial statement as of January 1, 2012 and our consolidated schedule of investments as of September 30, 2012, as set forth in their reports. We have included our January 1, 2012 financial statements and September 30, 2012 consolidated schedule of investments in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement in reliance on Crowe Horwath LLP’s reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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ADDITIONAL 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 of 1933, 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 statement and related exhibits and schedules, at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. We maintain a website at www.whitehorsefinance.com and intend to make all of our annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other publicly filed information available, free of charge, on or through our website. In the interim, you may obtain such information by contacting us, in writing at: 1450 Brickell Avenue, 31st Floor, Miami, Florida 33131, Attention: Investor Relations, or by telephone at (305) 379-2322. 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 Internet site 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. 20549-0102.

 

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2   

Consolidated Schedule of Investments as of September 30, 2012

  

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

     F-3   

Notes to Consolidated Schedule of Investments

     F-4   

Financial Statements as of September 30, 2012 (unaudited)

  

Consolidated Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Members’ Capital (unaudited)

     F-10   

Consolidated Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

     F-11   

Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)

     F-12   

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Members’ Capital (unaudited)

     F-13   

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited)

     F-14   

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-15   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-26   

Financial Statements as of January 1, 2012

  

Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Members’ Capital

     F-27   

Schedule of Investments

     F-28   

Notes to the Financial Statement

     F-29   

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Members of

WhiteHorse Finance, LLC

We have audited the accompanying consolidated schedule of investments of WhiteHorse Finance, LLC (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2012. This schedule of investments is the responsibility of the management of the Company. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this schedule of investments 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 schedule of investments is free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the schedule of investments. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the schedule of investments. Our procedures included confirmation of investments as of September 30, 2012 by correspondence with custodian, loan agent or borrower; where replies were not received, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

The accompanying consolidated schedule of investments was prepared using the basis of presentation described in Note 2 and is not intended to be a complete presentation of the Company’s assets and liabilities.

In our opinion, the consolidated schedule of investments referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the investments of the Company as of September 30, 2012, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

As explained in Note 3 to the consolidated schedule of investments, the accompanying schedule of investments includes investments valued at $288.9 million, whose fair values have been estimated by the Company in the absence of readily determinable fair values. Such estimates are based on financial and other information provided by management of its portfolio companies, pertinent market and industry data, as well as input from independent valuation firms. These investments are valued in accordance with FASB ASC 820,  Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures , which requires the Company to assume that the portfolio investments are sold in a principal market to market participants. The Company has considered its principal market as the market in which the Company exits its portfolio investments with the greatest volume and level of activity. ASC 820 specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to these valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. All investments held at September 30, 2012, are valued based on unobservable inputs. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private investments and private companies, are inherently uncertain, they may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. These determinations of fair value could differ materially from the values that would have been utilized had a ready market for these investments existed.

/s/ Crowe Horwath LLP

Crowe Horwath LLP

New York, New York

November 7, 2012

 

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Table of Contents

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

September 30, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

Investment Type

  Spread Above
Index (1)
  Interest
Rate (2)
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
    Amortized
Cost
    Fair
Value
    Fair Value
As A
Percentage

Of Total
Investments
 

North America

             

Insurance

             

Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.

             

Senior Secured Term Loan A

  L+6.00%        7.50%   12/31/16   $ 1,525      $ 1,446      $ 1,511        0.52
  (1.50% Floor)            

Senior Secured Term Loan B

  L+9.50%   11.00   12/31/16     7,929        8,017        7,969        2.76   
  (1.50% Floor)            

Building and Development

             

TCO Funding Corp.

             

Senior Secured Term Loan

  L+7.5%     9.50   4/27/14     24,215        23,835        24,288        8.41   
  (2.00% Floor)            

Business Equipment and Services

             

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, Inc.

             

Senior Secured

  L+8.00%       10.00(3)   8/1/16     41,718        37,805        40,717        14.09   
  (2.00% Floor)            

Leisure Goods

             

AGS, LLC

             

Senior Secured Term Loan

  L+10.00%    11.5%   8/15/16     17,309        16,629        16,617        5.75   
  (1.5% Floor)            

Initial Delayed Draw

  L+10.00%   N/A (4)   8/15/16                            
  (1.5% Floor)            

Secondary Delayed Draw

  L+10.00%   N/A (4)   8/15/16                            
  (1.5% Floor)            

Drugs

             

Acella Pharmaceuticals, LLC

             

Senior Secured Term Loan

  L+11.00%      15.00%   12/30/15     62,047        62,047        62,047        21.48   
  (1.0% Floor)   (3.0% PIK)          

Retailers

             

St. John Knits International, Inc.

             

Senior Secured Term Loan

  N/A (5)   13.00   3/3/15     9,012        9,006        9,048        3.14   

Healthcare

             

Genoa Healthcare, LLC

             

Senior Secured Term Loan

  L+9.50%   14.00   2/10/15     26,957        26,957        26,957        9.33   
  (3.00% Floor)   (1.5% PIK)          

Metropolitan Health Networks, Inc.

             

Senior Secured

  L+11.75%   13.50   10/4/17     8,861        8,398        8,931        3.09   
  (1.75% Floor)            

Chemicals and Plastics

             

Hilex Poly Co., LLC

             

Senior Secured Term Loan

  L+9.25%   11.25   11/19/15     33,395        32,590        34,363        11.89   
  (2.00% Floor)            

Financial Intermediaries

             

FCC Holdings, LLC

             

Senior Unsecured Note

  N/A (5)   14.00   12/15/15     15,879        13,874        13,100        4.53   
    (1.0% PIK)(6)          

Equipment Leasing

             

GMT Holdings 1, Ltd. & GMT Holdings 12, Ltd.

             

Senior Secured Term Loan(7)

  N/A (5)   25.00   6/30/13     43,146        42,930        43,361        15.01   
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments

        $ 291,993      $ 283,534      $ 288,909        100.00
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) The investments bear interest at a rate that may be determined by reference to LIBOR “L” or Prime “P” and which resets daily, quarterly or semiannually.
(2) The interest rate is the “all-in-rate” including current index and spread, the fixed rate, and the paid in kind (PIK) interest rate.
(3) The applicable margin for Jackson Hewitt is 7.00% if consolidated EBITDA is more than $50 million.
(4) The entire commitment was unfunded at September 30, 2012. The Company earns a commitment fee of 5.00% on the unfunded amount.
(5) Interest rate is fixed and accordingly the spread above the index is not applicable.
(6) The PIK rate may vary from 0.0% to 2.0% based on a quarterly tangible net worth test.
(7) WhiteHorse Finance, LLC’s investments in GMT Holdings 1, Ltd. & GMT Holdings 12, Ltd. are held through its subsidiary Bayside Financing S.A.R.L.

See accompanying notes to consolidated schedule of investments.

 

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Table of Contents

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

September 30, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

NOTE 1—ORGANIZATION

The consolidated schedule of investments includes investments held by WhiteHorse Finance, LLC, its wholly owned subsidiary, WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC, and its subsidiary Bayside Financing S.A.R.L., together referred to as “the Company.” Investments held by WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC had a fair value of $198,084 as of September 30, 2012 and are pledged as collateral for a $150,000 credit facility entered into by the Company on September 27, 2012.

WhiteHorse Finance, LLC was organized as a limited liability company under the laws of Delaware on December 28, 2011, and commenced operations effective January 1, 2012 (“Inception Date”). The Company is a newly organized closed-end management investment company that intends to elect to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, prior to its initial public offering (“IPO”). In addition, for tax purposes, the Company intends 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. The Company intends to raise common equity in its IPO. In connection with the IPO, the Company will convert, in accordance with Delaware Law, to a Delaware corporation and be named WhiteHorse Finance, Inc. (“the Corporation”).

On September 30, 2012, H.I.G. Bayside Debt & LBO Fund II, L.P. (“Bayside II”) and H.I.G. Bayside Loan Opportunity Fund II, L.P. (“Loan Fund II” and, collectively, the “Members”) owned 55.1% and 44.9% of the Company, respectively.

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation :    The accompanying consolidated schedule of investments has been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying consolidated schedule of investments is not intended to be a complete presentation of the Company’s assets and liabilities.

Use of Estimates :    The preparation of the consolidated schedule of investments in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts disclosed in the consolidated schedule of investments. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The fair value of investments is particularly subject to change.

Investments :    The Company records investment transactions on a trade date basis, which is the date when it has determined that all material terms have been defined for the transactions. These transactions may settle on a subsequent date depending on the transaction type. Any original issue discounts, as well as any other purchase discounts or premiums on debt investments, are included in the cost basis of the investments and accreted or amortized to interest income over the maturity periods of the investments.

Valuation of Investments :    Valuation analyses of the Company’s investments are performed on a quarterly basis pursuant to the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurements . ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with U.S. GAAP and

 

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Table of Contents

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

September 30, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

expands disclosure of fair value measurements. Pursuant to ASC 820, the valuation standard used to measure the value of each investment is fair value defined as, “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date”. Investments are recorded at their fair value at each quarter end (the measurement date).

Fair Value Investment Hierarchy :    Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1:     Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active public markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2:     Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3:     Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a reporting entity’s own assumptions about what market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, a financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the financial instrument.

Valuation Process :    Investments are measured at fair value as determined in good faith by our investment adviser’s investment committee ( Investment Valuation Committee”), based on, among other factors, consistently applied valuation procedures on each measurement date. The Investment Valuation Committee of the Investment Adviser undertakes a multi-step valuation process at each measurement date.

 

   

Our valuation process begins with each investment valued by the investment professionals responsible for the investment in conjunction with the finance team.

 

   

The valuation methods selected for a particular investment are based on the circumstances and on the level of data available to measure fair value.

 

   

Preliminary valuation recommendations are presented to the Investment Valuation Committee for consideration.

 

   

The Investment Valuation Committee discusses the recommendations and may review the valuation support, if necessary.

 

   

The Investment Valuation Committee will ultimately determine the fair value of each investment at quarter end.

 

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Table of Contents

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

September 30, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

The Company will engage an independent external valuation firm to review all material investments, at least once a year. This external review will be used as a key input by the investment committee to provide positive assurance in comparison with the Company’s internal valuation of each investment over the year.

The board of directors undertakes a multi-step valuation process at each measurement date.

 

   

Our valuation process begins with each investment valued by the investment professionals responsible for the investment in conjunction with the finance team.

 

   

The valuation methods selected for a particular investment are based on the circumstances and on the level of data available to measure fair value.

 

   

Preliminary valuation recommendations are presented to the investment committee for consideration.

 

   

The investment committee discusses the recommended fair value for each investment and may review the internal valuation support and external valuations for assurance, if necessary. A summary of their findings will be presented to the audit committee of the board of directors for review and approval.

 

   

The audit committee approves and recommends the fair value of the Company’s investments to the board of directors.

 

   

The board of directors will ultimately determine the fair value of each investment at each quarter end.

Valuation Methodology :    The following section describes the valuation methods and techniques used to measure the fair value of the investments.

Fair value for each investment will be derived using a combination of valuation methodologies that, in the judgment of the investment committee of the Investment Adviser are most relevant to such investment, including, without limitation, being based on one or more of the following: (i) market prices obtained from market makers for which the investment committee has deemed there to be enough breadth (number of quotes) and depth (firm bids) to be indicative of fair value (ii) the price paid or realized in a completed transaction or binding offer received in an arms-length transaction, (iii) a discounted cash flow analysis, (iv) the guideline public company method, (v) the similar transaction method, or (vi) the option pricing method.

The valuation methods selected for a particular investment are based on the circumstances and on the level of sufficient data available to measure fair value. If more than one valuation method is used to measure fair value, the results are evaluated and weighted, as appropriate, considering the reasonableness of the range indicated by those results. A fair value measurement is the point within that range that is most representative of fair value in the circumstances.

The determination of fair value using the selected methodologies takes into consideration a range of factors including, but not limited to, the price at which the investment was acquired, the nature of the investment, local market conditions, trading values on public and private exchanges for comparable securities, current and projected operating performance and

 

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Table of Contents

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

September 30, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

financing transactions subsequent to the acquisition of the investment, compliance with agreed upon terms and covenants, and assessment of credit ratings of an underlying borrower. These valuation methodologies involve a significant degree of judgment to be exercised.

As it relates to investments which do not have an active public market, there is no single standard for determining the estimated fair value. Valuations of privately held investments are inherently uncertain, and they may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates. The determination of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these investments existed.

In some cases, fair value for such investments is best expressed as a range of values derived utilizing different methodologies from which a single estimate may then be determined. Consequently, fair value for each investment may be derived using a combination of valuation methodologies that, in the judgment of the investment professionals, are most relevant to such investment. The selected valuation methodologies for a particular investment are consistently applied on each measurement date. However, a change in a valuation methodology or its application from one measurement date to another is possible if the change results in a measurement that is equally or more representative of fair value in the circumstances.

Loan Origination Fees :    The Company may receive origination fees upon the origination of an investment. These origination fees are initially deferred and reduced from the cost basis of the investment.

Risks and Uncertainties :    In the normal course of business, the Company encounters primarily two significant types of economic risks: credit and market. Credit risk is the risk of default on the Company’s investments that result from an issuer’s, borrower’s, or derivative counterparty’s inability or unwillingness to make contractually required payments. Market risk reflects changes in the value of investments due to changes in interest rates, spreads or other market factors, including the value of the collateral underlying investments held by the Company. Management believes that the carrying value of its investments are fairly stated, taking into consideration these risks along with estimated collateral values, payment histories and other market information.

Newly Adopted Accounting Standards :    In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (‘“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) . This guidance represents the converged guidance of the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Boards, or collectively, the Accounting Boards, on fair value measurement. The collective efforts of the Accounting Boards reflected in this guidance have resulted in common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements, including a consistent meaning of the term “fair value” and enhanced disclosure requirements for investments that do not have readily determinable fair values. The Accounting Boards have concluded the common requirements will result in greater

 

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Table of Contents

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

September 30, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statement prepared in accordance with GAAP and IFRSs. The amendments to the FASB codification in this guidance are to be applied prospectively. For public entities, the amendments are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early application by public entities is not permitted. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2012, and the disclosures are included in Note 3.

NOTE 3—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The following table presents investments (as shown on the schedule of investments) that have been measured at fair value:

 

            Fair Value Measurements
at September 30, 2012, using
 

Investment Type

   Total      Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
     Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
           

Senior Secured Term Loans

   $ 275,809       $       $       $ 275,809   

Senior Unsecured Note

     13,100                         13,100   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 288,909       $       $       $ 288,909   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Valuation Techniques and Inputs

Quantitative Information about Level 3 fair value measurements is as follows:

 

Investment Type    Fair Value at
September 30, 2012
     Valuation
Techniques
   Unobservable
Inputs
   Range
(Weighted  Average)

Senior Secured Term Loans

   $ 275,809       Discounted Cash Flow    Discount Rate    7.7% - 27.8%
(14.5%)
      Consensus Pricing    Market Quotes    98.0% - 102.0%

(100.2%)

Senior Unsecured Note

   $ 13,100       Discounted Cash Flow    Discount Rate    21.5%
      Consensus Pricing    Market Quotes    81.0%

Valuation of investments may be determined by weighting various valuation techniques. Significant judgment is required in selecting the assumptions used to determine the fair values of these investments. At September 30, 2012, 41.7% of Level 3 investments are valued using a discounted cash flow technique and 58.3% are valued by applying a weighted approached across several techniques.

 

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Table of Contents

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—(Continued)

September 30, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

NOTE 3—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

Information about Sensitivity to Changes in Significant Unobservable Inputs :    The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s term loans are the discount rate, market quotes and arms length transaction price. Significant increase in the discount rate for an investment would result in a significantly lower fair value measurement. Significant increase in the market quotes price would result in a significant increase in the fair value measurement.

NOTE 4—RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company has control positions with a related party in $53,817 of the investments on the consolidated schedule of investments. The Company’s investments in loans totaling $13,100 are currently held through participation agreements with an affiliate of the Members. At September 30, 2012, certain officers or employees affiliated with or employed by the Members and their related entities maintain co-investments in the investments of $6,568.

NOTE 5—COMMITMENT AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company had outstanding commitments to fund investments totaling $2,258 as of September 30, 2012.

NOTE 6—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through November 7, 2012, the date on which the financial statement was issued. There have been no subsequent events that occurred during such period that would require disclosure or would be required to be recognized in the consolidated schedule of investments as of September 30, 2012, except as disclosed below:

The Company made a new loan of $17,500 to Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. and received a principal payment of $41,718 as part of the refinancing of its previous investment, received a $33,395 principal payment from Hilex Poly Co., LLC as part of the refinancing its previous investment, sold a $6,489 portion of its investment in TCO Funding Corp., funded an additional draw of $1,129 to AGS LLC and made an additional investment of $2,757 in St. John Knits International, Inc.

 

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Table of Contents

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND

MEMBERS’ CAPITAL (UNAUDITED)

September 30, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

ASSETS

  

Investments, at fair value (cost $283,534)

   $ 288,909   

Cash and cash equivalents

     53,458   

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

     2,386   

Interest receivable

     5,750   

Due from related party

     2,565   

Deferred offering costs

     420   

Deferred financing costs

     3,157   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 356,645   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ CAPITAL

  

Liabilities

  

Credit facility

   $ 51,250   

Payable for securities purchased

     4,115   

Accrued expenses

     616   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     55,981   

Members’ capital (100,000,000 units authorized, 23,983,586 units issued and outstanding)

     300,664   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities and members’ capital

   $ 356,645   
  

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

September 30, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

Investment Type

  Spread Above
Index (1)
  Interest
Rate (2)
  Maturity
Date
  Principal
Amount
    Amortized
Cost
    Fair
Value
    Fair Value
As A
Percentage
Of Members’
Capital
 

North America

             

Insurance

             

Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.

             

Senior Secured Term Loan A

  L + 6.00%         7.50%   12/31/16   $ 1,525      $ 1,446      $ 1,511        0.50
  (1.50% Floor)            

Senior Secured Term Loan B

  L + 9.50%   11.00   12/31/16     7,929        8,017        7,969        2.65   
  (1.50% Floor)            

Building and Development

             

TCO Funding Corp.

             

Senior Secured Term Loan

  L + 7.5%   9.50   4/27/14     24,215        23,835        24,288        8.08   
  (2.00% Floor)            

Business Equipment and Services

             

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, Inc.

             

Senior Secured

  L + 8.00%   10.00 (3)   8/1/16     41,718        37,805        40,717        13.54   
  (2.00% Floor)            

Leisure Goods

             

AGS, LLC

             

Senior Secured Term Loan

  L + 10.00%         11.5%   8/15/16     17,309        16,629        16,617        5.53   
  (1.5% Floor)            

Initial Delayed Draw

  L + 10.00%   N/A (4)   8/15/16                            
  (1.5% Floor)            

Secondary Delayed Draw

  L + 10.00%   N/A (4)   8/15/16                            
  (1.5% Floor)            

Drugs

             

Acella Pharmaceuticals, LLC

             

Senior Secured Term Loan

  L + 11.00%   15.00%   12/30/15     62,047        62,047        62,047        20.64   
  (1.0% Floor)   (3.0% PIK)          

Retailers

             

St. John Knits International, Inc.

             

Senior Secured Term Loan

  N/A (5)   13.00   3/3/15     9,012        9,006        9,048        3.01   

Healthcare

             

Genoa Healthcare, LLC

             

Senior Secured Term Loan

  L + 9.50%   14.00   2/10/15     26,957        26,957        26,957        8.96   
  (3.00% Floor)   (1.5% PIK)          

Metropolitan Health Networks, Inc.

             

Senior Secured

  L + 11.75%   13.50   10/4/17     8,861        8,398        8,931        2.97   
  (1.75% Floor)            

Chemicals and Plastics

             

Hilex Poly Co., LLC

             

Senior Secured Term Loan

  L + 9.25%   11.25   11/19/15     33,395        32,590        34,363        11.43   
  (2.00% Floor)            

Financial Intermediaries

             

FCC Holdings, LLC

             

Senior Unsecured Note

  N/A (5)   14.00   12/15/15     15,879        13,874        13,100        4.36   
    (1.0% PIK)(6)          

Equipment Leasing

             

GMT Holdings 1, Ltd. & GMT Holdings 12, Ltd.(7)

             

Senior Secured Term Loan

  N/A (5)   25.00   6/30/13     43,146        42,930        43,361        14.42   
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments

        $ 291,993      $ 283,534      $ 288,909        96.09
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) The investments bear interest at a rate that may be determined by reference to LIBOR “L” or Prime “P” and which resets daily, quarterly or semiannually.
(2) The interest rate is the “all-in-rate” including current index and spread, the fixed rate, and the paid in kind (PIK) interest rate.
(3) The applicable margin for Jackson Hewitt is 7.00% if consolidated EBITDA is more than $50 million.
(4) The entire commitment was unfunded at September 30, 2012. The Company earns a commitment fee of 5.00% on the unfunded amount.
(5) Interest rate is fixed and accordingly the spread above the index is not applicable.
(6) The PIK rate may vary from 0.0% to 2.0% based on a quarterly tangible net worth test.
(7) WhiteHorse Finance LLC’s investments in GMT Holdings 1, Ltd. & GMT Holdings 12, Ltd. are held by its subsidiary Bayside Financing S.A.R.L.

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

For the three month period July 1, 2012 to September 30, 2012

and for the nine month period January 1, 2012 (Inception Date) to September 30, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

     September 30, 2012  
     Three Months
Ended
    Nine Months
Ended
 

Investment income

    

Interest

   $ 8,733      $ 23,436   

Paid in kind income

     1,479        4,942   

Other income

            483   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

     10,212        28,861   

Expenses

    

Organization costs

            68   

Other expenses

     65        319   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

     65        387   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

     10,147        28,474   

Net realized loss on investments

     (2,265     (2,265

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     3,284        5,375   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 11,166      $ 31,584   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN MEMBERS’ CAPITAL (UNAUDITED)

Period from January 1, 2012 (Inception Date) to September 30, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

Capital contribution at January 1, 2012

   $ 176,286   

Issuance of members’ capital units in exchange for contributed assets

     183,468   

Distributions

     (90,674

Net income

     31,584   
  

 

 

 

Members’ capital at September 30, 2012

   $ 300,664   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

Period from January 1, 2012 (Inception Date) to September 30, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

Cash flows from operating activities

  

Net income

   $ 31,584   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

  

Paid in kind income

     (4,942

Net realized loss on investments

     2,265   

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

     (5,375

Amortization of discount

     (1,784

Purchase of investments

     (58,656

Proceeds from principal payments and sales of portfolio investments

     15,681   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

  

Interest receivable

     (5,750

Due from related party

     (2,565

Deferred offering costs

     (420

Accrued expenses

     616   

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

     (2,386

Payable for securities purchased

     4,115   
  

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (27,617

Cash flows from financing activities

  

Proceeds from capital contributions

     51,568   

Payment of capital distributions

     (18,586

Proceeds from borrowings on credit facility

     51,250   

Deferred financing costs

     (3,157
  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     81,075   

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     53,458   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

       
  

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 53,458   
  

 

 

 

Supplemental noncash disclosures:

  

Contributed investments

   $ 131,900   

Distributed investments

     (72,088

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ORGANIZATION

The consolidated financial statements include WhiteHorse Finance, LLC, its wholly owned subsidiary, WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC, and its subsidiary Bayside Financing S.A.R.L., together referred to as “the Company.”

WhiteHorse Finance, LLC was organized as a limited liability company under the laws of Delaware on December 28, 2011, and commenced operations effective January 1, 2012 (“Inception Date”). The Company is a newly organized closed-end management investment company that intends to elect to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, prior to its initial public offering (“IPO”). In addition, for tax purposes, the Company intends 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. The Company intends to raise common equity in its IPO. In connection with the IPO, the Company will convert, in accordance with Delaware Law, to a Delaware corporation and be named WhiteHorse Finance, Inc. (“the Corporation”).

On September 30, 2012, H.I.G. Bayside Debt & LBO Fund II, L.P. (“Bayside II”) and H.I.G. Bayside Loan Opportunity Fund II, L.P. (“Loan Fund II” and, collectively, the “Members”) owned 55.1% and 44.9% of the Company, respectively.

Bayside Capital, Inc., an affiliate of the Members, serves as the investment adviser to the Company (the “Investment Adviser”) through an interim advisory agreement (see Note 5).

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation :    The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.

Interim Financial Statements :    The unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company as of September 30, 2012 and for the period from the Inception Date through September 30, 2012, have been prepared by us pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. The information included reflects all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals and adjustments), which are in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly state the operating results for the period. However, these operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year. The notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to the financial statement contained in our January 1, 2012, audited financial statement contained within this registration statement.

Use of Estimates :    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The fair value of investments is particularly subject to change.

Cash and Cash Equivalents :    Cash and cash equivalents include cash, deposits with financial institutions, and short-term liquid investments in money market funds.

 

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WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

September 30, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents :    Restricted cash and cash equivalents include amounts that are collected and held by the trustee appointed as custodian of the assets securing the Company’s credit facility. Restricted cash is held by the trustee for the payment of interest expense and principal on the outstanding borrowings or reinvestment into new assets.

Organizational and Offering Costs :    The Company incurred legal, accounting, regulatory, investment banking and other costs during its initial start up phase and associated with its intended IPO. Organizational costs are expensed as incurred. Offering costs are deferred and charged against paid-in capital in excess of par on completion of the intended IPO.

Deferred Financing Costs :    Deferred financing costs represent fees and other direct incremental costs incurred in connection with the Company’s borrowings. These amounts are amortized using the effective interest method and are included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations over the estimated life of the borrowings.

Investments and Related Investment Income and Expense :    The Company records investment transactions on a trade date basis, which is the date when it has determined that all material terms have been defined for the transactions. These transactions may settle on a subsequent date depending on the transaction type. All related revenue and expenses attributable to these transactions are reflected on the statement of operations commencing on the trade date unless otherwise specified by the transaction documents. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are recorded on the specific identification method.

The Company accrues interest income if it expects that ultimately it will be able to collect it. Generally, when an interest payment default occurs on a loan in the portfolio, or if management otherwise believes that the issuer of the loan will not be able to service the loan and other obligations, the Company will place the loan on non-accrual status and will cease recognizing interest income on that loan until all principal and interest is current through payment or until a restructuring occurs, such that the interest income is deemed to be collectible. However, the Company remains contractually entitled to this interest. The Company may make exceptions to this policy if the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection. Accrued interest is written off when it becomes probable that the interest will not be collected and the amount of uncollectible interest can be reasonably estimated. Any original issue discounts, as well as any other purchase discounts or premiums on debt investments, are accreted or amortized to interest income over the maturity periods of the investments.

Certain expenses related to legal and tax consultation, due diligence, rating fees, valuation expenses and independent collateral appraisals may arise when the Company makes certain investments. These expenses are recognized in the statement of operations as they are incurred.

Valuation of Investments :    Valuation analyses of the Company’s investments are performed on a quarterly basis pursuant to the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurements . ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with U.S. GAAP and expands disclosure of fair value measurements. Pursuant to ASC 820, the valuation standard

 

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WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

September 30, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

used to measure the value of each investment is fair value defined as, “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date”. Investments are recorded at their fair value at each quarter end (the measurement date).

Fair Value Investment Hierarchy :    Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1:     Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active public markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2:     Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3:     Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a reporting entity’s own assumptions about what market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, a financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the financial instrument.

Valuation Process—Pre-IPO :    Investments are measured at fair value as determined in good faith by our investment adviser’s investment committee ( Investment Valuation Committee”), based on, among other factors, consistently applied valuation procedures on each measurement date. The Investment Valuation Committee of the Investment Adviser undertakes a multi-step valuation process at each measurement date.

 

   

Our valuation process begins with each investment valued by the investment professionals responsible for the investment in conjunction with the finance team.

 

   

The valuation methods selected for a particular investment are based on the circumstances and on the level of data available to measure fair value.

 

   

Preliminary valuation recommendations are presented to the Investment Valuation Committee for consideration.

 

   

The Investment Valuation Committee discusses the recommendations and may review the valuation support, if necessary.

 

   

The Investment Valuation Committee will ultimately determine the fair value of each investment at quarter end.

 

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WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

September 30, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Valuation Process—Post-IPO :    Investments are measured at fair value as determined in good faith by our investment committee, reviewed by the audit committee of the board of directors (independent directors) and ultimately approved by our board of directors, based on, among other factors, consistently applied valuation procedures on each measurement date.

The Company will engage an independent external valuation firm to review all material investments, at least once a year. This external review will be used as a key input by the investment committee to provide positive assurance in comparison with the Company’s internal valuation of each investment over the year.

The board of directors undertakes a multi-step valuation process at each measurement date.

 

   

Our valuation process begins with each investment valued by the investment professionals responsible for the investment in conjunction with the finance team.

 

   

The valuation methods selected for a particular investment are based on the circumstances and on the level of data available to measure fair value.

 

   

Preliminary valuation recommendations are presented to the investment committee for consideration.

 

   

The investment committee discusses the recommended fair value for each investment and may review the internal valuation support and external valuations for assurance, if necessary. A summary of their findings will be presented to the audit committee of the board of directors for review and approval.

 

   

The audit committee approves and recommends the fair value of the Company’s investments to the board of directors.

 

   

The board of directors will ultimately determine the fair value of each investment at each quarter end.

Valuation Methodology :    The following section describes the valuation methods and techniques used to measure the fair value of the investments.

Fair value for each investment will be derived using a combination of valuation methodologies that, in the judgment of the investment committee of the Investment Adviser are most relevant to such investment, including, without limitation, being based on one or more of the following: (i) market prices obtained from market makers for which the investment committee has deemed there to be enough breadth (number of quotes) and depth (firm bids) to be indicative of fair value (ii) the price paid or realized in a completed transaction or binding offer received in an arms-length transaction, (iii) a discounted cash flow analysis, (iv) the guideline public company method, (v) the similar transaction method, or (vi) the option pricing method.

The valuation methods selected for a particular investment are based on the circumstances and on the level of sufficient data available to measure fair value. If more than one valuation

 

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WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

September 30, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

method is used to measure fair value, the results are evaluated and weighted, as appropriate, considering the reasonableness of the range indicated by those results. A fair value measurement is the point within that range that is most representative of fair value in the circumstances.

The determination of fair value using the selected methodologies takes into consideration a range of factors including, but not limited to, the price at which the investment was acquired, the nature of the investment, local market conditions, trading values on public and private exchanges for comparable securities, current and projected operating performance and financing transactions subsequent to the acquisition of the investment, compliance with agreed upon terms and covenants, and assessment of credit ratings of an underlying borrower. These valuation methodologies involve a significant degree of judgment to be exercised.

As it relates to investments which do not have an active public market, there is no single standard for determining the estimated fair value. Valuations of privately held investments are inherently uncertain, and they may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates. The determination of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these investments existed.

In some cases, fair value for such investments is best expressed as a range of values derived utilizing different methodologies from which a single estimate may then be determined. Consequently, fair value for each investment may be derived using a combination of valuation methodologies that, in the judgment of the investment professionals, are most relevant to such investment. The selected valuation methodologies for a particular investment are consistently applied on each measurement date. However, a change in a valuation methodology or its application from one measurement date to another is possible if the change results in a measurement that is equally or more representative of fair value in the circumstances.

Loan Origination, Facility, Commitment and Amendment Fees :    The Company may receive fees in addition to interest income from the loans during the life of the investment. Additionally, the Company may receive origination fees upon the origination of an investment. These origination fees are initially deferred and reduced from the cost basis of the investment and subsequently accreted into income over the term of the loan. Further, the Company may receive facility, commitment and amendment fees, which are paid on an ongoing basis. Facility fees, sometimes referred to as asset management fees, are accrued as a percentage periodic fee on the base amount (either the funded facility amount or the committed principal amount). Commitment fees are based upon the undrawn portion committed by the Company and are recorded on an accrual basis. Amendment fees are paid in connection with loan amendments and waivers and are accounted for upon completion of the amendments or waivers, generally when such fees are receivable. Any such fees are included in other income on the statement of operations.

Distributions:

Pre Business Development Company Election:     The Company intends to pay distributions approximately 45 days after quarter end at the discretion of the Investment Adviser.

 

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WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

September 30, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Post Business Development Company Election:     As a RIC, in order to avoid corporate-level income tax on its income, the Company must distribute to its stockholders at least 90% of ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any, on an annual basis out of the assets legally available for such distributions. In addition, the Company also intends to distribute any realized net capital gains (i.e., realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) at least annually out of the assets legally available for such distributions. For a short period (less than one month after the closing of this offering), the Company may not be a RIC and may be subject to corporate-level income tax.

Income Taxes :    The Company is treated as a partnership for federal and state income tax purposes and does not incur income taxes, accordingly no provision for income taxes has been made in the accompanying financial statement, as each member is individually responsible for reporting income or loss, to the extent required by federal income tax laws and regulations, based upon its respective share of the Company’s revenues and expenses as reported for income tax purposes.

Upon its election to be treated as a business development company, the Company intends to elect to be treated, and intends to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. To obtain RIC tax benefits, the Company must distribute at least 90% of 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 order to avoid certain excise taxes imposed on RICs, the Company currently intends to distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of ordinary income for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of 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 the Company paid no U.S. federal income tax.

The Company’s tax returns are subject to examination by federal, state and local taxing authorities. Because many types of transactions are susceptible to varying interpretations under federal and state income tax laws and regulations, the amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements may be subject to change at a later date by the respective taxing authorities.

The Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more-likely-than-not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statement is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority.

Penalties or interest that may be assessed related to any income taxes would be classified as other operating expenses in the financial statement. The Company has no amounts accrued for interest or penalties on September 30, 2012. The Company does not expect the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly change in the next twelve months.

 

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WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

September 30, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Risks and Uncertainties :    In the normal course of business, the Company encounters primarily two significant types of economic risks: credit and market. Credit risk is the risk of default on the Company’s investments that result from an issuer’s, borrower’s, or derivative counterparty’s inability or unwillingness to make contractually required payments. Market risk reflects changes in the value of investments due to changes in interest rates, spreads or other market factors, including the value of the collateral underlying investments held by the Company. Management believes that the carrying value of its investments are fairly stated, taking into consideration these risks along with estimated collateral values, payment histories and other market information.

Newly Adopted Accounting Standards :    In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) . This guidance represents the converged guidance of the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Boards, or collectively, the Accounting Boards, on fair value measurement. The collective efforts of the Accounting Boards reflected in this guidance have resulted in common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements, including a consistent meaning of the term “fair value” and enhanced disclosure requirements for investments that do not have readily determinable fair values. The Accounting Boards have concluded the common requirements will result in greater comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statement prepared in accordance with GAAP and IFRSs. The amendments to the FASB codification in this guidance are to be applied prospectively. For public entities, the amendments are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early application by public entities is not permitted. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2012, and the disclosures are included in Note 3.

As permitted by Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act, the Company has elected to defer the adoption of new and revised accounting standards applicable to public companies until also applicable to private companies. There are currently no such standards being deferred that will, in management’s opinion, have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 3—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The following table presents investments (as shown on the schedule of investments) that have been measured at fair value:

 

            Fair Value Measurements at September 30,
2012, using
 

Investment Type

   Total      Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
     Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
           

Senior Secured Term Loans

   $ 275,809       $       $       $ 275,809   

Senior Unsecured Note

     13,100                         13,100   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 288,909       $       $       $ 288,909   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

September 30, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

NOTE 3—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

Valuation Techniques and Inputs

Quantitative Information about Level 3 fair value measurements is as follows:

 

Investment Type    Fair Value at
September 30, 2012
     Valuation
Techniques
   Unobservable
Inputs
   Range
(Weighted  Average)

Senior Secured Term Loans

   $ 275,809       Discounted Cash Flow    Discount Rate    7.7% - 27.8%
(14.5%)
      Consensus Pricing    Market Quotes    98.0% - 102.0%

(100.2%)

Senior Unsecured Note

   $ 13,100       Discounted Cash Flow    Discount Rate    21.5%
      Consensus Pricing    Market Quotes    81.0%

Valuation of investments may be determined by weighting various valuation techniques. Significant judgment is required in selecting the assumptions used to determine the fair values of these investments. At September 30, 2012, 41.7% of Level 3 investments are valued using a discounted cash flow technique and 58.3% are valued by applying a weighted approached across several techniques.

The securities measured at fair value are senior secured loans and a senior note. The portfolio companies underlying the term loans are located in the United States. The weighted average maturity date of the senior secured term loans is July 17, 2015, and the senior unsecured note is December 15, 2015.

 

     Senior Secured
Term Loans
    Senior
Unsecured
Note
    Total
Investments
 

Balance at January 1, 2012

   $ 167,706      $ 8,580      $ 176,286   

Contributed investments

     126,759        5,141        131,900   

Purchases

     58,656               58,656   

Non-cash interest income

     4,942               4,942   

Amortization of discount

     1,631        153        1,784   

Distributed investments

     (72,088            (72,088

Proceeds from pay downs

     (15,681            (15,681

Net realized loss

     (2,265            (2,265

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     6,149        (774     5,375   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2012

   $ 275,809      $ 13,100      $ 288,909   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Information about Sensitivity to Changes in Significant Unobservable Inputs :    The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s term loans are the discount rate, market quotes and arms length transaction price. Significant

 

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Table of Contents

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

September 30, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

increase in the discount rate for an investment would result in a significantly lower fair value measurement. Significant increase in the market quotes price would result in a significant increase in the fair value measurement.

NOTE 4—CREDIT FACILITY

On September 27, 2012, the Company entered into a $150,000 revolving credit and security agreement with Natixis, New York Branch, acting as facility agent (the “Credit Facility”) and on the same date drew $51,250. In connection with this agreement, WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC, pledged securities with a fair value of $198,084 as of September 30,2012, as collateral for the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility generally bears interest at the applicable commerical paper rate plus 2.25%.

The Credit Facility has a final maturity of September 27, 2020. Under the Credit Facility, the Company has made certain customary representations and warranties, and is required to comply with various covenants, including leverage restrictions, reporting requirements and other customary requirements for similar credit facilities. The Credit Facility includes usual and customary events of default for credit facilities of this nature. At September 30, 2012, the Company had $51,250 outstanding borrowings and $98,750 undrawn under the Credit Facility. The Company’s ability to draw down undrawn funds under the Credit Facility is determined by collateral and portfolio quality requirements stipulated in the credit and security agreement. At September 30, 2012, $2,586 was available to be drawn by the Company based on these requirements.

NOTE 5—RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company has control positions with a related party of the Investment Adviser associated with $53,817 of the contributed assets. The Company’s investments in loans totaling $13,100 are currently held through participation agreements with an affiliate of the Members. At September 30, 2012, certain officers or employees affiliated with or employed by the Members and their related entities maintain co-investments in the investments of $6,568.

The Company sold investments to its Members with a fair value of $69,823 on the date of sale. A capital distribution equal to the investment’s amortized cost of $72,088 was made to Members and a realized loss of $2,265 was recognized in the statement of operations related to the sale.

Interim Investment Advisory Agreement :    Bayside Capital, Inc., an affiliate of the Members, serves as the interim investment adviser for the Company at this time through an interim advisory agreement. Under the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement, the Investment Adviser provides investment management services to the Company prior to the consummation of our IPO, following which the Company intends to terminate the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement. During the period of the Inception Date to September 30, 2012, there were no fees paid to the Investment Adviser nor at September 30, 2012, were there fees that are expected to be collected with respect to the period ending on the date the final offering is priced. The Interim Investment Advisory Agreement waives all fees payable by the Company. Prior to its election to be treated as a business development company, the Company intends to enter into a replacement investment advisory agreement, which will take effect immediately prior to the IPO.

 

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WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

September 30, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

Due From Related Parties :    At September 30, 2012, the Company is due interest and principal proceeds in settlement of transactions related to securities acquired from or contributed by related parties during the period.

NOTE 6—COMMITMENT AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments : The Company had outstanding commitments to fund investments totaling $2,258 as of September 30, 2012.

Indemnification :    The Company’s Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement includes indemnifications for the manager, officers, employees, and agents of the Company, which provide for the indemnification against losses, costs, claims and liabilities arising from the performance of obligations under such agreements, except for losses, costs, claims and liabilities arising due to gross negligence or bad faith. The Company has had no claims or payments pursuant to these agreements. The Company’s individual maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Company that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience and limited operating history, the Company expects the risk of loss to be remote.

NOTE 7 – FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The financial highlights for the Company are as follows:

 

     September 30, 2012  
     Three Months
Ended
    Nine Months
Ended
 

Ratios to average members’ capital:

    

Expenses (1)

     0.10     0.20

Net investment income (2)

     15.98     15.31

Total return (3)

     17.58     16.98

 

(1) The expense ratio includes interest income and organization costs on the statement of operations. Organization costs are non-recurring
(2) Net investment income includes interest income and excludes realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments on the statements of operations
(3) The total return is computed based on annual net income (loss) divided by weighted average members’ capital

Financial Highlights for periods of less than one year are annualized, with the exception of the impact of non-recurring expenses. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, and for the period from the Inception Date to September 30, 2012, the Company incurred $0 and $68 of organization costs, which were deemed to be non-recurring.

Financial highlights are calculated for each member class taken as a whole. An individual members’ return and ratios may vary based on the timing of capital transactions.

 

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WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

September 30, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

NOTE 8—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through November 7, 2012, the date on which the financial statements were issued. There have been no subsequent events that occurred during such period that would require disclosure or would be required to be recognized in the unaudited consolidated financial statement as of September 30, 2012, except as disclosed below.

The Company made a new loan of $17,500 to Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. and received a principal payment of $41,718 as part of the refinancing of its previous investment, received a $33,395 principal payment from Hilex Poly Co., LLC as part of the refinancing of its previous investment, sold a $6,489 portion of its investment in TCO Funding Corp., funded an additional draw of $1,129 to AGS LLC and made an additional investment of $2,757 in St. John Knits International, Inc.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Members of

WhiteHorse Finance LLC

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets, liabilities, and members’ capital of WhiteHorse Finance LLC (the “Company”), including the schedule of investments, as of January 1, 2012. This statement is the responsibility of the management of the Company. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing 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 financial statement is free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of investments as of January 1, 2012 by correspondence with the custodian, loan agent or borrower; where replies were not received, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statement referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of January 1, 2012, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

As explained in Note 3 to the financial statement, the accompanying financial statement includes investments valued at $176.3 million, whose fair values have been estimated by the Company in the absence of readily determinable fair values. Such estimates are based on financial and other information provided by management of its portfolio companies, pertinent market and industry data, as well as input from independent valuation firms. These investments are valued in accordance with FASB ASC 820,  Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures , which requires the Company to assume that the portfolio investments are sold in a principal market to market participants. The Company has considered its principal market as the market in which the Company exits its portfolio investments with the greatest volume and level of activity. ASC 820 specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to these valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. All investments held at January 1, 2012, are valued based on unobservable inputs. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private investments and private companies, are inherently uncertain, they may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. These determinations of fair value could differ materially from the values that would have been utilized had a ready market for these investments existed.

/s/ CROWE HORWATH LLP

New York, New York

May 14, 2012

 

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WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ CAPITAL

January 1, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

ASSETS

  

Investments, at fair value (cost $176,286)

   $ 176,286   
  

 

 

 

MEMBERS’ CAPITAL

  

Members’ Capital Units, 100,000,000 authorized, 11,752,383 issued and outstanding

   $ 176,286   
  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statement.

 

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WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

January 1, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

Investment Type

  Spread
Above
Index(1)
    Interest
Rate(4)
    Maturity
Date
    Principal
Amount
    Cost     Fair
Value
    Fair Value
as a
Percentage of
Members’
Capital
 

Investments

             

North America

             

Business Equipment and Services

             

Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.

             

Senior Secured Term Loan A(5)

    L+6.00     7.50     12/31/16      $ 1,765      $ 1,658      $ 1,658        0.9

Senior Secured Term Loan B(5)

    L+9.50     11.00     12/31/16        3,929        3,825        3,825        2.2   

Jackson Hewitt Tax Services, Inc

             

Senior Secured(2)(6)

    L+7.00     9.00     8/1/16        41,718        37,267        37,267        21.1   

Retailers

             

St. John Knits International, Inc.

             

Senior Secured

    N/A        13.00     3/3/15        4,912        4,848        4,848        2.8   

Healthcare

             

Genoa Healthcare, LLC

             

Senior Secured(3)(7)

    L+9.50     14.00     2/10/15        26,650        26,650        26,650        15.1   

Metropolitan Health Networks, Inc.

             

Senior Secured(8)

    L+11.75     13.50     10/4/17        8,861        8,357        8,357        4.7   

Chemicals and Plastics

             

Hilex Poly Co., LLC

             

Senior Secured(6)

    L+9.25     11.25     11/19/15        39,135        37,922        37,922        21.5   

Financial Intermediaries

             

FCC Holdings, LLC

             

Senior Note

    N/A        12.00     12/15/15        9,587        8,580        8,580        4.9   

Equipment Leasing

             

GMT Holdings 1, Ltd. & GMT Holdings 12, Ltd.

             

Senior Secured

    N/A        25.00     6/30/13        47,753        47,180        47,180        26.8   
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments

        $ 184,310      $ 176,286      $ 176,286        100.0
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) The investments bear interest at a rate that may be determined by reference to LIBOR “L” or Prime “P” and which resets daily, quarterly or semiannually.
(2) The applicable margin for Jackson Hewitt is 8.00% if consolidated EBITDA is less than or equal to $50 million.
(3) The all-in-rate for Genoa includes a payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest rate option of 1.5%
(4) The interest rate is the “all-in-rate” including current index and spread, the fixed rate, and the PIK interest rate.
(5) Contains an index floor of 1.5% to which the applicable margin is added.
(6) Contains an index floor of 2.0% to which the applicable margin is added.
(7) Contains an index floor of 3.0% to which the applicable margin is added.
(8) Contains an index floor of 1.75% to which the applicable margin is added.
   N/A Interest rate is fixed and accordingly the spread above the index is not applicable.

See accompanying notes to the financial statement.

 

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WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT

January 1, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Note 1    Organization

WhiteHorse Finance, LLC (the “Company”) was organized as a limited liability company under the laws of Delaware on December 28, 2011, and commenced operations effective January 1, 2012 (inception date). The Company is a newly organized closed-end management investment company that intends to elect to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, prior to its initial public offering (“IPO”). In addition, for tax purposes the Company intends 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. The Company intends to raise common equity in its IPO. In connection with the IPO, the Company will convert, in accordance with Delaware Law, to a Delaware corporation and be named WhiteHorse Finance, Inc. (“the Corporation”).

On January 1, 2012, the Company received contributed assets totaling $176,286 from H.I.G. Bayside Debt & LBO Fund II, L.P. (“Debt & LBO LP”) and H.I.G. Bayside Loan Opportunity Fund II, L.P. (“Loan Opportunity LP” and, collectively, the “Members”). At that time Debt & LBO LP and Loan Opportunity LLP owned 55.9% and 44.1% of the Company, respectively.

Bayside Capital, Inc., an affiliate of the Members, serves as the investment adviser to the Company (the “Investment Adviser”) at this time through an interim advisory agreement (see Note 4 and Note 5).

Note 2    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Accounting :    The Company’s accounting policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).

The Company believes the significant accounting policies described below affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its financial statements. Accordingly, the policies described below are the policies that the Company believes are and will be the most critical to understand fully and evaluate the Company’s historical financial condition and results of operations.

Use of Estimates :    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Investments and Related Investment Income and Expense :    The Company records investment transactions on a trade date basis, which is the date when it has determined that all material terms have been defined for the transactions. These transactions may settle on a subsequent date depending on the transaction type. All related revenue and expenses attributable to these transactions are reflected on the statement of operations commencing on the trade date unless otherwise specified by the transaction documents. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are recorded on the specific identification method.

The Company accrues interest income if it expects that ultimately it will be able to collect it. Generally, when an interest payment default occurs on a loan in the portfolio, or if management

 

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WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT—(Continued)

January 1, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

otherwise believes that the issuer of the loan will not be able to service the loan and other obligations, the Company will place the loan on non-accrual status and will cease recognizing interest income on that loan until all principal and interest is current through payment or until a restructuring occurs, such that the interest income is deemed to be collectible. However, the Company remains contractually entitled to this interest. The Company may make exceptions to this policy if the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection. Accrued interest is written off when it becomes probable that the interest will not be collected and the amount of uncollectible interest can be reasonably estimated. Any original issue discounts, as well as any other purchase discounts or premiums on debt investments, are accreted or amortized to interest income or expense, respectively, over the maturity periods of the investments.

Interest expense is recorded on an accrual basis. Certain expenses related to legal and tax consultation, due diligence, rating fees, valuation expenses and independent collateral appraisals may arise when the Company makes certain investments. These expenses are recognized in the statement of operations as they are incurred.

Valuation of Investments:

Pre-IPO

Valuation analyses of the Company are performed on a quarterly basis pursuant to the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurements. Pursuant to ASC 820, the valuation standard used to measure the value of each investment is fair value (the “Fair Value”). ASC 820 defines Fair Value as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.”

Investments, which are privately traded debt, are recorded at their fair value estimated as of the measurement date. Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable input and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a reporting entity’s own assumptions about what market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

In determining the value on a given date of marketable securities for which market quotations are readily available and which are available for immediate sale, (a) securities traded on a national securities exchange will be valued at the closing price on such date on such exchange where they are primarily traded, (b) over-the-counter securities will be valued at the closing bid price on such

 

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WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT—(Continued)

January 1, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

date by NASDAQ or, if not quoted by NASDAQ, as last quoted in a recognized list for over-the-counter securities, and (c) securities traded pursuant to transactions effected pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act will be valued at the last trade price on such date.

As it relates to investments for which there is no public market, there is no single standard for determining the estimated fair value. In most cases, fair value for such investments is best expressed as a range of values derived utilizing different methodologies from which a single estimate may then be determined. Consequently, fair value for each investment will be derived using a combination of valuation methodologies that, in the judgment of the investment committee of the Investment Adviser (the “Investment Committee”) are most relevant to such investment, including, without limitation, being based on one or more of the following: (i) market prices obtained from market participants for which the Managing Member has deemed there to be enough breadth (number of quotes) and depth (firm bids) of the quotes to be indicative of fair value and (ii) a discounted cash flow analysis.

We obtained an independent, third-party valuation firm to provide positive assurance regarding the fair value of such contributed assets as of the date of such contribution, except, in the case of one contributed asset, where the fair value was determined based on an internal valuation methodology. Internal valuations are completed on all investments and compared to the valuations provided by the third party (when completed) and the results are evaluated and weighted, as appropriate, considering the reasonableness of the range indicated by those results. A Fair Value measurement is the point within that range that the Investment Adviser determines to be most representative of Fair Value in the circumstances.

Post-IPO

Upon completion of the IPO, the board of directors of the Company intends to determine the net asset value of its investment portfolio each quarter. Accounting Standards Codifications Topic 820 (“ASC 820”), Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure, defines fair value as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.” ASC 820 also establishes a three-tier valuation hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value:

Level 1 —quoted unadjusted prices in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date.

Level 2 —other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayments, credit risk, etc).

Level 3 —significant unobservable inputs (including the Investment Adviser’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in determining the fair values of investments).

The valuation process will be conducted at the end of each fiscal quarter, with a portion of the valuations of portfolio companies without market quotations subject to review by independent valuation firms each quarter. When an external event with respect to one of the portfolio companies occurs, such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale, the board of directors of the Company expects to use the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate its valuation.

 

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WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT—(Continued)

January 1, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

The portfolio consists of primarily debt investments. These investments are valued at their bid quotations obtained from unaffiliated market makers, other financial institutions that trade in similar investments or based on prices provided by independent third party pricing services. For investments where there are no available bid quotations, fair value is derived using proprietary models that consider analyses of independent valuation agents as well as credit risk, liquidity, market credit spreads, and other applicable factors for similar transactions.

Due to the nature of the Company’s investment strategy, the portfolio includes primarily relatively illiquid investments that are privately held. Valuations of privately held investments are inherently uncertain, and they may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates. The determination of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these investments existed. The Company’s net asset value could be materially affected if the determinations regarding the fair value of the investments were materially higher or lower than the values that are ultimately realized upon the disposal of such investments.

The board of directors intends to retain one or more independent valuation firms to review on a quarterly basis the valuation of a portion of the investments for which a market quotation is not available. The board of directors is ultimately and solely responsible for determining the fair value of the portfolio investments that are not publicly traded, whose market prices are not readily available on a quarterly basis in good faith or any other situation where portfolio investments require a fair value determination.

Fair value of publicly traded instruments is generally based on quoted market prices. Fair value of non-publicly traded instruments, and of publicly traded instruments for which quoted market prices are not readily available, may be determined based on other relevant factors, including without limitation, quotations from unaffiliated market makers or independent third party pricing services, the price activity of equivalent instruments, and valuation pricing models. For those investments valued using quotations, the bid price is generally used, unless the Company determines that the bid price is not representative of a probable expected exit price.

With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, the board of directors intends to undertake a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

 

   

The quarterly valuation process will begin with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by investment professionals of the Company’s investment adviser responsible for credit monitoring.

 

   

Preliminary valuation conclusions will then be documented and discussed with senior management and the investment adviser.

 

   

The audit committee of the board of directors will then review these preliminary valuations.

 

   

At least once annually, the valuation for each portfolio investment will be reviewed by an independent valuation firm.

 

   

The board of directors will discuss these valuations and determine the fair value of each investment in the portfolio in good faith.

 

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WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT—(Continued)

January 1, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

Investments for which fair value is determined using the inputs defined above as Level 3 will be fair valued using the income and market approaches, which may include the discounted cash flow method, reference to performance statistics of industry comparables, relative comparable yield analysis, and in certain cases third party valuations performed by independent valuation firms. The valuation methods can reference various factors and use various inputs such as assumed growth rates, capitalization rates, and discount rates, loan-to-value ratios, liquidation value, relative capital structure priority, market comparables, compliance with applicable loan, covenant and interest coverage performance, book value, market derived multiples, reserve valuation, assessment of credit ratings of an underlying borrower, review of ongoing performance, review of financial projections as compared to actual performance, review of interest rate and yield risk. Such factors may be given different weighting depending on the assessment of the underlying investment, and the Company may analyze apparently comparable investments in different ways.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, a financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the financial instrument.

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

Loan Origination, Facility, Commitment and Amendment Fees :    The Company may receive fees in addition to interest income from the loans during the life of the investment. Additionally, the Company may receive origination fees upon the origination of an investment. These origination fees are initially deferred and reduced from the cost basis of the investment and subsequently accreted into income over the term of the loan. Further, the Company may receive facility, commitment and amendment fees, which are paid on an ongoing basis. Facility fees, sometimes referred to as asset management fees, are accrued as a percentage periodic fee on the base amount (either the funded facility amount or the committed principal amount). Commitment fees are based upon the undrawn portion committed by the Company and are recorded on an accrual basis. Amendment fees are paid in connection with loan amendments and waivers and are accounted for upon completion of the amendments or waivers, generally when such fees are receivable. Any such fees are included in other income on the statement of operations.

Distributions:

Pre Business Development Company Election

The Company intends to pay distributions 45 days after quarter end at the discretion of the Managing Members.

 

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WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT—(Continued)

January 1, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

Post Business Development Company Election

As a RIC, in order to avoid corporate-level income tax on its income, the Company must distribute to its stockholders at least 90% of ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any, on an annual basis out of the assets legally available for such distributions. In addition, the Company also intends to distribute any realized net capital gains (i.e., realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) at least annually out of the assets legally available for such distributions. For a short period (less than one month after the closing of this offering), the Company may not be a RIC and may be subject to corporate-level income tax.

Income Taxes :    The Company is treated as a partnership for federal and state income tax purposes and does not incur income taxes, accordingly no provision for income taxes has been made in the accompanying financial statement, as each member is individually responsible for reporting income or loss, to the extent required by federal income tax laws and regulations, based upon its respective share of the Company’s revenues and expenses as reported for income tax purposes.

Upon its election to be treated as a business development company, the Company intends to elect to be treated, and intends to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. To obtain RIC tax benefits, the Company must distribute at least 90% of 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 order to avoid certain excise taxes imposed on RICs, the Company currently intends to distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of ordinary income for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of 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 the Company paid no U.S. federal income tax.

The Company’s tax returns are subject to examination by federal, state and local taxing authorities. Because many types of transactions are susceptible to varying interpretations under federal and state income tax laws and regulations, the amounts reported in the accompanying financial statement may be subject to change at a later date by the respective taxing authorities.

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740-10, the Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more-likely-than-not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statement is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority.

Penalties or interest that may be assessed related to any income taxes would be classified as other operating expenses in the financial statement. The Company has no amounts accrued for interest or penalties on January 1, 2012. The Company does not expect the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly change in the next twelve months.

 

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Table of Contents

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT—(Continued)

January 1, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

Indemnification :    The Company’s Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement includes indemnifications for the manager, officers, employees, and agents of the Company, which provide for the indemnification against losses, costs, claims and liabilities arising from the performance of obligations under such agreements, except for losses, costs, claims and liabilities arising due to gross negligence or bad faith. The Company has had no claims or payments pursuant to these agreements. The Company’s individual maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Company that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience and limited operating history, the Company expects the risk of loss to be remote.

Risks and Uncertainties :    In the normal course of business, the Company encounters primarily two significant types of economic risks: credit and market. Credit risk is the risk of default on the Company’s investments that result from an issuer’s, borrower’s, or derivative counterparty’s inability or unwillingness to make contractually required payments. Market risk reflects changes in the value of investments due to changes in interest rates, spreads or other market factors, including the value of the collateral underlying investments held by the Company. Management believes that the carrying of its investments are fairly stated, taking into consideration these risks along with estimated collateral values, payment histories and other market information.

Newly Adopted Accounting Standards :    In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. This guidance represents the converged guidance of the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Boards, or collectively, the Accounting Boards, on fair value measurement. The collective efforts of the Accounting Boards reflected in this guidance have resulted in common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements, including a consistent meaning of the term “fair value” and enhanced disclosure requirements for investments that do not have readily determinable fair values. The Accounting Boards have concluded the common requirements will result in greater comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statement prepared in accordance with GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The amendments to the FASB codification in this guidance are to be applied prospectively. For public entities, the amendments are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early application by public entities is not permitted. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2012, and the disclosures are included in Note 3.

Note 3    Fair Value Measurements

Valuation Processes :    The pre-business development company election valuation policies and procedures of the Company are decided by the Investment Committee.

The valuation analyses are performed on a quarterly basis. At each quarter-end, a full review of the valuation of the investments is performed. The valuation review includes assessment of the business performance, financial performance and other characteristics of an underlying portfolio company, credit market conditions including the borrowing rates, industry

 

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Table of Contents

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT—(Continued)

January 1, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

and economic conditions in which the issuer operates. The fair values of the investments are determined based on this assessment. The Company also engages an independent third-party valuation firm, as described, to perform a fair value analysis of the investments.

The discount rate for the investments is estimated using the yields of U.S. Treasury securities at constant maturities, market spreads for a particular industry, credit rating and length of maturity and specific-risk premium based on a risk assessment of the issuer and factors affecting the market value of the investments.

The following table presents investments (as shown on the schedule of investments) that have been measured at fair value:

 

     Fair Value Measurements
at January 1, 2012, Using
 

Description

   Total      Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
(Level 1)
     Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
 

Investments Term Loans

   $ 176,286       $       $       $ 176,286   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 176,286       $       $       $ 176,286   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Valuation Techniques and Inputs:

Quantitative Information about Level 3 fair value measurements is as follows:

 

         

Investment Type

  Fair Value at
1/1/2012
  Valuation
Techniques
  Unobservable
Input
  Range
(Weighted  Average)

Senior Secured Term Loans—First Lien

  $91,608   Discounted
cash flow
  Discount rate   9.8% - 29.8%
(21.6%)

Senior Secured Term Loans—Second Lien

  $76,098   Discounted
cash flow
  Discount rate   12.4% - 16.3%
(14.0%)

Unsecured Senior Note

  $8,580   Discounted
cash flow
  Discount rate   16.5%

The securities measured at fair value are senior secured loans and senior notes. The portfolio companies underlying the term loans are located in the United States. The weighted average maturity date of the senior secured term loans-first lien is August 14, 2014, and senior secured term loans-second lien is April 1, 2016. The maturity date of the unsecured senior note is December 15, 2015.

Information about Sensitivity to Changes in Significant Unobservable Inputs:     The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s term loans is the discount rate. Significant increases in the discount rate for an investment would result in a significantly lower fair value measurement.

 

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WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT—(Continued)

January 1, 2012

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

Note 4    Related Party Transactions

On January 1, 2012, the Company received contributed assets totaling $176,286 from the Members. The Company has control positions with a related party of the Investment Adviser associated with $45,847 of the contributed assets. The Company’s investments in loans totaling $8,850 are currently held through participation agreements with an affiliate of the Members.

Certain officers or employees affiliated with or employed by the Member and their related entities maintain co-investments in the investments contributed during our formation of $3,413.

Interim Investment Advisory Agreement:     Bayside Capital, Inc., an affiliate of the Members, serves as the interim investment adviser for the Company at this time through an interim advisory agreement (see Note 5). Under the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement, the Investment Adviser provides investment management services to the Company prior to the consummation of our IPO, following which the Company intends to terminate the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement. As of January 1, 2012, there were no services rendered by or fees paid in advance by the Investment Adviser, that are expected to be collected at the time the final offering is priced. Prior to its election to be treated as a business development company, the Company intends to enter into a replacement investment advisory agreement, which will take effect immediately prior to the IPO.

Note 5    Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through May 14, 2012, the date on which the financial statements were issued. There have been no subsequent events that occurred during such period that would require disclosure or would be required to be recognized in the Financial Statement as of January 1, 2012, except as disclosed below.

On January 31, 2012, the Company received a contribution of assets valued at $68,915 from the Members and issued 4,594,344 Members’ Capital units to the Members in their pro-rata ownership percentage. The total number of Members’ Capital units outstanding as of January 31, 2012 is 16,346,727. The cost of the investments matched their fair value upon contribution and the contractual principal outstanding on two tranches was $24,613 (first lien) and $44,303 (second lien). The assets are issued by a company in the Business Equipment and Services Industry. Terms on the first lien include an interest rate of Libor + 500 with a floor of 2% paid in cash, and a maturity date of December 1, 2014. The second lien terms include an interest rate of 8% fixed paid in cash, an additional 5% PIK, and a maturity date of June 1, 2015. An affiliate of the Investment Adviser owns a control position in this company.

In April, 2012 the Company entered into an interim investment advisory agreement with Bayside Capital, Inc., an affiliate of the Members.

 

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Shares

WhiteHorse Finance, LLC

Common Stock

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

Deutsche Bank Securities        J.P. Morgan        Citigroup        Barclays

November     , 2012

 

 

 


Table of Contents

WHITEHORSE FINANCE

PART C

Other Information

 

ITEM 25.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(1) Financial Statements

The following financial statements of WhiteHorse Finance, LLC (the “Company” or the “Registrant”) are included in Part A of this Registration Statement.

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page  
  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2   

Consolidated Schedule of Investments as of September 30, 2012

  

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

     F-3   

Notes to Consolidated Schedule of Investments

     F-4   

Financial Statements as of September 30, 2012 (unaudited)

  

Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Members’ Capital (unaudited)

     F-10   

Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

     F-11   

Statement of Operations (unaudited)

     F-12   

Statement of Changes in Members’ Capital (unaudited)

     F-13   

Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited)

     F-14   

Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements

     F-15   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-26   

Financial Statements as of January 1, 2012

  

Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Members’ Capital

     F-27   

Schedule of Investments

     F-28   

Notes to Financial Statements

     F-29   

(2) Exhibits

 

(a)(1)

   Certificate of Formation(2)

(a)(2)

   Form of Certificate of Incorporation(2)

(b)(1)

   Limited Liability Company Agreement(2)

(b)(2)

   Form of Bylaws(2)

(c)

   Not applicable

(d)

   Form of Stock Certificate(2)

(e)

   Dividend Reinvestment Plan(2)

(f)

   Not applicable

 

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(g)

   Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and H.I.G. WhiteHorse Advisers, LLC

(h)

   Form of Underwriting Agreement(1)

(i)

   Not applicable

(j)

   Form of Custody Agreement

(k)(1)

   Certificate of Appointment of Transfer Agent(2)

(k)(2)

   Form of Administration Agreement between Registrant and H.I.G. WhiteHorse Administration, LLC(2)

(k)(3)

   Form of Trademark License Agreement between the Registrant and Bayside Capital, Inc.(2)

(k)(4)

   Form of Subscription Agreement between Registrant and Private Placement Investors in Concurrent Private Placement

(k)(5)

   Form of Revolving Credit and Security Agreement

(k)(6)

   Form of Loan Sale and Contribution Agreement

(k)(7)

   Form of Collateral Management Agreement

(k)(8)

   Form of Risk Retention Letter

(k)(9)

   Form of Term Loan Agreement

(k)(10)

   Form of Term Loan Note in favor of Citibank, N.A.

(k)(11)

   Form of Term Loan Note in favor of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

(l)

   Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP, special counsel for Registrant

(m)

   Not applicable

(n)(1)

   Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Consent

(o)

   Not applicable

(p)

   Not applicable

(q)

   Not applicable

(r)(1)

   Code of Ethics of WhiteHorse Finance, LLC(2)

(r)(2)

   Code of Ethics of H.I.G. WhiteHorse Advisers, LLC(2)

99.1

   Confidential Submission No. 1, dated May 14, 2012(2)

99.2

   Confidential Submission No. 2, dated July 13, 2012(2)

99.3

   Confidential Submission No. 3, dated August 24, 2012(2)

 

(1) To be filed by amendment.
(2) Previously filed.

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

 

Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee

   $     

NASDAQ Global Market Listing Fee

   $     

FINRA filing fee

   $     

Accounting fees and expenses

   $          (1) 

Legal fees and expenses

   $          (1) 

Printing and engraving

   $          (1) 

Miscellaneous fees and expenses

   $          (1) 

Total

   $          (1) 

 

(1) These amounts are estimates.

 

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All of the expenses set forth above will be borne by the Company.

ITEM 28.    PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL

To be provided by amendment.

ITEM 29.    NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

The following table sets forth the approximate number of record holders of the Company’s common stock as of , 2012.

 

Title of Class

   Number of Record
Holders

Common stock, $0.001 par value

  

ITEM 30.    INDEMNIFICATION

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

The Registrant’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws provides that all directors, officers, employees and agents of the registrant will be entitled to be indemnified by us to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940 Act, as amended, or the 1940 Act. Under Section 145 of the DGCL, the Registrant is permitted to offer indemnification to its directors, officers, employees and agents.

Section 145(a) of the DGCL provides, in general, that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation), because the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of any other enterprise. Such indemnity may be against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and if, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, the person did not have reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful.

 

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

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

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

The Administration Agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, WhiteHorse Administration and its officers, manager, 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 WhiteHorse Administration’s services under the Administration Agreement or otherwise as administrator for the Registrant.

The Underwriting Agreement provides that each underwriter severally and not jointly will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who have signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company or any such director, officer, or controlling person may become subject under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary

 

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Prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, (ii) with respect to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto, 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 or (iii) with respect to any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, 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 in the light of the circumstances under which they were made; and will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by us or any such director, officer, or controlling person in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability, action or proceeding; provided, however, that each underwriter will be liable in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission has been made in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or through the Representative[s] specifically for use therein.

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

ITEM 31.    BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER

A description of any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which the Adviser, and each managing director, director or executive officer of the Adviser, is or has been during the past two fiscal years, engaged in for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee, is set forth in Part A of this Registration Statement in the sections entitled “Management.” Additional information regarding the Adviser and its officers and directors is set forth in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC File No. 801-76984), and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 32.    LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

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

(1)    the Registrant, WhiteHorse Finance, LLC, 1450 Brickell Avenue, 31st Floor, Miami, Florida 33131;

(2)    the Transfer Agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, P.O. Box 922, Wall Street Station, New York, New York 10269;

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

(4)    the Adviser, H.I.G. WhiteHorse Advisers, LLC, 1450 Brickell Avenue, 31st Floor, Miami, Florida 33131.

 

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ITEM 33.    MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Not Applicable.

ITEM 34.    UNDERTAKINGS

1.    The Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of shares until the prospectus is amended if (1) subsequent to the effective date of its registration statement, the net asset value declines more than ten percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of the registration statement; or (2) the net asset value increases to an amount greater than the net proceeds as stated in the prospectus.

2.    Not applicable.

3.    Not applicable.

4.    Not applicable.

5.    The Registrant undertakes that:

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

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

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 2 Registration Statement on Form N-2 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Miami, in the State of Florida, on this 8th day of November 2012.

 

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC
By:   /s/ Jay Carvell

Name:

  Jay Carvell

Title:

  Chief Executive Officer

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

 

Signature

  

Title

/ S /    J AY C ARVELL

Jay Carvell

  

Chief Executive Officer

(principal executive officer)

  November 8, 2012
    

/ S /    A LASTAIR G.C. M ERRICK

Alastair G.C. Merrick

  

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer

(principal financial and accounting officer)

  November 8, 2012
    

*

John Bolduc

  

Chairman of the Board of Directors

  November 8, 2012

*

Rick D. Puckett

  

Director

  November 8, 2012

*

Thomas C. Davis

  

Director

  November 8, 2012

*

Alexander W. Pease

  

Director

  November 8, 2012
    

 

* Signed by Jay Carvell pursuant to a power of attorney signed by each individual and filed with this Registration Statement on September 24, 2012.

 

C-7

Exhibit (g)

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, INC.

AND

H.I.G. WHITEHORSE ADVISERS, LLC

This Investment Advisory Agreement is made this [            ] day of [            ], 2012 (this “Agreement”), by and between WHITEHORSE FINANCE, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), and H.I.G. WHITEHORSE ADVISERS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Adviser”).

WHEREAS, the Corporation operates as a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company;

WHEREAS, the Corporation has filed an election to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”);

WHEREAS, the Corporation has acquired interests in senior secured loans and other debt obligations that comprise a portion of the Corporation’s portfolio;

WHEREAS, the Corporation owns, and may in the future own, subsidiaries that have acquired or may acquire and hold such interests in senior secured loans and other debt obligations;

WHEREAS, the Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Advisers Act”);

WHEREAS, the Corporation and the Adviser desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions pursuant to which the Adviser shall provide comprehensive investment advisory services to the Corporation, including making available investment and other personnel to the Corporation so that it may effectively and efficiently manage the Corporation’s subsidiaries from time to time listed on Appendix A hereto (each a “Managed Subsidiary”) and fulfill any obligations and provide any services the Corporation may undertake as manager, adviser, collateral manager and/or servicer (collectively, “Management Services”) of such Managed Subsidiaries.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable consideration, each of the parties hereby agrees as follows:


1. Duties of the Adviser .

(a) The Corporation hereby employs the Adviser to act as the investment adviser to the Corporation and to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Corporation, subject to the supervision of the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”), 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 Registration Statement, as the same may be amended from time to time, (ii) in accordance with the Investment Company Act, the Investment Advisers Act and all other applicable federal and state laws and (iii) in accordance with the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws. 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 Corporation, 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 Corporation (including performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies); (iii) execute, close, service and monitor the Corporation’s investments; (iv) determine the securities and other assets that the Corporation will purchase, retain or sell; (v) provide the Corporation with such other investment advisory, research and related services as the Corporation may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of its funds; and (vi) make an investment committee and personnel available to the Corporation so that it may provide all necessary Management Services to the Managed Subsidiaries. The Adviser shall have the power and authority on behalf of the Corporation to effectuate its investment decisions for the Corporation, including the execution and delivery of all documents relating to the Corporation’s investments and the placing of orders for other purchase or sale transactions on behalf of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to acquire debt financing or to refinance existing debt financing, the Adviser shall arrange for such financing on the Corporation’s behalf, subject to the oversight and approval of the Board of Directors. If the Adviser determines it is appropriate to form a subsidiary or special purpose vehicle through which the Corporation may indirectly make investments, the Adviser shall have authority to create or arrange for the creation of such subsidiary or special purpose vehicle, to cause the Corporation to provide Management Services to such subsidiaries, and to make such investments through such subsidiary or special purpose vehicle in accordance with applicable law.

(b) The Adviser hereby accepts such employment and agrees during the term hereof to render the services described herein for the amounts of compensation provided herein.

(c) Subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act, the Adviser is hereby authorized, but not required, 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 Corporation’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 Corporation, subject in all cases

 

2


to the oversight of the Adviser and the Corporation. The Adviser, and not the Corporation, 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, the Investment Advisers Act and other applicable federal and state law.

(d) For all purposes herein provided, the Adviser shall 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 Corporation in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Corporation.

(e) The Adviser shall keep and preserve, in the manner and for the period that would be applicable to investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act, any books and records relevant to the provision of its investment advisory services to the Corporation, shall specifically maintain all books and records with respect to the Corporation’s portfolio transactions and shall render to the Board of Directors such periodic and special reports as the Board of Directors may reasonably request. The Adviser agrees that all records that it maintains for the Corporation are the property of the Corporation and shall surrender promptly to the Corporation any such records upon the Corporation’s request, provided that the Adviser may retain a copy of such records.

2. Corporation’s Responsibilities and Expenses Payable by the Corporation . All investment professionals of the Adviser and their respective staffs, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services hereunder, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses of such personnel allocable to such services, shall be provided and paid for by the Adviser and not by the Corporation. The Corporation shall bear all other costs and expenses of its operations and transactions, including, without limitation, those relating to: (a) organization; (b) calculating the Corporation’s net asset value and net asset value per share (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm); (c) fees and expenses, including travel expenses, incurred by the Adviser or payable to third parties in performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies, monitoring the Corporation’s investments and, if necessary, enforcing the Corporation’s rights; (d) interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance the Corporation’s investments; (e) costs of offerings of the Corporation’s common stock and other securities; (f) the base management fee and any incentive fee; (g) distributions on the Corporation’s common stock; (h) administration fees payable to H.I.G. WhiteHorse Administration, LLC (the “Administrator”) under the administration agreement dated as of [            ], 2012 with H.I.G. WhiteHorse Administration, LLC (the “Administration Agreement”); (i) transfer agent and custody fees and expenses; (j) the allocated costs incurred by the Administrator in providing managerial assistance to those portfolio companies that request it; (k) amounts payable to third parties relating to, or associated with, evaluating, making and disposing of investments; (l) brokerage fees and commissions; (m) registration fees; (n) listing fees; (o) taxes; (p) independent director fees and expenses; (1) costs associated with the Corporation’s reporting and compliance obligations under the Investment Company Act and applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws; (r) the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to the Corporation’s stockholders, including printing costs; (s) costs of holding

 

3


stockholder meetings; (t) the Corporation’s fidelity bond; (u) directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums; (v) litigation, indemnification and other non-recurring or extraordinary expenses; (w) direct costs and expenses of administration and operation, including audit and legal costs; (x) fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts, including to financial sponsors; (y) dues, fees and charges of any trade association of which the Corporation is a member; and (z) all other expenses reasonably incurred by the Corporation or the Administrator in connection with administering the Corporation’s business, such as the allocable portion of overhead under this Agreement, including rent and the Corporation’s allocable portion of the costs and expenses of its chief compliance officer, chief financial officer, chief operating officer and their respective staffs.

3. Compensation of the Adviser . The Corporation agrees to pay, and the Adviser agrees to accept, as compensation for the investment advisory and management services provided by the Adviser hereunder, a fee consisting of two components: a base management fee (the “Base Management Fee”) and an incentive fee (the “Incentive Fee”), each as hereinafter set forth. The Corporation 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 adopt a deferred compensation plan pursuant to which it 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 equal to 2.0% of the consolidated gross assets of the Corporation, including cash and cash equivalents and assets purchased with borrowed funds. The Adviser has agreed to exclude cash and cash equivalents from the calculation of the Base Management Fee for the calendar quarters ending December 31, 2012, March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013. For services rendered under this Agreement, the Base Management Fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears. The Base Management Fee shall be calculated based on the average carrying value of the consolidated gross assets of the Corporation at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters. Such amount shall be appropriately adjusted (based on the actual number of days elapsed relative to the total number of days in such calendar quarter) for any share issuances or repurchases during the current calendar quarter. The Base Management Fee for any partial month or quarter shall be appropriately pro-rated (based on the number of days actually elapsed at the end of such partial month or quarter relative to the total number of days in such month or quarter). For purposes of this Agreement, cash equivalents shall mean U.S. government securities and commercial paper instruments maturing within 270 days of the date of purchase of such instrument by the Corporation.

(b) The Incentive Fee, which is subject to the Incentive Fee Cap (as defined under Section 3(c) below), 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 calendar quarter. For this purpose, Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income means, in each case on a consolidated basis, interest income, distribution income and any

 

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  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 Corporation receives from portfolio companies) accrued during the calendar quarter, minus the Corporation’s operating expenses for the quarter (including the Base Management Fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement 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 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 Corporation’s net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, shall be compared to a “hurdle rate” of 1.75% per quarter (7.00% annualized). The Corporation will pay the Adviser an Incentive Fee with respect to the Corporation’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income in each calendar quarter as follows: (1) no Incentive Fee in any calendar quarter in which the Corporation’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed the hurdle rate; (2) 100% of the Corporation’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 2.1875% in any calendar quarter; and (3) 20% of the amount of the Corporation’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter.

The portion of such Incentive Fee that is attributable to deferred interest (such as payment-in-kind interest or original issue discount) shall be paid to the Adviser, together with interest accrued on the loan from the date of deferral to the date of payment, only if and to the extent the Corporation actually receives such interest in cash, and any accrual thereof shall be reversed if and to the extent such interest is reversed in connection with any write-off or similar treatment of the investment giving rise to any deferred interest accrual.

These calculations shall be appropriately pro-rated for any period of less than three months and adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the current quarter.

 

  (ii)

The second part of the Incentive Fee (the “Capital Gains Fee”) shall be determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of this Agreement as set forth below), commencing on December 31, 2012, shall equal 20.0% of the Corporation’s cumulative aggregate realized capital gains from the most recent valuation completed prior to the date of this Agreement through the end of that calendar year, computed net of our aggregate cumulative realized capital losses and our aggregate cumulative unrealized capital depreciation through the end of such year, less the aggregate

 

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  amount of any previously paid capital gains incentives fees. 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. The Corporation shall accrue the Capital Gains Fee if, on a cumulative basis, the sum of net realized gains/(losses) plus net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is positive.

(c) No incentive fee shall be paid to the Adviser for any quarter if, after such payment, the cumulative incentive fees paid to the Adviser for the period that includes the then current fiscal quarter and the 11 preceding fiscal quarters (the “Incentive Fee Look-back Period”) would exceed 20.0% of our Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income (as defined below) during the Incentive Look-back Period. Each quarterly Incentive Fee is subject to a cap (the “Incentive Fee Cap”). The Incentive Fee Cap in any quarter is equal to (a) 20.0% of Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income during the Incentive Look-back Period less (b) cumulative incentive fees of any kind paid to the Adviser for the Incentive Look-back Period. To the extent the Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value in any quarter, the Corporation shall pay no Incentive Fee to the Adviser in that quarter. The Corporation shall only pay incentive fees to the extent allowed by the Incentive Fee Cap. To the extent that the payment of Incentive Fees is limited by the Incentive Fee Cap, the payment of such fees may be deferred and paid in subsequent quarters up to three years after their date of deferment subject to applicable limitations included herein. “Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Income” means the sum of (a) Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for each period during the Incentive Look-back Period and (b) the sum of cumulative realized capital gains, cumulative realized capital losses, cumulative unrealized capital depreciation and cumulative unrealized capital appreciation during the applicable Incentive Look-back Period.

4. Covenants of the Adviser . The Adviser hereby covenants that it is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act. The Adviser hereby agrees that its activities shall 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 Corporation 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 such transaction if the Adviser determines, in good faith and taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution, and operational facilities of the firm and the firm’s risk and skill in positioning blocks of securities, that the amount of such commission 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 Corporation’s portfolio, and constitutes the best net result for the Corporation.

 

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6. Proxy Voting . The Adviser shall be responsible for voting any proxies solicited by an issuer of securities held by the Corporation in the best interest of the Corporation and in accordance with the Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures, as any such proxy voting policies and procedures may be amended from time to time. The Corporation has been provided with a copy of the Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures and has been informed as to how it can obtain further information from the Adviser regarding proxy voting activities undertaken on behalf of the Corporation. The Adviser shall be responsible for reporting the Corporation’s proxy voting activities, as required, through periodic filings on Form N-PX.

7. Limitations on the Employment of the Adviser . The services of the Adviser to the Corporation are not, and shall not be, exclusive. The Adviser may engage in any other business or render similar or different services to others including, without limitation, 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 Corporation; provided that its services to the Corporation hereunder are not impaired thereby. 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 portfolio companies of the Corporation, subject at all times to applicable law). So long as this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment hereof remains in effect, the Adviser shall be the only investment adviser for the Corporation, 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 Corporation 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 Corporation as stockholders or otherwise.

Subject to any restrictions prescribed by law, by the provisions of the Code of Ethics of the Corporation and the Adviser and by the Adviser’s Allocation Policy, the Adviser and its members, officers, employees and agents shall be free from time to time to acquire, possess, manage and dispose of securities or other investment assets for their own accounts, for the accounts of their family members, for the account of any entity in which they have a beneficial interest or for the accounts of others for whom they may provide investment advisory, brokerage or other services (collectively, “Managed Accounts”), in transactions that may or may not correspond with transactions effected or positions held by the Corporation or to give advice and take action with respect to Managed Accounts that differ from advice given to, or action taken on behalf of, the Corporation; provided that the Adviser allocates investment opportunities to the Corporation over a period of time on a fair and equitable basis compared to investment opportunities extended to other Managed Accounts. The Adviser is not, and shall not be, obligated to initiate the purchase or sale for the Corporation of any security that the Adviser and its members, officers, employees or agents may purchase or sell for its or their own accounts or

 

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for the account of any other client if, in the opinion of the Adviser, such transaction or investment appears unsuitable or undesirable for the Corporation. Moreover, it is understood that when the Adviser determines that it would be appropriate for the Corporation and one or more Managed Accounts to participate in the same investment opportunity, the Adviser shall seek to execute orders for the Corporation and for such Managed Account(s) on a basis that the Adviser considers to be fair and equitable over time. In such situations, the Adviser may (but is not required to) place orders for the Corporation and each Managed Account simultaneously or on an aggregated basis. If all such orders are not filled at the same price, the Adviser may cause the Corporation and each Managed Account to pay or receive the average of the prices at which the orders were filled for the Corporation and all relevant Managed Accounts on each applicable day. If all such orders cannot be fully executed under prevailing market conditions, the Adviser may allocate the investment opportunities among participating accounts in a manner that the Adviser considers equitable, taking into account, among other things, the size of each account, the size of the order placed for each account and any other factors that the Adviser deems relevant.

8. 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 Corporation and acts as such in any business of the Corporation, 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 Corporation and not as a manager, partner, officer and/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.

9. Limitation of Liability of the Adviser; Indemnification . The Adviser (and its officers, managers, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser, including without limitation its general partner and the Administrator) shall not be liable to the Corporation 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 Corporation, 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 Corporation shall indemnify, defend and protect the Adviser (and its officers, managers, 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 Corporation 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 Corporation. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence of this

 

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Paragraph 9 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 Corporation 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).

10. Effectiveness, Duration and Termination of Agreement . This Agreement shall become effective as of the first date above written. This Agreement shall remain in effect for two years, and thereafter shall continue automatically for successive annual periods; provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (a) the vote of the Board of Directors, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation and (b) the vote of a majority of the Corporation’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. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, upon not less than 60 days’ written notice, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation, or by the vote of the Corporation’s Directors or by the Adviser. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 15(a)(4) of the Investment Company Act). The provisions of Section 9 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 9 shall continue in force and effect and apply to the Adviser and its representatives as and to the extent applicable.

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.

12. Amendments . This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Corporation must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the Investment Company Act.

13. Entire Agreement; Governing Law . This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and the applicable provisions of the 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.

*            *             *            *

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on the date above written.

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, INC.

 

Name:    
Title:    

H.I.G. WHITEHORSE ADVISERS, LLC

 

Name:    
Title:    

 

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APPENDIX A

MANAGED SUBSIDIARIES

WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC

 

11

Exhibit J

FORM OF CUSTODY AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT, dated as of                                                   between WHITEHORSE FINANCE, INC., a Delaware limited liability company having its principal office and place of business at 1450 Brickell Avenue, 31st Floor, Miami, Florida 33131 (the “Fund”) 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 Fund 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 of the Fund, duly authorized by the Fund’s board to execute any Certificate or to give any Oral Instruction with respect to one or more Accounts (as defined in Article II, Section 1(a) below), 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, Book-Entry System 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 Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund from time to time, and (d) the respective successors and nominees of the foregoing.

10. “Instructions” shall mean communications actually received by Custodian by S.W.I.F.T., tested telex, letter, facsimile transmission, or other method or system specified by Custodian as available for use in connection with the services hereunder.

11. “Loan Document File” shall mean a hard copy file, which the Fund represents contains Loan Documents (as hereinafter defined), delivered to and received by Custodian hereunder.

12. “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.

13. “Loans” shall mean loans or loan commitments by the Fund to its customers.

14. “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.

15. “Securities” shall include, without limitation, any common stock and other equity securities, bonds, debentures, 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.

16. “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 Fund from time to time, and their respective successors and nominees.

17. “Uncertificated Securities” shall mean any Securities which are not Certificated Securities.

 

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ARTICLE II

APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN; ACCOUNTS;

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, AND COVENANTS

1. (a) The Fund hereby appoints Custodian as custodian of all Securities, cash and Loan Documents owned by the Fund and 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 Fund’s name. Custodian hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to establish and maintain one or more securities accounts and cash accounts for the Fund in which Custodian will hold Securities and cash and Loan Document Files as provided herein. Custodian shall maintain books and records segregating the assets of the Fund from any other assets in the possession of the Custodian, and shall identify such assets as subject to this Agreement. Such accounts (each, an “Account”; collectively, the “Accounts”) shall be in the name of the Fund. 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 Fund and Custodian may agree upon (each a “Special Account”), and Custodian shall reflect therein such assets as the Fund may specify in a Certificate or 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 Instructions, such accounts on such terms and conditions as the Fund and Custodian shall agree, and Custodian shall transfer to such account such Securities and money as the Fund may specify in a Certificate or Instructions.

2. The Fund 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 of Oral Instructions or Instructions by the Fund, that:

(a) 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;

(b) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund, approved by a resolution of its board, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Fund, 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 contract binding on it or affecting its property, which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement;

(c) It is conducting its business in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and requirements, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to carry on its business as now conducted;

(d) It will not 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 Fund;

 

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(e) 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;

(f) To the extent applicable, the Fund 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;

(g) 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 reasonable care, prudence and diligence 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 the Fund, 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;

(h) It shall manage its borrowings, including, without limitation, any advance or overdraft (including any day-light overdraft) in the Accounts, so that the aggregate of its total borrowings does not exceed the amount the Fund is permitted to borrow under the 40 Act;

(i) Its transmission or giving of, and Custodian acting upon and in reliance on, Certificates, Instructions, or Oral Instructions pursuant to this Agreement shall at all times comply with the 40 Act;

(j) It shall impose and maintain restrictions on the destinations to which cash may be disbursed by Instructions to ensure that each disbursement is for a proper purpose;

(k) It has the right to make the pledge and grant the security interest and security entitlement to Custodian contained in Section 1 of Article VI hereof, free of any right of redemption or prior claim of any other person or entity, such pledge and such grants shall have a first priority subject to no setoffs, counterclaims, or other liens or grants prior to or on a parity therewith, and it shall take such additional steps as Custodian may require to assure such priority; and

(l) Each Loan Document File delivered to Custodian hereunder shall contain all relevant Loan Documents pertaining to the Loan to which it relates.

3. The Custodian 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 of Oral Instructions or Instructions by the Fund, that:

 

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(a) it is a bank duly organized and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of New York;

(b) it is qualified to serve as a custodian pursuant to Section 17 of the 1940 Act and is a U.S. Bank as defined in Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act;

(c) it has the requisite power and authority under applicable law and its governing documents to enter into and perform this Agreement;

(d) all requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement;

(e) this Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization and other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally; and

(f) its performance of its obligations hereunder will not result in a material conflict with any other agreement or obligation or any law or regulation applicable to it.

4. The Fund 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 Fund 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 AND RELATED SERVICES

1. (a) Subject to the terms hereof, the Fund hereby authorizes Custodian to hold any Securities received by it from time to time for the Fund’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. 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 and cash belonging to the Fund, 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

 

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utilize such Replacement Subcustodian until after the Fund’s board or foreign custody manager has determined that utilization of such Replacement Subcustodian satisfies the requirements of the 40 Act and Rule 17f-5 thereunder. Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, (i) Custodian shall be responsible for the performance or failure of performance hereunder of any Subcustodian that is a BNY Affiliate, and (ii) shall exert all commercially reasonable efforts to recover from any Subcustodian not a BNY Affiliate any losses incurred by the Fund as a consequence of the bad faith, negligence, willful misconduct or reckless disregard of such Subcustodian.

(b) Unless Custodian has received a Certificate or Instructions to the contrary or applicable law otherwise requires, Custodian shall hold Securities indirectly through a Subcustodian only if (i) the 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 or for funds advanced on behalf of the Fund 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; and (iii) any such Subcustodian is required to exercise due care in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging its duty as a securities intermediary to obtain and thereafter maintain financial assets corresponding to the security entitlements of its entitlement holders.

(c) With respect to each Depository, 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 (ii) will provide, promptly upon request by the Fund, 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 Fund 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 Fund of any material change in such risks. The Fund 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 Fund 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.

 

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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 Fund as promptly as practicable of any such amounts due but not paid;

(b) Present for payment and receive the amount paid upon all Uncertificated Securities which may mature and advise the Fund as promptly as practicable of any such amounts due but not paid;

(c) Forward to the Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund.

(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 Fund or provide for discretionary action or alternative courses of action by the Fund, the Fund 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 Fund’s Certificate or 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 Fund). Absent Custodian’s timely receipt of such Certificate or 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 Fund or its designee. Custodian will make available to the Fund proxy

 

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voting services upon the request of, and for the jurisdictions selected by, the Fund in accordance with terms and conditions to be mutually agreed upon by Custodian and the Fund.

(i) Custodian shall promptly advise the Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund of any proxy solicitation with respect to a Certificated Security nor shall Custodian have any responsibility or liability relating to such proxy voting.

 

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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.

7. The Fund 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 Fund or any transaction related thereto. The Fund 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 Fund (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 Fund, 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 Fund of the additional amount of cash (in the appropriate currency) required, and the Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund to Custodian hereunder. The Fund 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, other than any such liability that arises as a direct result of the bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard of Custodian or the applicable Subcustodian. The obligation to indemnify under this Subsection 7 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

8. (a) For the purpose of settling Securities transactions, transactions relating to Loan Document Files and foreign exchange transactions, the Fund 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,

 

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or (ii) sufficient applicable foreign currency, to settle the transaction. Custodian shall provide the Fund with immediately available funds each day which result from the actual settlement of all sale transactions, based upon advices received by Custodian from Subcustodians, Depositories, and Foreign Depositories. Such funds shall be in U.S. dollars or such other currency as the Fund 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 Fund may issue a standing Certificate or Instructions with respect to foreign exchange transactions, but Custodian may establish rules or limitations concerning any foreign exchange facility made available to the Fund. The Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund’s board of directors. Each such resolution shall designate not more than five persons who shall be either officers or employees of the Fund 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 Fund; except that access to such Securities, Loan Document Files and Loan Documents shall be permitted to the Fund’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 Fund’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 release the identity of the Fund to an issuer which requests such information pursuant to the Shareholder Communications Act of 1985 for the specific purpose of direct communications between such issuer and shareholder. With

 

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respect to Securities issued outside the United States, information shall be released 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 Fund, the Fund shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate or 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 Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund, 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 Fund shall be solely responsible for the servicing of all Loans. The Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund shall be solely responsible for the settlement of each purchase or sale of Loans. Subject to Section 5 below, the Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund which results in an overdraft (including, without limitation, any day-light overdraft) because the money held by Custodian in an Account for the Fund shall be insufficient to pay the total amount payable upon a purchase of Securities or Loans specifically allocated to the Fund, as set forth in a Certificate, Instructions or Oral Instructions, or if an overdraft arises in the separate account of the Fund for some other reason, including, without limitation, because of a reversal of a conditional credit or the purchase of any currency, or if the Fund is for any other reason indebted to Custodian, including any indebtedness to The Bank of New York under the Fund’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 Fund payable on demand and shall bear interest from the date incurred at a rate per annum ordinarily charged by Custodian to its institutional customers, as such rate may be adjusted from time to time. In addition, the Fund hereby agrees that Custodian shall to the maximum extent permitted by law have a continuing lien, security interest, and security entitlement in and to any property, including, without limitation, any investment property or any financial asset of the Fund at any time held by Custodian for the benefit of the Fund or in which the Fund may have an interest which is then in Custodian’s possession or control or in possession or control of any third party acting in Custodian’s behalf. The Fund authorizes Custodian, in its sole discretion, at any time to charge any such overdraft or

 

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indebtedness together with interest due thereon against any balance of account standing to the Fund’s credit on Custodian’s books.

2. If the Fund borrows money from any lender (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 Fund shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such borrowing: (a) the name of the lender, (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 Fund 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 specifying whether such loan is for investment purposes or for temporary or emergency purposes and that such loan is in conformance with the 40 Act and the Fund’s prospectus. Custodian shall deliver on the borrowing date specified in a Certificate the specified collateral against payment by the lender 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 lender, keep such collateral in its possession, but such collateral shall be subject to all rights therein given the lender 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 Fund 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 Fund fails to specify in a Certificate 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.

ARTICLE VII

PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS

1. Whenever the Fund shall determine to pay a dividend or distribution on Shares it shall furnish to Custodian Instructions or a Certificate setting forth with respect to the Fund 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 Instructions or Certificate, Custodian shall pay out of the money held for the account of the Fund the total amount payable to the dividend agent of the Fund specified therein.

ARTICLE VIII

CONCERNING CUSTODIAN

1. (a) Custodian shall exercise good faith and reasonable care in carrying out all of its duties and obligations under this Agreement. 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 Fund, 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

 

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any Foreign Depositories, except in each case to the extent such action or inaction is a direct result of the Custodian’s failure to act in accordance with the standard of care provided in this Article VIII in performing its duties hereunder. With respect to any Losses incurred by the Fund as a result of the acts or any failures to act by any Subcustodian (other than a BNY Affiliate), Custodian shall take all commercially practicable action to recover such Losses from such Subcustodian. Custodian’s sole responsibility and liability to the Fund shall be limited to amounts so received from such Subcustodian (exclusive of costs and expenses incurred by Custodian). In no event shall either party be liable to the other party or any third party for special, indirect or consequential damages, or lost profits or loss of business, arising in connection with this Agreement, provided that Custodian’s fees, expenses and set-off rights shall not be considered special, indirect or consequential damages, or lost profits or loss of business. In addition, neither Custodian nor any Subcustodian shall be liable: ( i ) for acting in accordance with any Certificate or Oral Instructions actually received by Custodian and reasonably believed by Custodian to be given by an Authorized Person; ( ii ) for acting in accordance with Instructions without reviewing the same; ( iii ) for conclusively presuming that all Instructions are given only by person(s) duly authorized; ( iv ) for conclusively presuming that all disbursements of cash directed by the Fund, whether by a Certificate, an Oral Instruction, or an Instruction, are in accordance with Section 2(i) of Article II hereof; ( v ) 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; ( vi ) for any Losses due to forces beyond the control of Custodian, 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; (vii) 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 ( viii ) for the contents of or deficiency in any Loan Document File, or (ix) 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 Fund, 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.

 

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(c) The Fund 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 Fund, and any claims by a purchaser or transferee of any Loan Document File; provided however, that the Fund shall not indemnify Custodian for those Losses arising out of Custodian’s own negligence or willful misconduct or for any Losses that constitute indirect, special or consequential damages or lost profits or loss of business. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Fund, 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 be liable for:

(a) Any Losses incurred by the Fund 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;

(b) The validity of the issue of any Securities purchased, sold, or written by or for the Fund, the legality of the purchase, sale or writing thereof, or the propriety of the amount paid or received therefor;

(c) The legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend or distribution by the Fund;

(d) The legality of any borrowing by the Fund;

(e) 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 Fund against any loss it might sustain as a result of such loan, which duty or obligation shall be the sole responsibility of the Fund. 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 Fund are lent makes payment to it of any dividends or interest which are payable to or for the account of the Fund during the period of such loan or at the termination of such loan, provided, however that Custodian shall promptly notify the Fund in the event that such dividends or interest are not paid and received when due;

(f) The sufficiency or value of any amounts of money and/or Securities held in any Special Account in connection with transactions by the Fund; whether any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member makes payment to the Fund of any variation margin payment or similar payment which the Fund 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 Fund is entitled to receive, or to notify the Fund of Custodian’s receipt or non-receipt of any such payment; or

 

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(g) Whether any Securities at any time delivered to, or held by it or by any Subcustodian, for the account of the Fund are such as properly may be held by the Fund under the provisions of its then current prospectus and statement of additional information, or to ascertain whether any transactions by the Fund, whether or not involving Custodian, are such transactions as may properly be engaged in by the Fund.

3. Custodian may, with respect to questions of law specifically regarding an Account, obtain the advice of counsel 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.

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 Fund 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 Fund shall reimburse Custodian for all costs associated with the conversion of the Fund’s Securities hereunder and the transfer of Securities and records kept in connection with this Agreement. The Fund 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 Fund in connection with any and all obligations of the Fund to Custodian, provided the Custodian documents and accounts for the Fund any such debit. In addition to the rights of Custodian under applicable law and other agreements, at any time when the Fund shall not have honored any of its obligations to Custodian, Custodian shall have the right without notice to the Fund to retain or set-off, against such obligations of the Fund, any Securities or cash Custodian or a BNY Affiliate may directly or indirectly hold for the account of the Fund, and any obligations (whether matured or unmatured) that Custodian or a BNY Affiliate may have to the Fund in any currency or Composite Currency Unit. Any such asset of, or obligation to, the Fund may be transferred to Custodian and any BNY Affiliate in order to effect the above rights.

8. The Fund agrees to forward to Custodian a Certificate or Instructions confirming Oral Instructions by the close of business of the same day that such Oral Instructions are given to Custodian. The Fund agrees that the fact that such confirming Certificate or Instructions are not received or that a contrary Certificate or contrary 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 Fund elects to transmit Instructions through an on-line communications system offered by Custodian, the Fund’s use thereof shall be subject to the Terms and Conditions attached as Appendix I hereto. If Custodian receives 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 Fund understands and agrees that Custodian cannot determine the identity of the actual sender of such

 

16


Instructions and that Custodian shall conclusively presume that such Written Instructions have been sent by an Authorized Person, and the Fund shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Persons transmit such Instructions to Custodian. If the Fund elects (with Custodian’s prior consent) to transmit Instructions through an on-line communications service owned or operated by a third party, the Fund 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 Fund which are in possession of Custodian shall be the property of the Fund. Such books and records shall be prepared and maintained as required by the 40 Act and the rules thereunder. The Fund, or its authorized 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 Fund, copies of any such books and records shall be provided by Custodian to the Fund or its authorized representative. Upon the reasonable request of the Fund, 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 now or hereafter in effect. The Custodian shall provide the Fund 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 Fund may reasonably request from time to time.

11. Custodian represents that it has established and implemented a disaster recovery plan and back-up system reasonably designed to satisfy the requirements of all applicable law, rules, and regulations and which is reasonable under the circumstances. Provided that the foregoing representation has remained true and correct at the time of a failure as contemplated in this Section, Custodian shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fires; floods; wars; civil or military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communications service; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority or governmental actions, it also being understood that Custodian shall use its best efforts to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

12. 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 IX

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) days after the date of giving of such notice. In the event such notice is given by the Fund, it shall be accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the board of the Fund, certified by the

 

17


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 eligible to serve as custodian for an investment company under the 40 Act. In the event such notice is given by Custodian, the Fund shall, on or before the termination date, deliver to Custodian a copy of a resolution of the board of the Fund, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, designating a successor custodian or custodians. In the absence of such designation by the Fund, Custodian may designate a successor custodian, which shall be a bank or trust company eligible to serve as custodian for an investment company under 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 Fund 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 Fund or Custodian in accordance with the preceding Section, 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 Fund), Custodian shall thereby be relieved of all duties and responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement, other than the duty with respect to Securities which cannot be delivered to the Fund to hold such Securities hereunder in accordance with this Agreement.

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

1. The Fund 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 Fund shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the Fund and received by it at its offices at                                                   , or at such other place as the Fund may from time to time designate in writing.

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.

 

18


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 Fund 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.

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 Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund. Accordingly, prior to opening an Account hereunder Custodian will ask the Fund to provide certain information including, but not limited to, the Fund’s name, physical address, tax identification number and other information that will help Custodian to identify and verify the Fund’s identity such as organizational documents, certificate of good standing, license to do business, or other pertinent identifying information. The Fund agrees that Custodian cannot open an Account hereunder unless and until Custodian verifies the Fund’s identity in accordance with its CIP.

8. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the obligations of the Fund entered into in the name or on behalf thereof by any director, trustee, representative, employee or agent thereof are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any of the directors, trustees, shareholders, representatives, employees or agents of the Fund personally, but bind only the property of the Fund, and all persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property of the Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund. For the avoidance of doubt, it is acknowledged and agreed that the agreements made herein by the Fund bind and obligate only the Fund and its assets.

9. 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.

 

19


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Fund 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.

 

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, INC.
By:    
Title:  

 

 

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
By:    
Title:  

 

 

 

 

20


SCHEDULE I

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZED PERSONS

(The Fund—Oral and Written Instructions)

The undersigned hereby certifies that he/she is the duly elected and acting                                                   of Whitehorse Finance, LLC (the “Fund”), and further certifies that the following officers or employees of the Fund have been duly authorized in conformity with the Fund’s Declaration of Trust and By-Laws to deliver Certificates and Oral Instructions to The Bank of New York Mellon (“Custodian”) pursuant to the Custody Agreement between the Fund and Custodian dated                                                   , and that the signatures appearing opposite their names are true and correct:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name   Title   Signature

 

 

 

 

 

Name   Title   Signature

 

 

 

 

 

Name   Title   Signature

 

 

 

 

 

Name   Title   Signature

 

 

 

 

 

Name   Title   Signature

 

 

 

 

 

Name   Title   Signature

 

 

 

 

 

Name   Title   Signature

This certificate supersedes any certificate of Authorized Persons you may currently have on file.

 

[seal]    
    By:    
      Title:
Date:      

 

 

21


APPENDIX I

ELECTRONIC ACCESS SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

This Electronic Access Services Agreement (“EASA”) between The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNYM”) and                          (“Client”) made this                  day of                                  , 20          , sets forth terms and conditions by which BNYM will provide the Electronic Delivery Mechanism, as defined below, to Client and those of its Affiliates identified on Schedule A to this Agreement (on whose behalf Client is legally authorized to contract and bind).

1. As used herein, “Electronic Delivery Mechanism” means the electronic mechanisms used by Client and its Authorized Users (e.g., BNYM Web Sites, Proprietary Software, related support services provided by Third Party Service Providers) through which BNYM provides to Client and its Authorized Users (a) Proprietary Information and Client Data, (b) other services set forth or referenced in an addendum to the EASA, if any, and (c) the support of those mechanisms. This EASA provides Client and its Authorized Users with read-only access to Proprietary Information and Client Data. Clients wishing to perform transactions through the Electronic Delivery Mechanism must execute a separate supplemental agreement covering such services.

Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall be defined as set forth in the Electronic Access Terms and Conditions.

2. The parties hereby incorporate by reference, as though fully set forth herein, the Electronic Access Terms and Conditions in effect as of the date of this EASA (“Electronic Access Terms and Conditions” or “EATC”). The Electronic Access Terms and Conditions can be found at the following website: http://workbench.mellon.com/public/TermsandConditions_12-01-09.pdf and can be provided upon the Client’s reasonable request.

3. This EASA pertains to Electronic Delivery Mechanism only; other services provided by BNYM to Client shall be governed by separate agreements or by terms and conditions applicable to those services. Where there is any conflict between this EASA and any other agreement by and between Client and BNYM (inclusive of any predecessors) relating to Electronic Delivery Mechanism, the terms of this EASA shall prevail, unless

expressly stated otherwise in such other agreement.

4. The term of this EASA commences on the date set forth above and continues until terminated as provided herein or in the EATC. Either BNYM or Client may terminate this EASA upon sixty (60) days written notice to the other party or as otherwise provided in the EATC.

5. This EASA, the EATC and any other supplements or addenda specifically agreed upon by the parties to this EASA, contain the entire agreement between the parties relating to the Electronic Delivery Mechanism and the provision through such Electronic Delivery Mechanism of Proprietary Information and Client Data, and supersede all prior written or oral communications between the parties on this subject.

6. If any provision of this EASA or the EATC is for any reason held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain valid and enforceable, and the unenforceable provision shall be deemed to have been modified as appropriate to carry out, to the full extent possible, the intent of such provision.

7. This EASA may be amended by the parties through a written notice by BNYM to the Client, together with written acceptance by the Client of such amendment to this EASA. This Agreement is not assignable by either party without the prior written consent of the other, except that BNYM may assign this EASA to any Affiliate of BNYM without such prior consent. In addition to being subject to BNYM’s approval, any proposed assignment of this EASA by Client may be subject to further licensing requirements of Information Providers and Client agrees to take appropriate actions with respect to any such requirements. Any assignment in violation of this provision shall be void. This EASA and the EATC shall be binding upon and inures to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

8. This EASA is governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of New York without regard to its choice of law provisions. Each party waives the right to trial by jury in any action arising out of or relating to this EASA.

 

 

22

Exhibit (k)(4)

SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, INC.

The terms of this subscription agreement (the “ Agreement ”) are made and entered into between WhiteHorse Finance, Inc., a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), and the investor set forth below (the “ Investor ”).

In order to subscribe for the shares of common stock, par value $0.001, of the Company to be issued and sold by the Company in a private placement transaction (the “ Shares ”), a prospective Investor must complete and execute this Agreement in accordance with the instructions set forth in this Agreement. This Agreement in its entirety, together with the appropriate payment as described herein, should then be returned to:

WhiteHorse Finance, Inc.

1450 Brickell Avenue, 31 st Floor

Miami, Florida 33131

Attn: Richard Siegel

Subscriptions from suitable prospective Investors will be accepted at the sole discretion of the Company. If your subscription is not accepted, we shall return your payment, without interest.

In connection with the proposed purchase by the Investor of Shares pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) and/or Regulation D (“ Regulation D ”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), the Investor agrees and acknowledges, on its own behalf or on behalf of each account for which it is acquiring Shares, and makes the representations and agreements, on its own behalf or on behalf of each account for which it is acquiring Shares, set forth in Sections 1 through 4 and Sections 9 through 29 of this Agreement:

IF YOU ARE ACTING FOR MORE THAN ONE INVESTOR, PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM ATTACHED HERETO AS ANNEX A FOR EACH OF THOSE INVESTORS.

 

Date:                         INVESTOR
   By:   

 

   Name:   

 

   Title:   

 

   Social Security /Taxpayer Identification Number _________________________________________
   Address:   

 

     

 

   Subscription Amount:  ____________________________________________________________

 

AGREED AND ACCEPTED:
WHITEHORSE FINANCE, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


The Subscription

1. The undersigned, desiring to become an Investor in the Company, hereby subscribes for and agrees to purchase Shares in the Company.

2. In exchange for the Shares subscribed for herein, the undersigned hereby irrevocably commits to pay $[        ] per Share to the Company on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

3. Upon signing the signature page of this Agreement by or on behalf of each named Investor, (a) the Agreement shall be validly executed and delivered to such Investor and shall be valid, binding and enforceable against such Investor in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and equitable principles of general applicability, and (b) such Investor irrevocably subscribes for and agrees to purchase from the Company the number of Shares set forth next to the Investor’s name on page 1 of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any subscription may be revoked by the Company until delivery of such document or prior to the fulfillment of the condition set forth in Section 4.

4. The Investor understands and agrees that the Company reserves the right to accept or reject the Investor’s subscription for any reason or for no reason, in whole or in part, at any time prior to its acceptance by the Company and such subscription shall be deemed to be accepted by the Company only when this Agreement is signed by a duly authorized person by or on behalf of the Company. This Agreement may be signed in counterpart form.

Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Company

5. The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Company has full right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.

6. This Agreement has been duly authorized by the Company and, when executed and delivered by the Company, will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and equitable principles of general applicability.

7. The execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement shall not contravene any provision of applicable law or the organizational documents of the Company or any agreement of other instrument binding upon the Company, or any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company, and no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or agency is required for performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement, except where failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect.

8. All of the Shares are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, no holder thereof is or will be subject to personal liability by reason of being such a holder, and such Shares are not subject to any preemptive rights. A description of the Shares is set forth on Exhibit I hereto.

Representations, Warranties and Covenants of each Investor

9. If not an individual, the Investor is a legal entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization. The Investor has full right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.

10. Any information furnished to the Company by the Investor, including with respect to the Investor’s financial position, background and investment experience, is true, correct and complete in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement.


11. The execution and delivery by the Investor of, and the performance by the Investor of its obligations under, this Agreement will not contravene any provision of applicable law or the organizational documents of the Investor or any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Investor, or any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Investor, and no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or agency is required for performance by the Investor of its obligations under this Agreement, except where failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect.

Conditions

12. The obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall be subject to the Company’s acceptance of this Agreement. If this condition is not fulfilled, (a) this Agreement shall terminate and (b) neither party shall have any claim against the other party for costs, damages, compensation or otherwise.

Accredited Investor

13. The Investor certifies that it is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Regulation D. Annex B, as completed by the Investor, sets forth the basis on which the Investor satisfies accredited investor status.

14. The Investor is knowledgeable, sophisticated and experienced in business and financial matters, and it fully understands the limitations on ownership, sale, transfer or other disposition of the Shares. The Investor is able to bear the economic risk of its investment in the Shares and is currently able to afford the complete loss of such investment. The Investor is aware that there are substantial risks incident to the purchase of the Shares.

Transfer and Lock-Up Restrictions

15. The Investor understands and agrees that the Shares are being offered in a transaction not involving any public offering within the United States within the meaning of the Securities Act; that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act. The Investor agrees that, if in the future it decides to offer, resell, pledge or otherwise transfer such Shares (or any interest therein), such Shares or interest therein will be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred in a transaction exempt from, or not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act or pursuant to a registration statement declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”).

16. The Investor agrees that any certificate representing Shares shall bear a legend stating the foregoing transfer restrictions, which restrictions shall terminate only in accordance with the terms of such legend.

17. Each of the foregoing restrictions is subject to any requirement of law that the disposition of the Investor’s property or the property of such investor account or accounts on behalf of which the Investor holds the Shares be at all times within the control of the Investor or of such accounts and subject to compliance with any applicable federal and state securities laws.

18. The Investor understands and agrees that the Shares will be subject to the additional lock-up restrictions set forth on Exhibit II.

The Offering

19. The Investor acknowledges that no materials relating to the sale of the Shares have been subject to review, comment or approval by the staff of the SEC or any state securities commission.

20. The Investor is not purchasing the Shares with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution thereof (within the meaning of the Securities Act) that would be in violation of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof.


21. The party signing this Agreement is acquiring the Shares for its own account, as an Investor, or for an Investor (which is itself an accredited investor) as to which the party signing this Agreement exercises sole investment discretion and is authorized to make the representations, and enter into the agreements, contained in this Agreement. The party signing this Agreement has indicated herein whether it is acquiring the Shares for its own account, as an Investor, or for the account of one or more Investors.

22. The Investor has had access to all information that it believes is necessary, sufficient or appropriate in connection with its purchase of the Shares, it has been afforded an opportunity to ask questions concerning the terms and conditions of the offering and sale of the Shares, it has had all such questions answered to its satisfaction, it has been supplied all additional information as it has requested and, after being advised by persons deemed appropriate by the Investor concerning this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, it has made an independent decision to purchase the Shares based on information it has determined to be adequate to verify the accuracy of any other information that the Investor deems relevant to making an investment in the Shares.

23. The Investor has a substantive preexisting relationship with the Company and became aware of the offering of the Shares by the Company, and the Shares were offered to the Investor, through direct contact between the Investor and the Company outside of the initial public offering effort. The Investor was not identified or initially contacted by the Company through the marketing of the initial public offering, and the Investor did not become aware of the offering of the Shares, nor were the Shares offered to the Investor by any other means, including, in each case, by any form of general solicitation or general advertising or by the filing of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form N-2. In making the decision to purchase the Shares, the Investor relied solely on information obtained by the Investor directly from the Company as a result of any inquiries by the Investor or one or more of the Investor’s advisors.

General

24. The Investor acknowledges that the Company and its affiliates and others will rely on the acknowledgments, representations and warranties contained in this Agreement as a basis for exemption of the sale of the Shares under the Securities Act and under the securities laws of all applicable states and for other purposes. Each party signing this Agreement agrees to notify the Company promptly if any of the acknowledgments, representations or warranties set forth in this Agreement are no longer accurate.

25. The Company and its affiliates are irrevocably authorized to produce this Agreement or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

26. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered to the Company at the address set forth below or, if to the Investors, at the addresses set forth on the first page hereof or in Annex A, as applicable, or at such other address as the Investors shall from time to time designate in writing to the Company. Each such notice, request or other communication shall be effective (a) if given by facsimile, when such facsimile is transmitted to the facsimile number set forth below, or page one, as applicable, if such facsimile is transmitted on a business day, and if not, then on the next business day thereafter, or (b) if given by mail, three (3) days after mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) or (c) if given by express courier, on the day delivered by an express courier (with confirmation by recipient) to the following addresses:

WhiteHorse Finance, Inc.

1450 Brickell Avenue, 31 st Floor

Miami, Florida 33131

Attn: Richard Siegel

27. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the matters contemplated herein and supersedes all prior agreements or understandings among the parties related to such matters.

28. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.


29. The Investor agrees to provide, together with this completed and signed Agreement, a completed and signed Substitute IRS Form W-9.


ANNEX A

INFORMATION ON ADDITIONAL INVESTORS

 

       Name
(use exact name in  which securities
are to be registered)*
   Address and Facsimile    Social Security Number
(or Tax Identification
Number, as applicable)
   Subscription Amount ($)

1.

           

2.

           

3.

           

4.

           

5.

           


ANNEX B

ACCREDITED INVESTOR STATUS

Accredited Investor Status . Please mark the appropriate box next to each description applicable:

[        ] A natural person whose individual net worth, or joint net worth with that person’s spouse, exceeds $1,000,000. Net worth for a natural person must (a) exclude the value of such person’s primary residence and any mortgage debt on such primary residence up to the estimated fair market value of the primary residence, (b) include any mortgage debt in excess of the fair market value of the residence and (c) include any mortgage debt on the primary residence incurred in the 60 days prior to completing this form that is not used to purchase the primary residence regardless of whether or not it is less than the fair market value of the residence.

[        ] A natural person who had individual income in excess of $200,000 in each of the most recent two years, or joint income with that person’s spouse in excess of $300,000 in each of the most recent two years and who has a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in the current year.

[        ] A director or executive officer (as defined in Rule 501(f) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act) of the Company.

[        ] A bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) or a savings and loan association or other institution (as defined in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act) whether acting in its individual or fiduciary capacity.

[        ] A broker or dealer registered pursuant to Section 15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

[        ] An insurance company (as defined in Section 2(a)(13) of the Securities Act).

[        ] An investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “ 1940 Act ”), or a business development company (as defined in Section 2(a)(48) of the 1940 Act).

[        ] A Small Business Investment Company licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration under Section 301(c) or (d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended.

[        ] A plan established and maintained by a state, its political subdivisions or any agency or instrumentality of a state or its political subdivisions, for the benefit of its employees, if such plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000.

[        ] An employee benefit plan within the meaning of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ ERISA ”), if (A) the investment decision is made by a plan fiduciary (as defined in Section 3(21) of ERISA) which is either a bank, savings and loan association, insurance company or registered investment advisor, (B) the employee benefit plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000 or (C) if the plan is a self directed plan, its investment decisions are made solely by persons who are accredited investors.

[        ] A private business development company (as defined in Section 202(a)(22) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended).

[        ] Any organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, corporation, Massachusetts or similar business trust, or partnership, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring securities, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000.

[        ] A trust, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring securities, whose acquisition is directed by a person who, either alone or with his or her purchaser representative(s), has such knowledge and experience in financial business matters that such person is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of acquiring securities.

[        ] An entity in which all of the equity owners meet the requirements of at least one of the above subparagraphs for accredited investors.


EXHIBIT I

The following description is based on relevant portions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”) and on our certificate of incorporation and bylaws. This summary is not necessarily complete, and we refer you to the DGCL and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws for a more detailed description of the provisions summarized below.

Capital Stock

Our authorized stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. We have applied to have our common stock traded on The NASDAQ Global Market under the ticker symbol “WHF”. There are no outstanding options or warrants to purchase our stock. No stock has been authorized for issuance under any equity compensation plans. Under Delaware law, our stockholders generally are not personally liable for our debts or obligations.

The following are our outstanding classes of securities as of [            ], 2012:

 

(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

     100,000,000         —           —     

Preferred Stock

     100,000         —           —     

Common Stock

All shares of our common stock have equal rights as to earnings, assets, dividends and voting and, when they are issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Distributions may be paid to the holders of our common stock if, as and when authorized by the board of directors and declared by us out of funds legally available. Shares of our common stock have no preemptive, exchange, conversion or redemption rights and are freely transferable, except when their transfer is restricted by U.S. federal and state securities laws or by contract. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each share of our common stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of our assets that are legally available for distribution after we pay all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of our preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time. Each share of 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 not be able to elect any directors.

Preferred Stock

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the board of directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of preferred stock into other classes or series of preferred stock without stockholder approval. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, the board of directors is required by Delaware law and by our certificate of incorporation to set the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Thus, the board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest. You should note, however, that any issuance of preferred stock must comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act requires that (1) immediately after issuance and before any dividend or other distribution is made with respect to our common stock and before any purchase of 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 years or more. Some 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.

Provisions of the DGCL and Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

Delaware Anti-Takeover Law

The DGCL and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that could make it more difficult for a potential acquirer to acquire us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. These provisions are expected to discourage certain coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our board of directors. These measures may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders. These provisions could have the effect of depriving stockholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control over us. Such attempts could have the effect of increasing our expenses and disrupting our normal operations. We believe, however, that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the potential disadvantages of discouraging any such acquisition proposals because the negotiation of such proposals may improve their terms.

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

 

   

prior to such time, the board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

   

upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced; or

 

   

on or after the date the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at a meeting of stockholders, by at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

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

 

   

any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

 

   

any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of 10% or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the corporation or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding stock of the corporation involving the interested stockholder;

 

   

subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;

 

   

any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation owned by the interested stockholder; or

 

   

the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.

 

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

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

Election of Directors

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

Classified Board of Directors

Our board of directors is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms, with the term of office of only one of the three classes expiring each year. A classified board of directors may render a change in control of us or removal of our incumbent management more difficult. This provision could delay for up to two years the replacement of a majority of our board of directors. We believe, however, that the longer time required to elect a majority of a classified board of directors helps to ensure the continuity and stability of our management and policies.

Number of Directors; Removal; Vacancies

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

Action by Stockholders

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

Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Nominations and Stockholder Proposals

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

 

I-4


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

Stockholder Meetings

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

Calling of Special Meetings of Stockholders

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called by our board of directors, the chairman of the board of directors and our chief executive officer.

Conflict with 1940 Act

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

 

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EXHIBIT II

The Investor, as a stockholder of the Company, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are herby acknowledged, agrees with each underwriter to be named in the Underwriting Agreement (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”) with the Company, [H.I.G. WhiteHorse Advisers, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company] and [H.I.G. WhiteHorse Administration, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company], that, during the period beginning on the date hereof and ending on the date that is [180] days from the date of the Underwriting Agreement (subject to extensions as discussed below), the undersigned will not, without the prior written consent of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (collectively, the “ Representatives ”), directly or indirectly, (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of any shares of the common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “ Common Stock ”) or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common Stock, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the undersigned or with respect to which the undersigned has or hereafter acquires the power of disposition (collectively, the “ Lock-Up Securities ”), or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any of the Lock-up Securities, or file or cause to be filed any registration statement in connection therewith, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or (ii) enter into any swap or any other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of the Lock-Up Securities, whether any such swap or transaction is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to the conditions below, the undersigned may transfer the Lock-Up Securities without the prior written consent of the Representatives, provided that (1) the Representatives receive a signed lock-up agreement for the balance of the lockup period from each donee, trustee, distributee, or transferee, as the case may be, (2) any such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value, (3) such transfers are not required to be reported with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 4 in accordance with Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and (4) the undersigned does not otherwise voluntarily effect any public filing or report regarding such transfers:

 

  1. as a bona fide gift or gifts; or

 

  2. to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned or the immediate family of the undersigned (for purposes of this lock-up agreement, “immediate family” shall mean any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin); or

 

  3. as a distribution to limited partners or stockholders of the undersigned; or

 

  4. to the undersigned’s affiliates or to any investment fund or other entity controlled or managed by the undersigned.

Furthermore, the undersigned may sell shares of Common Stock of the Company purchased by the undersigned on the open market following the proposed public offering if and only if (i) such sales are not required to be reported in any public report or filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or otherwise and (ii) the undersigned does not otherwise voluntarily effect any public filing or report regarding such sales.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if:

(1) during the last 17 days of the [180]-day lock-up period, the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs; or

(2) prior to the expiration of the [180]-day lock-up period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results or becomes aware that material news or a material event will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the [180]-day lock-up period,


the restrictions imposed by this lock-up agreement 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, as applicable, unless the Representatives waive, in writing, such extension.

The undersigned agrees that, prior to engaging in any transaction or taking any other action that is subject to the terms of this lock-up agreement during the period from the date of this lock-up agreement to and including the 34 th day following the expiration of the initial [180]-day lock-up period, it will give notice thereof to the Company and will not consummate such transaction or take any such action unless it has received written confirmation from the Company that the [180]-day lock-up period (as may have been extended pursuant to the previous paragraph) has expired.

The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of the Lock-Up Securities except in compliance with the foregoing restrictions

 

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

II-2

Exhibit (k)(5)

Execution Copy

 

 

 

REVOLVING CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

among

WHITEHORSE FINANCE WAREHOUSE, LLC,

as Borrower,

THE LENDERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTIES HERETO,

NATIXIS, NEW YORK BRANCH,

as Facility Agent

and

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

as Collateral Agent

Dated as of September 27, 2012

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

              Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS; RULES OF CONSTRUCTION; COMPUTATIONS

     1   
  S ECTION  1.01    D EFINITIONS      1   
  S ECTION 1.02    R ULES OF C ONSTRUCTION      49   
  S ECTION 1.03    C OMPUTATION OF T IME P ERIODS      50   
  S ECTION 1.04    C OLLATERAL V ALUE C ALCULATION P ROCEDURES      50   

ARTICLE II ADVANCES UNDER THE FACILITY

     52   
  S ECTION 2.01    R EVOLVING C REDIT F ACILITY      52   
  S ECTION 2.02    A DVANCES      53   
  S ECTION 2.03    E VIDENCE OF I NDEBTEDNESS ; N OTES      53   
  S ECTION 2.04    P AYMENT OF P RINCIPAL AND I NTEREST      53   
  S ECTION 2.05    P REPAYMENT OF A DVANCES      56   
  S ECTION 2.06    R EDUCTIONS IN C OMMITMENTS      56   
  S ECTION 2.07    M AXIMUM L AWFUL R ATE      57   
  S ECTION 2.08    S EVERAL O BLIGATIONS      57   
  S ECTION 2.09    I NCREASED C OSTS      57   
  S ECTION 2.10    C OMPENSATION ; B REAKAGE P AYMENTS      59   
  S ECTION 2.11    I LLEGALITY ; I NABILITY TO D ETERMINE R ATES      60   
  S ECTION 2.12    R ESCISSION OR R ETURN OF P AYMENT      61   
  S ECTION 2.13    F EES P AYABLE BY B ORROWER      62   
  S ECTION 2.14    P OST -D EFAULT I NTEREST      62   
  S ECTION 2.15    P AYMENTS G ENERALLY      62   
  S ECTION 2.16    L ENDERS N OT S ATISFYING THE R ATING C RITERIA      62   
  S ECTION 2.17    A PPLICABLE R OW L EVEL      63   

ARTICLE III CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     63   
  S ECTION 3.01    C ONDITIONS P RECEDENT TO C LOSING      63   
  S ECTION 3.02    C ONDITIONS P RECEDENT TO E ACH B ORROWING      66   

ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     67   
  S ECTION 4.01    R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES OF THE B ORROWER      67   
  S ECTION 4.02    R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES OF THE C OLLATERAL A GENT      72   

ARTICLE V COVENANTS

     73   
  S ECTION 5.01    A FFIRMATIVE C OVENANTS OF THE B ORROWER      73   
  S ECTION 5.02    N EGATIVE C OVENANTS OF THE B ORROWER      79   
  S ECTION 5.03    C ERTAIN U NDERTAKINGS R ELATING TO S EPARATENESS      84   
  S ECTION 5.04    C REDIT E STIMATES ; F AILURE TO H AVE A DBRS L ONG T ERM R ATING      86   

ARTICLE VI EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     87   
  S ECTION 6.01    E VENTS OF D EFAULT      87   

ARTICLE VII PLEDGE OF COLLATERAL; RIGHTS OF THE COLLATERAL AGENT

     90   
  S ECTION 7.01    G RANT OF S ECURITY      90   
  S ECTION 7.02    R ELEASE OF S ECURITY I NTEREST      92   
  S ECTION 7.03    R IGHTS AND R EMEDIES      93   
  S ECTION 7.04    R EMEDIES C UMULATIVE      94   
  S ECTION 7.05    R ELATED D OCUMENTS      94   
  S ECTION 7.06    B ORROWER R EMAINS L IABLE      95   

 

i


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

              Page  
  S ECTION  7.07    A SSIGNMENT OF C OLLATERAL M ANAGEMENT A GREEMENT AND THE M ASTER T RANSFER A GREEMENT      95   
  S ECTION 7.08    P ROTECTION OF C OLLATERAL      96   

ARTICLE VIII ACCOUNTS, ACCOUNTINGS AND RELEASES

     97   
  S ECTION 8.01    C OLLECTION OF M ONEY      97   
  S ECTION 8.02    C OLLECTION A CCOUNT      98   
  S ECTION 8.03    T RANSACTION A CCOUNTS      99   
  S ECTION 8.04    T HE R EVOLVING R ESERVE A CCOUNT ; F UNDINGS      102   
  S ECTION 8.05    R EINVESTMENT OF F UNDS IN C OVERED A CCOUNTS ; R EPORTS BY C OLLATERAL A GENT      103   
  S ECTION 8.06    A CCOUNTINGS      104   
  S ECTION 8.07    R ELEASE OF C OLLATERAL      106   
  S ECTION 8.08    [R ESERVED ]      107   
  S ECTION 8.09    R EPORTS TO DBRS      107   
  S ECTION 8.10    [R ESERVED ]      107   
  S ECTION 8.11    [R ESERVED ]      107   
  S ECTION 8.12    C LOSING E XPENSE A CCOUNT      107   
  S ECTION 8.13    C OLLATERAL R EPORTING      108   

ARTICLE IX APPLICATION OF MONIES

     110   
  S ECTION 9.01    D ISBURSEMENTS OF M ONIES FROM P AYMENT A CCOUNT      110   

ARTICLE X SALE AND SUBSTITUTION OF COLLATERAL OBLIGATIONS; PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL COLLATERAL OBLIGATIONS

     114   
  S ECTION  10.01    S ALES AND S UBSTITUTIONS OF C OLLATERAL O BLIGATIONS      114   
  S ECTION 10.02    P URCHASE OF A DDITIONAL C OLLATERAL O BLIGATIONS      118   
  S ECTION 10.03    C ONDITIONS A PPLICABLE TO A LL P URCHASE , S ALE AND S UBSTITUTION T RANSACTIONS      119   
  S ECTION 10.04    A DDITIONAL E QUITY C ONTRIBUTIONS      119   

ARTICLE XI THE AGENTS

     120   
  S ECTION 11.01    A UTHORIZATION AND A CTION      120   
  S ECTION 11.02    D ELEGATION OF D UTIES      120   
  S ECTION 11.03    A GENTS ’ R ELIANCE , E TC .      120   
  S ECTION 11.04    I NDEMNIFICATION      122   
  S ECTION 11.05    S UCCESSOR A GENTS      123   
  S ECTION 11.06    R EGARDING THE C OLLATERAL A GENT      124   
  S ECTION 11.07    R EGARDING THE C OLLATERAL A GENT AND THE C USTODIAN      126   

ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS

     126   
  S ECTION 12.01    N O W AIVER ; M ODIFICATIONS IN W RITING      126   
  S ECTION 12.02    N OTICES , E TC .      127   
  S ECTION 12.03    T AXES      129   
  S ECTION 12.04    C OSTS AND E XPENSES ; I NDEMNIFICATION      132   
  S ECTION 12.05    E XECUTION IN C OUNTERPARTS      133   
  S ECTION 12.06    A SSIGNABILITY ; P ARTICIPATION ; R EGISTER      133   
  S ECTION 12.08    S EVERABILITY OF P ROVISIONS      136   
  S ECTION 12.09    C ONFIDENTIALITY      136   
  S ECTION 12.10    M ERGER      136   
  S ECTION 12.11    S URVIVAL      137   
  S ECTION 12.12    S UBMISSION TO J URISDICTION ; W AIVERS ; E TC .      137   

 

ii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

              Page  
  S ECTION  12.13    W AIVER OF J URY T RIAL      138   
  S ECTION  12.14    S ERVICE OF P ROCESS      138   
  S ECTION  12.15    [R ESERVED ]      138   
  S ECTION  12.16    [R ESERVED ]      138   
  S ECTION  12.17    P ATRIOT A CT N OTICE      138   
  S ECTION  12.18    L EGAL H OLIDAYS      139   
  S ECTION  12.19    N ON -P ETITION      139   
  S ECTION  12.20    C USTODIANSHIP ; D ELIVERY OF C OLLATERAL O BLIGATIONS AND E LIGIBLE I NVESTMENTS      139   
  S ECTION  12.21    S PECIAL P ROVISIONS A PPLICABLE TO CP C ONDUITS      142   

SCHEDULES

 

Schedule 1

   Initial Commitments and Percentages

Schedule 2

   Scope of Monthly Report and Payment Date Report

Schedule 3

   Industry Diversity Score Table

Schedule 4

   DBRS Risk Scores

Schedule 5

   DBRS Industry Classifications

Schedule 6

   LIBOR Definition

Schedule 7

   DBRS Rating Procedure

Schedule 8

   Matrix

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A    Form of Note
Exhibit B    Form of Notice of Borrowing
Exhibit C    Form of Notice of Prepayment
Exhibit D    Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit E    Form of Account Control Agreement
Exhibit F    Approved Appraisal Firms
Exhibit G    Form of Retention of Net Economic Interest Letter
Exhibit H    Form of Payoff Letter

 

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REVOLVING CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

REVOLVING CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT dated as of September 27, 2012 among WHITEHORSE FINANCE WAREHOUSE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as borrower (together with its permitted successors and assigns, the “ Borrower ”); the LENDERS from time to time party hereto; NATIXIS, NEW YORK BRANCH (“ Natixis ”), as facility agent for the Secured Parties (as hereinafter defined) (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns, the “ Facility Agent ”) and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, N.A., as collateral agent for the Secured Parties (as hereinafter defined) (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns, the “ Collateral Agent ”).

W   I T   N   E   S   S   E   T   H:

WHEREAS, the Borrower desires that the Lenders make advances on a revolving basis to the Borrower on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, each Lender is willing to make such advances to the Borrower on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS; RULES OF CONSTRUCTION; COMPUTATIONS

Section 1.01 Definitions .

As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

ABL Facility ” means a lending facility pursuant to which the loans thereunder are secured by a perfected, first priority security interest in accounts receivable, inventory, machinery, equipment, real estate, oil and gas reserves, vessels, or periodic revenues, where such collateral security consists of assets generated or acquired by the related Obligor in its business.

Account ” has the meaning specified in Section 9-102(a)(2) of the UCC.

Account Control Agreement ” means an agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit E hereto.

Acquisition and Disposition Standards ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.03(b) .

Administrative Expense Cap ” means, for any Payment Date, an amount equal (when taken together with any Administrative Expenses paid during the period since the preceding Payment Date or, in the case of the first Payment Date, the Closing Date) to the sum of:

(a) 0.02% per annum (prorated for the related Collection Period on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) of the Quarterly Asset Amount on the related Determination Date; and

(b) $200,000 per annum;

 

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provided that (1) if the amount of Administrative Expenses paid under the Administrative Expense Cap (including any excess applied in accordance with this proviso) on the three immediately preceding Payment Dates or during the related Collection Periods is less than the stated Administrative Expense Cap in the aggregate for such three preceding Payment Dates, then the excess may be applied to the Administrative Expense Cap with respect to the then-current Payment Date; and (2) in respect of the first three Payment Dates following the Closing Date, such excess amount shall be calculated based on the Payment Dates preceding such Payment Date.

Administrative Expenses ” means the fees (other than the Senior Collateral Management Fee and the Subordinated Collateral Management Fee) and expenses (including indemnities) and other amounts due or accrued of the Borrower with respect to any Payment Date and payable in the following order by the Borrower:

(a) first , to the Collateral Agent, the Custodian and the Securities Intermediary pursuant to the Collateral Agent Fee Letter and this Agreement; and

(b) second , on a pro rata basis, to:

(i) the accountants, agents (other than the Collateral Manager), counsel and Professional Independent Manager of the Borrower for fees and expenses; and

(ii) the Rating Agencies for fees and expenses (including any annual fee, amendment fees and surveillance fees) in connection with any rating of the Facility or in connection with the rating of (or provision of Credit Estimates in respect of) any Collateral Obligations;

(iii) the Collateral Manager under this Agreement, the Collateral Management Agreement, any other Facility Document or any Related Document, including (x) fees and expenses (including fees for its accountants, agents and counsel) incurred by the Collateral Manager in connection with the acquisition, sale or disposition of any Collateral Obligations, and (y) any other expenses incurred in connection with the Collateral Obligations (other than the Senior Collateral Management Fee and the Subordinated Collateral Management Fee) and all other amounts payable to the Collateral Manager pursuant to the Collateral Management Agreement or any other Facility Document;

(iv) the Lenders and the Agents (or related indemnified parties) for fees, expenses and other amounts payable by the Borrower under this Agreement or any other Facility Document (including, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, but subject to Sections 2.04(f) and  12.04 , amounts sufficient to reimburse each Lender for all amounts paid by such Lender pursuant to Section 11.04 (and subject to the limitations therein)); and

(v) indemnification obligations owing by the Borrower to the Borrower’s independent managers under the Borrower LLC Agreement;

 

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provided that (1) for the avoidance of doubt, amounts that are expressly payable to any Person under the Priority of Payments in respect of an amount that is stated to be payable as an amount other than as Administrative Expenses (including, without limitation, interest and principal, other amounts owing in respect of the Advances and the Commitments, the Senior Collateral Management Fees and Subordinated Collateral Management Fees) shall not constitute Administrative Expenses and (2) Closing Date Expenses, to the extent paid for with Cash contributed by the Collateral Manager or an Affiliate thereof under Section 10.04 or with proceeds of the Advances comprising the initial Borrowing on the Closing Date, shall not constitute Administrative Expenses and shall be payable only from the Closing Expense Account pursuant to Section 8.12.

Advance Rate Test ” means, as of any date of determination, a test that will be satisfied if the Row Advance Rate that is in use on such date equals or exceeds the Portfolio Advance Rate.

Advances ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01 .

Affected Person ” means (i) each Lender, (ii) the relevant Lender’s parent and/or holding company, (iii) if the relevant Lender is a CP Conduit, the related Liquidity Bank and (iv) any Participant.

Affiliate ” means, in respect of a referenced Person, another Person Controlling, Controlled by or under common Control with such referenced Person; provided , however , that a Person shall not be deemed to be an “Affiliate” of an Obligor solely because it is under the common ownership or control of the same financial sponsor or affiliate thereof as such Obligor (except if any such Person or Obligor provides collateral under, guarantees or otherwise supports the obligations of the other such Person or Obligor).

Agents ” means, collectively, the Facility Agent and the Collateral Agent.

Aggregate Funded Spread ” means, as of any date, in the case of each Collateral Obligation that is not a Fixed Rate Obligation (including, for any PIK Loan, only the required current cash pay interest required by the Related Documents thereon and excluding the unfunded portion of any Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loan and any Revolving Collateral Loan) the sum of the products of (i) the excess of the scheduled coupon rate (giving effect to any floor rate) with respect to each such Collateral Obligation over Specified LIBOR as then in effect (which spread or excess may be expressed as a negative percentage) multiplied by (ii) the Principal Balance of such Collateral Obligation (excluding the unfunded portion of any Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loan or Revolving Collateral Loan).

 

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Aggregate Industry Equivalent Unit Score ” means, with respect to each DBRS Industry Classification, the sum of the Equivalent Unit Scores for each Obligor in such DBRS Industry Classification.

Aggregate Principal Balance ” means, when used with respect to all or a portion of the Collateral Obligations, the sum of the Principal Balances of all or of such portion of such Collateral Obligations.

Aggregate Unfunded Spread ” means, as of any date, the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) for each Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loan and Revolving Collateral Loan, the related commitment fee or other analogous fees (expressed at a per annum rate) then in effect as of such date by (b) the undrawn commitments under each such Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loan and Revolving Collateral Loan as of such date.

Agreement ” means this Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, as the same may from time to time be amended, supplemented, waived or modified.

AIFMD ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.09(a) .

Applicable Law ” means any Law of any Authority, including all federal and state banking or securities laws, to which the Person in question is subject or by which it or any of its assets or properties are bound.

Applicable Row Level ” means the column of that name as set forth in the Matrix that becomes effective after (i) the Borrower or Collateral Manager provides a certificate on the Closing Date specifying an Applicable Row Level as described in Section 3.01(s) or (ii) the Borrower or Collateral Manager provides the notice specifying a different Applicable Row Level than the one in use as of the Closing Date as described in Section 2.17 .

Appraised Value ” means, with respect to any Collateral Obligation, the value of such Collateral Obligation, as determined by the applicable Approved Appraisal Firm, as set forth in the related appraisal (or, if a range of values is set forth therein, the midpoint of such values), adjusted appropriately if the Borrower owns less than 100% of the total lenders’ interests secured by the assets securing any Collateral Obligation or, if it has sold participation interests in such Collateral Obligation.

Approved Affiliate ” means an Affiliate whose management role is consented to in writing by the Required Lenders.

Approved Appraisal Firm ” means (a) each independent appraisal firm set forth on Exhibit F hereto or (b) (i) with respect to a Collateral Obligation that is a loan, an independent appraisal firm recognized as being experienced in conducting valuations of secured loans and with respect to a Collateral Obligation that is a debt obligation, an independent appraisal firm recognized as being experienced in conducting valuations of debt obligations, or (ii) an independent financial adviser of recognized standing retained by the Borrower, the Collateral Manager or the agent or lenders under any Collateral Obligation, in the case of each of the preceding clauses (b)(i) and (b)(ii), as approved by each of the Collateral Manager and the Facility Agent.

 

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Article 122a ” means Article 122a of Directive 2006/48/EC (as amended by Directive 2009/111/EC) as implemented by each member state of the European Economic Area including any rules, regulations, guidance, interpretations or directives from any applicable regulatory agency including but not limited to the European Banking Authority (or any of its predecessors or successors) promulgated in connection therewith and applicable to any Lender, Liquidity Bank and its holding company and in each case as any may be amended or supplemented from time to time by rule, regulation, directive or guidance.

Assignment and Acceptance ” means an Assignment and Acceptance in substantially the form of Exhibit D hereto, entered into by a Lender, an assignee, the Facility Agent and, if applicable, the Borrower.

Assumed Reinvestment Rate ” means, at any time, the current yield (or weighted average yield) obtained by the Borrower at such time on its Eligible Investments.

Authority ” means any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, administrative tribunal, central bank, public office, court, arbitration or mediation panel, or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of government, including FINRA, the SEC, the stock exchanges, any federal, state, territorial, county, municipal or other government or governmental agency, arbitrator, board, body, branch, bureau, commission, court, department, instrumentality, master, mediator, panel, referee, system or other political unit or subdivision or other entity of any of the foregoing, whether domestic or foreign.

Available Unfunded Amount ” means, at any time, the lower of (A) the Commitment minus the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Advances and (B) the excess of (x) the product of (i) the Borrowing Base minus the Borrower Liabilities and (ii) the Leverage Multiple over (y) the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Advances. For the avoidance of doubt, no amount calculated pursuant to this definition shall be less than zero.

Average Par Amount ” means the sum of the Obligor Par Amounts for all Collateral Obligations (other than Defaulted Loans), divided by the number of Obligors in respect of such Collateral Obligations (other than Defaulted Loans); provided that, for purposes of calculating the Average Par Amount, any Obligors that are Affiliated with one another will be considered one Obligor.

Bankruptcy Code ” means the United States Bankruptcy Code, as amended.

Base Rate ” means, for any day, a fluctuating rate of interest per annum equal to the highest of:

(a) the rate of interest in effect for such day that is identified and normally published by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” (or, if more than one rate is published as the Prime Rate, then the highest of such rates), with any change in Prime Rate to become effective as of the date the rate of interest which is so identified as the “ Prime Rate ” is different from that published on the preceding Business Day (and, if The Wall Street Journal no longer reports the Prime Rate, or if such Prime Rate no longer exists, then the Facility Agent may select a reasonably comparable index or source to use as the basis for the Base Rate under this clause (a));

 

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(b) the Federal Funds Rate plus one-half of one percent (0.50%) per annum; and

(c) Specified LIBOR.

The Base Rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest or best rate actually charged to any customer of any Agent or any Lender. Interest calculated pursuant to clause (a) above will be determined based on a year of 365 days or 366 days, as applicable, and actual days elapsed. Interest calculated pursuant to clauses (b) and (c) above will be determined based on a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed.

Base Rate Advance ” means an Advance that bears interest at the Base Rate as provided in Section 2.04 and Section 2.11 .

Basel III ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.09(a) .

BDC Election Date ” means the date upon which, after the Transferor has filed an election with the SEC on Form N-54A to be subject to the provisions of Sections 55 through 65 of the Investment Company Act in anticipation of (or concurrent with) the effectiveness of its registration statement with the SEC on Form N-2 for the public offering of its securities.

Borrower ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introduction to this Agreement.

Borrower Liabilities ” means the sum of (a) the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Advances plus (b) the Unfunded Amount.

Borrower LLC Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Borrower, dated as of September 27, 2012 as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.

Borrowing ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01 .

Borrowing Base ” means an amount equal to the result of (i) the aggregate Loan Amounts of all Performing Collateral Obligations, plus (ii) the aggregate amount of cash on deposit in the Principal Collection Subaccount and the Revolving Reserve Account, plus (iii) the Portfolio Exposure Amount, plus (iv) for all Defaulted Loans that are also Eligible Senior Secured Loans, the lesser of (x) the Market Value of such Defaulted Loan determined without reference to clause (d) of the definition thereof, unless the Appraised Value of such Defaulted Loan has otherwise been obtained or updated (A) within the immediately preceding three months and (B) since such Defaulted Loan became defaulted, whichever of (A) and (B) is shorter (as determined by the Collateral Manager with notice to the Agents), and (y) 20% of the Aggregate Principal Balance of such Defaulted Loan, less (v) the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Excess Concentration Loans that are Performing Collateral Obligations.

 

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Borrowing Date ” means the date of a Borrowing.

Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday, provided that days on which banks are authorized or required to close in New York, New York, Houston, Texas or London, England, and days on which commercial paper markets in the United States are closed shall not constitute Business Days.

Calculation Agent ” means the Collateral Agent, as calculation agent, for purposes of Schedule 6 .

Canadian Collateral Obligation ” means a Collateral Obligation of an Obligor organized in (or whose principal operations are located in) Canada (or any province thereof).

Cash ” means Dollars immediately available on the day in question.

Certificated Security ” has the meaning specified in Section 8-102(a)(4) of the UCC.

Change in Control ” means (i) the Borrower ceases to be a wholly owned direct subsidiary of the Transferor or an Approved Affiliate, (ii) any Investment Adviser Affiliate ceases to be Controlled (collectively) by Tony Tamer and Sami Mnaymneh; provided that no “Change in Control” will occur (x) in connection with an initial public offering of the securities of the Collateral Manager, so long as Tony Tamer and Sami Mnaymneh (collectively) continue to beneficially own the power to vote greater than 50% of the equity interests having direct or indirect ordinary voting power of any such Investment Adviser Affiliate or (y) if Tony Tamer and Sami Mnaymneh (collectively) beneficially own the power to vote less than or equal to 50% of the equity interests having direct or indirect ordinary voting power of any such Investment Adviser Affiliate, so long as the Required Lenders have given their consent to such lesser percentage (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) or (iii) H.I.G. Capital Management, Inc. (either directly or through any wholly owned subsidiary of H.I.G. Capital Management, Inc. or any other Investment Advisor Affiliate so long as such personnel are employees of H.I.G. Capital Management, Inc., any wholly owned subsidiary of H.I.G. Capital Management, Inc. or any other Investment Advisor Affiliate) ceases to provide all or substantially all of the personnel, investment committee and other services necessary for the Collateral Manager to perform its collateral management services under the Facility Documents.

Clearing Agency ” means an organization registered as a “ clearing agency ” pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

Clearing Corporation ” means each entity included within the meaning of “ clearing corporation ” under Section 8-102(a)(5) of the UCC.

Clearing Corporation Security ” means securities which are in the custody of or maintained on the books of a Clearing Corporation or a nominee subject to the control of a Clearing Corporation and, if they are Certificated Securities in registered form, properly endorsed to or registered in the name of the Clearing Corporation or such nominee.

Closing Date ” means September 27, 2012.

 

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Closing Date Expenses ” means amounts due in respect of actions taken on or before the Closing Date or in connection with the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including without limitation (i) the fees to be received by Natixis on or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to the Engagement Letter dated as of March 29, 2012, as amended to date, between H.I.G. Whitehorse Management, LLC and Natixis North America LLC; (ii) the accrued fees and expenses in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, those of (A) Ashurst LLP, counsel to the Facility Agent and the Lender(s), (B) Sidley Austin LLP, counsel to DBRS and (C) Chapman and Cutler LLP, counsel to the Collateral Agent; and (iii) the fees to be received by DBRS on or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to the Engagement Letter dated as of April 18, 2012 between H.I.G. Whitehorse Holdings, LLC and DBRS.

Closing Expense Account ” has the meaning specified in Section 8.12 .

Closing Expense Account Amount ” has the meaning specified in Fee Letter.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute.

Collateral ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01(a) .

Collateral Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introduction to this Agreement.

Collateral Agent Fee Letter ” means the fee letter dated April 5, 2012 between the Collateral Agent and the Borrower setting forth the fees, expenses and indemnities payable by the Borrower to the Collateral Agent in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as the same may from time to time be amended, supplemented, waived or modified.

Collateral Interest Amount ” means, as of any date of determination, without duplication, the sum of (a) the aggregate amount of Interest Proceeds that has been received or that is expected to be received (other than Interest Proceeds (i) expected to be received from Defaulted Loans, in each case unless actually received and (ii) received as equity contributions from any Equity Owner and designated as Interest Proceeds by the Borrower) and (b) the aggregate amount of Interest Proceeds on deposit in the Interest Collection Subaccount, in each case during the Collection Period (and, if such Collection Period does not end on a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) in which such date of determination occurs.

Collateral Management Agreement ” means the agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, between the Borrower and the Collateral Manager relating to the Facility and the Collateral, as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.

Collateral Manager ” means the Transferor, any Approved Affiliate or any successor in such capacity in accordance with the Collateral Management Agreement.

Collateral Obligation ” means a loan or debt obligation (other than the Excluded Loan) that as of the date of acquisition by the Borrower (or its binding commitment to acquire the same) meets each of the following criteria:

(a) permits purchase by, or assignment to, the Borrower and the pledge thereof to the Collateral Agent hereunder;

 

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(b) is denominated and payable in Dollars (and is not convertible into, or payable in, any other currency) and is governed by the law of a state of the United States;

(c) is an obligation of an Obligor organized in the United States (or any state thereof but excluding any territory thereof other than Puerto Rico) or organized in Canada (or any province thereof);

(d) is not a Defaulted Loan or a Credit Risk Loan;

(e) is not a Zero Coupon Obligation;

(f) is not a Structured Finance Obligation;

(g) is not a Real Estate Loan;

(h) is not an obligation the repayment of which is by its terms subject to material non-credit related risk (including, without limitation, catastrophe bonds, weather-linked derivatives, commodity-linked notes, etc.);

(i) no portion thereof (including any conversion option, exchange option or other similar component thereof) is exchangeable or convertible into equity at the option of the related Obligor;

(j) is not an equity security or a component of an equity security (other than an Equity Kicker received in connection with a Collateral Obligation);

(k) is not currently the subject of an offer or has not been called for redemption;

(l) does not constitute Margin Stock;

(m) is not subject to U.S. withholding tax or foreign withholding tax unless the Obligor of the obligation or security is required to make “ gross-up ” payments constituting 100% of such withholding tax;

(n) provides for the full principal balance to be payable at or prior to its stated maturity;

(o) is not a Participation Interest;

(p) matures on or prior to the Final Maturity Date;

(q) provides for payment of interest at least semi-annually;

 

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(r) is not an obligation (other than a Revolving Collateral Loan or a Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loan) pursuant to which any future advances or payments to the Obligor may be required to be made by the Borrower;

(s) will not cause the Borrower or the pool of assets to be required to be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act;

(t) is an Eligible Senior Secured Loan, an Eligible Second Lien Loan, an Eligible Mezzanine Loan or an Unsecured Loan;

(u) other than for Collateral Obligations transferred to the Borrower under the Master Transfer Agreement on or before the Closing Date as whose price will be mutually agreed by the Collateral Manager and the Facility Agent, unless the origination or acquisition of such Collateral Obligation has been approved in writing by the Facility Agent, is originated or acquired for an effective price of higher than 95.0% of the principal amount thereof;

(v) has either (i) a public rating by Moody’s or S&P or (ii) either (a) a Credit Estimate from DBRS or (b) is in the process of receiving a Credit Estimate from DBRS;

(w) is not a Covenant Lite Loan;

(x) pays interest in cash of at least LIBOR + 2.00% for a Collateral Obligation that is not a Fixed Rate Obligation and at least 3.00% for a Collateral Obligation that is a Fixed Rate Obligation; and

(y) is not a finance lease or chattel paper.

Collateral Obligation Checklist ” means, with respect to a Collateral Obligation, an electronic or hard copy, as applicable, list delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Collateral Agent and the Custodian that identifies each of the items which constitute the Related Documents, specifies whether such document is an original or a copy and includes the identification number and name of the Obligor with respect to such Collateral Obligation.

Collateral Quality Test ” means a test that is satisfied if, as of any date of determination, in the aggregate, the Collateral Obligations (excluding Excess Concentration Loans) owned (or in relation to a proposed purchase of a Collateral Obligation (excluding any Excess Concentration Loan with respect thereto), both owned and proposed to be owned) by the Borrower satisfy each of the tests set forth below:

(a) the Minimum Diversity Score Test;

(b) the Minimum Weighted Average Spread Test;

(c) the Minimum Weighted Average Fixed Rate Coupon Test;

(d) the Weighted Average Maturity Test; and

(e) the Maximum DBRS Risk Score Test.

 

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Collection Account ” means the trust account established pursuant to Section 8.02 , which includes the Principal Collection Subaccount and the Interest Collection Subaccount.

Collection Period ” means, with respect to any Payment Date, the period commencing immediately following the prior Collection Period (or on the Closing Date, in the case of the Collection Period relating to the first Payment Date) and ending on the 9th Business Day prior to such Payment Date or, in the case of the final Collection Period preceding the Final Maturity Date or the final Collection Period preceding the Payment in Full Date, ending on the day preceding the Final Maturity Date or ending on such Payment in Full Date, respectively.

Collections ” means all cash collections, distributions, payments or other amounts received, or to be received by the Borrower from any Person in respect of any Collateral Obligations constituting Collateral, including all principal, interest, fees, distributions and redemption and withdrawal proceeds payable to the Borrower under or in connection with any such Collateral Obligations and all Proceeds from any sale or disposition of any such Collateral Obligations.

Commercial Paper ” means, with respect to a CP Conduit, at any time of determination, commercial paper of such CP Conduit or its related Commercial Paper issuer the proceeds of which are then allocated by the administrator of such CP Conduit or its related Commercial Paper issuer as the source of funding the acquisition or maintenance of such CP Conduit’s obligations hereunder.

Commitment ” means, as to each Lender, the obligation of such Lender to make, on and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Advances to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01 in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding up to but not exceeding the amount set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 1 or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Commitment, as applicable, as such amount may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.06 or increased or reduced from time to time pursuant to assignments effected in accordance with Section 12.06(a) .

Commitment Fees ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(a) .

Commitment Shortfall ” means, as of any date of determination, the positive excess, if any, of (A) the Unfunded Amount over (B) the Available Unfunded Amount.

Commitment Shortfall Test ” means a test that will be satisfied at any time if the Commitment Shortfall equals zero.

Commitment Termination Date ” means the later of the last day of the Reinvestment Period or two Business Days thereafter if necessary to permit Advances to fund the Unfunded Amount in existence at the end of the Reinvestment Period pursuant to Section 8.04 ; provided that if the Commitment Termination Date would otherwise not be a Business Day, then the Commitment Termination Date shall be the immediately succeeding Business Day.

 

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Concentration Limitations ” means limitations that are satisfied if, as of any date of determination, in the aggregate, the Aggregate Principal Balance of the Collateral Obligations owned (or, in relation to a proposed purchase of a Collateral Obligation, proposed to be owned) by the Borrower calculated in accordance with Section 1.04 comply with all of the requirements set forth below (or, in connection with a proposed purchase, if not in compliance, the relevant requirements are maintained or improved as a result of such purchase), calculated as a percentage of Total Capitalization (unless otherwise specified):

(a) not more than 20% consist of Fixed Rate Obligations;

(b) not more than 5% consist of obligations of any one Obligor (and Affiliates thereof); provided that up to 5 Obligors (and their respective Affiliates) may each constitute up to 7%; provided further that with respect to Qualified Real Estate Loans, not more than 3% consist of obligations of any one Obligor (and Affiliates thereof);

(c) not more than 10% consist of Revolving Collateral Loans or Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loans;

(d) not more than 25% consist of Collateral Obligations that are Eligible Second Lien Loans, Eligible Mezzanine Loans or Unsecured Loans;

(e) not more than 10% consist of Collateral Obligations that are Eligible Mezzanine Loans or Unsecured Loans;

(f) not more than 12% consist of Collateral Obligations with Obligors in any one DBRS Industry Classification, provided that any 2 DBRS Industry Classifications may each constitute up to 14%;

(g) not more than 10% consist of DIP Loans;

(h) not more than 10% consist of Collateral Obligations that permit the payment of interest to be made less frequently than quarterly (it being understood that, to the extent that a Collateral Obligation provides an Obligor with the option to make interest payments at different intervals, the longest such interval that is available to the Obligor (regardless of the interval that is in use at any time) shall govern for purposes of this clause (h));

(i) not more than 20% consist of Collateral Obligations, measured at the time of purchase by the Borrower, that (1) (i) have a DBRS Risk Score above 22.0296 or (ii) are in the process of receiving a Credit Estimate and (2) have a trailing twelve month EBITDA of less than $12.5 million; provided that Collateral Obligations that receive a Credit Estimate with a DBRS Risk Score equal to or below 22.0296 will be excluded from such 20% limitation once the Credit Estimate is received;

(j) not more than 5% consist of Collateral Obligations that are PIK Loans, provided that if a Collateral Obligation has a “payment-in-kind” component but pays interest in cash of at least LIBOR + 3.00% it will not constitute a PIK Loan;

 

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(k) not more than 5% consist of Canadian Collateral Obligations;

(l) not more than 5% consist of Puerto Rico Collateral Obligations; and

(m) not more than 5% consist of Qualified Real Estate Loans.

Conduit Assignee ” means any multi-seller commercial paper conduit or special purpose entity funded by a multi-seller commercial paper conduit with respect to which, in either case, Natixis, New York Branch or an Affiliate thereof provides credit or liquidity support.

Connection Taxes ” means Other Connection Taxes that are (i) imposed on or measured by net income or net profits (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes, and (ii) Other Taxes.

Constituent Documents ” means in respect of any Person, the certificate or articles of formation or organization, the limited liability company agreement (including, in the case of the Borrower, the Borrower LLC Agreement), operating agreement, partnership agreement, joint venture agreement or other applicable agreement of formation or organization (or equivalent or comparable constituent documents) and other organizational documents and by-laws and any certificate of incorporation, certificate of formation, certificate of limited partnership and other agreement, similar instrument filed or made in connection with its formation or organization, in each case, as the same may be amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Control ” means, with respect to any Person, the direct or indirect beneficial ownership of the power (i) to vote more than 50% of the equity interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors (or the applicable equivalent) of such Person or (ii) to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through ownership, by contract, arrangement or understanding, or otherwise; provided , however, that an independent director or independent manager of a Person shall not be deemed to exercise control for purposes of this definition. “ Controlled ” and “ Controlling ” have the meaning correlative thereto.

Conversion ” means the date, if any, upon which the Transferor converts by operation of law from a Delaware limited liability company to a Delaware corporation in anticipation of its expected BDC Election Date.

Covenant Lite Loan ” means a Collateral Obligation the Related Documents for which do not (i) contain any financial covenants or (ii) require the borrower thereunder to comply with any Maintenance Covenant (regardless of whether compliance with one or more Incurrence Covenants is otherwise required by such Related Documents).

Coverage Test ” means each of:

(a) the Overcollateralization Ratio Test; and

(b) the Interest Coverage Ratio Test.

 

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Covered Account ” means each of the Collection Account (including the Interest Collection Subaccount and the Principal Collection Subaccount), the Payment Account, the Revolving Reserve Account, the Lender Funding Account (including each Lender Funding Subaccount therein), the Custodial Account, the Excess Concentration Loan Account and the Closing Expense Account.

CP Conduit ” means any limited-purpose entity established to use the direct or indirect proceeds of the issuance of commercial paper notes to finance financial assets and that is a Lender. For the avoidance of doubt, for all purposes under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents, the term “CP Conduit” shall include (i) Versailles Assets LLC, (ii) Bleachers Finance 1 Limited, (iii) any other commercial paper program or vehicle established or administered by Natixis, New York Branch, and (iv) any other commercial paper program or vehicle established or administered by 20 Gates Management LLC.

CP Rate ” means, for any CP Conduit, the per annum rate equivalent to the rate (or, if more than one rate, the weighted average of the rates) applicable to the Commercial Paper issued by such CP Conduit or its related Commercial Paper issuer and allocated, in whole or in part, to fund obligations hereunder, which Commercial Paper may be sold by any placement agent or commercial paper dealer selected by such CP Conduit, and which rate shall incorporate (i) applicable commercial paper dealer and placement agent fees and commissions and (ii) other funding costs (excluding costs associated with a Conduit Lender’s liquidity fundings) of such CP Conduit relating to the transactions under this Agreement and the Facility Documents, such as the costs of funding odd lots or small dollar amounts; provided that if the rate (or rates) as agreed between any such agent or dealer and such CP Conduit is a discount rate, then the CP Rate shall be the rate (or if more than one rate, the weighted average of the rates) resulting from such CP Conduit’s converting such discount rate (or rates) to an interest-bearing equivalent rate per annum; provided further , that the CP Rate shall not exceed the CP Rate Cap.

CP Rate Advance ” means an Advance that bears interest at the CP Rate as provided in Section 2.04 .

CP Rate Cap ” shall have the meaning specified in the Fee Letter.

CRD ” shall mean the Capital Requirements Directive which is comprised of Directives 2006/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 relating to the taking up and pursuit of the business of credit institutions and Directive 2006/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 on the capital adequacy of investment firms and credit institutions, as amended from time to time.

Credit Estimate ” means, with respect to any Collateral Obligation, a numerical value representing a credit estimate obtained from DBRS.

Credit Risk Loan ” means a Collateral Obligation that is not a Defaulted Loan but which, in the reasonable business judgment of the Collateral Manager (exercised in accordance with the Servicing Standard), has a material risk of declining in credit quality and, with the lapse of time, becoming a Defaulted Loan and is designated as a “Credit Risk Loan” by the Collateral Manager.

 

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Custodial Account ” means the custodial account established pursuant to Section 8.03(b).

Custodian ” means The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as custodian hereunder, together with its successors.

Daily Average Collateral Obligation Commitment Amount ” means, for any Payment Date, the daily average Aggregate Principal Balance of all Collateral Obligations for the Collection Period relating to such Payment Date (as certified by the Collateral Manager to the Collateral Agent and based on the average of the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Collateral Obligations as of the reporting dates set forth in the last three Monthly Reports).

DBRS ” means DBRS, Inc., together with its successors.

DBRS Industry Classification ” means each industry identified on Schedule 5 .

DBRS Long Term Rating ” means a long term credit rating determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in Schedule 7 .

DBRS Rating ” means a credit rating determined in accordance with the procedures set forth in Schedule 7 .

DBRS Recovery Rate ” means for each Collateral Obligation for purposes of determining the recovery rate, a percentage based on the most appropriate description of the Collateral Obligation’s security position from the following table:

 

Eligible Senior Secured Loan

     52.00

Eligible Second Lien Loan

     32.50

Eligible Mezzanine Loan

     12.50

Unsecured Loan

     12.50

DBRS Risk Score ” means the numerical value corresponding to the DBRS Long Term Rating for a Collateral Obligation in the table contained in Schedule 4 .

DBRS Short Term Rating ” means a short term credit rating determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in Schedule 7 .

Default ” means any event which, with the passage of time, the giving of notice, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

Defaulted Equity Security ” means any equity security delivered to the Borrower upon acceptance of an Offer in respect of a Defaulted Loan.

Defaulted Loan ” means any Collateral Obligation, (i) as to which (a) any payment due (whether scheduled, unscheduled, by way of acceleration or otherwise) under the Related Documents is not made when due and such nonpayment is continuing for the lesser of (x) any applicable grace period and (y) three Business Days, provided that in the event the payment is received after three Business Days but within any applicable grace period (up to a

 

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maximum of seven Business Days), such Collateral Obligation will no longer be considered a Defaulted Loan, (b) the nonpayment event described in clause (a) above occurs on another material obligation for borrowed money of the Obligor that is senior or pari passu in right of payment with such Collateral Obligation, but only until such default has been cured or waived or a forbearance agreement has been entered into and remains in effect, and such Collateral Obligation satisfies the criteria for inclusion in the Collateral described in the definitions of the terms “Eligibility Criteria” (other than the Coverage Tests which, if not satisfied at such time, compliance therewith is maintained or improved) or “Eligible Investments”, (c) except in the case of a Collateral Obligation which is a DIP Loan, the Obligor in respect of such Collateral Obligation has, or others have, instituted proceedings to have such Obligor adjudicated as bankrupt or insolvent or placed into receivership and such proceedings have not been stayed or dismissed and the Collateral Obligation has not received adequate protection and current interest, or such Obligor has filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, (d) except in the case of a Collateral Obligation which is a DIP Loan, such Collateral Obligation or the Obligor in respect of such Collateral Obligation or another obligation for borrowed money of such Obligor is rated “D” or “SD” by a Rating Agency, (e) a Specified Change has occurred and the Borrower has not satisfied the requirements of Section 5.02(v) with respect to such Specified Change, other than any Specified Change resulting from an amendment that the Borrower voted against or withheld its consent or (f) that is a loan or other debt obligation that at the time of acquisition, conversion or exchange does not satisfy the requirements of a Collateral Obligation or Eligible Investment; or (ii) that, in the reasonable business judgment of the Collateral Manager, is a Defaulted Loan.

A Collateral Obligation that has become a Defaulted Loan shall no longer constitute a Defaulted Loan when either (a) (i) such Defaulted Loan is current on all payments for a period of six months if such obligation pays monthly, nine months if such obligation pays quarterly and one year if such obligation pays semiannually, (ii) such Defaulted Loan would qualify as a Collateral Obligation (other than clause (u) of the definition thereof) and would satisfy the Eligibility Criteria if originated or purchased at such time (other than the Coverage Tests which, if not satisfied at such time compliance therewith is maintained or improved) and (iii) the Collateral Manager has retained an Approved Valuation Firm to assist in the performance of a valuation analysis of such Defaulted Loan or (b) the Facility Agent has given its prior written consent that such Defaulted Loan shall no longer constitute a Defaulted Loan and the Borrower has obtained a Rating Confirmation in connection therewith. The Borrower shall submit any such Collateral Obligation to DBRS for an updated Credit Estimate promptly after it ceases to constitute a Defaulted Loan in accordance with the preceding sentence.

Defaulting Lender ” means, at any time, any Lender that, at such time has failed for three or more Business Days after a Borrowing Date to fund its portion of an Advance required pursuant to the terms of this Agreement (other than failures to fund as a result of a bona fide dispute as to whether the conditions to borrowing were satisfied on the relevant Borrowing Date); provided that a CP Conduit that has failed so to fund an Advance shall not be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender if the Liquidity Bank or any other Affiliate of such CP Conduit has funded any such Advance to the Borrower.

Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee ” means all or a portion of the Senior Collateral Management Fee deferred by the Collateral Manager on any Payment Date, together

 

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with any amounts so deferred on any prior Payment Date that remain unpaid, excluding any amounts thereof that have been waived at the option of the Collateral Manager as provided in the Collateral Management Agreement.

Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee Interest ” means interest on the Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee from and including the related date of deferral to but excluding the date of payment thereof at an interest rate with respect to each related Interest Accrual Period equal to the interest rate payable on the Notes for such Interest Accrual Period, excluding any amounts thereof that have been waived at the option of the Collateral Manager as provided in the Collateral Management Agreement.

Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loan ” means a Collateral Obligation that (a) requires the Borrower to make one or more future advances to the borrower under the Related Documents, drawable only in the currency in which such Collateral Obligation is denominated, (b) specifies a maximum amount that can be borrowed on one or more fixed borrowing dates, and (c) does not permit the re-borrowing of any amount previously repaid by the borrower thereunder; provided that any such Collateral Obligation will be a Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loan only to the extent of undrawn commitments and solely until all commitments by the Borrower to make advances on such Collateral Obligation to the borrower under the Related Documents expire or are terminated or are reduced to zero.

Deliver ” or “ Delivered ” or “ Delivery ” means the taking of the following steps:

(a) in the case of each Certificated Security (other than a Clearing Corporation Security) and Instrument:

(i) causing the delivery of such Certificated Security or Instrument to the Custodian by registering the same in the name of the Custodian or its affiliated nominee or by endorsing the same to the Custodian or in blank;

(ii) causing the Custodian to indicate continuously on its books and records that such Certificated Security or Instrument is credited to the applicable Covered Account; and

(iii) causing the Custodian to maintain continuous possession of such Certificated Security or Instrument;

(b) in the case of each Uncertificated Security (other than a Clearing Corporation Security), unless covered by clause (e) below:

(i) causing such Uncertificated Security to be continuously registered on the books of the issuer thereof to the Custodian; and

(ii) causing the Custodian to indicate continuously on its books and records that such Uncertificated Security is credited to the applicable Covered Account;

 

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(c) in the case of each Clearing Corporation Security:

(i) causing the relevant Clearing Corporation to credit such Clearing Corporation Security to the securities account of the Custodian, and

(ii) causing the Custodian to indicate continuously on its books and records that such Clearing Corporation Security is credited to the applicable Covered Account;

(d) in the case of each security issued or guaranteed by the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof and that is maintained in book-entry records of a Federal Reserve Bank (each such security, a “ Government Security ”):

(i) causing the creation of a Security Entitlement to such Government Security by the credit of such Government Security to the securities account of the Custodian at such Federal Reserve Bank, and

(ii) causing the Custodian to indicate continuously on its books and records that such Government Security is credited to the applicable Covered Account;

(e) in the case of each Security Entitlement not governed by clauses (a) through (d) above:

(i) causing a Securities Intermediary (x) to indicate on its books and records that the underlying Financial Asset has been credited to the Custodian’s securities account, (y) to receive a Financial Asset from a Securities Intermediary or to acquire the underlying Financial Asset for a Securities Intermediary, and in either case, to accept it for credit to the Custodian’s securities account or (z) to become obligated under other law, regulation or rule to credit the underlying Financial Asset to a Securities Intermediary’s securities account,

(ii) causing such Securities Intermediary to make entries on its books and records continuously identifying such Security Entitlement as belonging to the Custodian and continuously indicating on its books and records that such Security Entitlement is credited to the Custodian’s securities account, and

(iii) causing the Custodian to indicate continuously on its books and records that such Security Entitlement (or all rights and property of the Custodian representing such Security Entitlement) is credited to the applicable Covered Account;

(f) in the case of Cash or Money:

(i) causing the delivery of such Cash or Money to the Custodian, or in the case of Money that is not Dollars, causing the conversion thereof to Dollars and the delivery of such Dollars to the Custodian,

(ii) causing the Custodian to credit such Dollars to a securities account maintained as a sub-account of the applicable Covered Account, and

(iii) causing the Custodian to indicate continuously on its books and records that such Dollars are credited to the applicable Covered Account; and

(g) in the case of each Account or General Intangible, causing the filing of a Financing Statement in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (which Financing Statement does not need to refer to the specific Collateral that is being Delivered and may be a Financing Statement that was previously filed).

 

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In addition, the Collateral Manager will obtain any and all consents required by the Related Documents relating to any Instruments, Accounts or General Intangibles for the pledge hereunder (except (A) to the extent that the requirement for such consent is rendered ineffective under Section 9-406 of the UCC and (B) for any customary procedural requirements and agents’ consents expected to be obtained in due course in connection with the transfer of the Collateral Obligations to the Borrower (except, in the case of clause (B), for any such agents’ consents where the Collateral Manager of any of its Affiliates is the agent)).

Determination Date ” means the last day of each Collection Period.

DIP Loan ” means an obligation:

(a) obtained or incurred after the entry of an order of relief in a case pending under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code;

(b) to a debtor in possession as described in Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code or a trustee (if appointment of such trustee has been ordered pursuant to Section 1104 of the Bankruptcy Code);

(c) on which the related Obligor is required to pay interest and/or principal on a current basis;

(d) approved by a Final Order or Interim Order of the bankruptcy court so long as such obligation is (A) fully secured by a lien on the debtor’s otherwise unencumbered assets pursuant to Section 364(c)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code, (B) fully secured by a lien of equal or senior priority on property of the debtor’s estate that is otherwise subject to a lien pursuant to Section 364(d) of the Bankruptcy Code or (C) is secured by a junior lien on the debtor’s encumbered assets (so long as such loan is fully secured based on the most recent current valuation or appraisal report, if any, of the debtor); and

(e) that has a DBRS Rating or is in the process of obtaining a DBRS Rating.

Diversity Score ” means, with respect to the Collateral Obligations (other than Defaulted Loans), the sum of each of the Industry Diversity Scores.

Dodd-Frank Act ” has the meaning assigned to such terms in Section 2.09(a) .

Dollars ” and “ $ ” mean lawful money of the United States.

 

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Due Date ” means each date on which any payment is due on a Collateral Obligation in accordance with its terms.

EBITDA ” means with respect to an Obligor of a Collateral Obligation, for any period, the net income of such Obligor plus the sum of interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, with such adjustments as the Collateral Manager determines to be appropriate in accordance with the Servicing Standard, in each case for such period.

Eligibility Criteria ” means, in connection with each acquisition or commitment to acquire a Collateral Obligation, and after giving effect to any contribution of additional equity by any Equity Owner occurring on or prior to such date as per Section 10.04 , each of the following:

(a) such obligation is a Collateral Obligation;

(b) on a pro-forma basis, each Collateral Quality Test is satisfied after giving effect to such acquisition or commitment (or, if not satisfied immediately prior to such acquisition or commitment, compliance with such Collateral Quality Test is maintained or improved);

(c) on a pro-forma basis, each Coverage Test is satisfied after giving effect to such acquisition or commitment (or where expressly permitted under this Agreement, if not satisfied immediately prior to such acquisition or commitment, compliance with such Coverage Test is maintained or improved);

(d) on a pro-forma basis, the Advance Rate Test is satisfied after giving effect to such acquisition or commitment; and

(e) on a pro-forma basis, no Commitment Shortfall exists.

Eligible Investment Required Ratings ” means, in the case of each Eligible Investment, a DBRS Short Term Rating of at least “R-1 (middle)” and, in the case of any Eligible Investment with a maturity of longer than 91 days, a DBRS Long Term Rating of at least “AA”.

Eligible Investments ” means any Dollar investment that, at the time it is Delivered (directly or through an intermediary or bailee), is one or more of the following obligations or securities:

(i) direct obligations of, and obligations the timely payment of principal and interest on which is fully and expressly guaranteed by, the United States or any agency or instrumentality of the United States the obligations of which are expressly backed by the full faith and credit of the United States;

(ii) demand and time deposits in, certificates of deposit of, trust accounts with, bankers’ acceptances payable within 183 days of issuance by, or federal funds sold by any depository institution or trust company incorporated under the laws of the United States or any state thereof and subject to supervision

 

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and examination by federal and/or state banking authorities, so long as the commercial paper and/or the debt obligations of such depository institution or trust company (or, in the case of the principal depository institution in a holding company system, the commercial paper or debt obligations of such holding company) at the time of such investment or contractual commitment providing for such investment have the Eligible Investment Required Ratings;

(iii) unleveraged repurchase obligations with respect to (a) any security described in clause (i) above or (b) any other security issued or guaranteed by an agency or instrumentality of the United States, in either case entered into with a depository institution or trust company (acting as principal) described in clause (ii) above or entered into with an entity (acting as principal) with, or whose parent company has (in addition to a guarantee agreement with such entity), the Eligible Investment Required Ratings;

(iv) securities bearing interest or sold at a discount issued by any entity formed under the laws of the United States or any State thereof that satisfies the Eligible Investment Required Ratings at the time of such investment or contractual commitment providing for such investment;

(v) non-extendable commercial paper or other short-term obligations with the Eligible Investment Required Ratings and that either bear interest or are sold at a discount from the face amount thereof and have a maturity of not more than 183 days from their date of issuance;

(vi) a Reinvestment Agreement issued by any bank (if treated as a deposit by such bank), or a Reinvestment Agreement issued by any insurance company or other corporation or entity, in each case with the Eligible Investment Required Ratings; provided that (a) the Rating Confirmation has been satisfied and the Facility Agent (at the direction of the Required Lenders) has consented thereto or (b) such Reinvestment Agreement may be unwound at the option of the Borrower without penalty;

(vii) money market funds which have, at all times, credit ratings of “AAA” by DBRS (or, if not rated by DBRS, credit ratings of “Aaa” and “MR1+” by Moody’s and “AAAm” or “AAAm-G” by S&P, respectively); and

(viii) Cash;

provided that (1) Eligible Investments purchased with funds in the Collection Account shall be held until maturity except as otherwise specifically provided herein and shall include only such obligations or securities, other than those referred to in clause (vii) above, as mature (or are putable at par to the issuer thereof) no later than the earlier of (x) 90 days after the date of acquisition thereof or (y) the next Business Day prior to the next Payment Date; and (2) none of the foregoing obligations or securities shall constitute Eligible Investments if (a) such obligation or security has an “ f ”, “ r ”, “ p ”, “ pi ”, “ q ”, “ sf ” or “ t ” subscript assigned by S&P, (b) all, or substantially all, of the remaining amounts payable thereunder consist of interest and not

 

21


principal payments, (c) such obligation or security is subject to U.S. withholding or foreign withholding tax unless the issuer of the security is required to make “ gross-up ” payments for the full amount of such withholding tax, (d) such obligation or security is secured by real property, (e) such obligation or security is purchased at a price greater than 100% of the principal or face amount thereof, (f) such obligation or security is subject of a tender offer, voluntary redemption, exchange offer, conversion or other similar action or (g) in the Collateral Manager’s judgment, such obligation or security is subject to material non-credit related risks. Any such investment, whether or not expressly stated above, may be issued by or with or acquired from or through the Collateral Agent or any of its Affiliates, or any entity to which the Collateral Agent provides services or receives compensation ( provided that such investment otherwise meets the applicable requirements set forth above), and in connection therewith the Collateral Agent may assess and receive its usual and customary fees and charges related thereto (so long as such fees and charges are reasonable and consistent with the amounts that would be received in an arm’s length transaction).

Eligible Mezzanine Loan ” means a Collateral Obligation that is an Eligible Second Lien Loan or other comparable loan obligation made to a holding company or other equity holder of an operating entity (where (i) the Borrower holds a first priority lien on the assets of such equity holder and/or the equity in the operating entity and (ii) the assets of the operating entity may have been pledged to another lender to secure loans made to such operating entity by such other lender), including any such loan obligation with attached warrants or other options to acquire a share or other equity interest (whether cash pay or non cash pay) and such obligation is evidenced by an issue of notes or similar instruments; provided that loans to or issues by a start up company or an Obligor with no operating history shall be excluded from the definition of “Eligible Mezzanine Loan” unless (i) such loans or securities are fully guaranteed by an Affiliate of the Obligor which has an established operating history or a Rating Confirmation is received; or (ii) such loans relate to the financing of a start up company that has been spun off from a company with an established operating history) as determined by the Collateral Manager in its reasonable business judgment, or a participation therein.

Eligible Second Lien Loan ” means a Collateral Obligation which (i) is not by its terms (and is not expressly permitted by its terms to become) subordinate in right of payment to any other obligation for borrowed money of the obligor of such loan, other than, with respect to any valid first priority perfected security interest in specified collateral, with respect to the liquidation of such obligor or such collateral, (ii) is secured by a valid second priority perfected security interest or lien in, to or on specified collateral securing the obligor’s obligations under such loan (whether or not the Borrower and any other lenders are also granted a security interest of a higher or lower priority in additional collateral), (iii) is based on the cash flow generating capability of the Obligor and any guarantor determined as set forth below as being sufficient, together with such collateral specified in clause (i), to pay or refinance the outstanding principal balance of such loan plus the aggregate outstanding principal balances of all other loans of equal or higher seniority secured by a first or second lien or security interest in the same collateral at the respective maturities thereof, (iv) is not a loan which is secured solely or primarily by the common stock of its obligor or any of its Affiliates (provided that the limitation set forth in this clause (iv) shall not apply with respect to a loan made to a parent entity that is secured solely or primarily by the stock of one or more of the subsidiaries of such parent entity to the extent that the granting by any such subsidiary of a lien on its own property would not (1) in the case of a

 

22


subsidiary that is not part of the same consolidated group as such parent entity for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, result in a deemed dividend by such subsidiary to such parent entity for such tax purposes, (2) violate law or regulations applicable to such subsidiary (whether the obligation secured is such loan or any other similar type of indebtedness owing to third parties) or (3) cause such subsidiary to suffer adverse economic consequences under capital adequacy or other similar rules, in each case, so long as (x) the Related Documents limit the incurrence of indebtedness by such subsidiary such that the net collateral value satisfies clause (iii) above, and (y) the aggregate amount of all such indebtedness is not greater than 60% of the aggregate value of the assets of such subsidiary, and (v) does not qualify as an Eligible Senior Secured Loan. The determination as to whether condition (iii) of this definition is satisfied shall be based on the Collateral Manager’s judgment in accordance with the Servicing Standard at the time the loan is acquired by the Borrower.

Eligible Senior Secured Loan ” means a Collateral Obligation which (i) is not by its terms (and is not expressly permitted by its terms to become) subordinate in right of payment to any other obligation for borrowed money (other than a Working Capital Revolver) of the obligor of such loan, (ii) is secured by a valid first priority perfected security interest or lien in, to or on specified collateral securing the obligor’s obligations under such loan (whether or not the Borrower and any other lenders are also granted a security interest of lower priority in additional collateral), (iii) is based on the cash flow generating capability of the Obligor and any guarantor determined as set forth below as being sufficient, together with such collateral specified in clause (i) and the collateral securing all Working Capital Revolvers of the Obligor, to pay or refinance the sum of (A) the outstanding principal balance of such loan plus (B) the aggregate outstanding principal balances of all other loans of equal seniority secured by a first lien or security interest in the same collateral plus (C) the aggregate maximum commitments of all Working Capital Revolvers of the Obligor, and (iv) is not a loan which is secured solely or primarily by the common stock of its Obligor or any of its Affiliates (provided that the limitation set forth in this clause (iv) shall not apply with respect to a loan made to a parent entity that is secured solely or primarily by the stock of one or more of the subsidiaries of such parent entity to the extent that the granting by any such subsidiary of a lien on its own property would not (1) in the case of a subsidiary that is not part of the same consolidated group as such parent entity for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, result in a deemed dividend by such subsidiary to such parent entity for such tax purposes, (2) violate law or regulations applicable to such subsidiary (whether the obligation secured is such loan or any other similar type of indebtedness owing to third parties) or (3) cause such subsidiary to suffer adverse economic consequences under capital adequacy or other similar rules), in each case, so long as (x) the applicable Related Documents limit the incurrence of indebtedness by such subsidiary, such that the net collateral value satisfies clause (iii) above, and (y) the aggregate amount of all such indebtedness is not material relative to the aggregate value of the assets of such subsidiary. The determination as to whether condition (iii) of this definition is satisfied shall be based on the Collateral Manager’s judgment in accordance with the Servicing Standard at the time the loan is acquired by the Borrower.

Enforcement Event ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.01(c) .

Environmental Law ” means any law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction or decree of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, or of any governmental Authority relating to pollution or protection of the environment

 

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or the treatment, storage, disposal, release, threatened release or handling of hazardous materials, and all local laws and regulations related to environmental matters and any specific agreements entered into with any competent authorities which include commitments related to environmental matters.

EOD OC Ratio ” means the ratio of (A) (i) the aggregate Loan Amounts of all Performing Collateral Obligations, plus (ii) the aggregate amount of cash on deposit in the Principal Collection Subaccount and the Revolving Reserve Account, plus (iii) the Portfolio Exposure Amount, plus (iv) for all Defaulted Loans that are also Eligible Senior Secured Loans, the lesser of (x) the Market Value of such Defaulted Loan determined without reference to clause (d) of the definition thereof, unless the Appraised Value of such Defaulted Loan has otherwise been obtained or updated (A) within the immediately preceding three months and (B) since such Defaulted Loan became defaulted, whichever of (A) and (B) is shorter (as determined by the Collateral Manager with notice to the Agents), and (y) 20% of the Aggregate Principal Balance of such Defaulted Loan, less 80% of the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Excess Concentration Loans that are Performing Collateral Obligations to (B) the Borrower Liabilities.

EOD OC Ratio Failure ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01(g) .

Equity ” means the limited liability company interests in the Borrower.

Equity Kicker ” means, with respect to any Collateral Obligation, one or more warrants attached thereto which collectively constitute no more than 2.0% of the purchase price (as allocated by the Collateral Manager) paid by the Borrower for such Collateral Obligation.

Equity Owner ” means any direct owner of the Equity.

Equity Security ” means any (a) Equity Kicker; (b) Defaulted Equity Security; and (c) other equity security that does not entitle the holder thereof to receive periodic payments of interest and one or more installments of principal, including those received by the Borrower as a result of the exercise or conversion of an Equity Kicker or other convertible or exchangeable Collateral Obligation.

Equivalent Unit Score ” means, with respect to each Obligor, the lesser of (a) one and (b) the Obligor Par Amount for such Obligor divided by the Average Par Amount.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.

ERISA Event ” means (a) any “reportable event,” as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the thirty (30) day notice requirement is waived); (b) the failure with respect to any Plan to satisfy the “minimum funding standard” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) or the failure to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430 of the Code with respect to any Plan; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) a determination that any Plan is, or is expected to be, in “at risk” status (as defined in Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA); (e) the incurrence by the

 

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Borrower or any member of its ERISA Group of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (f) (i) the receipt by the Borrower or any member of its ERISA Group from the PBGC of a notice of determination that the PBGC intends to seek termination of any Plan or to have a trustee appointed for any Plan, or (ii) the filing by the Borrower or any member of its ERISA Group of a notice of intent to terminate any Plan; (g) the incurrence by the Borrower or any member of its ERISA Group of any liability (i) with respect to a Plan pursuant to Sections 4063 and 4064 of ERISA, (ii) with respect to a facility closing pursuant to Section 4062(e) of ERISA, or (iii) with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan; (h) the receipt by the Borrower or any member of its ERISA Group of any notice concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in endangered status or critical status, within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA or is or is expected to be insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA; (i) the failure of the Borrower or any member of its ERISA Group to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; or (j) the incurrence of any liability (or the reasonable expectation thereof) pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty or excise tax provisions of the Code relating to any “employee benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3 of ERISA), or the occurrence or existence of any event, transaction or condition that could reasonably be expected to result in the incurrence of any such liability, or in the imposition of any lien on any right, property or asset pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or to such penalty or excise tax provisions of the Code or to Section 436(f) of the Code or to Sections 412 and 430 of the Code; (k) the assertion of a material claim (other than routine claims for benefits) against any Plan or the assets thereof, in connection with any Plan; (l) the receipt from the Internal Revenue Service of notice of the failure of any Plan to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code, or the failure of any trust forming part of any Plan to qualify for exemption from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code; or (m) the occurrence of a non-exempt “prohibited transaction” with respect to which the Borrower or any member of its ERISA Group is a “disqualified person” or a “party in interest” (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA, respectively) or which could reasonably be expected to result in liability to the Borrower or any member of its ERISA Group.

ERISA Group ” means each controlled group of corporations or trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control that is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code with the Borrower.

Estimate Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04(b) .

Eurodollar Rate Advance ” means each Advance that bears interest at a rate based on LIBOR as provided in Section 2.04 .

Event of Default ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01 .

Excess Concentration Loan Account ” means the account established pursuant to Section 8.03(d).

Excess Concentration Loans ” means, without duplication, any portion of the Aggregate Principal Balance of Collateral Obligations that are in excess of the Concentration Limitations. To the extent any Collateral Obligation exceeds more than one Concentration

 

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Limitation, the Excess Concentration Loan for such Collateral Obligation shall be the highest calculation of excess over the corresponding Concentration Limitation. For purposes of determining the distribution of excess over a specific Concentration Limitation across the Collateral Obligations, Borrower may from time to time distribute the total amount of excess in any amount across any combination of Collateral Obligations that are subject to the limitation, so long as the result of subtracting Excess Concentration Loans from the Aggregate Principal Balance satisfies each Concentration Limitation.

Excess Concentration Principal Proceeds ” means, as of any date of determination and without duplication, the sum of all Principal Proceeds received with respect to Excess Concentration Loans, including, without limitation, scheduled payments of principal, payment of principal at maturity, prepayments and sales proceeds related to Excess Concentration Loans.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, all as from time to time in effect, or any successor law, rules or regulations, and any reference to any statutory or regulatory provision shall be deemed to be a reference to any successor statutory or regulatory provision.

Excluded Loan ” means the Hilex Poly Co loan described on the loan list attached to the Master Transfer Agreement, with an outstanding principal balance of $34,331,526.

Excluded Taxes ” means (i) Taxes imposed on (or measured by) net income or net profits or franchise Taxes in the case of any Secured Party, (A) imposed by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such Secured Party is organized or in which its principal office is located, or in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located or (B) that are Other Connection Taxes, (ii) branch profits Taxes imposed under Section 884 of the Code, (iii) Taxes that are imposed by reason of FATCA, (iv) Taxes that are attributable to a Secured Party’s failure to comply with the requirements of Section 12.03(g) , (v) Taxes that are attributable to a Secured Party designating a successor lending office at which it maintains its Notes other than at the request of the Borrower and except to the extent the Secured Party was entitled, at the time that the successor lending office is designated, to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such Taxes pursuant to Section 12.03 and (vi) U.S. withholding taxes imposed on amounts payable by the Borrower to a Secured Party at the time such Secured Party becomes a party to this Agreement, except to the extent that such Secured Party’s assignor (if any) was entitled, at the time of assignment, to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such Taxes pursuant to Section 12.03 .

Facility ” means the debt facility governed by this Agreement and the other Facility Documents.

Facility Agent ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introduction to this Agreement.

Facility Agent Fee ” shall have the meaning specified in the Fee Letter.

Facility Documents ” means this Agreement, the Notes, the Account Control Agreement, the Fee Letter, the Collateral Agent Fee Letter, the Collateral Management Agreement, the Master Transfer Agreement, any other security agreements and other instruments

 

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entered into or delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to Section 5.01(c) to create, perfect or otherwise evidence the Collateral Agent’s security interest and any other agreements delivered to the Facility Agent, the Borrower, the Collateral Agent and/or the Lenders in furtherance of or pursuant to any of the foregoing.

Facility Margin Level ” shall have the meaning specified in the Fee Letter.

FAS 166/167 Regulatory Capital Rules ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.09(a) .

FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (or any amended versions of Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code that are substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) and any regulations promulgated thereunder and official interpretations thereof.

Federal Funds Rate ” means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal for each day during such period to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Facility Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it; provided that, if at any time a Lender is borrowing overnight funds from a Federal Reserve Bank that day, the Federal Funds Rate for such Lender for such day shall be the average rate per annum at which such overnight borrowings are made on that day as promptly reported by such Lender to the Borrower, the Calculation Agent and the Agents in writing. Each determination of the Federal Funds Rate by a Lender pursuant to the foregoing proviso shall be conclusive and binding except in the case of manifest error.

Fee Letter ” means the fee letter agreement dated September 27, 2012 between the Borrower, the Facility Agent and the initial Lender.

Final Maturity Date ” means September 27, 2020.

Final Order ” means an order, judgment, decree or ruling the operation or effect of which has not been stayed, reversed or amended and as to which order, judgment, decree or ruling (or any revision, modification or amendment thereof) the time to appeal or to seek review or rehearing has expired and as to which no appeal or petition for review or rehearing was filed or, if filed, remains pending.

Financial Asset ” has the meaning specified in Section 8-102(a)(9) of the UCC.

Financing Statements ” has the meaning specified in Section 9-102(a)(39) of the UCC.

FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. or any successor entity.

 

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Fitch ” means Fitch, Inc., together with its successors.

Fixed Rate Obligation ” means any Collateral Obligation that bears a fixed rate of interest.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in the United States.

General Intangible ” has the meaning specified in Section 9-102(a)(42) of the UCC.

Geographic Region ” means each of the following eight geographic regions of the United States: (i) North-East, consisting of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Washington, D.C.; (ii) NYC Metro Area, consisting of Connecticut, New York and New Jersey; (iii) South-East, consisting of Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi; (iv) Florida; (v) Mid-West, consisting of Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio; (vi) South-West, consisting of Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana; (vii) West, consisting of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Hawaii; and (viii) California.

Governmental Authorizations ” means all franchises, permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations of all Authorities.

Governmental Filings ” means all filings, including franchise and similar tax filings, and the payment of all fees, assessments, interests and penalties associated with such filings with all Authorities.

Incurable Default ” means a Default that cannot be cured within the time period allowing for cure or by its nature is incapable of being cured.

Incurrence Covenant ” means a covenant by any borrower to comply with one or more financial covenants (including without limitation any covenant relating to a borrowing base, asset valuation or similar asset-based requirement) only upon the occurrence of certain actions of the borrower, including a debt issuance, dividend payment, share purchase, merger, acquisition or divestiture.

Indemnified Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.04(b) .

Indemnified Taxes ” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under this Agreement and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in the preceding clause (a), Other Taxes.

Independent Manager Criteria ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.02(u) .

 

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Industry Diversity Score ” means, with respect to each DBRS Industry Classification, the number established by reference to the Industry Diversity Score Table set forth in Schedule 3 for the related Aggregate Industry Equivalent Unit Score; provided that, if the Aggregate Industry Equivalent Unit Score falls between any two numbers shown in the Industry Diversity Score Table set forth in Schedule 3 , the Aggregate Industry Equivalent Unit Score shall be the lesser of the two.

Insolvency Event ” means with respect to a specified Person, (a) the filing of a decree or order for relief by a court having jurisdiction in the premises in respect of such Person or any substantial part of its property in an involuntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable insolvency law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official for such Person or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of such Person’s affairs, and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or (b) the commencement by such Person of a voluntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable insolvency law now or hereafter in effect, or the consent by such Person to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or the consent by such Person to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official for such Person or for any substantial part of its property, or the making by such Person of any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the failure by such Person generally to pay its debts as such debts become due, or the taking of action by such Person in furtherance of any of the foregoing.

Instrument ” has the meaning specified in Section 9-102(a)(47) of the UCC.

Insurance Policy ” With respect to any Collateral Obligation, an insurance policy covering liability and physical damage to or loss of the Related Property.

Interest Accrual Period ” means, with respect to any CP Rate Advance or Eurodollar Rate Advance, the period from the relevant Borrowing Date to the next succeeding Payment Date and, thereafter, each period commencing on the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Accrual Period to the next succeeding Payment Date.

Interest Collection Subaccount ” has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(a) .

Interest Coverage Ratio Test ” means a test that is satisfied at any time if the ratio of (A) the Collateral Interest Amount at such time, to (B) the sum of all amounts payable (or expected at such time to be payable) on the following Payment Date pursuant to clause (A), clause (B) (excluding any Senior Collateral Management Fee the Collateral Manager has determined not to pay on the following Payment Date) and clause (C) in Section 9.01(a)(i) , is greater than 200%.

Interest Proceeds ” means, with respect to any Collection Period or the related Determination Date, without duplication, the sum of:

(a) all payments of interest and other income received by the Borrower during such Collection Period on the Collateral Obligations and the other Collateral, including the accrued interest received in connection with a sale thereof during such Collection Period;

 

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(b) all principal and interest payments received by the Borrower during such Collection Period on Eligible Investments purchased with Interest Proceeds; and all interest payments received by the Borrower during such Collection Period on Eligible Investments purchased with amounts credited to the Revolving Reserve Account or to the Excess Concentration Loan Account; and all interest payments received by the Borrower during such Collection Period on Eligible Investments purchased with Principal Proceeds;

(c) all amendment and waiver fees, late payment fees (including compensation for delayed settlement or trades), and all protection fees and other fees and commissions received by the Borrower during such Collection Period, unless the Collateral Manager notifies the Agents before such Determination Date (and in no event later than 10 days following receipt thereof) that the Collateral Manager in its sole discretion has determined that such payments are to be treated as Principal Proceeds;

(d) commitment fees, origination fees, facility fees, anniversary fees, ticking fees and other similar fees (excluding any Retained Fees) received by the Borrower during such Collection Period unless the Collateral Manager notifies the Agents before such Determination Date (and in no event later than 10 days following receipt thereof) that the Collateral Manager in its sole discretion has determined that such payments are to be treated as Principal Proceeds; and

(e) any amounts deposited in the Collection Account from the Closing Expense Account in accordance with Section 8.12 ;

provided that:

(1) as to any Defaulted Loan (and only so long as it remains a Defaulted Loan), any amounts received in respect thereof (including without limitation any assets received therewith or in exchange thereof, including without limitation any Equity Security) will constitute Principal Proceeds (and not Interest Proceeds) until the aggregate of all collections in respect of such Defaulted Loan since it became a Defaulted Loan equals the outstanding principal balance of such Defaulted Loan at the time as of which it became a Defaulted Loan, and all amounts received in excess thereof, however denominated, will constitute Interest Proceeds;

(2) in each case subject to clause (1) above, (x) any dividends paid on any Equity Security will constitute Interest Proceeds, (y) any gain on the sale of Equity Securities (including Equity Securities received as a result of exercising warrants) and warrants in an amount, if any, equal to the excess of (A) the Cash generated by such sale plus the Market Value on the Collateral Obligation(s) of the same Obligor over (B) the Loan Amount (after adjustment for any borrowings or repayments and exclusive of accrued interest) for such Collateral Obligation(s) will constitute Interest Proceeds and (z) all other payments received in respect of Equity Securities will constitute Principal Proceeds;

 

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(3) all Cash received by the Borrower as equity contributions (however designated) from any Equity Owner will constitute Principal Proceeds, unless otherwise directed by the Borrower by prior written notice to the Agents pursuant to Section 10.04 ; and

(4) as to the Excluded Loan, any amounts or collections received in respect of such Excluded Loan shall not constitute Interest Proceeds.

For purposes of clause (2)(y) above, “gain” means any amounts received in the sale of an Equity Security that is in excess of the cost basis associated with such Equity Security (excluding any amounts received in respect of an Equity Security in exchange for defaulted debt). No amounts that are required by the terms of any participation agreement to be paid by the Borrower to any Person to whom the Borrower has sold a participation interest shall constitute “Interest Proceeds” hereunder.

Interim Order ” means an order, judgment, decree or ruling entered after notice and a hearing conducted in accordance with Bankruptcy Rule 4001(c) granting interim authorization, the operation or effect of which has not been stayed, reversed or amended.

Investment Adviser Affiliate ” means each of Bayside Capital, Inc., H.I.G. Capital Management, Inc., H.I.G. WhiteHorse Advisers, LLC and H.I.G. WhiteHorse Administration, LLC and, prior to the BDC Election Date, H.I.G. –GP II, Inc.

Investment Company Act ” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as modified or interpreted by orders of, or other interpretative releases or letters issued by, any Authority, all as from time to time in effect, or any successor law, rules or regulations, and any reference to any statutory or regulatory provision shall be deemed to be a reference to any successor statutory or regulatory provision.

Law ” means any action, code, consent decree, constitution, decree, directive, enactment, finding, guideline, law, injunction, interpretation, judgment, order, ordinance, policy statement, proclamation, promulgation, regulation, requirement, rule, rule of law, rule of public policy, settlement agreement, statute, or writ, of any Authority, or any particular section, part or provision thereof.

Lender Funding Account ” means the lender funding account established pursuant to Section 8.03(c) .

Lender Funding Subaccount ” has the meaning specified in Section 8.03(c) .

Lenders ” means the Persons listed on Schedule 1 and any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance in accordance with the terms hereof, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance.

 

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Leverage Multiple ” means, as of any date, the ratio of (A) the Row Advance Rate in effect on such date over (B) 1 minus the Row Advance Rate in effect on such date.

Liabilities ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.04(b) .

LIBOR ” has the meaning assigned to such term on Schedule 6 .

Lien ” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, encumbrance, lien or security interest (statutory or other), or preference, priority or other security agreement, charge or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing, and any filing authorized by the Borrower of any financing statement under the UCC or comparable law of any jurisdiction).

Liquidity Bank ” means the Person or Persons who provide liquidity support to a Lender which is a CP Conduit pursuant to a Liquidity Facility.

Liquidity Facility ” means, for any CP Conduit, a loan facility, asset purchase facility, swap transaction or other arrangement under which the providers of such facility have agreed to provide funds to such CP Conduit for purposes of funding such CP Conduit’s obligations under this Agreement.

Loan Amount ” means, with respect to a Collateral Obligation at the time of the Borrower’s acquisition thereof, an amount equal to the least of (a) if acquired by the Borrower for a purchase price equal to 95% or more of its outstanding principal amount (excluding any capitalized interest) as of the date of acquisition, such outstanding principal amount, (b) if acquired by the Borrower for a purchase price less than 95% of its outstanding principal amount (excluding any capitalized interest) as of the date of acquisition, such purchase price and (c) if acquired from an Affiliate of the Borrower, (i) if acquired on or before the Closing Date, the Loan Amount with respect thereto as mutually agreed by the Borrower and the Facility Agent, and (ii) otherwise, the lower of (x) the current cost basis of the seller or transferor or (y) Market Value; provided that if the lower of (x) and (y) is equal to 95% or more of the outstanding principal amount, such outstanding principal amount (excluding any capitalized interest).

London Banking Day ” means a day on which commercial banks are open for business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in London, England.

Maintenance Covenant ” means, a covenant by any borrower to comply with one or more financial covenants (including without limitation any covenant relating to a borrowing base, asset valuation or similar asset-based requirement) during each reporting period, whether or not such borrower has taken any specified action.

Margin Stock ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U.

Market Value ” means, with respect to any loans or other assets, the amount (determined by the Collateral Manager in accordance with the Servicing Standard) equal to the product of the principal amount thereof and the price determined in the following manner:

(a) if such asset is sold to an unaffiliated third party in an arms’ length transaction, such sales price; or

 

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(b) the bid-side quote determined by any of Loan Pricing Corporation, LoanX Inc., MarkIt Partners, Mergent, Inc., IDC, Houlihan Lokey or any other nationally recognized loan pricing service selected by the Collateral Manager; or

(c) if such quote described in clause (b) is not available,

(i) the average of the bid-side quotes determined by three independent broker-dealers active in the trading of such asset;

(ii) if only two such bids can be obtained, the lower of the bid-side quotes of such two bids; or

(iii) if only one such bid can be obtained, such bid; or

(d) if the Market Value of an asset cannot be determined in accordance with clause (a), (b) or (c) above, then the Market Value shall be the Appraised Value, provided that the Appraised Value of such Collateral Obligation has been obtained or updated within the immediately preceding three months or, if such asset is a Collateral Obligation acquired from an unaffiliated third party in an arms’ length transaction within the immediately preceding 90 days and there has been no material adverse change with respect to the Obligor or the Collateral Obligation to the actual knowledge of a Responsible Officer of the Collateral Manager, then the original purchase price paid for such Collateral Obligation (after adjustment for any borrowing or repayments and exclusive of interest);

(e) if such quote, bid or price described in clause (a), (b), (c) or (d) is not available, then the Market Value of such Collateral Obligation shall be the lower of (i) the DBRS Recovery Rate and (ii) the Market Value determined by the Borrower exercising reasonable commercial judgment in accordance with the Servicing Standard, consistent with the manner in which it would determine the market value of an asset for purposes of other funds or accounts managed by it; or

(f) if the Market Value of an asset cannot be determined in accordance with clause (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) above, then the Market Value shall be deemed to be zero until such determination is made in accordance with clause (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) above.

Master Transfer Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Loan Sale and Contribution Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, between the Transferor, as seller, and the Borrower, as purchaser.

Material Adverse Effect ” means any event that has, or could reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, financial condition or operations of the Borrower (b) the ability of the Borrower or the Collateral Manager to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents or (c) the rights, interests, remedies or benefits (taken as a whole) available to the Lenders or Agents under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents.

 

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Matrix ” shall have the meaning specified in the Fee Letter.

Maximum DBRS Risk Score Test ” is a test satisfied on any date of determination if the Weighted Average DBRS Risk Score of the Collateral Obligations as of such date is less than or equal to 40.06%, provided that Defaulted Obligations shall be excluded from such calculation.

Minimum Diversity Score Test ” means a test that will be satisfied on any date of determination if the Diversity Score of the Collateral Obligations, calculated as a single number in accordance with standard diversity scoring methodology using DBRS Industry Classifications, equals or exceeds the Row Diversity Score in the Matrix.

Minimum Weighted Average Fixed Rate Coupon Test ” means a test that will be satisfied on any date of determination if the Weighted Average Fixed Rate Coupon equals or exceeds 10.00%.

Minimum Weighted Average Spread Test ” means a test that will be satisfied on any date of determination if the Weighted Average Spread equals or exceeds 7.00%.

Money ” has the meaning specified in Section 1-201(24) of the UCC, and shall be deemed to include “ Monies ” wherever such term may be used herein.

Monthly Report ” has the meaning specified in Section 8.06(a) .

Monthly Report Date ” means the 20 th day of each calendar month in each year, the first of which shall be October 20, 2012; provided that, (i) if any such day is not a Business Day, then such Monthly Report Date shall be the next succeeding Business Day and (ii) the final Monthly Report Date shall be on the Final Maturity Date.

Monthly Report Determination Date ” means, with respect to any Monthly Report Date, the ninth Business Day prior to such Monthly Report Date.

Monthly Report Period ” means, with respect to any Monthly Report Date, the period commencing immediately following the prior Monthly Report Period (or on the Closing Date in the case of the Monthly Report Period relating to the first Monthly Report Date) and ending on the Monthly Report Determination Date prior to such Monthly Report Date.

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., together with its successors.

Multiemployer Plan ” means an employee pension benefit plan within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA that is sponsored by the Borrower or a member of its ERISA Group or to which the Borrower or a member of its ERISA Group is obligated to make contributions or has any liability.

 

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MV Modified Overcollateralization Ratio ” means the ratio of (A) the sum of (i) the MV Overcollateralization Amount plus (ii) the aggregate amount of cash on deposit in the Principal Collection Subaccount and the Revolving Reserve Account, plus (iii) the Portfolio Exposure Amount less (iv) with respect to all Excess Concentration Loans that are Performing Collateral Obligations, the lesser of (x) the purchase price paid for such Performing Collateral Obligation by the Borrower; provided that, if the purchase price paid exceeds the par amount of such Performing Collateral Obligation, the purchase price shall be deemed to be the par amount and (y) the Market Value of such Performing Collateral Obligation determined by the Borrower in accordance with clause (e)(ii) of the definition thereof to (B) the Borrower Liabilities.

MV Modified Overcollateralization Ratio Test ” means, as of any date of determination, a test that will be satisfied on such date if the MV Modified Overcollateralization Ratio is greater than or equal to the Row Minimum OC Level under clause (b) (during or after the Reinvestment Period) in the Matrix on Schedule 8.

MV Overcollateralization Amount ” means, with respect to all Performing Collateral Obligations, an aggregate amount equal to sum of, with respect to each such Performing Collateral Obligation, the lesser of (x) the purchase price paid for such Performing Collateral Obligation by the Borrower; provided that, if the purchase price paid exceeds the par amount of such Performing Collateral Obligation, the purchase price shall be deemed to be the par amount and (y) the Market Value of such Performing Collateral Obligation determined by the Borrower in accordance with clause (e)(ii) of the definition thereof.

MV Overcollateralization Ratio ” means the ratio of (A) the sum of (i) the MV Overcollateralization Amount plus (ii) the aggregate amount of cash on deposit in the Principal Collection Subaccount and the Revolving Reserve Account, plus (iii) the Portfolio Exposure Amount, to (B) the Borrower Liabilities.

MV Overcollateralization Ratio Test ” means, as of any date of determination, a test that will be satisfied on such date if the MV Overcollateralization Ratio is greater than or equal to 300.00%.

Natixis ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introduction to this Agreement.

Net Purchased Obligation Balance ” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (i) the sum of (a) the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Collateral Obligations conveyed by the Transferor to the Borrower under the Master Transfer Agreement prior to such date and (b) the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Collateral Obligations acquired by the Borrower other than from the Transferor prior to such date minus (b) the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Collateral Obligations optionally repurchased or substituted by the Transferor pursuant to the Master Transfer Agreement prior to such date.

Note ” means each promissory note, if any, issued by the Borrower to a Lender in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.03 , substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, as the same may from time to time be amended, supplemented, waived or modified.

Notice of Borrowing ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.02 .

 

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Notice of Prepayment ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05 .

Obligations ” means, all indebtedness, whether absolute, fixed or contingent, at any time or from time to time owing by the Borrower to any Secured Party or any Affected Person under or in connection with this Agreement, the Notes, the Collateral Agent Fee Letter, the Fee Letter or any other Facility Document, including all amounts payable by the Borrower in respect of the Advances, with interest thereon, and all amounts payable hereunder, including any amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof.

Obligor ” means in respect of any Collateral Obligation of the Borrower, the Person primarily obligated to pay Collections in respect of such Collateral Obligation to the Borrower.

Obligor Par Amount ” means, on any date and with respect to each Obligor under a Collateral Obligation, the Aggregate Principal Balances of all Collateral Obligations (other than Defaulted Loans) with respect to which such Obligor is the Obligor on such date; provided that, for purposes of calculating the Obligor Par Amount, any Obligors that are Affiliated with one another will be considered one Obligor.

OFAC ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.01(f) .

Offer ” has the meaning given in Section 8.07(c) .

Other Connection Taxes ” means, in the case of any Secured Party, any Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction by reason of such Secured Party having any present or former connection with such jurisdiction (other than a connection arising solely from entering into, receiving any payment under or enforcing its rights under this Agreement, the Notes or any other Facility Document).

Other Taxes ” has the meaning given in Section 12.03(b) .

Overcollateralization Ratio ” means the ratio of (A) the Borrowing Base to (B) the Borrower Liabilities.

Overcollateralization Ratio Test ” means, as of any date of determination, a test that will be satisfied on such date if the Overcollateralization Ratio is greater than or equal to the Row Minimum OC Level in the Matrix.

Participant ” means any Person to whom a participation is sold as permitted by Section 12.06(c) .

Participation Interest ” means a participation interest in a loan or obligation.

PATRIOT Act ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.17 .

Payment Account ” means the payment account of the Collateral Agent established pursuant to Section 8.03(a) .

 

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Payment Date ” means the 20 th day of March, June, September and December in each year, the first of which shall be December 20, 2012; provided that, (i) if any such day is not a Business Day, then such Payment Date shall be the next succeeding Business Day and (ii) the final Payment Date shall be the Final Maturity Date.

Payment Date Report ” has the meaning specified in Section 8.06(b) .

Payment in Full ” means payment in full of all Obligations (other than any unasserted contingent obligations), including without limitation all principal, interest, Commitment Fees, Administrative Expenses and fees, if any, payable under the Collateral Agent Fee Letter or the Fee Letter.

Payment in Full Date ” means the date on which a Payment in Full occurs and the Commitments are terminated.

Payoff Letter ” means a letter relating to the termination and release of the Collateral Agent’s Lien on the Collateral in connection with a Payment in Full substantially in the form of Exhibit H hereto.

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any successor agency or entity performing substantially the same functions.

Percentage ” of any Lender means, (a) with respect to any Lender party hereto on the date hereof, the percentage set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 1 hereto, as such amount is reduced by any Assignment and Acceptance entered into by such Lender with an assignee or increased by any Assignment and Acceptance entered into by such lender with an assignor, or (b) with respect to a lender that has become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance, the percentage set forth therein as the assigning Lender’s Percentage, as such amount is reduced by an Assignment and Acceptance entered into between such Lender and an assignee or increased by any Assignment and Acceptance entered into by such lender with an assignor.

Performing Collateral Obligation ” means a Collateral Obligation that is not a Defaulted Loan.

Permitted Assignee ” means a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, a CP Conduit related to a Lender or a Liquidity Bank.

Permitted Lien ” means

(i) with respect to the interest of the Transferor and/or of the Borrower in the Collateral Obligations, Equity Securities, Eligible Investments and the Covered Accounts: (a) Liens in favor of the Borrower created pursuant to the Master Transfer Agreement and assigned to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to this Agreement, (b) Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to this Agreement, (c) the restrictions on transferability imposed by the Related Documents (but only to the extent relating to customary procedural requirements and agent and Obligor consents (except where the Collateral Manager or any of its Affiliates is the agent) expected to be obtained in due

 

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course and provided that any Obligor consents will be obtained prior to the Delivery of the related Collateral Obligation hereunder) and (d) the restrictions on transferability imposed by any shareholder agreements in respect of Equity Securities acquired in connection with the work-out, restructuring or exercise of remedies with respect to a Collateral Obligation;

(ii) with respect to the interest of the Transferor and/or of the Borrower in the other Collateral (including any Related Property securing any Collateral Obligation or which may be acquired by the Borrower when exercising rights or remedies with respect to any Collateral Obligation): (a) materialmen’s, warehousemen’s, mechanics’ and other Liens arising by operation of law in the ordinary course of business for sums not due or sums that are being contested by an appropriate person in good faith by appropriate proceedings and reserved for in accordance with GAAP; (b) purchase money security interests in specific items of equipment, (c) Liens for state, municipal and other local taxes if such taxes shall not at the time be due and payable or the validity or amount thereof is currently being contested by an appropriate person in good faith by appropriate proceedings and reserved for in accordance with GAAP; (d) Liens in favor of the Borrower and assigned by the Borrower to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to this Agreement, (e) Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to this Agreement, (f) the restrictions on transferability imposed by the Related Documents (but only to the extent relating to customary procedural requirements and agent consents (except where the Collateral Manager or any of its Affiliates is the agent) expected to be obtained in due course and not to Obligor consents) and (g) the restrictions on transferability imposed by any shareholder agreements in respect of Equity Securities acquired in connection with the work-out, restructuring or exercise of remedies with respect to a Collateral Obligation, and

(iii) with respect to agented Collateral Obligations, Liens in favor of the lead agent, the collateral agent or the paying agent for the benefit of all holders of indebtedness of such Obligor under the related Collateral Obligation.

Permitted Purchaser ” has the meaning specified in Section 12.06(e) .

Person ” means an individual or a corporation (including a business trust), partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint stock company, limited liability company, government (or an agency or political subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

PIK Loan ” means any loan or Collateral Obligation on which any portion of the interest accrued for a specified period of time or until the maturity thereof is, or at the option of the Obligor may be, added to the principal balance of such loan or Collateral Obligation or otherwise deferred rather than being paid in Cash, provided that if a Collateral Obligation has a “payment-in-kind” component but pays interest in cash at a rate of at least LIBOR + 3.00% it will not constitute a PIK Loan.

Plan ” means an employee pension benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code that is sponsored by the Borrower or a member of its ERISA Group or to which the Borrower or a member of its ERISA Group is obligated to make contributions or has any liability.

 

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Portfolio Advance Rate ” means the percentage calculated by dividing (x) the Borrower Liabilities by (y) the Borrowing Base.

Portfolio Exposure Amount ” means, at any time, the excess (if any) of (x) the aggregate unfunded amounts in respect of all Revolving Collateral Loans and Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loans at such time over (y) the aggregate amount on deposit in the Revolving Reserve Account at such time.

Post-Default Rate ” shall have the meaning specified in the Fee Letter.

Principal Balance ” means:

(a) with respect to any Collateral Obligation other than a Revolving Collateral Loan or Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loan, as of any date of determination, the Loan Amount of such Collateral Obligation (after adjustment for any repayments and exclusive of both capitalized interest and accrued interest); and

(b) with respect to any Revolving Collateral Loan or Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loan, as of any date of determination, the Loan Amount of such Revolving Collateral Loan or Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loan (after adjustment for any borrowings or repayments and exclusive of both capitalized interest and accrued interest), plus (except as expressly set forth in this Agreement) any undrawn commitments that have not been irrevocably reduced or withdrawn with respect to such Revolving Collateral Loan or Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loan;

provided , in all cases, that the Principal Balance of any Equity Security shall be deemed to be zero.

Principal Collection Subaccount ” has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(a) .

Principal Proceeds ” means, with respect to any Collection Period or the related Determination Date, all amounts received by the Borrower during such Collection Period that do not constitute Interest Proceeds, including sales and unapplied proceeds of the Advances and any Cash equity contributions pursuant to Section 10.01(a)(v) or pursuant to Section 10.04 except as otherwise directed pursuant to Section 10.04 ; provided , that: (1) any amounts or collections received in respect of the Excluded Loan shall not constitute Principal Proceeds; and (2) no amounts that are required by the terms of any participation agreement to be paid by the Borrower to any Person to whom the Borrower has sold a participation interest shall constitute “Principal Proceeds” hereunder.

Priority of Payments ” has the meaning specified in Section 9.01(a) .

Private Authorizations ” means all franchises, permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations of all Persons (other than Authorities) but excluding any customary procedural requirements and agents’ and Obligors’ consents expected to be obtained in due course in connection with the transfer of the Collateral Obligations to the Borrower.

 

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Proceeds ” has, with reference to any asset or property, the meaning assigned to it under the UCC and, in any event, shall include, but not be limited to, any and all amounts from time to time paid or payable under or in connection with such asset or property.

Professional Independent Manager ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.02(u) .

Prohibited Transaction ” means a transaction described in Section 406(a) of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code that is not exempted by a statutory or administrative or individual exemption pursuant to Section 408 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

Puerto Rico Collateral Obligation ” means a Collateral Obligation of an Obligor organized in (or whose principal operations are located in) Puerto Rico.

Qualified Real Estate Loan ” Any loan or debt obligation of an Obligor that is in the business of acquiring and developing land and the construction of residential or commercial properties on that land and that satisfies the following criteria:

(a) the primary security for such loan or debt obligation is located in at least 3 Geographic Regions;

(b) the Obligor of such loan or debt obligation, or, the ultimate operating parent of such Obligor, has been in business for a minimum of 5 years;

(c) the last twelve months of revenues for the Obligor of such loan or debt obligation is at least $100,000,000; and

(d) the last twelve months of operating cash flow for the Obligor of such loan or debt obligation is positive.

Quarterly Asset Amount ” means, for any Payment Date, the sum of (i) the Daily Average Collateral Obligation Commitment Amount for such Payment Date and (ii) the daily average balance of cash on deposit in the Principal Collection Subaccount for the Collection Period related to such Payment Date.

Rating Agency ” means DBRS or, with respect to the Collateral generally, Moody’s, Fitch, S&P or DBRS (or, if, at any time Moody’s, Fitch, S&P or DBRS ceases to provide rating services with respect to debt obligations, any other nationally recognized investment rating agency selected by the Borrower or the Collateral Manager and consented to by the Facility Agent). In the event that at any time any of the rating agencies referred to above ceases to be a “ Rating Agency ” and a replacement rating agency is selected in accordance with the preceding sentence, then references to rating categories of such replaced rating agency in this Agreement shall be deemed instead to be references to the equivalent categories of such replacement rating agency as of the most recent date on which such replacement rating agency and such replaced rating agency’s published ratings for the type of obligation in respect of which such replacement rating agency is used.

 

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Rating Confirmation ” means, with respect to any action or proposed action, a condition that is satisfied (and upon satisfaction of such condition, the related Rating Confirmation shall be deemed to have been satisfied) if DBRS has been notified in writing by the Borrower of such action or proposed action and DBRS has confirmed in writing (which may be in the form of a letter, press release or other publication of a change in DBRS’s published ratings criteria to this effect) that such action will not cause the then-current rating of the Notes by DBRS to be reduced or withdrawn; provided, however, that the Rating Confirmation shall be deemed to have been satisfied if within 10 Business Days following such notification by the Borrower or the Collateral Manager neither the Borrower nor the Collateral Manager has received a written communication relating to such action or proposed action from DBRS or if DBRS makes a public announcement or informs the Borrower or the Collateral Manager in writing that it believes that satisfaction of the Rating Confirmation is not required with respect to an action or its practice is not to give such confirmation.

Rating Criteria ” is satisfied for any Person at any time if:

(a) such Person has a DBRS Short Term Rating of at least “R-1 (middle)” and a DBRS Long Term Rating of at least “A (high)” at such time; or

(b) such Person’s obligations in respect of this Agreement are fully supported by a Liquidity Facility provided by one or more Liquidity Banks, or one or more guarantors, and each such Liquidity Bank or guarantor meets the requirements under clause (a) above at such time; or

(c) a Rating Confirmation is obtained with respect to such Person’s failure to satisfy the requirements under either of clause (a) or (b) at such time and both the Borrower and the Facility Agent have consented thereto.

Real Estate Loan ” means any debt obligation that is directly or indirectly secured by a mortgage or deed of trust or any lien interest, in each case, on residential, commercial, office, retail or industrial property and is underwritten as a mortgage loan, except for any Qualified Real Estate Loan.

Register ” has the meaning specified in Section 12.06(d) .

Regulatory Change ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.09(a) .

Regulation T ”, “Regulation U ” and “Regulation X ” mean Regulation T, U and X, respectively, of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time.

Reinvestment Agreement ” means a guaranteed reinvestment agreement from a bank, insurance company or other corporation or entity having Eligible Investment Required Ratings; provided that such agreement provides that it is terminable by the purchaser, without penalty and with the return of all invested funds, if within 60 days after the provider of such

 

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agreement no longer satisfies the Eligible Investment Required Ratings the provider has failed to obtain either (i) (x) a guarantor with Eligible Investment Required Ratings to guarantee the obligations of such provider under such agreement and (y) a Rating Confirmation or (ii) (x) a replacement provider with Eligible Investment Required Ratings and (y) a Rating Confirmation.

Reinvestment Period ” means the period from and including the Closing Date to and including the earliest of (a) the date that is 24 months after the Closing Date (or such later date as may be agreed in writing by the Borrower and each of the Lenders and notified in writing to the Agents, but subject to the Rating Confirmation having been satisfied with respect to each such extension), (b) the date of the acceleration of the maturity of the Advances pursuant to Section 6.01 , (c) the occurrence of any Change in Control; (d) the date on which the Collateral Manager shall no longer be the Transferor unless each of the Lenders and the Facility Agent have otherwise consented, (e) the date on which the Collateral Manager shall have notified the Borrower of its intention to resign as Collateral Manager and the successor is not an Approved Affiliate or the occurrence of any other termination of the Collateral Management Agreement, whether or not in accordance with its terms, (f) the date on which the Commitments are terminated in whole pursuant to Section 2.06(b) or (g) the date on which the Borrower or the Collateral Manager (or any of its executive officers) are indicted for a criminal offense materially related to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement or any other Facility Document or in the performance of investment advisory services comparable to those contemplated to be provided by the Collateral Manager in this Agreement and the other Facility Documents.

Related Documents ” means, with respect to any Collateral Obligation, all agreements or documents evidencing, securing, governing or giving rise to such Collateral Obligation. As used in this Agreement, each reference to the Related Documents to which the Borrower is a party shall be deemed to mean the Related Documents to which the Borrower is a party or to which the Borrower is otherwise bound.

Related Document Modification ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.02(v) .

Related Person ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.04(f) .

Related Property ” means, with respect to any Collateral Obligation, any property or other assets designated and pledged or mortgaged as collateral to secure repayment of such Collateral Obligation (including, without limitation, a pledge of the stock, membership or other ownership interests in the Obligor), including all proceeds from any sale or other disposition of such property or other assets.

Repurchase and Substitution Limit ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.01(a)(vi).

Requested Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.02 .

Required Lenders ” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders whose aggregate principal amount of outstanding Advances plus unused Commitments aggregate more than 50% of the aggregate amount of the Commitments (used and unused) or, if the

 

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Commitments have expired or been terminated or otherwise reduced to zero, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Advances; provided , however, that if any Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender at such time, then there shall be excluded from the determination of Required Lenders such Defaulting Lender’s unfunded Commitments.

Responsible Officer ” means (a) in the case of (i) a corporation or (ii) a partnership or limited liability company that, pursuant to its Constituent Documents, has officers, any chief executive officer, chief financial officer, president, vice president, assistant vice president, treasurer, director or manager, and, in any case where two Responsible Officers are acting on behalf of such corporation or other entity, the second such Responsible Officer may be a secretary or assistant secretary, (b) without limitation of clause (a)(ii), in the case of a limited partnership, the Responsible Officer of the general partner, acting on behalf of such general partner in its capacity as general partner, (c) without limitation of clause (a)(ii), in the case of a limited liability company, the Responsible Officer of the sole member, managing member or manager, acting on behalf of the sole member or managing member in its capacity as sole member, managing member or manager, (d) in the case of a trust, the Responsible Officer of the trustee, acting on behalf of such trustee in its capacity as trustee, (e) an “authorized signatory” or “authorized officer” that has been so authorized pursuant to customary corporate proceedings, limited partnership proceedings, limited liability company proceedings or trust proceedings, as the case may be, and that has responsibilities commensurate with the matter for which it is acting as a Responsible Officer, and (f) when used with respect to the Custodian and the Collateral Agent, any officer assigned to the corporate trust department (or any successor thereto) of such Person, including any Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Trust Officer, or any other officer of the Custodian or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers, in each case having direct responsibility for the administration of this Agreement.

Retained Amount ” means a “net economic interest” (as defined in Article 122(a) of the CRD) which, in any event, shall not be less than 5% (or such higher or lower amount as notified by the Facility Agent to the Retention Provider is required by Article 122a of the CRD) of the nominal value of the Collateral calculated based on the Aggregate Principal Balance of all of the Collateral Obligations and the outstanding principal amount of all Eligible Investments, in each case at the time of determination without taking into account any deduction pursuant to the proviso to the definition of “Principal Balance” of any Collateral Obligation or any deduction or discount in respect of the purchase price paid therefor by the Borrower.

Retained Fee ” means any reasonable origination, structuring or similar closing fee charged by the Person originating a loan on behalf of its lenders for services it has performed in connection with such origination, which is not customarily made available to the lenders as part of their return with respect to such loan and provided such Person is entitled to retain the same in accordance with Applicable Law.

Retention of Net Economic Interest Letter ” means each letter relating to the retention of net economic interest in substantially the form of Exhibit G hereto, from the Retention Provider and addressed to each Lender, the Facility Agent and the Borrower.

Retention Provider ” means the Transferor.

 

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Review Criteria ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.20(b)(i) .

Revolving Collateral Loan ” means any Collateral Obligation (other than a Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loan) that is a loan (including, without limitation, revolving credit loans, including funded and unfunded portions of revolving credit lines and letter of credit facilities, unfunded commitments under specific facilities and other similar loans and investments) that by its terms may require one or more future advances to be made to the borrower by the Borrower; provided that any such Collateral Obligation will be a Revolving Collateral Loan only until all commitments to make revolving advances to the borrower expire or are terminated or irrevocably reduced to zero.

Revolving Reserve Account ” means the account established pursuant to Section 8.04 .

Revolving Reserve Required Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.04 .

Row Advance Rate ” means the applicable Row Advance Rate as set forth in the column of that name in the Matrix corresponding to the Applicable Row Level.

Row Diversity Score ” shall have the meaning specified in the Fee Letter.

Row Minimum OC Level ” shall have the meaning specified in the Fee Letter.

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, together with its successors.

Scheduled Distribution ” means, with respect to any Collateral Obligation, for each Due Date, the scheduled payment of principal and/or interest and/or fees due on such Due Date with respect to such Collateral Obligation.

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other governmental authority of the United States at the time administrating the Securities Act, the Investment Company Act or the Exchange Act.

Secured Parties ” means the Facility Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Custodian, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (in its capacity as a Securities Intermediary under the Account Control Agreement), the Lenders and their respective permitted successors and assigns.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, all as from time to time in effect, or any successor law, rules or regulations, and any reference to any statutory or regulatory provisions shall be deemed to be a reference to any successor statutory or regulatory provision.

Securities Intermediary ” has the meaning specified in Section 8-102(a)(14) of the UCC.

Security Entitlement ” has the meaning specified in Section 8-102(a)(17) of the UCC.

 

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Senior Collateral Management Fee ” shall have the meaning specified in the Fee Letter, excluding any amounts thereof that have been waived at the option of the Collateral Manager as provided in the Collateral Management Agreement.

Servicing Standard ” means the Standard of Care of the Collateral Manager specified in the Collateral Management Agreement.

Settled ” means, with respect to a loan or other debt obligation (for purposes of this definition, a “ loan ”), that (a) such loan is owned by the Borrower and has been fully paid for by the Borrower, (b) all requisite consents and acceptances required in connection with the Borrower’s ownership of such loan have been obtained and (c) all documentation establishing the Borrower’s ownership of such loan is valid, binding and enforceable and is in the possession (including electronically) of the Custodian.

Solvent ” as to any Person means that such Person is not “insolvent” within the meaning of Section 101(32) of the Bankruptcy Code.

Special Purpose Entity ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.02(u) .

Special Purpose Provisions ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.01 of the Borrower LLC Agreement.

Specified Change ” means, with respect to any Collateral Obligation, any amendment, consent, waiver or other modification with respect to a Related Document that (a) reduces the principal amount of such Collateral Obligation, (b) reduces the rate of interest payable on such Collateral Obligation by greater than 1.00% per annum (whether calculated based on a spread above a floating reference rate or a fixed rate), (c) postpones the Due Date of any Scheduled Distribution in respect of such Collateral Obligation, provided that any amendment, consent, waiver or other modification postponing the Due Date or any Scheduled Distributions will not be a Specified Change if the Weighted Average Maturity Date of the Collateral Obligations as of such Determination Date is earlier than or on the actual Weighted Average Maturity Date at the end of the Reinvestment Period, (d) alters the pro rata allocation or sharing of distributions required by the Related Documents of a Collateral Obligation, (e) releases any material guarantor or co-obligor of such Collateral Obligation from its obligations, (f) terminates or releases all or substantially all of the assets securing such Collateral Obligation, or(g) changes any of the provisions of a Related Document specifying the number or percentage of lenders required to effect any of the foregoing.

Specified LIBOR ” means, at any time:

(a) if no Interest Accrual Period for Eurodollar Rate Advances is then in effect hereunder, LIBOR determined as if (1) Eurodollar Rate Advances having an aggregate principal balance of $10,000,000 were outstanding hereunder and (2) the related Interest Accrual Period were in effect for the period from the immediately preceding Payment Date (or, if prior to the first Payment Date, the Closing Date) through the next following Payment Date;

 

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(b) if only one Interest Accrual Period for Eurodollar Rate Advances is outstanding at such time, the LIBOR rate in effect with respect to the Eurodollar Rate Advances for such Interest Accrual Period; and

(c) if more than one Interest Accrual Period for Eurodollar Rate Advances is outstanding at such time, a rate per annum equal to (1) the sum of the products, for each such Interest Accrual Period, of the LIBOR rate in effect with respect to such Interest Accrual Period multiplied by the outstanding principal amount of Eurodollar Rate Advances then bearing interest at a rate based on such LIBOR rate, divided by (2) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Eurodollar Rate Advances outstanding at such time, rounded to the nearest 0.01%.

Structured Finance Obligation ” means any debt obligation owing by a finance vehicle that is secured directly and primarily by, primarily referenced to, and/or primarily representing ownership of, a pool of receivables or a pool of other assets, including collateralized debt obligations, residential mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities, other asset-backed securities, “future flow” receivable transactions and other similar obligations; provided that ABL Facilities, loans to financial service companies, factoring businesses, health care providers and other genuine operating businesses do not constitute Structured Finance Obligations.

Subject Laws ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.01(f) .

Subordinated Collateral Management Fee ” shall have the meaning specified in the Fee Letter, excluding any amounts thereof that have been waived at the option of the Collateral Manager as provided in the Collateral Management Agreement.

Taxes ” means any and all present or future taxes, and similar levies, imposts, deductions, charges, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees and other charges imposed by any governmental Authority, and all liabilities (including penalties, interest and expenses) with respect thereto.

Total Capitalization ” means an amount equal to, without duplication (i) the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Performing Collateral Obligations, plus (ii) the aggregate amount of cash on deposit in the Principal Collection Subaccount and the Revolving Reserve Account, plus (iii) the aggregate undrawn amount (if any) of the Commitments hereunder, plus (iv) for all Defaulted Loans that are also Eligible Senior Secured Loans, the lesser of (x) the Market Value of such Defaulted Loan determined without reference to clause (d) of the definition thereof, unless the Appraised Value of such Defaulted Loan has otherwise been obtained or updated (A) within the immediately preceding three months and (B) since such Defaulted Loan became defaulted, whichever of (A) and (B) is shorter (as determined by the Collateral Manager with notice to the Agents), and (y) 20% of the Aggregate Principal Balance of such Defaulted Loan, and (v) minus the Portfolio Exposure Amount.

Total Commitment ” means (a) on or prior to the Commitment Termination Date, $150,000,000 (as such amount may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.06 ) and (b) following the Commitment Termination Date, zero.

 

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Trade Ticket ” means a confirmation of the purchase and/or sale of a Collateral Obligation as provided by the Collateral Manager to the Collateral Agent and the Custodian in connection with such purchase or sale.

Transferor ” means WhiteHorse Finance, LLC together with any successor thereto upon its Conversion.

Treasury Regulations ” means the regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service under the Code, as such regulations may be amended from time to time.

UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code, as from time to time in effect in the State of New York; provided that, if by reason of any mandatory provisions of law, the perfection, the effect of perfection or non-perfection or priority of the security interests granted to the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Agreement are governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction of the United States other than the State of New York, then “ UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in such other jurisdiction for purposes of such perfection, effect of perfection or non-perfection or priority.

Uncertificated Security ” has the meaning specified in Section 8-102(a)(18) of the UCC.

Unfunded Amount ” means the sum of (a) the Portfolio Exposure Amount and (b) all amounts due for unsettled purchases of Collateral Obligations at such time.

United States ” and “ U.S. ” mean the United States of America.

Unsecured Loan ”: A loan that is not secured by a valid perfected security interest on specified collateral.

Weighted Average DBRS Risk Score ” means, as of any date of determination, the number (rounded to the nearest hundredth) determined by summing the products obtained by multiplying:

 

The Principal Balance of each Collateral Obligation      X    The DBRS Risk Score of such Collateral Obligation (as determined as provided on Schedule 4 hereto)
and dividing such sum by:
The Aggregate Principal Balance of all such Collateral Obligations.

Weighted Average Fixed Rate Coupon ” means, as of any date, the number, expressed as a percentage, determined by summing the products obtained by multiplying:

 

The sum, for each Fixed Rate Obligation, of the stated interest coupon on such Collateral Obligation      X    The Principal Balance of such Collateral Obligation (excluding the unfunded portion of any Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loans or Revolving Collateral Loans)

 

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and dividing such sum by:

the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Fixed Rate Obligations as of such date (in each case, excluding the unfunded portion of any Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loans or Revolving Collateral Loans that are Fixed Rate Obligations);

provided that if the foregoing amount is less than 10.00%, then all or a portion of the Weighted Average Fixed Rate Coupon Adjustment, if any, as of such date, to the extent not exceeding such shortfall, shall be added to such result.

Weighted Average Fixed Rate Coupon Adjustment ” means, as of any date of determination, a fraction (expressed as a percentage), the numerator of which is equal to the product of (i) the excess, if any, of the Weighted Average Spread for such date over 7.00%, and (ii) the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Collateral Obligations that are not Fixed Rate Obligations as of such date, and the denominator of which is the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Fixed Rate Obligations as of such date (in each case, excluding the unfunded portion of any Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loans or Revolving Collateral Loans that are Fixed Rate Obligations). In computing the Weighted Average Fixed Rate Coupon Adjustment on any date, the Weighted Average Spread for such date shall be computed as if the Weighted Average Spread Adjustment was equal to zero.

Weighted Average Maturity Date ”: As of any date of determination with respect to all Collateral Obligations other than Defaulted Loans, the date calculated by adding to the Closing Date the weighted average maturity of such Collateral Obligations (expressed as a number of months from the Closing Date) calculated by (a) summing the products obtained by multiplying (i) the Principal Balance (or portion thereof) of each such Collateral Obligation that is then held (or in relation to a proposed purchase of such a Collateral Obligation, proposed to be held) by the Borrower and that matures or amortizes on any date subsequent to such date of determination by (ii) the number of months from the Closing Date to the date of such maturity or amortization and (b)  dividing such sum by the Aggregate Principal Balance of all such Collateral Obligations identified in clause (a)(i) above.

Weighted Average Maturity Test ”: A test that will be satisfied on any date of determination if the Weighted Average Maturity Date of all Collateral Obligations (excluding Defaulted Loans) as of such date is on or before September 27, 2019.

Weighted Average Spread ” means, as of any date, the number determined by summing the number obtained by adding:

 

The Aggregate Funded Spread (with respect to all Collateral Obligations that are not Fixed Rate Obligations)      +    The Aggregate Unfunded Spread

 

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and dividing such sum by:

The Aggregate Principal Balance of all Collateral Obligations that are not Fixed Rate Obligations as of such date;

provided that if the foregoing amount is less than 7.00%, then all or a portion of the Weighted Average Spread Adjustment, if any, as of such date, to the extent not exceeding such shortfall, shall be added to such result.

Weighted Average Spread Adjustment ” means, as of any date, a fraction (expressed as a percentage), the numerator of which is equal to the product of (i) the excess, if any, of the Weighted Average Fixed Rate Coupon for such date over 10.00% and (ii) the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Fixed Rate Obligations as of such date (in each case, excluding the unfunded portion of any Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loans or Revolving Collateral Loans that are Fixed Rate Obligations), and the denominator of which is the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Collateral Obligations that are not Fixed Rate Obligations as of such date. In computing the Weighted Average Spread Adjustment on any date, the Weighted Average Fixed Rate Coupon for such date shall be computed as if the Weighted Average Fixed Rate Coupon Adjustment was equal to zero.

Withdrawal Liability ” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

Working Capital Revolver ” means a revolving lending facility secured by all or a portion of the current assets of the related obligor.

Zero Coupon Obligation ” means a Collateral Obligation that does not provide for periodic payments of interest in Cash or that pays interest only at its stated maturity.

Section 1.02 Rules of Construction .

For all purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires (i) singular words shall connote the plural as well as the singular, and vice versa (except as indicated), as may be appropriate, (ii) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import used in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular article, schedule, section, paragraph, clause, exhibit or other subdivision, (iii) the headings, subheadings and table of contents set forth in this Agreement are solely for convenience of reference and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement nor shall they affect the meaning, construction or effect of any provision hereof, (iv) references in this Agreement to “include” or “including” shall mean include or including, as applicable, without limiting the generality of any description preceding such term, and for purposes hereof the rule of ejusdem generis shall not be applicable to limit a general statement, followed by or referable to an enumeration of specific matters, to matters similar to those specifically mentioned, (v) each of the parties to this Agreement and its counsel have reviewed and revised, or requested revisions to, this Agreement, and the rule of construction that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall be inapplicable in the construction and interpretation of this Agreement, (vi) any definition of or reference to any Facility

 

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Document, agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (vii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors (including any such successors by merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of such Person’s assets) and assigns (subject to any restrictions set forth herein or in any other applicable agreement), (viii) any reference to any law or regulation herein shall refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, (ix) unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted and all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time and (x) unless otherwise specified herein and unless the context requires a different meaning, all terms used herein that are defined in Articles 8 and 9 of the UCC are used herein as so defined.

Section 1.03 Computation of Time Periods .

Unless otherwise stated in this Agreement, in the computation of a period of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “ from ” means “ from and including ” and the words “ to ” and “ until ” both mean “ to but excluding ”. Periods of days referred to in this Agreement shall be counted in calendar days unless Business Days are expressly prescribed. Unless otherwise indicated herein, all references to time of day refer to Eastern Standard Time or Eastern daylight saving time, as in effect in New York City on such day.

Section 1.04 Collateral Value Calculation Procedures .

In connection with all calculations required to be made pursuant to this Agreement with respect to Scheduled Distributions on any Collateral Obligations, or any payments on any other assets included in the Collateral, with respect to the sale of and reinvestment in Collateral Obligations, and with respect to the income that can be earned on Scheduled Distributions on such Collateral Obligations and on any other amounts that may be received for deposit in the Collection Account, the provisions set forth in this Section 1.04 shall be applied. The provisions of this Section 1.04 shall be applicable to any determination or calculation that is covered by this Section 1.04 , whether or not reference is specifically made to Section 1.04 , unless some other method of calculation or determination is expressly specified in the particular provision.

(a) All calculations with respect to Scheduled Distributions on the Collateral Obligations securing the Advances shall be made on the basis of information as to the terms of each of such Collateral Obligations and upon reports of payments, if any, received on such Collateral Obligations that are furnished by or on behalf of the Obligor of such Collateral Obligations and, to the extent they are not manifestly in error, such information or reports may be conclusively relied upon in making such calculations.

(b) For purposes of calculating the Coverage Tests, except as otherwise specified in the Coverage Tests, such calculations will not include ticking fees in respect of Collateral Obligations, and other similar fees, unless or until such fees are actually paid.

 

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(c) For each Collection Period and as of any date of determination, the Scheduled Distribution on any Collateral Obligations (other than Defaulted Loans, which, except as otherwise provided herein, shall be assumed to have Scheduled Distributions of zero) shall be the sum of (i) the total amount of payments and collections to be received during such Collection Period in respect of such Collateral Obligations (including the proceeds of the sale of such Collateral Obligations received and, in the case of sales which have not yet settled, to be received during the Collection Period) and not reinvested in additional Collateral Obligations or retained in the Collection Account for subsequent reinvestment pursuant to Section 10.02 that, if received as scheduled, will be available in the Collection Account at the end of the Collection Period and (ii) any such amounts received in prior Collection Periods that were not disbursed on a previous Payment Date or retained in the Collection Account for subsequent reinvestment pursuant to Section 10.02 .

(d) Each Scheduled Distribution receivable with respect to a Collateral Obligation shall be assumed to be received on the applicable Due Date, and each such Scheduled Distribution shall be assumed to be immediately deposited in the Collection Account to earn interest at the Assumed Reinvestment Rate (as determined on each relevant date of determination). All such funds shall be assumed to continue to earn interest until the date on which they are required to be available in the Collection Account for application, in accordance with the terms hereof, to payments of principal of or interest on the Advances or other amounts payable pursuant to this Agreement.

(e) References in the Priority of Payments to calculations made on a “ pro forma basis ” shall mean such calculations after giving effect to all payments, in accordance with the Priority of Payments, that precede (in priority of payment) or include the clause in which such calculation is made.

(f) For purposes of calculating all Concentration Limitations, in both the numerator and the denominator of any component of the Concentration Limitations, Defaulted Loans will be treated as having a Principal Balance equal to zero, except that Defaulted Loans that are also Eligible Senior Secured Loans will be treated as having a Principal Balance equal to the lesser of (i) the Market Value of such Defaulted Loan determined without reference to clause (d) of the definition thereof, unless the Appraised Value of such Defaulted Loan has otherwise been obtained or updated (A) within the immediately preceding three months and (B) since such Defaulted Loan became defaulted, whichever of (A) and (B) is shorter (as determined by the Collateral Manager with notice to the Agents), and (ii) 20% of the Aggregate Principal Balance of such Defaulted Loan.

(g) Except as otherwise provided herein, Defaulted Loans will not be included in the calculation of the Collateral Quality Tests.

(h) For purposes of determining the Minimum Weighted Average Spread Test (and related computations of stated interest coupons and Aggregate Funded Spread), capitalized or deferred interest (and any other interest that is not paid in cash) will be excluded.

(i) Except as otherwise expressly set forth with respect to substitutions in Section 10.01(a)(vi), references in this Agreement to the Borrower’s “purchase” or “acquisition”

 

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of a Collateral Obligation include references to the Borrower’s acquisition of such Collateral Obligation by way of contribution from any Equity Owners thereof. Portions of the same Collateral Obligation acquired by the Borrower on different dates (whether through purchase or receipt by contribution, but excluding subsequent draws under Revolving Collateral Loans or Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loans) will, for purposes of determining the purchase price of such Collateral Obligation, be treated as separate purchases on separate dates (and not a weighted average purchase price for any particular Collateral Obligation). The “purchase price” for any Collateral Obligation acquired from an Affiliate of the Borrower, paid in the aggregate in the form of cash and/or a contribution to the capital of the Borrower, shall be consistent with the amount that would be paid in an arms-length transaction with a non-Affiliate.

(j) For the purposes of calculating compliance with each of the Concentration Limitations all calculations will be rounded to the nearest 0.01%.

(k) Any Specified Change that results in the transfer or release of all or substantially all of the assets securing a Collateral Obligation shall, for purposes of the Concentration Limitations, result in the recategorizing of such Collateral Obligation as an Unsecured Loan.

(l) For purposes of calculating the Coverage Tests, the Advance Rate Test, the Commitment Shortfall Test, the Concentration Limits, the Collateral Quality Tests and the EOD OC Ratio, the effect of the acquisition or disposition of Collateral Loans and Eligible Investments shall be calculated on a trade date basis. For the avoidance of doubt, the Excluded Loan shall not be included in any calculations of the Coverage Tests, the Advance Rate Test, the Commitment Shortfall Test, the Concentration Limits, the Collateral Quality Tests and the EOD OC Ratio.

ARTICLE II

ADVANCES UNDER THE FACILITY

Section 2.01 Revolving Credit Facility .

On the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, including Article III , each Lender severally agrees to make advances to the Borrower (each, an “ Advance ” and each borrowing on any single day, a “ Borrowing ”) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date until the Commitment Termination Date, in each case in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding up to but not exceeding such Lender’s Commitment and, as to all Lenders, in an aggregate principal amount up to but not exceeding the Total Commitment; provided , that no such Advances and no prepayment of any Advances shall be made on the Business Day immediately preceding (but not including) any Payment Date.

Within such limits and subject to the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Borrower may borrow (and re-borrow) Advances under this Section 2.01 and prepay Advances under Section 2.05 .

 

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Section 2.02 Advances .

(a) If the Borrower desires to make a Borrowing under this Agreement it shall give each Lender and the Facility Agent (with a copy to the Collateral Agent) a written notice (each, a “ Notice of Borrowing ”) for such Borrowing (which notice shall be irrevocable and effective upon receipt by the Facility Agent) not later than 11:00 a.m. at least two Business Days prior to the day of the requested Borrowing (or, in the case of the initial Borrowing on the Closing Date, such notice shall be received not later than 3:00 p.m. on the day prior to the Closing Date, and, in all other cases, with such lesser notice period that the Facility Agent deems acceptable in its sole discretion).

Each Notice of Borrowing shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, dated the date the request for the related Borrowing is being made, signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, and otherwise be appropriately completed. The proposed Borrowing Date specified in each Notice of Borrowing shall be a Business Day falling on or prior to the Commitment Termination Date, and the amount of the Borrowing requested in such Notice of Borrowing (the “ Requested Amount ”) shall be equal to at least $1,000,000 or an integral multiple of $250,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the remaining unfunded Commitments hereunder).

(b) Each Lender shall not later than 2:00 p.m. on each Borrowing Date in respect of an Advance make its Percentage of the applicable Requested Amount available to the Borrower by disbursing such funds in Dollars to the Principal Collection Subaccount.

Section 2.03 Evidence of Indebtedness; Notes .

(a) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to it and resulting from the Advances made by such Lender to the Borrower, from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest thereon and paid to it, from time to time hereunder.

(b) Any Lender may request that its Commitment to the Borrower be evidenced by a Note. In such event, the Borrower shall promptly prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a Note payable to such Lender and otherwise appropriately completed. Thereafter, the Advances of such Lender evidenced by such Note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after any assignment pursuant to Section 12.06(a) ) be represented by a Note payable to such Lender (or registered assigns pursuant to Section 12.06(a) ), except to the extent that such Lender (or assignee) subsequently returns any such Note for cancellation and requests that such Advances once again be evidenced as described in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 2.03 .

Section 2.04 Payment of Principal and Interest .

The Borrower shall pay principal and interest on the Advances as follows:

(a) 100% of the outstanding principal amount of each Advance, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, shall be payable on the Final Maturity Date.

(b) Interest shall accrue on the unpaid principal amount of each Advance from the date of such Advance until such principal amount is paid in full, at the following rates per annum :

(i) Base Rate Advances . While an Advance is a Base Rate Advance, a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Base Rate in effect from time to time plus the Facility Margin Level.

 

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(ii) Eurodollar Rate Advances . While an Advance is a Eurodollar Rate Advance, a rate per annum for each Interest Accrual Period for such Advance equal to the sum of LIBOR for such Interest Accrual Period plus the Facility Margin Level.

(iii) CP Rate Advances . While an Advance is a CP Rate Advance, (i) a rate per annum for each Interest Accrual Period for such Advance equal to the CP Rate for such Interest Accrual Period plus the Facility Margin Level; and (ii) each CP Rate Advance funded by a CP Conduit through its liquidity provider shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Accrual Period for such Advance equal to the sum of LIBOR for such Interest Accrual Period plus the Facility Margin Level, for each day in such Interest Accrual Period prior to the day on which such funding has been refinanced through the issuance of Commercial Paper at the CP Rate for the remainder of such Interest Accrual Period plus the Facility Margin Level.

All Advances shall constitute CP Rate Advances if made by a CP Conduit established or administered by Natixis, New York Branch and Eurodollar Rate Advances if made by any other Lender (subject to their conversion to Base Rate Advances pursuant to Section 2.11 ), provided that, in the event the Borrower is no longer able to borrow CP Rate Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances as a result of the occurrence of any of the circumstances set forth in Section 2.11 , the Borrower may request Base Rate Advances hereunder until such time as Eurodollar Rate Advances are available.

The Calculation Agent shall provide notice to the Facility Agent, the Lenders, the Borrower and the Collateral Manager of any and all LIBOR rate sets on the date that any such rate set is determined. Each CP Conduit (or its administrator) shall notify the Facility Agent, the Calculation Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Borrower and the Collateral Manager of the CP Rate for the related Interest Accrual Period on or prior to the related Determination Date in connection with the provision of its invoice or otherwise upon written request. The CP Rate for each CP Conduit shall be calculated, for each day during the period between the date of such notice and the last day of each Interest Accrual Period (the “ Estimate Period ”), on the basis of such CP Conduit’s good faith estimate of its funding costs for such Estimate Period, and the amount of interest payable to such CP Conduit in respect of the following Interest Accrual Period shall be increased by the amount, if any, by which interest at the actual CP Rates for such CP Conduit for the Estimate Period exceeds the amount estimated or shall be decreased by the amount, if any, by which the amount of interest at the estimated CP Rates for such Estimate Period exceeds the amount of interest accrued at the actual CP Rates. However, on the Final Maturity Date of the Advances, any such increase or decrease that would be due pursuant to the preceding sentence shall instead be settled and paid on such Final Maturity Date. Each CP Conduit shall supply a reconciliation of such amounts as provided in this Section 2.04(b) for each such period to the Facility Agent, the Borrower and the Collateral Manager and, absent manifest error, such reconciliation shall be conclusive and binding on all parties hereto. The interest rate payable to a CP Conduit shall reflect proportionately the different sources of funding used during each Interest Accrual Period by the CP Conduit to finance its outstanding revolving loans.

 

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(c) Accrued interest on each Advance shall be payable in arrears (x) on each Payment Date, and (y) on each date of prepayment of principal thereof, on the principal amount so prepaid to but excluding the date of prepayment.

(d) Subject in all cases to Section 2.04(f) , the obligation of the Borrower to pay the Obligations, including the obligation of the Borrower to pay the Lenders the outstanding principal amount of the Advances and accrued interest thereon, shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms hereof (including Section 2.15 ), under any and all circumstances and irrespective of any setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment (other than payment) which the Borrower or any other Person may have or have had against any Secured Party or any other Person.

(e) As a condition to the payment of principal of and interest on any Advance without the imposition of withholding tax, each Agent and the Borrower may require certification acceptable to such Agent or the Borrower from any recipient to enable the Borrower and the Agents to determine their duties and liabilities with respect to any taxes or other charges that they may be required to deduct or withhold from payments in respect of such Advance under any present or future law or regulation of the United States and any other applicable jurisdiction, or any present or future law or regulation of any political subdivision thereof or taxing authority therein or to comply with any reporting or other requirements under any such law or regulation.

(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement are limited recourse obligations of the Borrower only payable solely from the Collateral and, following realization of the Collateral, and application of the proceeds thereof in accordance with the Priority of Payments and, subject to Section 2.12 , all obligations of and any claims against the Borrower hereunder or in connection herewith after such realization shall be extinguished and shall not thereafter revive. No recourse shall be had against any officer, director, employee, shareholder, Affiliate, member, manager, agent, partner, principal or incorporator of the Borrower or their respective successors or assigns (any “ Related Person ”) for any amounts payable under this Agreement. It is understood that the foregoing provisions of this clause (f) shall not (i) prevent recourse to (x) the Collateral for the sums due or to become due under any security, instrument or agreement which is part of the Collateral or (y) any Affiliate of the Borrower under any Facility Document to which it is party thereto or (ii) constitute a waiver, release or discharge of any indebtedness or obligation evidenced by this Agreement until such Collateral has been realized. It is further understood that the foregoing provisions of this clause (f) shall not limit the right of any Person to name the Borrower as a party defendant in any proceeding or in the exercise of any other remedy under this Agreement, so long as no judgment in the nature of a deficiency judgment or seeking personal liability shall be asked for or (if obtained) enforced against any such Related Person.

 

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Section 2.05 Prepayment of Advances .

(a) Optional Prepayments . Other than in connection with a Payment in Full and termination of the Facility which is subject to Section 2.06(b), the Borrower may, from time to time on any Business Day other than the Business Day immediately preceding any Payment Date, voluntarily prepay the Advances together with accrued interest thereon in whole or in part using Principal Proceeds, without penalty or premium; provided that the Borrower shall have delivered to the Lenders and the Facility Agent (with a copy to the Collateral Agent) written notice of such prepayment (such notice, a “ Notice of Prepayment ”) in the form of Exhibit C hereto not later than 12:00 noon on the Business Day that is (i) in the case of CP Rate Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances, three Business Days prior to the date of such prepayment, and (ii) in the case of Base Rate Advances, one Business Day prior to the date of such prepayment. Each such Notice of Prepayment shall be irrevocable and effective upon receipt and shall be dated the date such notice is being given, signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and otherwise appropriately completed. Each prepayment of any Advance by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.05(a) shall in each case be in a principal amount of at least $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $250,000 in excess thereof or, if less, the entire outstanding principal amount of the Advances of the Borrower. If a Notice of Prepayment is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein.

(b) Mandatory Prepayments . The Borrower shall prepay the Advances and make deposits in the Revolving Reserve Account on each Payment Date in the manner and to the extent provided in the Priority of Payments. The Borrower shall provide, in each Payment Date Report, notice of the aggregate amounts of Advances that are to be prepaid on the related Payment Date and amounts to be deposited in the Revolving Reserve Account in accordance with the Priority of Payments.

(c) Additional Prepayment Provisions . Each prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.05 shall be (i) subject to Sections 2.04(c) and 2.10 and (ii) applied to the Advances of the Lenders in accordance with their respective Percentages.

Section 2.06 Reductions in Commitments .

(a) Automatic Reduction and Termination . The Total Commitment (and the Commitment of each Lender) shall be automatically reduced to zero at the close of business on the Commitment Termination Date. The Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Total Commitment if, to the extent that after giving effect to such reduction or termination, a Commitment Shortfall shall exist.

(b) Optional Termination in Whole . Prior to the Commitment Termination Date, the Borrower shall have the right at any time to terminate the Commitments in their entirety upon not less than 5 Business Days’ prior notice to the Lenders and the Facility Agent of any such termination, which notice shall specify the effective date of such termination, provided that Payment in Full occurs on such date. The Borrower may use amounts in the Covered Accounts to effect any such Payment in Full. Such notice of termination shall be irrevocable and effective only upon receipt and shall terminate and cancel the Commitments of each Lender on the date specified in such notice.

 

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(c) Optional Reductions in Part . Prior to the Commitment Termination Date, the Borrower shall have the right at any time to reduce permanently in an aggregate amount of at least $10,000,000 the unused amount of the Total Commitment upon not less than 5 Business Days’ prior notice to the Lenders and the Facility Agent of any such reduction, which notice shall specify the effective date of such reduction and the amount of any such reduction, provided that no such reduction will reduce the Total Commitments below the aggregate principal amount of Advances at such time. Any such notice of reduction shall be irrevocable.

(d) Effect of Termination or Reduction . The Total Commitment (and the Commitment of each Lender) once terminated or reduced may not be reinstated. Each reduction of the Total Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.06 shall be applied ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments.

Section 2.07 Maximum Lawful Rate .

It is the intention of the parties hereto that the interest on the Advances shall not exceed the maximum rate permissible under Applicable Law. Accordingly, anything herein or in any Note to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event any interest is charged to, collected from or received from or on behalf of the Borrower by the Lenders pursuant hereto or thereto in excess of such maximum lawful rate, then the excess of such payment over that maximum shall be applied first to the payment of amounts then due and owing by the Borrower to the Secured Parties under this Agreement (other than in respect of principal of and interest on the Advances) and then to the reduction of the outstanding principal amount of the Advances of the Borrower.

Section 2.08 Several Obligations .

The failure of any Lender to make any Advance to be made by it on the date specified therefor shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation to make its Advance on such date, neither Agent shall be responsible for the failure of any Lender to make any Advance, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make an Advance to be made by such other Lender.

Section 2.09 Increased Costs .

(a) Except with respect to Taxes which shall be governed exclusively by Section 12.03, and without duplication of amounts required to be paid or indemnified by Borrower pursuant to Section 12.04, if, due to either (i) the introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation, application or implementation of any Applicable Law (a “ Regulatory Change ”) after the date hereof, or (ii) the compliance with any guideline or change in the interpretation, application or implementation of any guideline or request from any central bank or other Authority (whether or not having the force of law) after the date hereof, there shall be any increase in the cost to any Affected Person of agreeing to make or making, funding or maintaining Advances to the Borrower, then the Borrower shall from time to time, on the Payment Dates (but subject in all cases to Section 2.04(f) ), following such Affected Person’s demand, pay in accordance with the Priority of Payments to such Affected Person such

 

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additional amounts as may be sufficient to compensate such Affected Person for such increased cost. A certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the amount of such increased cost, submitted to the Borrower by an Affected Person (with a copy to the Agents and DBRS), shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each of (A) the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or issued in connection therewith (the “ Dodd-Frank Act ”), (B) Article 122a of the CRD and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or issued in connection therewith, (C) any law, request, rule, guideline or directive promulgated by the Bank of International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III (“ Basel III ”), (D) the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or issued in connection therewith (“AIFMD”), (E) the final rule titled Risk-Based Capital Guidelines; Capital Adequacy Guidelines; Capital Maintenance: Regulatory Capital; Impact of Modifications to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles; Consolidation of Asset-Backed Commercial Paper Programs; and Other Related Issues, adopted by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Department of the Treasury; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; and Office of Thrift Supervision, Department of Treasury on December 15, 2009 (the “ FAS 166/167 Regulatory Capital Rules ”), or any rules, regulations, guidance, interpretations or directives from bank regulatory agencies promulgated in connection therewith and (F) any existing or future rules, regulations, guidance, interpretations or directives from the U.S. bank regulatory agencies relating to the Dodd-Frank Act, Basel III, Article 122a of the CRD, AIFMD or FAS 166/167 Regulatory Capital Rules (whether or not having the force of law), and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or issued in connection therewith shall be deemed to have been introduced after the Closing Date, thereby constituting a Regulatory Change hereunder with respect to the Affected Parties as of the Closing Date, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be responsible for any increased costs relating to Article 122a of the CRD and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or issued in connection therewith so long as the Borrower is in compliance with Section 5.01(l) hereunder.

(b) If an Affected Person determines that (i) the applicability of any law, rule, regulation or guideline adopted after the date hereof pursuant to or arising out of Basel III or (ii) the adoption after the date hereof of any other law, rule, regulation or guideline regarding capital adequacy affecting such Affected Person or any holding company for such Affected Person or (iii) compliance, implementation or application, whether commenced prior to or after the date hereof, by any Affected Person with the Dodd-Frank Act, Basel III, Article 122a of the CRD, AIFMD or FAS 166/167 Regulatory Capital Rules or any rules, regulations, guidance, interpretations or directives from bank regulatory agencies promulgated in connection therewith or (iv) any change arising after the date hereof in the foregoing or in the interpretation or administration of any of the foregoing by any governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or (v) compliance by any Affected Person (or any lending office of such Affected Person), or any holding company for such Affected Person which is subject to any of the capital requirements described above, with any request or directive issued after the date hereof regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency, (A) affects the amount of capital required to be maintained by such Affected Person and that the

 

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amount of such capital is increased by or based upon the existence of such Affected Person’s Commitment under this Agreement or upon such Affected Person’s making, funding or maintaining Advances or (B) reduces the rate of return of an Affected Person to a level below that which such Affected Person could have achieved but for such compliance (taking into consideration such Affected Person’s policies with respect to capital adequacy), then the Borrower shall from time to time, on the Payment Dates (but subject in all cases to Section 2.04(f)), following such Affected Person’s demand, pay in accordance with the Priority of Payments such additional amounts which are sufficient to compensate such Affected Person for such increase in capital or reduced return. If any Affected Person becomes entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.09(b) , it shall promptly notify the Borrower (with a copy to the Agents and DBRS) of the event by reason of which it has become so entitled. A certificate setting forth in reasonable detail such amounts submitted to the Borrower by an Affected Person shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

Upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the Borrower’s obligation to pay additional amounts to a Lender pursuant to clauses (a) or (b) of this Section 2.09 , such Lender will, if requested by the Borrower, use reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender) to designate a different lending office if such designation would reduce or obviate the obligations of the Borrower to make future payments of such additional amounts; provided that such designation is made on such terms that such Lender and its lending office suffer no unreimbursed cost or legal or regulatory disadvantage (as reasonably determined by such Lender), with the object of avoiding future consequence of the event giving rise to the operation of any such provision.

Upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the Borrower’s obligation to pay additional amounts to a Lender pursuant to clauses (a) or (b) of this Section 2.09 , the Borrower shall have the right to replace such Lender (the “ Replaced Lender ”) with one or more other assignees meeting the requirements set forth in Section 12.06 hereof which will not result in additional amounts being payable pursuant to clauses (a) or (b) of this Section 2.09 (collectively, the “ Replacement Lender ”), provided that (i) all fees and expenses incurred by the Replaced Lender in connection with such assignment shall be paid by the Borrower and (ii) the Replacement Lender shall acquire all of the Commitments and outstanding Advances of the Replaced Lender and, in connection therewith, shall pay to the Replaced Lender in respect thereof an amount equal to the principal of, and all accrued interest on, all outstanding Advances of the Replaced Lender and all related fees and expenses in connection with the Facility Documents.

Section 2.10 Compensation; Breakage Payments .

The Borrower agrees to compensate each Affected Person from time to time, on the Payment Dates, following such Affected Person’s written request (which request shall set forth the basis for requesting such amounts), in accordance with the Priority of Payments, for all reasonable losses, expenses and liabilities (including any interest paid by such Affected Person to lenders of funds borrowed by the Borrower to make or carry a CP Rate Advance or a Eurodollar Rate Advance made to the Borrower and any loss sustained by such Affected Person in connection with the re-employment of such funds but excluding loss of anticipated profits or margin), which such Affected Person may sustain: (i) if for any reason (including any failure of

 

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a condition precedent set forth in Article III but excluding a default by the applicable Lender) a Borrowing of any CP Rate Advance or Eurodollar Rate Advance by the Borrower does not occur on the Borrowing Date specified therefor in the applicable Notice of Borrowing delivered by the Borrower, (ii) if any payment, prepayment or conversion of any of the Borrower’s CP Rate Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances occurs on a date that is not the last day of the relevant Interest Accrual Period, (iii) if any payment or prepayment of any CP Rate Advance or Eurodollar Rate Advance is not made on any date specified in a Notice of Prepayment given by the Borrower, (iv) if any Eurodollar Rate Advance is converted into a Base Rate Advance on a date other than the last day of the Interest Accrual Period therefor or (v) as a consequence of any other default by the Borrower to repay its CP Rate Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances when required by the terms of this Agreement. A certificate as to any amounts payable pursuant to this Section 2.10 submitted to the Borrower by any Lender (with a copy to the Agents and DBRS, and accompanied by a reasonably detailed calculation of such amounts and a description of the basis for requesting such amounts) shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

Section 2.11 Illegality; Inability to Determine Rates .

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, in the event that it becomes unlawful for a Lender to (i) honor its obligation to make CP Rate Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances hereunder, or (ii) maintain CP Rate Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances hereunder, then such Lender shall promptly notify the Agents and the Borrower thereof (with a copy to DBRS), and such Lender’s obligation to make or maintain CP Rate Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances hereunder shall be suspended until such time as such Lender may again make and maintain CP Rate Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances, and such Lender’s outstanding CP Rate Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be automatically converted into Base Rate Advances on the date that such Lender shall specify to the Agents and the Borrower. Promptly after the reason for such suspension no longer applies, the Lender shall send written notice to the Facility Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Borrower, at which time, as soon as reasonably practicable after such Lender has specified to the Facility Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Borrower that it may again make and maintain such Advances, all outstanding Base Rate Advances shall be converted back into CP Rate Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances, as applicable.

(b) Upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to a Lender’s suspending its obligation to make or maintain CP Rate Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances, as applicable pursuant to Section 2.11(a) , such Lender will, if requested by the Borrower, use reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender) to designate a different lending office if such designation would enable such Lender to again make and maintain CP Rate Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances, as applicable; provided that such designation is made on such terms that such Lender and its lending office suffer no unreimbursed cost or material legal or regulatory disadvantage (as reasonably determined by such Lender), with the object of avoiding future consequence of the event giving rise to the operation of any such provision.

(c) Upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to a Lender’s suspending its obligation to make or maintain CP Rate Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances, the Borrower shall have the right to replace such Lender (the “ Replaced Lender ”) with one or more other assignees meeting the requirements set forth in Section 12.06 hereof and whose obligation to

 

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make or maintain CP Rate Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances is not suspended (collectively, the “ Replacement Lender ”), provided that (i) all fees and expenses incurred by the Replaced Lender in connection with such assignment shall be paid by the Borrower and (ii) the Replacement Lender shall acquire all of the Commitments and outstanding Advances of the Replaced Lender and, in connection therewith, shall pay to the Replaced Lender in respect thereof an amount equal to the principal of, and all accrued interest on, all outstanding Advances of the Replaced Lender and all related fees and expenses in connection with the Facility Documents.

(d) If prior to the first day of any Interest Accrual Period, (i) the Lender determines and notifies the Calculation Agent that for any reason adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the rate for such Interest Accrual Period for any CP Rate Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances, or (ii) the Facility Agent determines and notifies the Calculation Agent that the CP Rate or Eurodollar Rate with respect to such Interest Accrual Period for any CP Rate Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances, as applicable does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lender of funding such CP Rate Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances, the Calculation Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower, the Agents, each Lender and DBRS. Thereafter, the obligation of the Lender to make or maintain CP Rate Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances, as applicable, shall be suspended until the Lender or Facility Agent, as applicable revokes such notice, and all outstanding CP Rate Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances, as applicable, shall be converted into Base Rate Advances on the date that such Lender or Facility Agent, as applicable, shall specify to the Borrower. Promptly After the reason for such suspension no longer applies, the Lender or Facility Agent, as applicable, shall send written notice to the Borrower, the Facility Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Calculation Agent and each Lender, at which time, as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, all outstanding Base Rate Advances shall be converted back into CP Rate Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances, as applicable.

Section 2.12 Rescission or Return of Payment .

The Borrower agrees that, if at any time (including after the occurrence of the Final Maturity Date) all or any part of any payment theretofore made by it to any Secured Party or any designee of a Secured Party is or must be rescinded or returned for any reason whatsoever (including the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates), the obligation of the Borrower to make such payment to such Secured Party shall, for the purposes of this Agreement, to the extent that such payment is or must be rescinded or returned, be deemed to have continued in existence and this Agreement shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, as to such obligations, all as though such payment had not been made.

 

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Section 2.13 Fees Payable by Borrower .

(a) The Borrower hereby agrees to pay to each Lender, other than a Defaulting Lender, a commitment fee (a “ Commitment Fee ”) as set forth in the Fee Letter. Commitment Fees accrued during each Collection Period shall be payable in accordance with Section 9.01(a) on the related Payment Date.

(b) All payments by or on behalf of the Borrower under this Section 2.13 shall be made in accordance with the Priority of Payments.

Section 2.14 Post-Default Interest .

The Borrower shall pay interest on all Obligations that are not paid when due for the period from the due date thereof until the date the same is paid in full at the Post-Default Rate. Interest payable at the Post-Default Rate shall be payable on each Payment Date in accordance with the Priority of Payments.

Section 2.15 Payments Generally .

(a) All amounts owing and payable to any Secured Party, any Affected Person or any Indemnified Party, in respect of the Advances and other Obligations, including the principal thereof, interest, fees, indemnities, expenses or other amounts payable under this Agreement, shall be paid by the Borrower (through the Collateral Agent) to the applicable recipient in Dollars, in immediately available funds, in accordance with the Priority of Payments, and all without counterclaim, setoff, deduction, defense, abatement, suspension or deferment. Each Lender shall provide wire instructions to the Borrower and the Collateral Agent. Payments received after 1:00 p.m. on a Business Day will be deemed to have been paid on the next following Business Day.

(b) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all computations of interest, fees and other Obligations shall be made on the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days elapsed in computing interest on any Advance, the date of the making of an Advance shall be included and the date of payment shall be excluded; provided that, if an Advance is repaid on the same day on which it is made, one day’s interest shall be paid on such Advance. All computations made by the Calculation Agent or the Facility Agent under this Agreement shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

Section 2.16 Lenders Not Satisfying the Rating Criteria .

If and for so long as any Lender fails to satisfy the Rating Criteria, such Lender may deposit, in accordance with Section 8.03(c) , an amount equal to such Lender’s undrawn Commitment at such time in the appropriate Lender Funding Subaccount, and all principal payments in respect of the Advances which would otherwise be made to such Lender shall be diverted to the appropriate Lender Funding Subaccount, in accordance with Section 8.03(c) , and any amounts in such Lender Funding Subaccount shall be applied to any future funding obligations of such Lender. If, within 20 Business Days after the date as of which any Lender has ceased to satisfy the Rating Criteria, such Lender has not deposited an amount equal to such Lender’s undrawn Commitment in the appropriate Lender Funding Subaccount, (i) the Facility

 

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Agent will provide written notice thereof to DBRS, and (ii) the Borrower may, at its option, replace such Lender (all the costs incurred by the Borrower in connection with such replacement being for the account of such Lender) with another entity that meets the Rating Criteria and that is eligible to be an assignee of the Commitments under the terms of this Agreement (by requiring the replaced Lender to transfer all of its rights and obligations in respect of its Commitment to the transferee entity at a price equal to the principal of, and all accrued interest on, all outstanding Advances of the replaced Lender). Each of the Collateral Agent, the Facility Agent and the Lender being replaced will agree to cooperate with all reasonable requests of the Borrower for the purpose of effecting such transfer.

Section 2.17 Applicable Row Level .

The Borrower or the Collateral Manager may specify a different Applicable Row Level than the one currently selected by the Collateral Manager by delivery of written notice to the Agents (with a copy to DBRS, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders), signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or Collateral Manager, as applicable, upon not more than five Business Days and not less than one Business Day prior to the day on which such different Applicable Row Level is to become effective for purposes of the Matrix certifying that (i) each Collateral Quality Test is satisfied at such time, (ii) each Coverage Test is satisfied at such time, (iii) the Row Advance Rate that is in use at such time equals or exceeds the Portfolio Advance Rate at such time; and (iv) no Commitment Shortfall exists at such time, together with a report demonstrating compliance with each requirement set forth in the aforementioned clauses (i) through (iv) as well as compliance with all columns in the Matrix for the proposed Applicable Row Level.

ARTICLE III

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

Section 3.01 Conditions Precedent to Closing .

The obligation of the Lenders to make Advances hereunder comprising the initial Borrowing shall be subject to the conditions precedent that the Facility Agent shall have received on or before the Closing Date the following, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Facility Agent:

(a) each of the Facility Documents duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto, which shall each be in full force and effect;

(b) true and complete copies of the Constituent Documents of the Borrower and the Collateral Manager as in effect on the Closing Date;

(c) true and complete copies certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower of all Governmental Authorizations, Private Authorizations and Governmental Filings (other than the UCC financing statements to be filed pursuant to clause (f) below), if any, required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

 

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(d) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying (i) as to its Constituent Documents, (ii) as to its resolutions or other action of its board of directors or members or manager approving this Agreement and the other Facility Documents to which it is a party and the transactions contemplated thereby, (iii) that its representations and warranties set forth in the Facility Documents to which it is a party are true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to any earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date), (iv) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and (v) as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each of its Responsible Officers authorized to execute the Facility Documents to which it is a party;

(e) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Collateral Manager certifying (i) as to its Constituent Documents, (ii) as to its resolutions or other action of its board of directors or manager approving this Agreement and the other Facility Documents to which it is a party and the transactions contemplated thereby, (iii) that its representations and warranties set forth in the Facility Documents to which it is a party are true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to any earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date), (iv) to the best of its knowledge, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and (v) as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each of its Responsible Officers authorized to execute the Facility Documents to which it is a party;

(f) proper financing statements, under the UCC in all jurisdictions that the Facility Agent deems necessary or desirable in order to perfect the interests in the Collateral contemplated by this Agreement;

(g) copies of proper financing statements, amendments, if any, necessary to release all security interests and other rights of any Person in the Collateral previously granted by the Borrower or any predecessor in interest (including any transferor);

(h) legal opinions (addressed to each of the Secured Parties and DBRS) of (i) Dechert LLP, counsel to the Borrower and the Collateral Manager and (ii) Chapman and Cutler LLP, counsel to the Collateral Agent, covering such matters as the Facility Agent and its counsel shall reasonably request;

(i) evidence satisfactory to it that all of the Covered Accounts shall have been established; and the Account Control Agreement shall have been executed and delivered by the Borrower, the Collateral Agent and the Custodian and shall be in full force and effect;

(j) evidence satisfactory to it that the Borrower shall have paid (i) the fees to be received by Natixis on or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to this Agreement and each other Facility Document; (ii) the accrued fees and expenses in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby of (A) Ashurst LLP, counsel to the Facility Agent and Lenders, (B) Sidley Austin LLP, counsel to DBRS, and (C) Chapman and Cutler LLP, counsel to the Collateral Agent; and (iii) the fees to be received by DBRS on or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to the engagement letter dated as of April 18, 2012 between H.I.G. Whitehorse Holdings, LLC and DBRS.

 

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(k) a Retention of Net Economic Interest Letter substantially in the form of Exhibit G ;

(l) Delivery of the Collateral (including any promissory note, executed assignment agreements and copies of any other Related Documents in Microsoft Word format or portable document format (.pdf) available to the Borrower for each initial Collateral Obligation) in accordance with Section 12.20 shall have been effected;

(m) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that, in the case of each item of Collateral pledged to the Collateral Agent, on the Closing Date and immediately prior to the delivery thereof on the Closing Date:

(i) the Borrower is the owner of such Collateral free and clear of any liens, claims or encumbrances of any nature whatsoever except for (A) those which are being released on the Closing Date, (B) those granted pursuant to this Agreement and the Account Control Agreement and (C) Permitted Liens;

(ii) the Borrower has acquired its ownership in such Collateral in good faith without notice of any adverse claim, except as described in clause (i) above;

(iii) the Borrower has not assigned, pledged or otherwise encumbered its interest in such Collateral (or, if any such interest has been assigned, pledged or otherwise encumbered, it has been released) other than interests granted pursuant to this Agreement and the Account Control Agreement;

(iv) the Borrower has full right to grant a security interest in and assign and pledge such Collateral to the Collateral Agent; and

(v) upon grant by the Borrower, Delivery of the Collateral and execution of the Account Control Agreement, the Collateral Agent has a first priority (subject to clause (ii) of the definition of Permitted Liens) perfected security interest in the Collateral;

(n) the Facility Agent has received a rating letter satisfactory to the Facility Agent, delivered and signed by DBRS and confirming that the Facility has been assigned at least a “AA” rating by DBRS;

(o) such other opinions, instruments, certificates and documents from the Borrower as the Agents or any Lender shall have reasonably requested; and

(p) all legal and due diligence matters incident to this Agreement and the other Facility Documents shall be satisfactory to the Borrower, the Facility Agent, the Lenders and their respective counsel;

 

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(q) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that, in the case of the Collateral Obligations owned by the Borrower on the Closing Date:

(i) each Collateral Quality Test is satisfied;

(ii) each Coverage Test is satisfied;

(iii) the Advance Rate Test is satisfied;

(iv) no Commitment Shortfall exists; and

(v) with respect to any Collateral Obligation with a Credit Estimate, such Credit Estimate has been assigned by DBRS within one year prior to the Closing Date.

(r) evidence that the Borrower has directed the Collateral Agent to deposit the Closing Expense Account Amount into the Closing Expense Account for use pursuant to Section 8.12;

(s) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or the Collateral Manager, dated as of the Closing Date, specifying the Applicable Row Level to be in effect for purposes of the Matrix; and

(t) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Collateral Manager, dated as of the Closing Date, certifying that each Collateral Obligation owned by the Borrower as of the Closing Date satisfies the requirements of the definition of “Collateral Obligation”.

Section 3.02 Conditions Precedent to Each Borrowing .

The obligation of the Lenders to make each Advance (including any such Advance in respect of the initial Borrowing) on each Borrowing Date shall be subject to the fulfillment of the following conditions; provided that (1) except as otherwise expressly permitted in Section 8.04 , such Borrowing Date shall occur prior to the end of the Reinvestment Period, and (2) the conditions described in clauses (d), (e) and (f) (other than a Default or Event of Default described in Sections 6.01(c), (e)  or (f) ) below need not be satisfied if the proceeds of the Borrowing are used to fund Revolving Collateral Loans or Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loans then owned by the Borrower or to fund the Revolving Reserve Account to the extent required under Section 8.04 :

(a) in the case of the initial Borrowing hereunder, the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.01 shall have been fully satisfied on or prior to the applicable Borrowing Date.

(b) the Lenders and the Agents shall have received a Notice of Borrowing with respect to such Advance delivered in accordance with Section 2.02 ;

 

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(c) immediately after the making of such Advance on the applicable Borrowing Date, the Commitment Shortfall Test shall be satisfied (on a pro-forma basis);

(d) immediately after the making of such Advance on the applicable Borrowing Date, each Coverage Test shall be satisfied (on a pro-forma basis) and the Row Advance Rate that is in use at such time equals or exceeds the Portfolio Advance Rate;

(e) each of the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in this Agreement and the other Facility Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such Borrowing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to any earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date);

(f) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of the making of such Advance or shall result upon the making of such Advance; and

(g) other than in connection with Advances obtained on the Closing Date which are used for purposes other than the acquisition of additional Collateral Obligations, the provisions of Section 10.02 have been satisfied as of the date of purchase in connection with any acquisition of additional Collateral Obligations with the proceeds of the applicable Advance.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Section 4.01 Representations and Warranties of the Borrower .

The Borrower represents and warrants to each of the Secured Parties on and as of the Closing Date, each Determination Date and the date each Advance is made, as follows:

(a) Due Organization . The Borrower is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with full power and authority to own and operate its assets and properties, conduct the business in which it is now engaged and to execute and deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents to which it is a party.

(b) Due Qualification and Good Standing . The Borrower is in good standing in the State of Delaware. The Borrower is duly qualified to do business and, to the extent applicable, is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which the nature of its business, assets and properties, including the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, the other Facility Documents to which it is a party and its Constituent Documents to which it is a party, requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) Due Authorization; Execution and Delivery; Legal, Valid and Binding; Enforceability . The execution and delivery by the Borrower of, and the performance of its obligations under, the Facility Documents to which it is a party and the other instruments, certificates and agreements contemplated thereby are within its powers and have been duly

 

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authorized by all requisite action by it and have been duly executed and delivered by it and constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally or general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

(d) Non-Contravention . None of the execution and delivery by the Borrower of this Agreement or the other Facility Documents to which it is a party, the Borrowings or the pledge of the Collateral hereunder, the consummation of the transactions herein or therein contemplated, or performance and compliance by it with the terms, conditions and provisions hereof or thereof, will (i) conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under its Constituent Documents, (ii) conflict with or contravene (A) any Applicable Law, (B) any indenture, agreement or other contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets, including any Related Document, or (C) any order, writ, judgment, award, injunction or decree binding on or affecting it or any of its assets or properties or (iii) result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, or permit the acceleration of any obligation or liability in, or but for any requirement of the giving of notice or the passage of time (or both) would constitute such a conflict with, breach or violation of, or default under, or permit any such acceleration in, any contractual obligation or any agreement or document to which it is a party or by which it or any of its assets are bound (or to which any such obligation, agreement or document relates).

(e) Governmental Authorizations; Private Authorizations; Governmental Filings . The Borrower has obtained, maintained and kept in full force and effect all Governmental Authorizations and Private Authorizations which are necessary for it to properly carry out its business, and made all Governmental Filings necessary for the execution and delivery by it of the Facility Documents to which it is a party, the Borrowings by the Borrower under this Agreement, the pledge of the Collateral by the Borrower under this Agreement and the performance by the Borrower of its obligations under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents, and no Governmental Authorization, Private Authorization or Governmental Filing which has not been obtained or made is required to be obtained or made by it in connection with the execution and delivery by it of any Facility Document to which it is a party, the Borrowings by the Borrower under this Agreement, the pledge of the Collateral by the Borrower under this Agreement or the performance of its obligations under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents to which it is a party.

(f) Compliance with Agreements, Laws, Etc . The Borrower has duly observed and complied with all Applicable Laws, including the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act, relating to the conduct of its business and its assets. The Borrower has preserved and kept in full force and effect its legal existence. The Borrower has preserved and kept in full force and effect its rights, privileges, qualifications and franchises, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting the foregoing, (x) to the extent applicable, the Borrower is in compliance in all material respects with the regulations and rules promulgated by the U.S. Department of Treasury and/or administered by the U.S. Office of Foreign Asset Controls (“ OFAC ”), including U.S. Executive Order No. 13224, and other related statutes, laws and regulations (collectively, the “ Subject Laws ”), (y) the Borrower has adopted internal controls and procedures designed to

 

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ensure its continued compliance with the applicable provisions of the Subject Laws and, to the extent applicable, will adopt procedures consistent with the PATRIOT Act and implementing regulations, and (z) no investor in the Borrower is a Person whose name appears on the “List of Specially Designated Nationals” and “Blocked Persons” maintained by the OFAC.

(g) Location . The Borrower maintains the majority of its books and records in the State of Florida. The Borrower’s registered office and the jurisdiction of organization of the Borrower is the jurisdiction referred to in Section 4.01(a) .

(h) Investment Company Act . The Collateral Manager (for so long as the BDC Election Date has not occurred) is not required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act. After the BDC Election Date, the Collateral Manager shall be treated as a “business development company” subject to the provisions of Sections 55 through 65 of the Investment Company Act but exempt from Sections 1 through 53 thereof except to the extent provided in Sections 59 through 65 of the Investment Company Act. Neither the Borrower nor the pool of Collateral is required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act.

(i) Information and Reports . Each Notice of Borrowing, each Monthly Report, each Payment Date Report and all other written information, reports, certificates and statements furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to any Secured Party for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement, the other Facility Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby taken as a whole, and all such written information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower to any Secured Party taken as a whole, do not contain any material misstatement of fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which it was made, not misleading as of the date such information is stated or certified provided that neither the Borrower nor the Collateral Manager shall be responsible for any factual information furnished or omitted to be furnished to it by any third party not affiliated with it, except to the extent that a Responsible Officer thereof has actual knowledge that such factual information is inaccurate in any material respect or such Responsible Officer’s lack of actual knowledge is a violation of the standard of care of the Collateral Manager or is the result of bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct. Promptly after a Responsible Officer has actual knowledge thereof, the Borrower or the Collateral Manager on the Borrower’s behalf shall notify the Facility Agent and the Collateral Agent in writing.

(j) ERISA . Neither the Borrower nor any member of its ERISA Group has, or during the past five years had, any liability or obligation with respect to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan.

(k) Taxes . The Borrower and its sole owner has filed all income tax returns and all other tax returns which are required to be filed by it, if any, and has paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns, if any, or pursuant to any assessment received by any such Person.

(l) Tax Status . The Borrower is (i) disregarded as an entity separate from its owner and (ii) has not made an election under U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-3 and is not otherwise treated as an association taxable as a corporation. The Borrower’s direct or

 

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indirect owner for U.S. Federal income tax purposes is and will remain a United States person that is, for the avoidance of doubt, not a disregarded entity, as defined by Section 7701(a)(3) of the Code.

(m) Collections . All Collections have been remitted directly to the Interest Collection Subaccount (in the case of Interest Proceeds) or the Principal Collection Subaccount (in the case of Principal Proceeds) as required by this Agreement.

(n) Environmental Matters . The operations and property of the Borrower comply with all applicable Environmental Laws.

(o) Plan Assets . The assets of the Borrower are not treated as “ plan assets ” for purposes of Section 3(42) of ERISA and the Collateral is not deemed to be “ plan assets ” for purposes of Section 3(42) of ERISA. The Borrower has not taken, or omitted to take, any action which would result in any of the Collateral being treated as “ plan assets ” for purposes of Section 3(42) of ERISA or the occurrence of any Prohibited Transaction in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder.

(p) Solvency . After giving effect to each Advance hereunder, and the disbursement of the proceeds of such Advance, the Borrower is and will be Solvent.

(q) Initial Collateral Obligations . Each loan or debt obligation sold and/or contributed by the Collateral Manager to the Borrower on or before the Closing Date complies with the criteria set forth in the definition of “Collateral Obligation”.

(r) Representations Relating to the Collateral . The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that:

(i) it owns and has legal and beneficial title to all Collateral Obligations and other Collateral free and clear of any Lien, claim or encumbrance of any Person, other than Permitted Liens;

(ii) other than the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Agreement, the Borrower has not pledged, assigned, sold, granted a security interest in, or otherwise conveyed any of the Collateral; the Borrower has not authorized the filing of and is not aware of any Financing Statements against the Borrower that include a description of collateral covering the Collateral other than any Financing Statement relating to the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent hereunder or that has been terminated; and the Borrower is not aware of any judgment, PBGC liens or tax lien filings against the Borrower;

(iii) the Collateral constitutes Money, Cash, Accounts, Instruments, General Intangibles, securities accounts, deposit accounts, Uncertificated Securities, Certificated Securities or security entitlements to financial assets resulting from the crediting of financial assets to a “securities account” (as defined in Section 8-501(a) of the UCC);

 

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(iv) all Covered Accounts constitute “securities accounts” under Section 8-501(a) of the UCC or “deposit accounts” under Section 9-102(a)(29) of the UCC;

(v) this Agreement creates a valid, continuing and, upon Delivery of Collateral and execution of the Account Control Agreement, perfected security interest (as defined in Section 1-201(37) of the UCC) in the Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit and security of the Secured Parties, which security interest is prior to all other liens, claims and encumbrances and is enforceable as such against creditors of and purchasers from the Borrower;

(vi) the Borrower has received all consents and approvals required by the terms of the Collateral to the pledge hereunder to the Collateral Agent of all of its interest and rights in the Collateral;

(vii) with respect to the Collateral that constitutes Security Entitlements, all such Collateral has been and will have been credited to the Custodial Account;

(viii) with respect to Collateral that constitutes Accounts or General Intangibles, the Borrower has caused or will have caused, on or prior to the Closing Date, the filing of all appropriate Financing Statements in the proper filing office in the appropriate jurisdictions under applicable law in order to perfect the security interest in the Collateral granted to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit and security of the Secured Parties, hereunder, and the Borrower hereby agrees that any such Financing Statement may be an “all assets” filing; and

(ix) each loan owned by the Borrower on the Closing Date and each loan acquired after the Closing Date, in each case as of the date of the acquisition by the Borrower thereof, complies with the criteria set forth in the definition of “Collateral Obligation.”

(s) Article 122a of the CRD . As of the Closing Date, the Borrower shall ensure (by obtaining a signed Retention of Net Economic Interest Letter from a Responsible Officer of the Retention Provider) that the Retention Provider (i) at all times holds the Retained Amount in accordance with option (d) of paragraph 1 of Article 122a of the CRD, (ii) has not changed and will not change the manner in which it retains the Retained Amount, except to the extent permitted under Article 122a of the CRD and (iii) has not entered and will not enter into any credit risk mitigation, short position or any other credit risk hedge or credit risk hedging arrangement of any kind with respect to the Retained Amount, except to the extent permitted under Article 122a of the CRD.

(t) Financial Information . Since the Closing Date, (a) there has been no change that has had a Material Adverse Effect and (b) the Borrower has not incurred any Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation except pursuant to the Facility Documents.

(u) Litigation . There is no action, suit or proceeding pending against, threatened against or adversely affecting, (i) the Borrower, (ii) the Facility Documents or any of the transactions contemplated by the Facility Documents or (iii) any of the Borrower’s assets, before any court, arbitrator or any governmental body, agency or official which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(v) Patents, Trademarks, Etc . The Borrower has obtained and holds in full force and effect all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights and other such rights, free from any burdensome restrictions, which are necessary for the operation of its business as presently conducted, the impairment of which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(w) No Default . No Default or Event of Default exists under or with respect to any Transaction Document other than any with respect to which the Borrower has given notice as required pursuant to this Agreement. The Borrower is not in default under or with respect to any agreement, instrument or undertaking to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound in any respect, the existence of which default has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.02 Representations and Warranties of the Collateral Agent .

Each of the Collateral Agent and Custodian represents and warrants as follows:

(a) Due Organization . The Collateral Agent and Custodian is a duly organized and validly existing national banking association under the laws of the United States. It has full corporate power, authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform its obligations as Collateral Agent and Custodian, as applicable, under this Agreement.

(b) Due Authorization . The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions provided for herein have been duly authorized by all necessary association action on its part, either in its individual capacity or as Collateral Agent or Custodian, as the case may be.

(c) No Conflict . The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance of the transactions contemplated hereby and the fulfillment of the terms hereof will not conflict with, result in any breach of any of the material terms and provisions of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any indenture, contract, agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, or other instrument to which the Collateral Agent or Custodian is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

(d) No Violation . The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance of the transactions contemplated hereby and the fulfillment of the terms hereof will not conflict with or violate, in any material respect, any Applicable Law governing the banking or trust powers of the Collateral Agent.

(e) All Consents Required . All approvals, authorizations, consents, orders or other actions of any Person or Authority applicable to the Collateral Agent or Custodian, required in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance by the Collateral Agent or Custodian, as applicable, of the transactions contemplated hereby and the fulfillment by the Collateral Agent or Custodian, as applicable, of the terms hereof have been obtained.

 

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(f) Validity, Etc. This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Collateral Agent and Custodian, enforceable against the Collateral Agent and Custodian in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally or general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

(g) Non-Affiliated . Neither the Collateral Agent nor Custodian is affiliated, as that term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, with the Borrower or with any Person involved in the organization or operation of the Borrower.

ARTICLE V

COVENANTS

Section 5.01 Affirmative Covenants of the Borrower .

The Borrower covenants and agrees that, until the Payment in Full Date:

(a) Compliance with Agreements, Laws, Etc . It shall (i) duly observe, comply with and conform to all Applicable Laws, (ii) preserve and keep in full force and effect its legal existence, (iii) preserve and keep in full force and effect its rights, privileges, qualifications and franchises, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (iv) comply in all respects with the terms and conditions applicable to it of each Facility Document, the Borrower LLC Agreement and each Related Document to which it is a party and (v) obtain, maintain and keep in full force and effect all Governmental Authorizations, Private Authorizations and Governmental Filings which are necessary to properly carry out its business and the transactions contemplated to be performed by it under the Facility Documents, the Borrower LLC Agreement and the Related Documents to which it is a party.

(b) Enforcement . (i) It shall not take any action, and will use its commercially reasonable best efforts not to permit any action to be taken by others, that would release any Person from any of such Person’s covenants or obligations under any instrument included in the Collateral, except in the case of (A) repayment of Collateral Obligations, (B) subject to the other terms of this Agreement, (i) amendments not restricted by Section 5.02(v) or as required under any Related Documents or amendments to Related Documents that govern Defaulted Loans and (ii) enforcement actions taken or work-outs with respect to any Defaulted Loan in accordance with the provisions hereof, and (C) actions by the Collateral Manager under the Collateral Management Agreement and in conformity with this Agreement.

(ii) It will not, without the prior written consent of the Facility Agent (at the direction of the Required Lenders) (except in the case of the Collateral Management Agreement, in which case no consent shall be required), contract with other Persons for the performance of actions and obligations to be performed by the Borrower hereunder and under the Collateral Management Agreement by such Persons. Notwithstanding any such arrangement, the Borrower shall remain primarily liable with

 

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respect to the Borrower’s obligations under any Facility Document to which it is a party. In the event of such contract, the performance of any of Borrower’s actions and obligations by such Persons shall be deemed to be performance of such actions and obligations by the Borrower. The Borrower will punctually perform, and use its best efforts to cause the Collateral Manager and such other Person to perform in all material respects, all of their obligations and agreements contained in the Collateral Management Agreement, this Agreement or any such other agreement.

(c) Further Assurances . It shall promptly upon the request of either Agent, at the Borrower’s expense, execute and deliver such further instruments and take such further action in order to maintain and protect the Collateral Agent’s first-priority perfected security interest in the Collateral pledged by the Borrower for the benefit of the Secured Parties free and clear of any Liens (other than Permitted Liens). At the reasonable request of either Agent, the Borrower shall promptly take, at the Borrower’s expense, such further action in order to establish and protect the rights, interests and remedies created or intended to be created under this Agreement in favor of the Secured Parties in the Collateral, including all actions which are necessary to (x) enable the Secured Parties to enforce their rights and remedies under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents, and (y) effectuate the intent and purpose of, and to carry out the terms of, the Facility Documents. Subject to Section 7.02 , the Borrower authorizes the Collateral Agent and the Facility Agent to file or record, without the Borrower's signature, UCC-1 financing statements (including financing statements describing the Collateral as “all assets” or the equivalent) that name the Borrower as debtor and the Collateral Agent as secured party, and ratifies any such filings or recordings made within 30 days prior to the date hereof, and other filing or recording documents or instruments with respect to the Collateral in such form and in such offices as such Agent determines appropriate to perfect the security interests of the Collateral Agent under this Agreement.

In addition, the Borrower will take such reasonable action from time to time as shall be necessary to ensure that all assets (including all Covered Accounts) of the Borrower constitute “Collateral” hereunder. Subject to the foregoing, the Borrower will upon the reasonable request of either Agent, at the Borrower’s expense, take such other action (including executing and delivering or authorizing for filing any required UCC financing statements) as shall be necessary to create and perfect a valid and enforceable first-priority security interest on all Collateral acquired by the Borrower as collateral security for the Obligations and will in connection therewith deliver such proof of corporate action, incumbency of officers, opinions of counsel and other documents as is consistent with those delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section 3.01 on the Closing Date or as either Agent shall have reasonably requested.

(d) Financial Statements; Other Information . It shall provide to the Facility Agent or cause to be provided to the Facility Agent:

(i) within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Transferor (or such other Person with whom the Borrower is consolidated) (on a consolidated basis) (beginning with the year ended December 31, 2012), from a firm of independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing, audited financial statements of the Transferor (or such other Person with whom the Borrower is consolidated) (on a consolidated basis), including balance sheet, income statement, statement of cash flows

 

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and the accompanying footnotes for such fiscal year prepared in accordance with GAAP, setting forth in the case of each fiscal year ending after 2012 in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year;

(ii) within 60 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Transferor (or such other Person with whom the Borrower is consolidated) (on a consolidated basis) (beginning with the quarter ended December 31, 2012), unaudited financial statements of the Transferor (or such other Person with whom the Borrower is consolidated) (on a consolidated basis), including balance sheet, income statement, statement of cash flows (and the accompanying footnotes, solely relating to “related transactions” and any swap transactions, if any) for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of the fiscal year ended at the end of such fiscal quarter setting forth in the case of each fiscal quarter ending on or after December 31, 2012 in comparative form the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year, all certified as to fairness of presentation, GAAP and consistency by the Transferor (or such other Person with whom the Borrower is consolidated);

(iii) simultaneously with the delivery of each set of annual financial statements referred to in clause (i) above, (x) a certificate of the Transferor (or such other Person with whom the Borrower is consolidated) certifying that such financial statements fairly present the financial condition and the results of operations of the Transferor (or such other Person with whom the Borrower is consolidated) on the dates and periods indicated in such financial statements and (y) a certificate of the Borrower and the Collateral Manager certifying that no Default or Event of Default occurred during such period or if any Default or Event of Default occurred during such period, setting forth the details thereof and the action which the Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

(iv) as soon as possible, and in any event within five Business Days (in the case of clauses (A), (B), (C) and (D) below) or within one Business Day (in the case of clause (E) below) after a Responsible Officer of the Collateral Manager or the Borrower obtains actual knowledge of the occurrence and continuance of any (A) Default, (B) Event of Default, (C) early termination of the Reinvestment Period as a result of the occurrence of an event referred to in clause (d) of the definition of Reinvestment Period, (D) litigation or governmental proceeding pending or actions threatened against the Borrower’s rights in the Collateral Obligations; or (E) EOD OC Ratio Failure, a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth the details thereof and the action which the Borrower is taking or proposes to take, if any, with respect thereto;

(v) from time to time such additional information regarding the Borrower’s financial position or business and the Collateral (including reasonably detailed calculations of each Coverage Test and Collateral Quality Test) as the Facility Agent or the Required Lenders (through the Facility Agent) may request, or as the Lenders may require in order to comply with the FAS 166/167 Regulatory Capital Rules or Basel III or their respective obligations under Article 122a of the CRD or AIFMD, in each such case, if reasonably available to the Borrower; and, on each Monthly Report

 

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Date and each Payment Date, a refreshed Retention of Net Economic Interest Letter from the Retention Provider as the Lenders shall require in order to comply with their respective obligations under Article 122a of the CRD, as outlined in paragraph 37 of the guidelines to Article 122a published on December 31, 2010 by the European Banking Authority (formerly the Committee of European Banking Supervisors);

(vi) promptly after the occurrence of any ERISA Event, notice of such ERISA Event and copies of any communications with all Authorities or any Multiemployer Plan with respect to such ERISA Event; and

(vii) promptly after the receipt thereof, a copy of any financial statements with respect to the Obligor under any Collateral Obligation received by the Borrower pursuant to the Related Documents.

(e) Access to Records and Documents . It shall cause the Collateral Manager to permit (at the Borrower’s expense) the Facility Agent, or its designees, to, upon reasonable advance notice and during normal business hours, visit and inspect and make copies of (i) the Collateral Manager’s books, records and accounts relating to the Collateral and the Borrower’s business, financial condition, operations, assets and the Collateral Manager’s and the Borrower’s performance under the Facility Documents and the Related Documents and to discuss the foregoing with the Collateral Manager’s officers, partners, employees and accountants, and (ii) all of the Related Documents available to the Collateral Manager; provided that neither the Borrower nor the Collateral Manager shall be required to disclose any information which it is required by law or contract to keep confidential unless a confidentiality agreement is otherwise entered into and provided , further , that except if (i) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (ii) any person involved in the management or administration of the Collateral Manager, the Borrower or the Collateral Obligations is alleged to have engaged in fraud or illegal activity by a governmental or self-regulatory authority or in a civil complaint materially related to the performance by such person of investment advisory services comparable to those contemplated to be provided by the Collateral Manager in this Agreement and the other Facility Documents, each Person entitled to so visit and inspect the Collateral Manager’s records under this clause (e) may exercise its rights under this clause (e) no more than twice in any consecutive twelve month period and only one such visit per annum shall be at the Borrower’s expense;

(f) Use of Proceeds . It shall use the proceeds of each Advance made hereunder solely:

(i) to fund or pay the purchase price of Collateral Obligations or Eligible Investments acquired or originated by the Borrower in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein;

(ii) to fund additional extensions of credit under Revolving Collateral Loans and Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loans purchased in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

(iii) to fund the Revolving Reserve Account on or prior to the Commitment Termination Date to the extent the Revolving Reserve Account is required

 

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to be funded pursuant to Section 8.04 (and the Borrower shall submit a Notice of Borrowing requesting a Borrowing for a Borrowing Date falling no more than five Business Days and no less than one Business Day prior to the Commitment Termination Date with a Requested Amount sufficient to fully fund the Revolving Reserve Account under Section 8.04 );

(iv) if a Borrowing is made on the Closing Date, solely in respect of the proceeds of the Advances hereunder comprising such initial Borrowing, to fund the Closing Expense Account in an amount sufficient to pay all Closing Date Expenses on any Business Day from the Closing Date to and including the Determination Date relating to the initial Payment Date following the Closing Date and to fund distributions to the Equity Owner; and

(v) to fund disbursements to any Equity Owner on any day during the Reinvestment Period occurring after the BDC Election Date provided that the Borrower requests that any such Advance be deposited in the Principal Collection Subaccount and complies with the provisions of Section 9.01(e) of this Agreement in connection with any such disbursement thereof.

Without limiting the foregoing, it shall use the proceeds of each Advance in a manner that does not, directly or indirectly, violate any provision of its Constituent Documents or any Applicable Law, including Regulation T, Regulation U and Regulation X.

(g) Opinions as to Collateral . On or before December 31 st in each calendar year, commencing in 2013, the Borrower shall furnish to the Agents, the Lenders and DBRS an opinion of counsel, addressed to the Agents, the Lenders and DBRS, relating to the continued perfection of the security interest granted by the Borrower to the Collateral Agent hereunder.

(h) Rating Monitoring . On or before December 31 st in each calendar year, commencing in 2013, the Borrower shall pay for the ongoing monitoring of the rating of the Facility from DBRS. Promptly after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower has actual knowledge thereof, the Borrower shall promptly notify the Agents and the Collateral Manager in writing (and the Facility Agent shall promptly provide the Lenders with a copy of such notice) if at any time the rating of the Facility has been changed or withdrawn or the rating outlook on the Facility has been changed.

(i) No Other Business . From and after the Closing Date, the Borrower shall not engage in any business or activity other than borrowing Advances pursuant to this Agreement, originating, funding, acquiring, owning, holding, administering, selling, enforcing, lending, exchanging, redeeming, pledging, contracting for the management of and otherwise dealing with Collateral Obligations, Eligible Investments and the other Collateral in connection therewith (including assets received upon enforcement or work-out) and entering into and performing its obligations under the Facility Documents, any applicable Related Documents and any other agreements contemplated by this Agreement and any business incidental or ancillary thereto.

 

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(j) Tax Matters . The Borrower shall (and each Lender hereby agrees to) treat the Facility and the Notes as debt for U.S. Federal income tax purposes and will take no contrary position unless otherwise required by appropriate taxing authorities. The Borrower shall at all times maintain its status as an entity disregarded as an entity separate from its owner for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. The Borrower shall at all times ensure that for U.S. Federal income tax purposes its direct or indirect owner is and will remain a United States person that is, for the avoidance of doubt, not a disregarded entity, as defined by Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code and, if such owner is an indirect owner, that each intermediate owner of the Borrower is at all times also a disregarded entity for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. Notwithstanding any contrary agreement or understanding, the Collateral Manager, the Borrower, the Facility Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders (and each of their respective employees, representatives or other agents) may disclose to any and all Persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to them relating to such tax treatment and tax structure. The foregoing provision shall apply from the beginning of discussions between the parties. For this purpose, the tax treatment of a transaction is the purported or claimed tax treatment of the transaction under applicable U.S. Federal, state or local law, and the tax structure of a transaction is any fact that may be relevant to understanding the purported or claimed tax treatment of the transaction under applicable U.S. Federal, state or local law.

(k) Provision of Information . With respect to each Collateral Obligation, the Borrower will provide to each Rating Agency, each Agent or any Lender all information reasonably requested by such Rating Agency, such Agent or such Lender that is in its possession in its capacity as a lender under such Collateral Obligation or can be obtained by it in such capacity without unreasonable expense provided that neither the Borrower nor the Collateral Manager will be required to disclose any information which it is required by law or contract to keep confidential.

(l) Article 122a of the CRD . The Borrower shall ensure (by obtaining a signed Retention of Net Economic Interest Letter from a Responsible Officer of the Retention Provider from time to time upon the written request of the Facility Agent) that the Retention Provider (i) at all times holds the Retained Amount in accordance with option (d) of paragraph 1 of Article 122a of the CRD, (ii) has not changed and will not change the manner in which it retains the Retained Amount, except to the extent permitted under Article 122a of the CRD and (iii) has not entered and will not enter into any credit risk mitigation, short position or any other credit risk hedge or credit risk hedging arrangement of any kind with respect to the Retained Amount, except to the extent permitted under Article 122a of the CRD.

(m) Credit Estimate . With respect to each Collateral Obligation which has received a Credit Estimate from DBRS, the Borrower, on or prior to the 367th day after the date of assignment of such Credit Estimate, shall provide updated information available to it relating to such Collateral Obligation as may reasonably be requested by DBRS, and apply to DBRS for an updated Credit Estimate within such 367 day period. Promptly upon the Borrower’s receipt of any such updated Credit Estimate from DBRS, the Borrower shall deliver such updated Credit Estimate to the Collateral Agent.

 

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(n) Ordinary Course of Business . Each repayment of principal or interest under this Agreement shall be (x) in payment of a debt incurred by the Borrower in the ordinary course of business or financial affairs of the Borrower and (y) made in the ordinary course of business or financial affairs of the Borrower.

(o) Excess Concentration Loans . Upon any change in the Principal Balance of any Excess Concentration Loan, including, without limitation, as a result of any purchase or sale of an Excess Concentration Loan, the Borrower shall provide the Collateral Agent and the Facility Agent with an updated list of each Excess Concentration Loan and the Principal Balance thereof.

Section 5.02 Negative Covenants of the Borrower .

The Borrower covenants and agrees that, until the Payment in Full Date:

(a) Restrictive Agreements . It shall not enter into or suffer to exist or become effective any agreement that prohibits, limits or imposes any condition upon its ability to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property or revenues constituting Collateral, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to secure its obligations under the Facility Documents other than this Agreement and the other Facility Documents.

(b) Liquidation; Merger; Sale of Collateral . It shall not consummate any plan of liquidation, dissolution, partial liquidation, merger or consolidation (or suffer any liquidation, dissolution or partial liquidation) nor sell, transfer, exchange or otherwise dispose of any of its assets, or enter into an agreement or commitment to do so or enter into or engage in any business with respect to any part of its assets, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement or the other Facility Documents.

(c) Amendments to Constituent Documents and Facility Documents . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, it shall not amend, change, waive or otherwise modify or take any action inconsistent with any of the Special Purpose Provisions, any of its Constituent Documents or any Facility Document (other than the Collateral Agent Fee Letter), in each case, without the consent of the Facility Agent. In the event any action is taken in connection with the foregoing, it will promptly notify DBRS of such action.

(d) ERISA . It shall not (i) establish any Plan or Multiemployer Plan and shall not become a member of an ERISA Group and (ii) take, or omit to take, any action which would result in any of the assets of the Borrower or any of the Collateral being treated as “plan assets” for purposes of Section 3(42) of ERISA or the occurrence of any Prohibited Transaction in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder.

(e) Liens . It shall not create, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any of its assets now owned or hereafter acquired, except for Permitted Liens and as otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement and the other Facility Documents.

(f) Margin Requirements . It shall not (i) extend credit to others for the purpose of buying or carrying any Margin Stock in such a manner as to violate Regulation T or Regulation U or (ii) use all or any part of the proceeds of any Advance, whether directly or

 

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indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, for any purpose that violates any provision of the Regulations of the Board of Governors, including, to the extent applicable, Regulation U and Regulation X, or for any purpose that would cause any of the Lenders to be in violation of Regulation T or Regulation U.

(g) Changes to Filing Information . It shall not change its name or its jurisdiction of organization from that referred to in Section 4.01(a) , unless it gives thirty days’ prior written notice to the Agents and takes all actions that either Agent reasonably determines to be necessary to protect and perfect the Collateral Agent’s perfected security interest in the Collateral of the Borrower contemplated by this Agreement.

(h) Transactions with Affiliates . Except as permitted in this Agreement and the other Facility Documents, it shall not sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates (including, without limitation, sales of Defaulted Loans, Credit Risk Loans and other Collateral Obligations), unless such transaction is upon terms no less favorable to the Borrower than it would obtain in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate.

(i) Investment Company Restriction . It shall not and it shall not permit the pool of Collateral to become required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act.

(j) Subject Laws . It shall not utilize, directly or indirectly, the proceeds of any Advance for the benefit of any Person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with any other Person whose name appears on the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons maintained by OFAC or otherwise in violation of any Subject Laws.

(k) No Claims Against Advances . Subject to Applicable Law, it shall not claim any credit on, make any deduction from, or dispute the enforceability of payment of the principal or interest payable (or any other amount) in respect of the Facility or assert any claim against any present or future Lender, by reason of the payment of any taxes levied or assessed upon any part of the Collateral.

(l) Indebtedness; Guarantees; Securities; Other Assets . It shall not incur, assume, suffer to exist or guarantee any indebtedness or other liabilities, or issue any securities (other than its Equity), whether debt or equity, in each case other than (i) as expressly permitted by this Agreement and the other Facility Documents (ii) obligations under its Constituent Documents or (iii) pursuant to indemnification, expense reimbursement and similar provisions under the Related Documents. The Borrower shall not acquire any Collateral Obligations or other property other than as expressly permitted under the Facility Documents.

(m) Validity of this Agreement . It shall not (i) permit the validity or effectiveness of this Agreement or any grant of Collateral hereunder to be impaired, or permit the lien of this Agreement to be amended, hypothecated, subordinated, terminated or discharged, or permit any Person to be released from any covenants or obligations with respect to this Agreement, except as may be permitted hereby or by the Collateral Management Agreement and

 

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(ii) except for Permitted Liens and as otherwise permitted by this Agreement, take any action that would result in the lien of this Agreement to no longer constitute a valid first priority security interest in the Collateral.

(n) Collateral Management Agreement . It shall not amend the Collateral Management Agreement except pursuant to the terms thereof and Sections 5.02(c) and 7.07 of this Agreement.

(o) Priority of Payments . Except for the payment of transaction expenses payable in connection with the Closing Date as contemplated in Section 3.01(j) , the funding of the Closing Expense Account and distributions made to the Equity Owner on the Closing Date, it (or the Collateral Agent on its behalf) shall not disburse any amounts from the Collection Account or Payment Account other than in accordance with the Priority of Payments or as otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement.

(p) Subsidiaries . It shall not have or permit the formation of any subsidiaries without (i) the prior written consent of the Facility Agent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned and (ii) satisfaction of the then-current general criteria of DBRS for bankruptcy remote entities which includes, in its Constituent Documents, provisions analogous to the Special Purpose Provisions (as defined in the Borrower LLC Agreement).

(q) Name . It shall not conduct business under any name other than its own.

(r) Employees . It shall not have any employees (other than officers and directors to the extent they are employees).

(s) Non-Petition . The Borrower shall not be party to any agreement without including customary “non-petition” and “limited recourse” provisions therein (and shall not amend or eliminate such provisions in any agreement to which it is party), except for any Related Document or any other agreement related to the purchase and sale of any Collateral Obligations which contains customary purchase or sale terms or which is documented using customary loan trading documentation, in each case, if such Related Document or agreement does not contain any provision providing for recourse to the Borrower, including, without limitation, any indemnification obligation.

(t) Certificated Securities . The Borrower shall not acquire or hold any Certificated Securities in bearer form (other than securities not required to be in registered form under Section 163(f)(2)(A) of the Code) in a manner that does not satisfy the requirements of United States Treasury Regulations section 1.165-12(c) (as determined by the Collateral Manager).

(u) Independent Managers . Without limiting anything in the Borrower LLC Agreement, the Borrower shall at all times maintain at least two independent managers or independent directors, each of who (A) for the five year period prior to his or her appointment as independent manager or independent director has not been, and during the continuation of his or her service as independent manager is not: (i) a stockholder (or other interest holder), director, officer, manager, owner, agent, trustee, employee, partner, member, attorney or counsel of the Borrower, the Collateral Manager or any of their Affiliates; (ii) a creditor, customer, supplier of

 

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(other than as a supplier of registered agent or registered offices services) of Borrower or any of its Affiliates (other than his or her services as an independent manager, independent director or special member of the Borrower or other Affiliates that are structured to be “bankruptcy remote”), or other Person who derives any of its purchases or revenues from its activities with, the Borrower, the Collateral Manager or any of their Affiliates; (iii) a Person controlling or under common control with any Person excluded from serving as independent manager or independent director under clause (i) or (ii) above; or (iv) a member of the immediate family by blood or marriage of any Person excluded from serving as independent manager or independent director under clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above; and (B) is a Professional Independent Manager (as defined below). The criteria set forth above in this Section 5.02(u) are referred to herein as the “ Independent Manager Criteria ”.

A natural person who satisfies the Independent Manager Criteria other than clause (i) above solely by reason of being the independent director or independent manager of a Special Purpose Entity affiliated with the Borrower shall not be disqualified from serving as an independent manager or independent director of the Borrower if such individual is a Professional Independent Manager. A natural person who satisfies the Independent Manager Criteria other than clause (ii) above shall not be disqualified from serving as an independent manager or independent director of the Borrower if such individual is a Professional Independent Manager. For purposes of this Section 5.02(u) :

Professional Independent Manager ” means an individual who is employed by a nationally-recognized company that provides professional independent directors or independent managers for Special Purpose Entities and other corporate services in the ordinary course of its business.

Special Purpose Entity ” means a limited liability company or other business entity that is created with the purpose of being “ bankruptcy remote ” and whose organizational documents contain restrictions on its activities and impose requirements intended to preserve such entity’s separateness that are substantially similar to the special purpose provisions of the Borrower LLC Agreement.

Without limiting anything in the Borrower LLC Agreement, in the event that the manager of the Borrower intends to appoint a new independent manager or independent director, the manager or sole member of the Borrower shall provide written notice to the Facility Agent not less than ten days prior to the effective date of such appointment and shall certify in such notice that the designated Person satisfies the Independent Manager Criteria, provided that, if:

(i) an independent manager or independent director of the Borrower dies, becomes incapacitated or no longer is employed by the firm that is then providing independent managers or independent directors for the Borrower; or

(ii) the firm referred to in clause (i) is no longer in the business of providing independent managers or independent directors for Special Purpose Entities generally,

 

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(either of the circumstances in clause (i) or (ii) above, an “ Unexpected Replacement ”) then the manager or sole member of the Borrower shall (A) provide written notice to the Facility Agent as soon as possible thereafter and (B) unless the Facility Agent otherwise objects in writing within 10 days of receipt of such notice, promptly appoint a new independent manager or independent director from the same firm as the deceased or incapacitated or formerly employed independent manager or independent director (in the case of clause (i)) or from another firm that is in the business of providing independent managers or directors for Special Purpose Entities generally (in the case of clause (ii)), in each case as to which the manager or sole member of the Borrower shall certify that the designated Person satisfies the Independent Manager Criteria.

The Borrower hereby confirms that, as of the Closing Date, each independent manager or independent director of the Borrower (initially, Jennifer A. Schwartz and Ricardo Beausoleil) satisfies the Independent Manager Criteria.

(v) Changes to Related Documents . The Borrower shall not enter into any amendment, consent, waiver or other modification with respect to a Related Document without the prior written consent of the Facility Agent if such amendment, consent, waiver or other modification would effect a Specified Change, other than any Specified Change resulting from an amendment that the Borrower voted against or withheld its consent (a “ Related Document Modification ”); provided that during the Reinvestment Period the consent of the Facility Agent shall not be required if, after giving effect to such Related Document Modification, (w) the relevant Collateral Obligation would be eligible to be acquired by the Borrower hereunder, (x) a DBRS Rating is obtained, or updated, for such Collateral Obligation, (y) all Coverage Tests and Collateral Quality Tests would be satisfied (or if any such Collateral Quality Test is not satisfied, such Collateral Quality Test shall be maintained or improved) and (z) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; provided further that if the Borrower requests the consent of the Facility Agent in connection with a Related Document Modification and the Borrower does not receive a response (either consenting or declining to consent) from the Facility Agent within 10 Business Days of its receipt of such request, then the Facility Agent shall be deemed to have consented to the relevant action.

(w) Investments; Retention of Funds.

(i) The Borrower shall not make any investment or acquire any property other than in (A) Collateral Obligations, (B) Eligible Investments and (C) any Equity Securities or other assets received in connection with a workout or restructuring of a Collateral Obligation or the exercise of remedies in connection therewith.

(ii) All Interest Proceeds and Principal Proceeds will be applied by the Borrower (or the Collateral Agent on its behalf) only as provided in Sections 2.05 , 2.06 and 9.01 and in Article X .

(x) Hedge Agreements . The Borrower shall not enter into any hedge agreement without (i) the prior written consent of the Facility Agent and (ii) obtaining a Rating Confirmation.

 

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(y) Fiscal Year; Fiscal Quarter . The Borrower shall not change its fiscal year or any of its fiscal quarters, without the Facility Agent’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.

Section 5.03 Certain Undertakings Relating to Separateness .

(a) Without limiting any, and subject to all, other covenants of the Borrower contained in this Agreement, the Borrower shall conduct its business and operations separate and apart from that of any other Person (including the Collateral Manager and any Equity Owners and their respective Affiliates) and in furtherance of the foregoing:

(1) The Borrower shall maintain its accounts, financial statements, books, accounting and other records, and other Borrower documents separate from those of any other Person (without limiting the foregoing, it is acknowledged that for accounting purposes, the Borrower may be consolidated with another Person as required by GAAP and included in such Person’s consolidated financial statements).

(2) The Borrower shall not commingle or pool any of its funds or assets with those of any Affiliate or any other Person, and it shall hold all of its assets in its own name, except as otherwise permitted or required under the Facility Documents.

(3) The Borrower shall conduct its own business in its own name and, for all purposes, shall not operate, or purport to operate, collectively as a single or consolidated business entity with respect to any Person (except as may be required for U.S. federal income tax purposes and except for accounting purposes and Investment Company Act purposes, the Borrower may be consolidated with another Person as required by GAAP and included in such Person’s consolidated financial statements).

(4) The Borrower shall pay its own debts, liabilities and expenses (including overhead expenses, if any) only out of its own assets as the same shall become due.

(5) The Borrower has observed, and shall observe all (A) Delaware limited liability company formalities and (B) other organizational formalities, in each case to the extent necessary or advisable to preserve its separate existence, and shall preserve its existence, and it shall not, nor shall it permit any Affiliate or any other Person to, amend, modify or otherwise change its limited liability company agreement in a manner that would adversely affect the existence of the Borrower as a bankruptcy-remote special purpose entity without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders.

(6) The Borrower does not, and shall not, (A) guarantee, become obligated for, or hold itself or its credit out to be responsible for or available to satisfy, the debts or obligations of any other Person or (B) control the decisions or actions respecting the daily business or affairs of any other Person except as permitted by or pursuant to the Facility Documents.

(7) Except for income tax and consolidated accounting purposes, the Borrower shall, at all times, hold itself out to the public as a legal entity separate and distinct from any other Person.

 

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(8) Except for income tax purposes, the Borrower shall not identify itself as a division of any other Person.

(9) The Borrower shall maintain its assets in such a manner that it will not be costly or difficult to segregate, ascertain or identify its individual assets from those of any Affiliate or any other Person.

(10) The Borrower shall not use its separate existence to perpetrate a fraud in violation of applicable law.

(11) The Borrower shall not, in connection with the Facility Documents, act with an intent to hinder, delay or defraud any of its creditors in violation of applicable law.

(12) Except as permitted by this Agreement and the other Facility Documents, the Borrower shall maintain an arm’s length relationship with its Affiliates and the Collateral Manager.

(13) Except as permitted by or pursuant to the Facility Documents, the Borrower shall not grant a security interest or otherwise pledge its assets for the benefit of any other Person.

(14) Except as provided in the Facility Documents, the Borrower shall not acquire any securities or debt instruments of the Collateral Manager, its Affiliates or any other Person.

(15) The Borrower shall not make loans or advances to any Person, except for the Collateral Obligations and as permitted by or pursuant to the Facility Documents.

(16) The Borrower shall make no transfer of its assets except as permitted by or pursuant to the Facility Documents.

(17) The Borrower shall file its own tax returns separate from those of any other Person or entity, except to the extent that the Borrower is not required to file tax returns under applicable law or is not permitted to file its own tax returns separate from those of any other Person.

(18) The Borrower shall not acquire obligations or securities issued by its members.

(19) The Borrower shall use separate stationary, invoices and checks.

(20) The Borrower shall correct any known misunderstanding regarding its separate identity.

(21) The Borrower shall intend to maintain adequate capital in light of its contemplated business operations.

 

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(22) The Borrower shall at all times be organized as a single-purpose entity with organizational documents substantially similar to those in effect on the Closing Date together with any amendments or modifications thereto as permitted thereunder.

(23) The Borrower shall at all times conduct its business so that any assumptions made with respect to the Borrower in any “ substantive non-consolidation ” opinion letter delivered in connection with the Facility Documents will continue to be true and correct in all respects.

Section 5.04 Credit Estimates; Failure to Have a DBRS Long Term Rating .

(a) If at any time a Collateral Obligation does not have a DBRS Long Term Rating, then the Borrower shall, within 10 Business Days after (x) the origination or purchase of such Collateral Obligation or (y) the withdrawal of a DBRS Long Term Rating from such Collateral Obligation, apply to DBRS for a Credit Estimate, which shall be the DBRS Risk Score for such Collateral Obligation; provided that if the DBRS Risk Score of a Collateral Obligation is determined based on a Credit Estimate, such Credit Estimate must be updated at least annually.

(b) If the Borrower is in the process of obtaining a Credit Estimate in respect of a Collateral Obligation, at all times until the DBRS Risk Score for such Collateral Obligation (based on a Credit Estimate) is assigned, the DBRS Risk Score of such Collateral Obligation shall be:

(i) if the Aggregate Principal Balance of all such Collateral Obligations with respect to which the Borrower is in the process of obtaining a Credit Estimate is equal to or less than 20% of the Total Capitalization, 48.2625, and

(ii) if the Aggregate Principal Balance of all such Collateral Obligations with respect to which the Borrower is in the process of obtaining a Credit Estimate is in excess of 20% of the Total Capitalization, (a) 48.2625 with respect to the portion of the Aggregate Principal Balance of such Collateral Obligations equal to and less than 20% of the Total Capitalization and (b) 77.4104 with respect to the portion of the Aggregate Principal Balance of such Collateral Obligations in excess of 20% of the Total Capitalization.

(c) If the Borrower is not in the process of obtaining a Credit Estimate or DBRS declines to, or is unable to, provide a Credit Estimate in respect of any Collateral Obligation and such Collateral Obligation does not have a DBRS Long Term Rating, such Collateral Obligation will be deemed to have a DBRS Risk Score of 77.4104.

 

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ARTICLE VI

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

Section 6.01 Events of Default .

Event of Default ”, wherever used herein, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(a) a default in the payment, when due and payable, of (i) any interest on the Advances or any Commitment Fee in respect of the Facility and such default continues for three Business Days or (ii) any principal of any Advance on the Final Maturity Date; provided that, in the case of a failure to pay due to an administrative error or omission by the Collateral Agent, such failure continues for three Business Days after a Responsible Officer of the Collateral Agent or Collateral Manager receives written notice or has actual knowledge of such administrative error or omission; or

(b) (i) the failure on any Payment Date to disburse amounts available in the Payment Account in accordance with the Priority of Payments, and such default continues for three Business Days; or (ii) a default in the payment of any amounts due and owing on any Payment Date in respect of the Facility, other than any amounts described under clauses (a) and (b)(i) of this Section 6.01 , and such default continues for three Business Days; provided that, in the case of a failure to disburse due to an administrative error or omission by the Collateral Agent, such failure continues for three Business Days after a Responsible Officer of the Collateral Agent or Collateral Manager receives written notice or has actual knowledge of such administrative error or omission; or

(c) either of the Borrower or the pool of Collateral becomes an investment company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act; or

(d) except as otherwise provided in this Section 6.01 , a default in a material respect in the performance, or breach in a material respect, of any other covenant or other agreement of the Borrower or the Collateral Manager under any Facility Document to which it is party (it being understood, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, that any failure to meet any Concentration Limitation, Collateral Quality Test, Coverage Test or the Advance Rate Test is not an Event of Default), or the failure of any representation or warranty of the Borrower or the Collateral Manager made in any Facility Document to which it is a party or in any certificate or other writing delivered by it pursuant thereto or in connection therewith to be correct in each case in all material respects when the same shall have been made (other than any such defaults, breaches or failures that individually or collectively could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and the continuation of such default, breach or failure for a period of thirty days after the earlier of (x) written notice thereof to the Borrower or the Collateral Manager, as applicable (which may be by e-mail) by either Agent or the Collateral Manager, in each case specifying such default, breach or failure and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder and (y) actual knowledge by any Responsible Officer of the Borrower or the Collateral Manager, as applicable; or

 

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(e) the entry of a decree or order by a court having competent jurisdiction adjudging the Borrower as bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code or any other similar applicable law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, or sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Borrower or of any substantial part of its property, respectively, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, respectively, and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

(f) the institution by the Borrower of proceedings to be adjudicated as bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent of the Borrower to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under the Bankruptcy Code or any other similar applicable law, or the consent by the Borrower to the filing of any such petition or to the appointment in a proceeding of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Borrower or of any substantial part of its property, respectively, or the making by Borrower of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by the Borrower in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of any action by the Borrower in furtherance of any such action; or

(g) the EOD OC Ratio is less than 120% (an “ EOD OC Ratio Failure ”) for more than three consecutive Business Days; or

(h) (1) the rendering of one or more final judgments, decrees or orders by a court or arbitrator of competent jurisdiction for the payment of money in excess individually or in the aggregate of $1,000,000 against the Borrower (exclusive of judgment amounts fully covered by insurance), and the Borrower shall not have either (x) discharged or provided for the discharge of any such judgment, decree or order in accordance with its terms or (y) perfected a timely appeal of such judgment, decree or order and caused the execution of same to be stayed during the pendency of the appeal, in each case, within 15 days from the date of entry thereof, or (2) the Borrower shall have made payments of amounts in excess of $1,000,000 in the settlement of any litigation, claim or dispute (excluding payments made from insurance proceeds or if funded solely with new contributions of cash equity or amounts that are available to be disbursed to the Borrower pursuant to the Priority of Payments); or

(i) a default in the performance of or compliance with or a breach of any obligation of the Borrower contained in any of the Special Purpose Provisions or Section 5.02(u) such that reputable counsel of national standing could no longer render a substantive non-consolidation opinion with respect thereto; or

(j) an Insolvency Event relating to the Collateral Manager occurs; or

(k) (1) any Facility Document shall (except in accordance with its terms) terminate, cease to be effective or cease to be the legally valid, binding and enforceable

 

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obligation of the Borrower or the Collateral Manager, (2) the Borrower or the Collateral Manager shall, directly or indirectly, contest in any manner the effectiveness, validity, binding nature or enforceability of any Facility Document or any Lien or security interest thereunder, or (3) any Lien or security interest securing any obligation under any Facility Document shall, in whole or in part (other than in respect of a de minimis amount of Collateral), cease to be a first priority perfected security interest of the Collateral Agent except for Permitted Liens and as otherwise expressly permitted in accordance with the applicable Facility Document; or

(l) (1) the Internal Revenue Service shall file notice of a Lien pursuant to Section 6323 of the Code with regard to any assets of the Borrower and such Lien shall not have been released within ten Business Days of the date that the Borrower is notified in writing of such Lien, (2) the PBGC shall file notice of a Lien pursuant to Section 4068 of ERISA with regard to any of the assets of the Borrower and such Lien shall not have been released within five Business Days, unless in each case a reserve has been established therefor in accordance with GAAP and such action is being diligently contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings (except to the extent that the amount secured by such Lien exceeds $500,000), or (3) the occurrence of an ERISA Event; or

(m) the occurrence of a Change in Control; or

(n) the occurrence of an act (or failure to act) by the Borrower or any subsidiary of the Borrower, if any, that constitutes gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud or the Borrower or any subsidiary of the Borrower being indicted for a criminal offense materially related to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement or any other Facility Document or in the performance by it, if any, of investment advisory services comparable to those contemplated to be provided by the Collateral Manager in connection with this Agreement and the other Facility Documents; or

(o) (1) the occurrence of one or more acts (including any failure(s) to act) by the Collateral Manager or any of its executive officers that constitutes fraud (as determined in an adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction) in the performance of its, his or her obligations under this Agreement or any other Facility Document or in the performance of investment advisory services comparable to those contemplated to be provided by the Collateral Manager under this Agreement and any other Facility Document; or (2) the Collateral Manager, or any executive officer of the Collateral Manager is indicted for a criminal felony offense materially related to the performance of its, his or her obligations under this Agreement or any other Facility Document or in the performance of investment advisory services comparable to those contemplated to be provided by the Collateral Manager in this Agreement and the other Facility Documents; or (3) the occurrence of one or more acts (including any failure(s) to act) by any Investment Adviser Affiliate or any executive officer thereof or any employee thereof who acts as an executive officer of the Collateral Manager that constitutes fraud (as determined in an adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction) in the performance of investment advisory services comparable to those contemplated to be provided by the Collateral Manager under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents and such event would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or (4) any Investment Adviser Affiliate or any executive officer thereof is indicted for a criminal felony offense materially related to the performance of investment advisory services comparable to those contemplated to be provided by the Collateral Manager in this Agreement and the other Facility Documents and such event would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

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(p) None of the Transferor, an Approved Affiliate or any successor Collateral Manager appointed in accordance with the provisions of the Collateral Management Agreement is the Collateral Manager.

Upon a Responsible Officer thereof obtaining written notice or actual knowledge of the occurrence of an Event of Default, each of (i) the Borrower, (ii) the Collateral Agent and (iii) the Collateral Manager shall notify each other, specifying the specific Event of Default(s) that occurred as well as all other Events of Default that are then known to be continuing. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default known to the Collateral Agent, the Collateral Agent shall promptly notify the Facility Agent (which will notify the Lenders promptly) and DBRS of such Event of Default in writing, specifying the specific Event of Default(s) that occurred as well as all other Events of Default that are then known to be continuing. Upon a Responsible Officer thereof obtaining actual knowledge of a failure to pay or a failure to disburse due to an administrative error or omission, each of the Collateral Agent and the Collateral Manager shall notify the other party within one Business Day of obtaining such actual knowledge.

Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, in addition to all rights and remedies specified in this Agreement and the other Facility Documents, including Article VII , and the rights and remedies of a secured party under Applicable Law, including the UCC, the Facility Agent (at the direction of 100% of the Lenders), by notice to the Collateral Agent and the Borrower, may do any one or more of the following: (1) declare the Commitments to be terminated forthwith, whereupon the Commitments shall forthwith terminate, and (2) declare the principal of and the accrued interest on the Advances and the Notes and all other amounts whatsoever payable by the Borrower hereunder (including any amounts payable under Section 2.10 ) to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon such amounts shall be immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other formalities of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower, and any such amounts payable shall be paid in accordance with Section 9.01(c) ; provided that, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in clause (e) or (f) of this Section 6.01 , the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the Advances and all such other amounts shall automatically become due and payable, without any further action by any party.

ARTICLE VII

PLEDGE OF COLLATERAL; RIGHTS OF THE COLLATERAL AGENT

Section 7.01 Grant of Security .

(a) The Borrower hereby grants, pledges, transfers and collaterally assigns to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as security for all Obligations, a continuing security interest in, and a Lien upon, all of the Borrower’s right, title and interest in, to and under the following property, in each case whether tangible or intangible, wheresoever located, and whether now owned by the Borrower or hereafter acquired and whether now existing or hereafter coming into existence (all of the property described in this Section 7.01(a) being collectively referred to herein as the “ Collateral ”):

(i) all Collateral Obligations, Equity Securities and Eligible Investments, both now and hereafter owned, including all collections and other proceeds thereon or with respect thereto;

 

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(ii) each Covered Account and all money, all instruments, all investment property (including all securities, all security entitlements with respect to such Covered Account and all financial assets carried in such Covered Account), and all other property from time to time on deposit in or credited to each Covered Account;

(iii) all interest, dividends, stock dividends, stock splits, distributions and other money or property of any kind distributed in respect of the Collateral Obligations, Equity Securities and Eligible Investments which the Borrower is entitled to receive, including all Collections;

(iv) each Facility Document and all rights, remedies, powers, privileges and claims under or in respect thereto (whether arising pursuant to the terms thereof or otherwise available to the Borrower at law or equity), including the right to enforce each such Facility Document and to give or withhold any and all consents, requests, notices, directions, approvals, extensions or waivers under or with respect thereto, to the same extent as the Borrower could but for the assignment and security interest granted to the Collateral Agent under this Agreement;

(v) all Cash or Money in possession of the Borrower or delivered to the Collateral Agent (or its bailee);

(vi) all accounts, chattel paper, deposit accounts, financial assets, general intangibles, instruments, investment property, letter-of-credit rights and other supporting obligations of the Borrower, including any of the same relating to the assets and property described in the foregoing clauses (i) through (v) (in each case as defined in the UCC);

(vii) all other property of the Borrower, including any such other property otherwise delivered to the Collateral Agent by or on behalf of the Borrower (whether or not constituting Collateral Obligations, Equity Securities or Eligible Investments), including equity or equity-like investments (including, without limitation, any warrant that is received in connection with a Collateral Obligation) in Obligors and their Affiliates where the Borrower owns a debt obligation;

(viii) all security interests, liens, collateral, property, guaranties, supporting obligations, insurance and other agreements or arrangements of whatever character from time to time supporting or securing payment of the assets, investments and properties described above; and

(ix) all Proceeds of any and all of the foregoing.

 

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For the avoidance of doubt, the Excluded Loan shall not be a part of the Collateral granted to the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Section 7.01(a) .

(b) All terms used in this Section 7.01 that are defined in the UCC shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the UCC.

Section 7.02 Release of Security Interest .

(a) Upon deposit into the Payment Account of all required amounts then required to be deposited to effect a Payment in Full in accordance with this Agreement and termination of all Commitments in accordance with this Agreement, and upon receipt of a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or of the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Borrower as provided in Section 8.07(e) and written request therefor, the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, shall, upon execution of the Payoff Letter, terminate and release its Lien on the Collateral and transfer, assign and set-over to the Borrower, without recourse, representation or warranty, all the right, title and interest of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties in, to and under the related Collateral and all future monies due or to become due with respect thereto, any Related Property and all Proceeds of such Collateral, and recoveries relating thereto, all rights to security for any such Collateral, and all Proceeds and products of the foregoing. In addition, the Collateral Agent, at the expense of the Borrower, will (i) execute such instruments of release with respect to the Collateral in recordable form if necessary, in favor of the Borrower or its designees as the Borrower or the Collateral Manager may reasonably request, (ii) deliver to the Borrower or its designees any portion of the Collateral (including the applicable Related Documents) in its possession as identified to it by the Borrower or by the Collateral Manager and (iii) otherwise take such actions as requested by the Borrower or by the Collateral Manager in writing as are necessary and appropriate to release the Lien of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in the Collateral and transfer the same to the Borrower or its designees.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.02(a) in connection with a Payment in Full and the termination of the Commitments, upon the sale, substitution or disposition of any Collateral by the Borrower or by the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Borrower in compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including Article 10 and the delivery of the certification required by Section 10.01(a)), on the date of any such sale, substitution or other disposition upon deposit into the Collection Account of all required amounts then required to be deposited with respect thereto under this Agreement, the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, shall automatically and without further action be deemed to and hereby does terminate and release its Lien on the related Collateral and, at the expense and the written direction of the Borrower, transfer, assign and set-over to the Borrower, without recourse, representation or warranty, all the right, title and interest of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties in, to and under the related Collateral and all future monies due or to become due with respect thereto, any Related Property and all Proceeds of such Collateral, and recoveries relating thereto, all rights to security for any such Collateral, and all Proceeds and products of the foregoing. In addition, the Collateral Agent, at the expense of the Borrower, will (i) execute such instruments of release with respect to the portion of the Collateral to be so sold, substituted or transferred in recordable form if necessary, in favor of the Borrower or its designee as the Borrower or the Collateral Manager may reasonably request, (ii) deliver to the Borrower

 

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or its designee any portion of the Collateral (including the applicable Related Documents) to be so sold, substituted or transferred in its possession as identified to it by the Borrower or by the Collateral Manager and (iii) otherwise take such actions as requested by the Borrower or the Collateral Manager in writing as are necessary and appropriate to release the Lien of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties on the portion of the Collateral to be so sold, substituted or transferred.

(c) Any and all actions under this Section 7.02 in respect of the Collateral shall be without any recourse to, or representation or warranty by, the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party and shall be at the sole cost and expense of the Borrower.

Section 7.03 Rights and Remedies .

The Collateral Agent (for itself and on behalf of the other Secured Parties) shall have all of the rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC and other Applicable Law. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent or its designees may, and shall at the direction of the Facility Agent (at the direction of 100% of the Lenders), and in each case, where applicable subject to the terms of the Related Documents (i) instruct the Borrower to deliver any or all of the Collateral, the Related Documents and any other documents relating to the Collateral to the Collateral Agent or its designees and otherwise give all instructions for the Borrower regarding the Collateral; (ii) if Advances have been accelerated following an Event of Default, sell or otherwise dispose of the Collateral, all without judicial process or proceedings, unless the Borrower (x) within five Business Days of such acceleration gives written notice to the Agents that it intends to make a Payment in Full and (y) makes a Payment in Full within five Business Days of giving such notice; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Borrower and any of its Affiliate may bid for the Collateral in any such sale; (iii) take control of the Proceeds of any such Collateral; (iv) subject to the provisions of the applicable Related Documents, exercise any consensual or voting rights in respect of the Collateral; (v) release, make extensions, discharges, exchanges or substitutions for, or surrender, all or any part of the Collateral; (vi) enforce the Borrower’s rights and remedies with respect to the Collateral; (vii) institute and prosecute legal and equitable proceedings to enforce collection of, or realize upon, any of the Collateral; (viii) require that the Borrower immediately take all actions necessary to cause the liquidation of the Collateral in order to pay all amounts due and payable in respect of the Obligations, in accordance with the terms of the Related Documents; (ix) redeem or withdraw or cause the Borrower to redeem or withdraw any asset of the Borrower to pay amounts due and payable in respect of the Obligations; (x) make copies of all books, records and documents relating to the Collateral; and (xi) endorse the name of the Borrower upon any items of payment relating to the Collateral or upon any proof of claim in bankruptcy against an account debtor. The Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties agree that the Collateral Agent will not, nor will any Secured Party direct the Collateral Agent to, deliver a Notice of Exclusive Control (as such term is defined in the Account Control Agreement) or instruction under the Account Control Agreement until the occurrence of an Event of Default.

The Borrower hereby agrees that, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, at the request of the Collateral Agent or the Facility Agent but subject to the requirements of the Related Documents, it shall execute all documents and agreements which are necessary or appropriate to have the Collateral to be assigned to the Collateral Agent or its

 

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designee. For purposes of taking the actions described in clauses (i) through (xi) of this Section 7.03 the Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints the Collateral Agent as its attorney-in-fact (which appointment being coupled with an interest and is irrevocable while any of the Obligations remain unpaid and which can be exercised only if such Event of Default is continuing), with power of substitution, in the name of the Collateral Agent or in the name of the Borrower or otherwise, for the use and benefit of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, but at the cost and expense of the Borrower and, except as permitted by applicable law, without notice to the Borrower.

All sums paid or advanced by the Collateral Agent or the Lenders in connection with the foregoing and all out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred in connection therewith, together with interest thereon at the Post-Default Rate from the date of payment until repaid in full, shall be paid by the Borrower to the Collateral Agent or the Lenders, as applicable, from time to time on demand in accordance with Section 9.01(c) and shall constitute and become a part of the Obligations secured hereby.

To the extent permitted by law, without the prior written consent of all of the Lenders, credit bidding by any Lender (or any other Person) in connection with any foreclosure sale hereunder shall not be permitted.

Section 7.04 Remedies Cumulative .

Each right, power, and remedy of the Agents and the other Secured Parties, or any of them, as provided for in this Agreement or in the other Facility Documents or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or otherwise shall be cumulative and concurrent and shall be in addition to every other right, power, or remedy provided for in this Agreement or in the other Facility Documents or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or otherwise, and the exercise or beginning of the exercise by either of the Agents or any other Secured Party of any one or more of such rights, powers, or remedies shall not preclude the simultaneous or later exercise by such Persons of any or all such other rights, powers, or remedies.

Section 7.05 Related Documents .

(a) The Borrower hereby agrees that after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, it shall (i) upon the written request of either Agent promptly forward to such Agent all information and notices which it receives under or in connection with the Related Documents relating to the Collateral within two Business Days of receipt and (ii) upon the written request of either Agent, act and refrain from acting in respect of any request, act, decision or vote under or in connection with the Related Documents relating to the Collateral only in accordance with the direction of such Agent.

(b) The Borrower agrees that, to the extent the same shall be in the Borrower’s possession, it will hold all Related Documents in trust for the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties, and upon request of either Agent following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default or as otherwise provided herein, promptly deliver the same to the Collateral Agent or its designee.

 

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Section 7.06 Borrower Remains Liable .

(a) Except as may be necessary in connection with any assignment of the Collateral to the Collateral Agent or its designee pursuant to the first sentence of the second paragraph of Section 7.03 , (i) the Borrower shall remain liable under the contracts and agreements included in and relating to the Collateral (including the Related Documents) to the extent set forth therein, and shall perform all of its duties and obligations under such contracts and agreements to the same extent as if this Agreement had not been executed, and (ii) the exercise by any Secured Party of any of its rights hereunder shall not release the Borrower from any of its duties or obligations under any such contracts or agreements included in the Collateral.

(b) No obligation or liability of the Borrower is intended to be assumed by either Agent or any other Secured Party under or as a result of this Agreement or the other Facility Documents, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including under any Related Document or any other agreement or document that relates to Collateral and, to the maximum extent permitted under provisions of law, the Agents and the other Secured Parties expressly disclaim any such assumption. The Borrower agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Agents and the other Secured Parties from any loss, liability or expense incurred as a result of any claim that any such obligation or liability has been so assumed.

Section 7.07 Assignment of Collateral Management Agreement and the Master Transfer Agreement .

(a) The Borrower hereby acknowledges that its grant contained in Section 7.01 includes all of the Borrower’s estate, right, title and interest in, to and under the Collateral Management Agreement and the Master Transfer Agreement, including (i) the right to give all notices, consents and releases thereunder, (ii) the right to give all notices of termination and to take any legal action upon the breach of an obligation of the Collateral Manager thereunder, including the commencement, conduct and consummation of proceedings at law or in equity, (iii) the right to receive all notices, accountings, consents, releases and statements thereunder and (iv) the right to do any and all other things whatsoever that the Borrower is or may be entitled to do thereunder; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Agents shall not have the authority to exercise any of the rights set forth in (i) through (iv) above or that may otherwise arise as a result of the grant until the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder, and such authority shall terminate at such time, if any, as such Event of Default is cured or waived.

(b) The assignment made hereby is executed as collateral security, and the execution and delivery hereby shall not in any way impair or diminish the obligations of the Borrower under the provisions of the Collateral Management Agreement or the other documents referred to in paragraph (a) above, nor shall any of the obligations contained in the Collateral Management Agreement or such other documents be imposed on the Agents.

 

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(c) Upon the occurrence of the Final Maturity Date (or, if earlier, the Payment in Full of all of the Obligations and the termination of all of the Commitments), the payment of all Obligations and the release of the Collateral from the lien of this Agreement, this assignment and all rights herein assigned to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties shall cease and terminate and all the estate, right, title and interest of the Collateral Agent in, to and under the Collateral Management Agreement and the other documents referred to in this Section 7.07 shall revert to the Borrower, and no further instrument or act shall be necessary to evidence such termination and reversion but the Collateral Agent will provide such instruments upon request of the Borrower or the Collateral Manager on its behalf pursuant to Section 7.02(a).

(d) The Borrower represents that the Borrower has not executed any other assignment of the Collateral Management Agreement or the Master Transfer Agreement.

(e) The Borrower agrees that this assignment is irrevocable until the Payment in Full of all Obligations (other than unasserted contingent obligations) and the terminations of all Commitments, and that it will not take any action which is inconsistent with this assignment or make any other assignment inconsistent herewith. The Borrower will, from time to time, execute all instruments of further assurance and all such supplemental instruments with respect to this assignment as may be necessary to continue and maintain the effectiveness of such assignment.

(f) The Borrower hereby agrees, and hereby undertakes to obtain the agreement and consent of the Collateral Manager in the Collateral Management Agreement, to the following:

(i) The Collateral Manager shall consent to the provisions of this assignment and agree to perform any provisions of this Agreement applicable to the Collateral Manager subject to the terms of the Collateral Management Agreement.

(ii) The Collateral Manager shall acknowledge that the Borrower is assigning all of its right, title and interest in, to and under the Collateral Management Agreement to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

(iii) Neither the Borrower nor the Collateral Manager will enter into any agreement amending, modifying or terminating the Collateral Management Agreement without complying with the applicable terms thereof.

Section 7.08 Protection of Collateral .

The Borrower shall from time to time execute and deliver all such supplements and amendments hereto and file or authorize the filing of all such UCC-1 financing statements, continuation statements, instruments of further assurance and other instruments, and shall take such other action as may be necessary or advisable to secure the rights and remedies of the Secured Parties hereunder and to:

(i) grant security more effectively on all or any portion of the Collateral;

 

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(ii) maintain, preserve and perfect any grant of security made or to be made by this Agreement including, without limitation, the first priority nature of the lien (subject to clause (ii) of the definition of Permitted Liens) or carry out more effectively the purposes hereof;

(iii) perfect, publish notice of or protect the validity of any grant made or to be made by this Agreement (including, without limitation, any and all actions necessary or desirable as a result of changes in law or regulations)

(iv) enforce any of the Collateral or other instruments or property included in the Collateral;

(v) preserve and defend title to the Collateral and the rights therein of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties in the Collateral against the claims of all Persons and parties;

(vi) pay or cause to be paid any and all taxes levied or assessed upon all or any part of the Collateral; and

(vii) file precautionary UCC-1 financing statements and related continuation statements, in each case, naming the Borrower as secured party and the assignor under the Master Transfer Agreement as debtor in respect of the Collateral Obligations from time to time purchased by the Borrower thereunder.

The Borrower hereby designates the Collateral Agent as its agent and attorney in fact to prepare and file all UCC-1 financing statements, continuation statements and other instruments, and take all other actions, required pursuant to this Section 7.08 . Such designation shall not impose upon the Collateral Agent, or release or diminish, the Borrower’s obligations under this Section 7.08 .

ARTICLE VIII

ACCOUNTS, ACCOUNTINGS AND RELEASES

Section 8.01 Collection of Money .

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Collateral Agent may demand payment or delivery of, and shall receive and collect, directly and without intervention or assistance of any fiscal agent or other intermediary, all Money and other property payable to or receivable by the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Agreement, including all payments due on the Collateral, in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Collateral. The Collateral Agent shall segregate and hold all such Money and property received by it in a Covered Account and in trust for the Secured Parties and shall apply it as provided in this Agreement. Each Covered Account shall be established as a single segregated securities account held in trust and maintained under the Account Control Agreement with (a) a federal or state-chartered depository institution having DBRS Ratings of at least “A (high)” and “R-1 (middle)” and, if such institution’s DBRS Ratings falls below such levels, then the assets held in such Covered Account shall, upon direction of the Facility Agent following notice to the Facility Agent, the Borrower

 

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and the Collateral Manager from the Collateral Agent, be moved within 30 days to another institution that has such DBRS Ratings or (b) in segregated securities accounts held in trust with the corporate trust department of a federal or state-chartered deposit institution subject to regulations regarding fiduciary funds on deposit similar to Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulation Section 9.10(b). Any Covered Account may contain any number of subaccounts for the convenience of the Collateral Agent or as required by the Collateral Manager for convenience in administering the Covered Account or the Collateral.

Section 8.02 Collection Account .

(a) In accordance with this Agreement and the Account Control Agreement, the Collateral Agent, on or prior to the Closing Date, shall establish at the Custodian a single, segregated securities account held in trust and titled the “WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC Collection Account, subject to the lien of the Collateral Agent”, which shall be designated as the “ Collection Account ”, which shall be maintained with the Custodian in accordance with the Account Control Agreement and which shall be subject to the lien of the Collateral Agent. In addition, the Collateral Agent shall maintain within the Collection Account two segregated subaccounts, one of which will be designated the “ Interest Collection Subaccount ” and one of which will be designated the “ Principal Collection Subaccount ”. The Collateral Agent shall from time to time deposit into the Interest Collection Subaccount, in addition to the deposits required pursuant to Section 8.05(a) , immediately upon receipt thereof all Interest Proceeds received by the Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent shall deposit immediately upon receipt thereof all other amounts remitted to the Collection Account into the Principal Collection Subaccount including, in addition to the deposits required pursuant to Section 8.05(a) , all Principal Proceeds received by the Collateral Agent, unless, as directed by the Collateral Manager, simultaneously reinvested in additional Collateral Obligations in accordance with Article X or in Eligible Investments or required to be deposited in the Revolving Reserve Account pursuant to Section 8.04 or required to be deposited into the Excess Concentration Loan Account pursuant to Section 8.03(d) ). All Monies deposited from time to time in the Collection Account pursuant to this Agreement shall be held by the Collateral Agent as part of the Collateral and shall be applied to the purposes herein provided. All amounts in the Collection Account shall be reinvested pursuant to Section 8.05(a) . The Borrower shall instruct all Obligors to remit all their payments in respect of the Collateral Obligations into the Collection Account in accordance with this Agreement. If the Borrower receives any Collections directly, the Borrower shall remit any such Collections to the Collection Account (or one or more subaccounts thereof) within 2 Business Days of receipt thereof. In the event the Collateral Agent receives any amounts or collections in respect of the Excluded Loan, the Collateral Agent shall, upon receiving a written direction of the Collateral Manager, which may be in the form of standing instructions, remit such amounts or collections to an account to be designated by the Collateral Manager.

(b) [reserved].

(c) At any time when reinvestment is permitted pursuant to Article X , the Collateral Manager may by delivery of a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Collateral Manager direct the Collateral Agent to, and upon receipt of such certificate the Collateral Agent shall, withdraw funds on deposit in the Principal Collection Subaccount representing Principal Proceeds and from Interest Proceeds but only to the extent used to pay for accrued interest on an

 

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additional Collateral Obligation and reinvest such funds in additional Collateral Obligations or exercise a warrant held in the Collateral, in each case in accordance with the requirements of Article X and such certificate. At any time as of which no funds are on deposit in the Revolving Reserve Account, the Collateral Manager may by delivery of a certificate of a Responsible Officer direct the Collateral Agent to, and upon receipt of such certificate the Collateral Agent shall, withdraw funds on deposit in the Principal Collection Subaccount representing Principal Proceeds and remit such funds as so directed by the Collateral Manager to meet the Borrower’s funding obligations in respect of Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loans or Revolving Collateral Loans.

(d) The Collateral Agent shall transfer to the Payment Account, from the Collection Account for application pursuant to Section 9.01(a) , on or before the Business Day preceding each Payment Date, any amounts then held in the Collection Account other than Interest Proceeds or Principal Proceeds received after the end of the Collection Period with respect to such Payment Date (and not otherwise designated for deposit into the Revolving Reserve Account or the Excess Concentration Loan Account or for reinvestment by the Collateral Manager or to be used to settle binding commitments (entered into prior to the Determination Date) for the purchase of Collateral Obligations) and as described in the Payment Date Report for such Payment Date.

Section 8.03 Transaction Accounts .

(a) Payment Account . In accordance with this Agreement and the Account Control Agreement, the Collateral Agent, on or prior to the Closing Date, shall establish at the Custodian a single, segregated securities account held in trust and titled the “WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC Payment Account, subject to the lien of the Collateral Agent”, which shall be designated as the “ Payment Account ”, which shall be maintained by the Borrower with the Custodian in accordance with the Account Control Agreement and which shall be subject to the lien of the Collateral Agent. The only permitted withdrawal from or application of funds on deposit in, or otherwise to the credit of, the Payment Account shall be to pay amounts due and payable under the Priority of Payments on the Payment Dates in accordance with their terms and the provisions of this Agreement. The Borrower shall have legal, equitable and beneficial interest in the Payment Account in accordance with this Agreement and the Priority of Payments.

(b) Custodial Account . In accordance with this Agreement and the Account Control Agreement, the Collateral Agent, on or prior to the Closing Date, shall establish at the Custodian a single, segregated securities account held in trust and titled the “WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC Custodial Account, subject to the lien of the Collateral Agent”, which shall be designated as the “ Custodial Account ”, which shall be maintained by the Borrower with the Custodian in accordance with this Agreement and the Account Control Agreement and which shall be subject to the lien of the Collateral Agent. All Collateral Obligations shall be credited to the Custodial Account. The only permitted withdrawals from the Custodial Account shall be in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. The Borrower shall have legal, equitable and beneficial interest in the Custodial Account in accordance with this Agreement and the Priority of Payments.

 

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(c) Lender Funding Account .

(i) The Collateral Agent, on or prior to the Closing Date, shall establish at the Custodian a single, segregated securities account held in trust and titled the “WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC Lender Funding Account, subject to the lien of the Collateral Agent”, which shall be designated as the “ Lender Funding Account ”, which shall be maintained by the Borrower with the Custodian and which shall be subject to the lien of the Collateral Agent. The Lender Funding Account may contain any number of subaccounts for the purposes described in this Section 8.03(c) . The only permitted deposits to or withdrawals from the Lender Funding Account shall be in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. The Borrower shall have legal, equitable and beneficial interest in the Lender Funding Account in accordance with this Agreement.

(ii) If any Lender shall at any time deposit any amount in the Lender Funding Account in accordance with Section 2.16 , then (x) the Collateral Agent shall create a segregated subaccount of the Lender Funding Account with respect to such Lender (the “ Lender Funding Subaccount ” of such Lender) and (y) the Collateral Agent shall deposit all funds received from such Lender into such Lender Funding Subaccount. The only permitted withdrawal from or application of funds credited to a Lender Funding Subaccount shall be as specified in this Section 8.03(c) .

(iii) With respect to any Lender, the deposit of any funds in the applicable Lender Funding Subaccount by such Lender shall not constitute a Borrowing by the Borrower and shall not constitute a utilization of the Commitment of such Lender, and the funds so deposited shall not constitute principal outstanding under the Advances. However, from and after the establishment of a Lender Funding Subaccount, the obligation of such Lender to advance funds as part of any Borrowing under this Agreement shall be satisfied by the Collateral Agent withdrawing funds from such Lender Funding Subaccount in the amount of such Lender’s pro rata share of such Borrowing as directed by the Facility Agent. All payments of principal from the Borrower with respect to Advances made by such Lender (whether or not originally funded from such Lender Funding Subaccount) shall be made by depositing the related funds into such Lender Funding Subaccount and all other payments from the Borrower (including without limitation all interest and Commitment Fees) shall be made to such Lender in accordance with the order specified in the Priority of Payments. The Collateral Agent shall have full power and authority to withdraw funds from each such Lender Funding Subaccount at the time of, and in connection with, the making of any such Borrowing and to deposit funds into each such Lender Funding Subaccount, all in accordance with the terms of and for the purposes set forth in this Agreement.

(iv) On any Business Day, any Lender may provide written notice to the Collateral Agent, certifying as to the amount of such Lender’s undrawn Commitment as of such date. If the sum of the amount of funds on deposit in the applicable Lender Funding Subaccount with respect to such Lender as of such date exceeds such Lender’s undrawn Commitment at such time (whether due to a reduction in the Total Commitment or otherwise), then the Collateral Agent shall remit to such Lender a portion of the funds then held in the related Lender Funding Subaccount in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.

 

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(v) If at any time a Lender provides written notice to the Borrower and the Agents that it no longer wishes to maintain funds in its Lender Funding Subaccount, then all funds then held in the relevant Lender Funding Subaccount (after giving effect to any Borrowings in respect of the Advances that are to be made on such date) shall be withdrawn from such Lender Funding Subaccount and remitted to such Lender, and thereafter all payments with respect to Advances made by such Lender shall be paid directly to such Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; provided that such Lender has provided prior written notice to DBRS and the Collateral Agent and is no longer subject to Section 2.16.

(vi) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, for so long as any amounts are on deposit in any Lender Funding Subaccount, the Collateral Agent shall invest and reinvest such funds in the BNY Mellon Cash Reserve, which is an Eligible Investment of the type described in clause (ii) of the definition of the term “ Eligible Investments ” that mature overnight. Interest received on such Eligible Investments shall be retained in such Lender Funding Subaccount and be invested and reinvested as aforesaid. Any gain realized from such investments shall be credited to such Lender Funding Subaccount, and any loss resulting from such investments shall be charged to such Lender Funding Subaccount. None of the Borrower, the Collateral Manager or the Collateral Agent shall in any way be held liable by reason of any insufficiency of such Lender Funding Subaccount resulting from any loss relating to any such investment.

(d) Excess Concentration Loan Account .

(i) The Collateral Agent, on or prior to the Closing Date, shall establish at the Custodian a single, segregated securities account held in trust and titled the “WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC Excess Concentration Loan Account, subject to the lien of the Collateral Agent”, which shall be designated as the “ Excess Concentration Loan Account ”, which shall be maintained by the Borrower with the Custodian and which shall be subject to the lien of the Collateral Agent. The only permitted deposits to or withdrawals from the Excess Concentration Loan Account shall be in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. The Borrower shall have legal, equitable and beneficial interest in the Excess Concentration Loan Account in accordance with this Agreement.

(ii) The Collateral Agent shall from time to time deposit into the Excess Concentration Loan Account immediately upon notice from the Collateral Manager to do so, that portion of the Excess Concentration Principal Proceeds received by the Collateral Agent and held in the Principal Collection Subaccount that are directed by the Collateral Manager to be deposited into the Excess Concentration Loan Account. All Monies deposited from time to time in the Excess Concentration Loan Account pursuant to this Agreement shall be held by the Collateral Agent as part of the Collateral and shall be applied to the purposes herein provided. If the Borrower receives any Excess Concentration Principal Proceeds directly, the Borrower shall remit any such Excess Concentration Principal Proceeds to the Collection Account within two (2) Business Days after receipt thereof.

(iii) The Collateral Agent shall transfer to the Principal Collection Subaccount any Excess Concentration Principal Proceeds remaining on deposit in the Excess Concentration Loan Account on the Determination Date following deposit of such Excess Concentration Principal Proceeds to the extent that such amounts have not been distributed pursuant to Section 9.01(d).

 

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Section 8.04 The Revolving Reserve Account; Fundings .

In accordance with this Agreement and the Account Control Agreement, the Collateral Agent, on or prior to the Closing Date, shall establish at the Custodian a single, segregated securities account held in trust and titled the “WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC Revolving Reserve Account, subject to the lien of the Collateral Agent”, which shall be designated as the “ Revolving Reserve Account ”, which shall be maintained by the Borrower with the Custodian in accordance with the Account Control Agreement and which shall be subject to the lien of the Collateral Agent. The only permitted deposits to or withdrawals from the Revolving Reserve Account shall be in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. The Borrower shall have legal, equitable and beneficial interest in the Revolving Reserve Account in accordance with this Agreement and the Priority of Payments.

Upon the purchase of any Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loan or Revolving Collateral Loan or, if necessary, within two Business Days following the Commitment Termination Date, funds shall be withdrawn by the Collateral Agent at the direction of the Collateral Manager from the Principal Collection Subaccount and deposited in the Revolving Reserve Account, (i) during the Reinvestment Period, in an amount sufficient to ensure no Commitment Shortfall exists as of such time, and (ii) at all times, within two Business Days after the last day of the Reinvestment Period, equal to the aggregate unfunded commitments in respect of all Revolving Collateral Loans and Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loans; provided that, if funds in the Principal Collection Subaccount are not sufficient under this clause (ii) then an Advance under this Facility shall be made (the amount required to be on deposit at all times in the Revolving Reserve Account pursuant to such clause (i) or (ii), as applicable, the “ Revolving Reserve Required Amount ”).

Fundings of Revolving Collateral Loans and Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loans shall be made using, first , amounts on deposit in the Revolving Reserve Account, then amounts on deposit in the Principal Collection Subaccount and finally , prior to or on the Commitment Termination Date, available Borrowings.

Amounts on deposit in the Revolving Reserve Account will be invested in overnight funds that are Eligible Investments selected by the Collateral Manager pursuant to Section 8.05 , and earnings from all such investments will be deposited in the Interest Collection Subaccount as Interest Proceeds. So long as no Event of Default pursuant to Section 6.01(e) or (f) has occurred and is then continuing, all funds in the Revolving Reserve Account (other than earnings from Eligible Investments therein) will be available solely to cover drawdowns on the Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loans and Revolving Collateral Loans; provided that, to the extent that the aggregate amount of funds on deposit therein at any time exceeds the Revolving Reserve Required Amount, the Collateral Manager shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent in writing of the amount thereof, the Collateral Agent shall remit such excess to the Principal Collection Subaccount, and such amounts will be treated as Principal Proceeds.

 

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Section 8.05 Reinvestment of Funds in Covered Accounts; Reports by Collateral Agent .

(a) Prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default, unless otherwise directed by the Collateral Manager, the Collateral Agent shall invest all funds on deposit in the Collection Account and the Revolving Reserve Account in the BNY Mellon Cash Reserve, which is an Eligible Investment of the type described in clause (ii) of the definition of the term “Eligible Investments” maturing not later than the earlier of (i) thirty days after the date of such investment (unless putable at par to the issuer thereof) or (ii) the Business Day immediately preceding the next Payment Date (or such shorter maturities expressly provided herein). If, after the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Facility Agent shall not have given investment directions to the Collateral Agent for three consecutive days, the Collateral Agent shall invest and reinvest such Monies as fully as practicable in the BNY Mellon Cash Reserve, which is an Eligible Investment of the type described in clause (ii) of the definition of the term “Eligible Investments” maturing not later than the earlier of (i) thirty days after the date of such investment (unless putable at par to the issuer thereof) or (ii) the Business Day immediately preceding the next Payment Date (or such shorter maturities expressly provided herein). Should any such specific Eligible Investment be unavailable, and in the absence of another proper investment instruction, all such funds shall be held uninvested. Except to the extent expressly provided otherwise herein, all interest and other income from such investments shall be deposited in the Interest Collection Subaccount, any gain realized from such investments shall be credited to the Principal Collection Subaccount upon receipt, and any loss resulting from such investments shall be charged to the Principal Collection Subaccount. The Collateral Agent shall not in any way be held liable by reason of any insufficiency of such accounts which results from any loss relating to any such investment, except with respect to investments in obligations of the Collateral Agent or any Affiliate thereof.

(b) The Collateral Agent agrees to promptly give the Borrower any notice a Responsible Officer of it receives relating to any Covered Account or any funds on deposit in any Covered Account, or otherwise to the credit of a Covered Account, including any notice that states any Covered Account or any funds on deposit or otherwise credited to a Covered Account has become subject to any writ, order, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process. All Covered Accounts shall remain at all times with the Custodian or an entity organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any state thereof, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $200,000,000, subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority, having DBRS Ratings of at least “A (high)” and “R-1 (middle)” and having an office within the United States.

(c) The Collateral Agent shall supply, in a timely fashion, to the Borrower, DBRS and the Collateral Manager any information regularly maintained by the Collateral Agent that the Borrower, DBRS or the Collateral Manager may from time to time reasonably request with respect to the Collateral Obligations, the Covered Accounts and the other Collateral and provide any other requested information reasonably available to the Collateral Agent by reason

 

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of its acting as Collateral Agent hereunder and required to be provided by Section 8.06 or to permit the Collateral Manager to perform its obligations under the Collateral Management Agreement or the Borrower’s obligations hereunder that have been delegated to the Collateral Manager. The Collateral Agent shall promptly forward to the Collateral Manager copies of notices, requests for consent and other writings received by it from the Obligor or guarantor of any Collateral Obligation, the issuer of any Equity Security or from any Clearing Agency with respect to any Eligible Investment (including, without limitation, requests to vote, requests for consent with respect to amendments or waivers and notices of prepayments and redemptions) as well as all periodic financial reports received from any such Obligor, guarantor or issuer.

Section 8.06 Accountings .

(a) Monthly . On each Monthly Report Date, the Borrower (or the Collateral Agent on its behalf) shall compile and provide (or cause to be compiled and provided) to DBRS, the Agents, the Collateral Manager and the Lenders, a monthly report on a settlement basis (each a “ Monthly Report ”), determined as of the close of business on the related Monthly Report Determination Date. The first Monthly Report shall be delivered in October 2012 and the final Monthly Report shall be delivered on the Final Maturity Date. The Monthly Report for a Monthly Report Period shall contain the information with respect to the Facility and the Collateral Obligations and Eligible Investments included in the Collateral set forth in Part 1 of Schedule 2 hereto, and shall be determined as of the Monthly Report Determination Date for such Monthly Report Period.

Simultaneous with the delivery of each Monthly Report, the Borrower (or the Collateral Manager) shall provide a certificate to DBRS, the Lenders and the Agents certifying that no Default or Event of Default occurred during the Monthly Report Period covered by such Monthly Report or if any Default or Event of Default occurred during such Monthly Report Period, setting forth the details thereof and the action which the Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

In addition, the Collateral Manager shall provide for inclusion in each Monthly Report a statement setting forth in reasonable detail each amendment, modification or waiver under any Related Document for each Collateral Obligation that became effective during the Monthly Report Period.

Three Business Days prior to each Monthly Report Date, the Borrower (or the Collateral Agent on its behalf) shall deliver to the Collateral Manager a draft of the Monthly Report relating to such Monthly Report Date. Upon receipt of each draft Monthly Report, the Collateral Manager shall compare the information contained in such Monthly Report to the information contained in its records with respect to the Collateral and shall, within two Business Days after receipt of such draft Monthly Report, notify the Borrower and the Collateral Agent if the information contained in the draft Monthly Report does not conform to the information maintained by the Collateral Manager with respect to the Collateral. In the event that any discrepancy exists, the Collateral Agent and the Collateral Manager shall attempt to resolve the discrepancy. If such discrepancy cannot be promptly resolved, the Collateral Manager shall within one Business Day request that a firm of independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing appointed by the Borrower review such draft Monthly Report and

 

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the records of the Collateral Agent to determine the cause of such discrepancy. If such review reveals an error in the Monthly Report or the records of the Collateral Agent, the Monthly Report or the records of the Collateral Agent shall be revised accordingly and, as so revised, shall be utilized in making all calculations pursuant to this Agreement and notice of any error in the Monthly Report shall be sent as soon as practicable by the Borrower to all recipients of such report which may be accomplished by making a notation of such error in the subsequent Monthly Report.

(b) Payment Date Accounting . The Borrower (or the Collateral Agent on its behalf) shall render an accounting (each, a “ Payment Date Report ”), determined as of the close of business on each Determination Date preceding a Payment Date, and shall deliver such Payment Date Report to the Agents, the Collateral Manager, DBRS and each Lender not later than the Business Day preceding the related Payment Date. The Payment Date Report shall contain the information set forth in Part 2 of Schedule 2 hereto.

(c) Interest Rate Notice . The Collateral Agent shall include in each Payment Date Report a notice setting forth the interest rate for the Advances for the Interest Accrual Period preceding the next Payment Date as established by the Calculation Agent pursuant to Section 2.04(b) .

(d) Failure to Provide Accounting . If the Collateral Agent shall not have received any accounting provided for in this Section 8.06 on the first Business Day after the date on which such accounting is due to the Collateral Agent, the Collateral Agent shall notify the Collateral Manager who shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain such accounting by the applicable Payment Date. To the extent the Collateral Manager is required to provide any information or reports pursuant to this Section 8.06 as a result of the failure of the Borrower (or the Collateral Agent on its behalf) to provide such information or reports, the Collateral Manager shall be entitled to retain an independent certified public accountant in connection therewith and the reasonable costs incurred by the Collateral Manager for such independent certified public accountant shall be paid by the Borrower.

 

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Section 8.07 Release of Collateral .

(a) If no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower or the Collateral Manager may, by delivery of a certificate of a Responsible Officer, deliver to the Collateral Agent at least one Business Day prior to the settlement date for any sale or substitution of Collateral certifying that the sale or substitution of such Collateral is being made in accordance with Section 10.01 and such sale complies with all applicable requirements of Section 10.01 , direct the Collateral Agent to release or cause to be released such Collateral from the Lien of this Agreement and, upon receipt of such certificate, the Collateral Agent shall promptly deliver any such Collateral, if an instrument in physical form, duly endorsed to the Person designated in such certificate or, if such security is a Clearing Corporation Security, cause an appropriate transfer thereof to be made, in each case against receipt of the sales price or replacement Collateral Obligation therefor as specified by the Borrower or the Collateral Manager in such certificate; provided that the Collateral Agent may deliver any Collateral which is a security in physical form for examination in accordance with street delivery custom.

(b) Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall upon the delivery of a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower (or the Collateral Manager) (i) deliver any Collateral, and release or cause to be released such Collateral from the Lien of this Agreement, which is set for any mandatory call or redemption or payment in full to the appropriate paying agent on or before the date set for such call, redemption or payment, in each case against receipt of the call or redemption price or payment in full thereof and (ii) provide notice thereof to the Collateral Manager.

(c) Upon receiving actual notice of any tender offer, voluntary redemption, exchange offer, conversion or other similar action (an “ Offer ”) or any request for a waiver, consent, amendment or other modification, in each case, with respect to any Collateral, the Collateral Agent shall notify the Collateral Manager of such Offer or request. Unless the Advances have been accelerated following an Event of Default, the Collateral Manager may direct (x) the Collateral Agent to accept or participate in or decline or refuse to participate in such Offer and, in the case of acceptance or participation, to release from the lien of this Agreement such Collateral in accordance with the terms of the Offer against receipt of payment or exchange therefor, or (y) the Borrower or the Collateral Agent to agree to or otherwise act with respect to such consent, waiver, amendment or modification.

(d) As provided in Section 8.02(a) , the Collateral Agent shall deposit any proceeds received by it from the disposition of any Collateral in the applicable subaccount of the Collection Account, unless simultaneously applied to the purchase or substitution of additional Collateral Obligations or Eligible Investments as permitted under and in accordance with the requirements of this Article VIII and Article X .

(e) The Collateral Agent shall, upon receipt of a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower to the effect that Payment in Full has occurred or will contemporaneously occur in connection with the release of the Collateral from the Lien of this Agreement and that all other conditions precedent to the release of the Collateral from the Lien of this Agreement have been satisfied, and upon written request therefor, release any remaining Collateral from the Lien of this Agreement in accordance with Section 7.02(a).

 

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(f) Any security, Collateral Obligation or amounts that are released pursuant to Section 8.07(a) , (b)  or (c)  shall be and hereby are released from the Lien of this Agreement.

Section 8.08 [Reserved] .

Section 8.09 Reports to DBRS .

In addition to the information and reports specifically required to be provided to DBRS pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Borrower shall provide DBRS with all information or reports delivered to the Collateral Agent hereunder, and such additional information with respect to the Borrower or the Collateral as DBRS may from time to time reasonably request; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to deliver any information which it is required by law or contract to keep confidential.

Section 8.10 [Reserved] .

Section 8.11 [Reserved] .

Section 8.12 Closing Expense Account .

In accordance with this Agreement and the Account Control Agreement, the Collateral Agent, on or prior to the Closing Date, shall establish at the Custodian a single, segregated securities account held in trust and titled the “WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC Closing Expense Account, subject to the lien of the Collateral Agent”, which shall be designated as the “Closing Expense Account”, which shall be maintained by the Borrower with the Custodian in accordance with the Account Control Agreement and which shall be subject to the lien of the Collateral Agent. The only permitted withdrawal from or application of funds on deposit in, or otherwise to the credit of, the Closing Expense Account shall be in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8.12 . The Borrower shall not have any legal, equitable or beneficial interest in the Closing Expense Account other than in accordance with this Agreement and the Priority of Payments.

On the Closing Date, the Borrower shall deposit the Closing Expense Account Amount into the Closing Expense Account. On any Business Day from the Closing Date to and including the Determination Date relating to the initial Payment Date following the Closing Date, the Collateral Agent shall apply funds from the Closing Expense Account, as directed by the Borrower, to pay all Closing Date Expenses; provided that the fees and expenses of Natixis, Ashurst LLP, Sidley Austin LLP, Chapman and Cutler LLP and DBRS that have been invoiced for payment on the Closing Date in respect of Closing Date Expenses shall be paid by the Borrower on the Closing Date. On the Determination Date relating to the initial Payment Date following the Closing Date, all funds remaining in the Closing Expense Account after payment of the Closing Date Expenses on or prior to such Determination Date shall be deposited in the Collection Account as Interest Proceeds and the Closing Expense Account will be closed. By delivery of a certification of a Responsible Officer (which may be in the form of standing instructions), the Borrower or the Collateral Manager may at any time direct the Collateral Agent to, and, upon receipt of such certification, the Collateral Agent shall, invest all funds remaining in the Closing Expense Account as so directed in Eligible Investments. Any income earned on amounts deposited in the Closing Expense Account will be deposited in the Interest Collection Account as Interest Proceeds as it is received.

 

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Section 8.13 Collateral Reporting .

(a) The Collateral Agent shall perform the following functions:

(i) create a Collateral database within 30 days of the Closing Date;

(ii) permit access to the information in the Collateral database to the Collateral Manager and the Borrower;

(iii) update the Collateral database promptly for ratings changes;

(iv) update the Collateral database promptly for Collateral Obligations, Equity Securities and Eligible Investments acquired or sold or otherwise disposed of and for any amendments or changes to loan amounts or interest rates;

(v) prepare and arrange for the delivery of each Monthly Report and Payment Date Report; and

(vi) provide the Collateral Manager with such other information as may be reasonably requested by the Collateral Manager and as is within the possession of the Collateral Agent.

(b) Not later than 3 Business Days prior to each Monthly Report Date or the close of business on each Determination Date preceding a Payment Date with respect to each Monthly Report or Payment Date Report required to be provided by the Borrower pursuant to Sections 8.06(a) and 8.06(b) ), as applicable, the Collateral Agent shall calculate, using the information contained in the Collateral database created by the Collateral Agent and any other Collateral information normally maintained by the Collateral Agent, and subject to the Collateral Agent’s receipt from the Collateral Manager of information with respect to the Collateral that is not contained in such Collateral database or normally maintained by the Collateral Agent, each item required to be stated in such Monthly Report or Payment Date Report.

(c) Upon notification by the Collateral Manager of a proposed purchase of any Collateral Obligation pursuant to this Agreement (accompanied by such information concerning the Collateral Obligation to be purchased as may be necessary to make the calculations referred to below), the Collateral Agent shall calculate each criterion included in the Eligibility Criteria (other than clause (a) thereof) as a condition to such purchase in accordance with this Agreement, in all cases, based upon information contained in the Collateral database and information furnished by the Borrower and Collateral Manager, and provide the results of such calculations to the Collateral Manager so that the Collateral Manager may determine whether such purchase is permitted by this Agreement. The Collateral Agent shall deliver a draft of such calculation to the Collateral Manager reasonably promptly but in no event later than two Business Days after the later of (i) notification of such proposed purchase by the Collateral Manager and (ii) delivery of all information to the Collateral Agent necessary to complete such calculations. For the avoidance of doubt, the Collateral Agent shall have no obligation to

 

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determine (and the Collateral Manager will timely advise the Collateral Agent) whether any item of Collateral meets the definition of “Collateral Obligation”, “Credit Risk Loan”, “Equity Security”, “Defaulted Loan” or “Excess Concentration Loan”.

(d) Upon written notification by the Collateral Manager of a proposed sale of any Collateral Obligation pursuant to Section 10.01 of this Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall calculate each criterion set forth in the Section 10.01 , if any, as a condition to such disposition and provide the results of such calculations to the Collateral Manager so that the Collateral Manager may determine whether such sale is permitted by this Agreement. The Collateral Agent shall deliver a draft of such calculations to the Collateral Manager reasonably promptly but in no event later than two Business Days after the later of (i) notification of such proposed sale by the Collateral Manager and (ii) delivery of all information to the Collateral Agent necessary to complete such calculations.

(e) With respect to the calculations to be provided by the Collateral Agent set forth in Sections 8.13(c) and (d)  above, in no event shall the Collateral Agent be required to deliver such calculations earlier than one Business Day following the receipt by the Collateral Agent of all information necessary to complete such calculations. In the event the Collateral Manager does not provide the Collateral Agent the items necessary to complete the calculations required by Sections 8.13(c) and (d)  above and/or the Collateral Manager proceeds with a sale or purchase of the applicable Collateral prior to the time the Collateral Agent delivers such calculations, the Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for determining whether the provisions of this Agreement have been satisfied (including compliance with the Eligibility Criteria) and the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to rely upon the instructions of the Collateral Manager in all respects, including but not limited to instructions (which may be in the form of trade tickets) to release the applicable Collateral from the lien of this Agreement or to acquire the applicable Collateral. In the event the Collateral Manager consummates a sale or purchase prior to receiving the calculations of the Collateral Agent, the Collateral Agent shall be under no duty, and shall incur no liability, to perform the calculations set forth in Sections 8.13(c) and (d)  above.

(f) Subject to the mutual agreement of the parties hereto regarding reasonable compensation for the Collateral Agent, perform such other calculations and prepare such other reports as the Collateral Manager may reasonably request in writing and that are required by this Agreement and as the Collateral Agent may agree to in writing, which agreement shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(g) Nothing herein shall prevent the Collateral Agent or any of its Affiliates from engaging in other businesses or from rendering services of any kind to any Person.

(h) The Collateral Agent shall have no obligation to determine Market Value or price in connection with any actions or duties under this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE IX

APPLICATION OF MONIES

Section 9.01 Disbursements of Monies from Payment Account .

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, but subject to the other subsections of this Section 9.01 , on each Payment Date, the Collateral Agent shall disburse amounts transferred from the Collection Account to the Payment Account pursuant to Section 8.02 in accordance with the following priorities (the “ Priority of Payments ”), as set forth in the Payment Date Report prepared by the Borrower.

(i) Unless an Enforcement Event has occurred and is continuing, on each Payment Date, Interest Proceeds on deposit in the Interest Collection Subaccount, to the extent received by the Collateral Agent on or before the related Determination Date (or, if such Determination Date is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) and that are transferred into the Payment Account, shall be applied in the following order of priority:

(A) (1) first , to pay taxes, registration and filing fees, if any, of the Borrower; (2)  second , to pay all out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Collateral Agent (in each case expressly excluding any amounts in respect of indemnities) payable under Section 7.03 ; (3)  third , to pay other Administrative Expenses payable to the Collateral Agent, the Custodian and the Securities Intermediary; and (4)  fourth , to pay all other Administrative Expenses in accordance with the priorities specified in the definition thereof; provided that the aggregate amount applied under clauses (A)(3) and (4) for each Payment Date prior to the Commitments terminating and the principal of and the accrued interest on the Advances and the Notes and all other amounts whatsoever payable by the Borrower hereunder becoming due and payable pursuant to Section 6.01 , shall not exceed the Administrative Expense Cap for such Payment Date;

(B) at the discretion of the Collateral Manager, to the payment of the Senior Collateral Management Fee (excluding any waived Senior Collateral Management Fee, at the Collateral Manager’s discretion for such Payment Date, or any Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee);

(C) to the payment of accrued and unpaid interest on the Advances and Commitment Fees due to the Lenders and amounts payable to the Lenders or any Affected Person under Section 2.10 ;

(D) if the Coverage Tests are not satisfied as of the related Determination Date, (1) to the repayment of principal on the Advances or (2) solely at the discretion of the Collateral Manager, if, but only if the outstanding principal amount of the Advances equals zero (both before and after giving effect to any payment made pursuant to clause (1)), to deposit in the Revolving Reserve Account, in each case in the amount necessary to result in the satisfaction of the Coverage Tests (on a pro forma basis as of such Determination Date);

 

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(E) to the payment or application of amounts referred to in clauses (A) (3) and (4) above (in the same order of priority specified therein), to the extent not paid in full pursuant to applications under said clauses (A)(3) and (4) and without regard to the Administrative Expense Cap;

(F) to pay accrued and unpaid amounts owing to the Secured Parties and any other Affected Person (if any) under Sections 2.09 and 12.03 ;

(G) at the discretion of the Collateral Manager, to the payment of the Subordinated Collateral Management Fee and the Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee (excluding any waived Subordinated Collateral Management Fee and/or any waived Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee, at the Collateral Manager’s discretion for such Payment Date);

(H) during the Reinvestment Period and so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the remainder to be allocated at the discretion of the Collateral Manager (as evidenced in a written notice delivered to the Agents delivered on or prior to the related Determination Date) to any one or more of the following payments: (1) to the Principal Collection Subaccount for the purchase of additional Collateral Obligations (including funding Revolving Collateral Loans and Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loans), and/or (2) to prepay the Advances, and/or (3) for deposit into the Revolving Reserve Account up to an amount that would result in the Portfolio Exposure Amount equaling zero, (4) for distribution to the Borrower including for distributions with respect to its Equity and/or (5) for payment of the Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee Interest (excluding any thereof waived at the Collateral Manager’s discretion for such Payment Date);

(I) so long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the maturity of the Advances has not been accelerated, to the repayment of the Advances until paid in full;

(J) after the Reinvestment Period, at the discretion of the Collateral Manager, to any one or more of the following payments: (1) to prepay the Advances, (2) for deposit into the Revolving Reserve Account up to an amount that would result in the Portfolio Exposure Amount equaling zero, (3) for distribution to the Borrower including for distributions with respect to its Equity and/or (4) for payment of the Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee Interest (excluding any thereof waived at the Collateral Manager’s discretion for such Payment Date);

(ii) Unless an Enforcement Event has occurred and is continuing, on each Payment Date, Principal Proceeds on deposit in the Principal Collection Subaccount that are received by the Collateral Agent on or before the related Determination Date (or

 

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if such Determination Date is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) and that are transferred to the Payment Account and not designated for reinvestment or transfer to the Excess Concentration Loan Account by the Collateral Manager shall be applied, except for any Principal Proceeds that will be used to settle binding commitments (entered into prior to the Determination Date) for the purchase of Collateral Obligations, in the following order of priority:

(A) to the payment of unpaid amounts under clauses (A) through (D) in clause (i) above (in the same order of priority specified therein), to the extent not paid in full thereunder;

(B) during the Reinvestment Period, at the discretion of the Collateral Manager, (1) to the Principal Collection Subaccount for the purchase of additional Collateral Obligations (including funding Revolving Collateral Loans and Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loans), and/or (2) to prepay the Advances, and/or (3) for deposit into the Revolving Reserve Account up to an amount that would result in the Portfolio Exposure Amount equaling zero;

(C) after the Reinvestment Period, to the repayment of the Advances until paid in full;

(D) for deposit into the Revolving Reserve Account up to an amount that would result in the Portfolio Exposure Amount equaling zero;

(E) to the payment of amounts referred to in clauses (E), (F) and (G) of clause (i) above, to the extent not paid in full thereunder, and to the payment of the Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee Interest excluding any waived Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee Interest, at the Collateral Manager’s discretion for such Payment Date; and

(F) the remainder to the Borrower.

(b) If on any Payment Date the amount available in the Payment Account is insufficient to make the full amount of the disbursements required by the Payment Date Report, the Collateral Agent shall make the disbursements called for in the order and according to the priority set forth under Section 9.01(a) to the extent funds are available therefor.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of the foregoing Sections 9.01(a)(i), 9.01(a)(ii), 9.01(d) and 9.01(e), if declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the Advances has occurred following an Event of Default and such Event of Default is continuing and has not been cured or waived (an “ Enforcement Event ”), on each date or dates fixed by the Collateral Agent at the written direction of the Required Lenders, all Interest Proceeds, Principal Proceeds and any other proceeds from the liquidation of the Collateral will be applied in the following order of priority:

(A) (1) first , to pay taxes, registration and filing fees, if any, of the Borrower; (2)  second , to pay all out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Collateral Agent (in each case expressly excluding any amounts in respect of

 

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indemnities) payable under Section 7.03 ; (3)  third , to pay other Administrative Expenses payable to the Collateral Agent; and (4)  fourth , to pay all other Administrative Expenses in accordance with the priorities specified in the definition thereof; provided that the aggregate amount applied under clauses (A)(3) and (4) for such Payment Date, shall not exceed the Administrative Expense Cap for such Payment Date;

(B) to the payment of accrued and unpaid interest on the Advances and Commitment Fees due to the Lenders and amounts payable to the Lenders or any Affected Person under Section 2.10 ;

(C) for deposit into the Revolving Reserve Account up to an amount that would result in the Portfolio Exposure Amount equaling zero;

(D) to the repayment of principal in respect of the Advances;

(E) to the payment or application of amounts referred to in clauses (A)(3) and (4) above, to the extent not paid in full pursuant to applications under said clauses (A)(3) and (4);

(F) to pay accrued and unpaid amounts owing to the Secured Parties and any other Affected Person (if any) under Sections 2.09 and 12.03 ;

(G) to the payment of accrued and unpaid Senior Collateral Management Fees, Subordinated Collateral Management Fees, Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fees and Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee Interest (excluding any waived Senior Collateral Management Fee, waived Subordinated Collateral Management Fee, any waived Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee or any waived Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee Interest ) from and including that date each such amount would have been payable according to this Section 9.01 to but not including the date of payment;

(H) to the payment of costs and expenses of the Borrower (including any costs and expenses to be reimbursed or other amounts owed to the Collateral Manager in accordance with the Facility Documents);

(I) with notice to the Facility Agent, to pay any obligations of the Borrower or to establish any reserves determined by the Borrower to be necessary or desirable; and

(J) the remainder to the Borrower including for distributions with respect to its Equity.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement but subject to Section 9.01(c) , the Collateral Agent shall at the direction of the Collateral Manager on any day transfer Excess Concentration Principal Proceeds to the Excess Concentration Loan Account and/or disburse amounts on deposit in the Excess Concentration Loan Account to any Equity Owner on any day at the written direction of the Borrower, together with a certification with

 

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respect to any such disbursement signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such distribution, (i) each Collateral Quality Test is satisfied, or, if not satisfied on such day, is maintained or improved, (ii) the Advance Rate Test is satisfied, (iii) each Coverage Test is satisfied; (iv) no Commitment Shortfall exists; and (v) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, together with a certificate to such effect from the Borrower and a report delivered by the Collateral Agent demonstrating compliance with each requirement set forth in the aforementioned clauses (i) through (iv) (which report may be based on information provided to the Collateral Agent by the Borrower or the Collateral Manager).

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement but subject to Section 9.01(c) , the Collateral Agent shall disburse amounts on deposit in the Principal Collection Subaccount to any Equity Owner on any day during the Reinvestment Period occurring after the BDC Election Date at the written direction of the Borrower, together with a certification signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such distribution, (i) each Collateral Quality Test is satisfied, or, if not satisfied on such day, is maintained or improved, (ii) the Advance Rate Test is satisfied, (iii) each Coverage Test is satisfied; (iv) no Commitment Shortfall exists; (v) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (vi) the MV Overcollateralization Ratio Test is satisfied, together with a certificate to such effect from the Borrower and a report delivered by the Collateral Agent demonstrating compliance with each requirement set forth in the aforementioned clauses (i) through (iv) and (vi) (which report may be based on information provided to the Collateral Agent by the Borrower or the Collateral Manager).

ARTICLE X

SALE AND SUBSTITUTION OF COLLATERAL OBLIGATIONS;

PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL COLLATERAL OBLIGATIONS

Section 10.01 Sales and Substitutions of Collateral Obligations .

(a) Sales and Substitutions . Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions specified in Section 10.03 and provided that (A) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result upon giving effect thereto (unless, in the case of a Default, (1) such Default will be cured upon giving effect to such sale and the application of the proceeds thereof, (2) a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or the Collateral Manager certifies to the Facility Agent that it is in the process of curing such Default (unless it is a Default that is an Incurable Default), (3) such sale or substitution is of a Credit Risk Loan, Defaulted Loan or Equity Security or (4) the Facility Agent consents to such sale or substitution), (B) on or prior to the trade date for such sale, transfer, exchange, substitution or other disposition, the Collateral Manager has certified to the Collateral Agent and the Facility Agent that each of the conditions applicable to such sale, transfer, exchange, substitution or other disposition has been satisfied (including without limitation those set forth in clauses (i) through (viii) of this Section 10.01(a) that are applicable to it), (C) during the Reinvestment Period, other than with respect to sales or substitutions pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (vi) below, upon giving effect thereto and the application of the proceeds thereof, each Coverage Test is satisfied and each Collateral Quality Test is satisfied (or if any such Collateral Quality Test is not satisfied, such test is

 

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maintained or improved after giving effect to such sale), and (D) except as provided in clause (v) below, such sale is made for a purchase price at least equal to the purchase price of such Collateral Obligations paid by the Borrower (after adjustment for any borrowings or repayments and exclusive of accrued interest) or, in the case of assets sold pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) below, the Market Value thereof, the Borrower (or, in each case described in this Section 10.01 , the Collateral Manager on the Borrower’s behalf) may, but will not be required to, direct the Collateral Agent to sell and the Collateral Agent shall sell or substitute in the manner directed thereby any Collateral Obligation (or any portion thereof) or other asset described below provided that such sale or substitution also meets the requirements of clauses (i) through (viii) of this Section 10.01(a) that are applicable to it:

(i) Credit Risk Loans . The Borrower may direct the Collateral Agent in writing to sell any Credit Risk Loans at any time during or after the Reinvestment Period.

(ii) Defaulted Loans . The Borrower may direct the Collateral Agent in writing to sell any Defaulted Loan at any time during or after the Reinvestment Period.

(iii) Equity Securities and Certain Other Property . The Borrower at any time during or after the Reinvestment Period (A) may direct the Collateral Agent in writing to sell any Equity Security (other than Margin Stock) and (B) shall direct the Collateral Agent in writing to sell (x) any Margin Stock and (y) any Equity Security or property (other than Cash, Eligible Investments or Collateral Obligations), which, in the sole judgment of the Facility Agent by written notice to the Borrower and the Collateral Manager, may expose the Facility to any material claims or liabilities or otherwise could have a Material Adverse Effect), in each case, regardless of price, within 30 days of receipt by the Borrower of such Margin Stock or such notice from the Facility Agent, as applicable, unless such sale is prohibited by Applicable Law, in which case such Margin Stock, property or Equity Security, as applicable, shall be sold as soon as such sale is permitted by Applicable Law.

(iv) Excess Concentration Loans . The Borrower may direct the Collateral Agent in writing to sell any Excess Concentration Loan at any time during or after the Reinvestment Period and shall specify in writing to the Collateral Agent and the Facility Agent the amount of proceeds of any such sale.

(v) Discretionary Sales by the Borrower . The Borrower may direct the Collateral Agent in writing to sell any Collateral Obligation at any time during or after the Reinvestment Period provided that, the Collateral Manager may sell a Collateral Obligation for a price below the amount specified in clause (D) above if (1) after giving effect to such sale the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Collateral Obligations (excluding Credit Risk Loans, Defaulted Loans and Excess Concentration Loans) sold pursuant to this Section 10.01(a)(v) during the calendar year is not greater than 15% during the Reinvestment Period (or after the Reinvestment Period, is not greater than 10%) of the maximum Total Capitalization at the beginning of the calendar year (which applicable limitation shall accrue pro rata for each calendar year or any part thereof during and after the Reinvestment Period, starting at 1/12 of the limitation then in effect

 

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for the first month and increasing by 1/12 of the limitation for each subsequent month of such calendar year or part thereof) and (2) the Collateral Manager reasonably believes prior to any such sale during the Reinvestment Period that it will be able to enter into binding commitments to reinvest proceeds of such sale within the next 10 Business Days in one or more additional Collateral Obligations; provided that, with respect to any such sale during or after the Reinvestment Period, (a) on a pro forma basis, the MV Modified Overcollateralization Ratio Test is satisfied and (b) the sales price of such Collateral Obligation (exclusive of interest) is equal to or greater than 85% of the outstanding principal amount of such Collateral Obligation that has been sold; provided further that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Collateral Manager may also sell a Collateral Obligation for a price below the amount specified in clause (D) above if an Equity Owner, at its sole option, makes an equity contribution in Cash to the Borrower in an amount equal to the difference between such sale price and the purchase price (after adjustment for any borrowings and repayments and exclusive of accrued interest) of such Collateral Obligation that has been sold and such equity contribution is treated as Principal Proceeds.

(vi) Optional Repurchases or Substitutions by the Transferor Pursuant to the Master Transfer Agreement . Subject to Section 10.03 , the Transferor may optionally repurchase or substitute Credit Risk Loans, Defaulted Loans and Excess Concentration Loans pursuant to and in accordance with the Master Transfer Agreement and, if the Transferor exercises such option, the Borrower shall sell and transfer Credit Risk Loans, Defaulted Loans and Excess Concentration Loans to the Transferor in connection therewith at any time during or after the Reinvestment Period provided that, as certified to the Collateral Agent and the Facility Agent by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and the Collateral Manager, (A) the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Credit Risk Loans, Defaulted Loans and Excess Concentration Loans optionally repurchased or substituted by the Transferor pursuant to the Master Transfer Agreement may not exceed an amount equal to, as of any date of determination, 15% of the Net Purchased Obligation Balance, (B) any such substituted loan meets the definition of Collateral Obligation, (C) the outstanding aggregate principal balance of such substituted loan(s) is greater than or equal to that of the replaced Credit Risk Loan, Defaulted Loan or Excess Concentration Loan, (D) such optional repurchase or substitution will not cause a Default or an Event of Default (unless, in the case of a Default, (1) such Default will be cured upon giving effect to such optional repurchase or substitution and the application of the proceeds thereof, (2) a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or the Collateral Manager certifies to the Facility Agent that it is in the process of curing such Default (unless it is a Default that is an Incurable Default) or (3) the Facility Agent consents to such optional repurchase or substitution), (E) each Coverage Test and each Collateral Quality Test is maintained or improved after giving effect to such repurchase or substitution (irrespective of whether such Coverage Test or Collateral Quality Test is passing or not), (F) such substituted loan either exceeds or maintains the lien priority of the replaced Credit Risk Loan, Defaulted Loan or Excess Concentration Loan, (G) such substituted loan will not fall under clauses (g), (i), (j), (k) or (l) of the definition of Concentration Limitations herein, unless the replaced Credit Risk Loan, Defaulted Loan or Excess Concentration Loan was among those categories and (H) such substituted loan meets the requirements in Section 10.02(c) (the limitations set forth in clauses (A) through (H) referred to herein as the “ Repurchase and Substitution Limits ”).

 

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(vii) Sales of Collateral Obligations to Non-Affiliates . One or more (or any portion of any) Collateral Obligations may be sold from time to time by the Borrower, or the Collateral Manager, to Persons who are not Affiliates of the Borrower or the Collateral Manager, on an arm’s length basis;

(viii) Sales of Collateral Obligations to Affiliates . One or more (or any portion of any) Collateral Obligations may be sold from time to time by the Borrower, or the Collateral Manager, to the Collateral Manager or any of its Affiliates only if (A) the terms and conditions thereof are no less favorable to the Borrower than the terms it would obtain in a comparable, timely sale with a non-Affiliate, (B) the transactions are effected in accordance with all Applicable Laws, (C) the Collateral Obligation is a Defaulted Loan, a Credit Risk Loan or an Excess Concentration Loan, such sale shall be for an amount equal to the Market Value (exclusive of clauses (e) and (f) of the definition thereof) with respect to such Collateral Obligation and (D) the Collateral Obligation is not a Defaulted Loan, Credit Risk Loan or Excess Concentration Loan, the higher of (1) the Market Value thereof and (2) except with the prior written consent of the Facility Agent, an amount no less than the original purchase price paid by the Borrower (after adjustment for any borrowings or repayments and exclusive of interest) with respect to such Collateral Obligation.

(b) Terms of Sales . All sales of Collateral Obligations and other property of the Borrower under the provisions above in this Section 10.01 (excluding any substitution permitted pursuant to clause (vi) thereof) must be exclusively for Cash provided that so long as no Default or Event of Default is continuing or would result upon giving effect thereto and the applications thereof (unless, in the case of a Default, (1) such Default will be cured upon giving effect to such sale and the application of the proceeds thereof, (2) a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or the Collateral Manager certifies to the Facility Agent that it is in the process of curing such Default (unless it is a Default that is an Incurable Default), (3) such sale or substitution is of a Credit Risk Loan, Defaulted Loan or Equity Security or (4) the Facility Agent consents to such sale or substitution) (i) a sale of a Collateral Obligation that is otherwise permitted by the terms above in this Section 10.01 may be effected by the sale by the Borrower of participation interests in such Collateral Obligation, provided that no participations may be sold by the Borrower in any Revolving Collateral Loan or Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loan, and (ii) any sale or substitution of Collateral Obligations or other property of the Borrower to or with the Equity Owner of the Borrower may be made in Cash, as capital contributions or as substitution of assets, and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Facility Documents.

(c) Sales in Connection with Payment in Full and Termination of the Facility . Notwithstanding any other provision in the Facility Documents, the Borrower or the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Borrower, may direct the Collateral Agent in writing to sell, assign, transfer and release all or any portion of the Collateral in connection with the Payment in Full of all Obligations (other than any unasserted contingent obligations), termination of the Commitments and release of the Lien of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in the Collateral as provided in Section 7.02(a) of this Agreement.

 

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Section 10.02 Purchase of Additional Collateral Obligations .

On any date during the Reinvestment Period (or after the Reinvestment Period, with the consent of the Required Lenders and satisfaction of the Rating Confirmation), if no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom (unless, in the case of a Default, (1) such Default will be cured upon giving effect to such purchase of additional Collateral Obligations, (2) a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or the Collateral Manager certifies to the Facility Agent that it is in the process of curing such Default (unless it is a Default that is an Incurable Default) or (3) the Facility Agent consents to such purchase of additional Collateral Obligations), the Borrower, or the Collateral Manager, may, if each of the conditions specified in this Section 10.02 and Section 10.03 is met, direct the Collateral Agent to invest Principal Proceeds (and accrued interest received with respect to any Collateral Obligation to the extent used to pay for accrued interest on additional Collateral Obligations) in additional Collateral Obligations, and the Collateral Agent shall invest such proceeds in accordance with such instructions. The Borrower shall ensure that all such investments in Collateral Obligations are Settled during the Reinvestment Period such that no amounts are payable thereunder in respect of the purchase price thereof after the end of the Reinvestment Period other than with respect to any Collateral Obligations which the Borrower is permitted to purchase after the Reinvestment Period in accordance with this Section 10.02. Any contemporaneous sale of a Collateral Obligation and purchase of another Collateral Obligation in accordance with the Facility Documents by the Borrower with the same counterparty may be settled by netting the sales and purchase prices against each other as directed by the Collateral Manager.

(a) Investment Criteria . No Collateral Obligation may be purchased pursuant to this Section 10.02 unless such loan or debt obligation satisfies the Eligibility Criteria as of the date the Borrower, or the Collateral Manager, commits to make such purchase, in each case after giving effect to such purchase and all other sales or purchases previously or simultaneously committed to.

(b) Investment in Eligible Investments . Cash on deposit in any Covered Account may be invested at any time in Eligible Investments in accordance with Article VIII . To the extent Article VIII does not provide for cash on deposit in a Covered Account to be invested in Eligible Investments, such cash will remain uninvested.

(c) Purchase of Additional Collateral Obligations from Affiliates . Additional Collateral Obligations may be purchased from time to time by the Borrower, or the Collateral Manager, from the Collateral Manager or any of its Affiliates only if (v) if the purchase is from the Transferor, such purchase or acquisition is effected pursuant to the Master Transfer Agreement, (w) the terms and conditions thereof are no less favorable to the Borrower than the terms it would obtain in a comparable, timely sale with a non-Affiliate, (x) the transactions are effected in accordance with all Applicable Laws, (y) if such purchase is for an amount greater than the original purchase price paid by the Collateral Manager or such Affiliate (after adjustment for any borrowings or repayments and exclusive of interest) with respect to such Collateral Obligation, either (i) the prior written consent of the Facility Agent is obtained or (ii)

 

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the Borrower or the Collateral Manager provides to the Facility Agent an appraisal conducted no earlier than 90 days prior to such proposed purchase from an Approved Appraisal Firm reflecting a value not lower than the purchase price to be paid by the Borrower and (z) written notice thereof is provided to DBRS.

Section 10.03 Conditions Applicable to All Purchase, Sale and Substitution Transactions .

(a) Delivery of Collateral . Upon any acquisition of a Collateral Obligation pursuant to this Article X , a security interest in all of the Borrower’s right, title and interest to the Collateral shall be granted to the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Agreement, such Collateral shall be Delivered to the Collateral Agent, and, if applicable, the Borrower shall receive the Collateral for which the Collateral was substituted, free and clear of the lien of this Agreement.

(b) Acquisition and Disposition Standards . The Borrower shall not, nor shall the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Borrower, acquire (whether by purchase or substitution) or dispose of any Collateral Obligation unless each of the following conditions is met: (i) the Collateral Obligation is acquired or disposed of in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (ii) the Borrower reasonably believes that such acquisition and disposition will not result in a downgrade or withdrawal of any rating assigned by a Rating Agency and (iii) the Collateral Manager shall certify in writing delivered to the Collateral Agent and Facility Agent on the date of the relevant acquisition or disposition to the satisfaction of the foregoing as a condition precedent to each such acquisition or disposition. The requirements set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this Section 10.03(b) are referred to as the “ Acquisition and Disposition Standards .”

Section 10.04 Additional Equity Contributions .

Subject to Section 10.03 , any Equity Owner may, but shall have no obligation to, at any time or from time to time contribute additional equity to the Borrower for the purpose specified by such Equity Owner, including without limitation for the purpose of curing any Default (but, for the avoidance of doubt, no such contribution shall cure any Event of Default without the consent of the Required Lenders), satisfying any Coverage Test or Collateral Quality Test, enabling the acquisition or sale of any Collateral Obligation or satisfying any conditions under Section 3.02 . Each equity contribution shall either be made (i) in Cash or (ii) by assignment and contribution of an Eligible Investment or (iii) by assignment and contribution of a Collateral Obligation (in compliance with the Eligibility Criteria specified in clauses (a), (b) and (e) of the definition of Eligibility Criteria). Unless otherwise directed by the Borrower, with the prior written consent of the Facility Agent and prior written notice to the Collateral Agent, all Cash contributed to the Borrower shall be treated as Principal Proceeds except to the extent that such Cash is used to pay expenses incurred in connection with the occurrence of the Closing Date.

 

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ARTICLE XI

THE AGENTS

Section 11.01 Authorization and Action .

Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Facility Agent and the Collateral Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement and, to the extent applicable, the other Facility Documents as are delegated to such Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto, subject to the terms hereof. No Agent shall have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein or in the other Facility Documents, or any fiduciary relationship with any Secured Party, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties or obligations or liabilities on the part of such Agent shall be read into this Agreement or any other Facility Document to which such Agent is a party (if any) as duties on its part to be performed or observed. No Agent shall have or be construed to have any other duties or responsibilities in respect of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. As to any matters not expressly provided for by this Agreement or the other Facility Documents, no Agent shall be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the written instructions of the Required Lenders; provided that such Agent shall not be required to take any action which exposes such Agent, in its judgment, to personal liability, cost or expense or which is contrary to this Agreement, the other Facility Documents or Applicable Law, or would be, in its judgment, contrary to its duties hereunder, under any other Facility Document or under Applicable Law. Each Lender agrees that in any instance in which the Facility Documents provide that an Agent’s consent may not be unreasonably withheld, provide for the exercise of such Agent’s reasonable discretion, or provide to a similar effect, it shall not in its instructions (or, by refusing to provide instruction) to such Agent withhold its consent or exercise its discretion in an unreasonable manner.

Section 11.02 Delegation of Duties .

Each Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement and each other Facility Document by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. No Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

Section 11.03 Agents’ Reliance, Etc .

(a) Neither Agent nor any of its respective directors, officers, agents or employees shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them under or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Facility Documents, except for its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Agent: (i) may consult with legal counsel (including, without limitation, counsel for the Borrower or the Collateral Manager or any of their Affiliates) and independent public accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants

 

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or experts; (ii) makes no warranty or representation to any Secured Party or any other Person and shall not be responsible to any Secured Party or any Person for any statements, warranties or representations (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with this Agreement or the other Facility Documents; (iii) shall not have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement, the other Facility Documents or any Related Documents on the part of the Borrower, the Lenders or the Collateral Manager or any other Person or to inspect the property (including the books and records) of the Borrower or the Collateral Manager; (iv) shall not be responsible to any Secured Party or any other Person for the due execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of any Collateral, this Agreement, the other Facility Documents, any Related Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto; and (v) shall incur no liability under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Facility Document by relying on, acting upon (or by refraining from action in reliance on) any notice, consent, certificate, instruction or waiver, report, statement, opinion, direction or other instrument or writing (which may be delivered by facsimile, email, cable or telex, if acceptable to it) believed by it to be genuine and believed by it to be signed or sent by the proper party or parties. No Agent shall have any liability to the Borrower, the Collateral Manager or any Lender or any other Person for the Borrower’s, Collateral Manager’s or any Lender’s, as the case may be, performance of, or failure to perform, any of their respective obligations and duties under this Agreement or any other Facility Document.

(b) No Agent shall be liable for the actions or omissions of any other Agent (including without limitation concerning the application of funds), or under any duty to monitor or investigate compliance on the part of any other Agent with the terms or requirements of this Agreement, any Facility Document or any Related Document, or their duties thereunder. Each Agent shall be entitled to assume the due authority of any signatory and genuineness of any signature appearing on any instrument or document it may receive (including, without limitation, each Notice of Borrowing received hereunder). No Agent shall be liable for any action taken in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be within the powers conferred upon it, or taken by it pursuant to any direction or instruction by which it is governed, or omitted to be taken by it by reason of the lack of direction or instruction required hereby for such action (including without limitation for refusing to exercise discretion or for withholding its consent in the absence of its receipt of, or resulting from a failure, delay or refusal on the part of any Lender, the Borrower or the Collateral Manager to provide, written instruction to exercise such discretion or grant such consent from any such Lender, the Borrower or the Collateral Manager, as applicable). No Agent shall be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith unless it shall be proven that such Agent was grossly negligent in ascertaining the relevant facts. Nothing herein or in any Facility Documents or Related Documents shall obligate any Agent to advance, expend or risk its own funds, or to take any action which in its reasonable judgment may cause it to incur any expense or financial or other liability for which it is not indemnified to its reasonable satisfaction. No Agent shall be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages (included but not limited to lost profits) whatsoever, even if it has been informed of the likelihood thereof and regardless of the form of action. No Agent shall be charged with knowledge or notice of any matter unless actually known to a Responsible Officer of such Agent responsible for the administration of this Agreement, or unless and to the extent written notice of such matter is received by such Agent at its address in accordance with Section 12.02 . Any permissive grant of power to an Agent hereunder shall not be construed to be a duty to act.

 

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Before acting hereunder, an Agent shall be entitled to request, receive and rely upon such certificates and opinions as it may reasonably determine appropriate with respect to the satisfaction of any specified circumstances or conditions precedent to such action.

(c) No Agent shall be responsible or liable for delays or failures in performance resulting from acts beyond its control. Such acts shall include but not be limited to acts of God, strikes, lockouts, riots, acts of war, epidemics, governmental regulations superimposed after the fact, fire, communication line failures, computer viruses, power failures, earthquakes or other disasters.

(d) To the extent required by any applicable law (or pursuant to a voluntary agreement entered into with the IRS or any other taxing authority), the Agents may withhold from any payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding tax (including any taxes imposed in respect of, or in connection with, FATCA). If any payment has been made to any Lender by the Agents without the applicable withholding tax being withheld from such payment and the Agents have paid over the applicable withholding tax to the IRS or any other tax authority, or the IRS or any other tax authority asserts a claim that the Agents did not properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender because the appropriate form was not delivered or was not properly executed or because such Lender failed to notify the Agents of a change in circumstance which rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax ineffective or for any other reason, such Lender shall indemnify the Agents fully for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by the Agents as tax or otherwise, including any penalties or interest and together with all expenses (including legal expenses, allocated internal costs and out-of-pocket expenses) incurred. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Agents to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Note, Facility Document, or otherwise payable by the Agents to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Agents under this paragraph (d).

Section 11.04 Indemnification .

Subject to the terms of Section 12.21 with respect to any CP Conduit, each of the Lenders agrees to indemnify and hold the Agents harmless (to the extent not reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to Section 12.04 or otherwise) from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, claims, expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys fees and expenses) or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the Agents in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Facility Document or any Related Document or any action taken or omitted by the Agents under this Agreement or any other Facility Document or any Related Document; provided that:

(i) no Lender shall be liable to any Agent for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, claims, expenses or disbursements resulting from such Agent’s gross negligence, willful misconduct; and

(ii) no Lender or Lenders shall be liable to the Collateral Agent for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments,

 

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suits, costs, claims, expenses or disbursements (for purposes hereof, “ Liabilities ”) unless such Liabilities are imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the Collateral Agent as a result of any action taken, or not taken, by the Collateral Agent at the direction of such Lender or Lenders, as the case may be, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement (it being understood that the Collateral Agent shall be under no obligation to exercise or to honor any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Agreement at the request or direction of any of the Lenders (or other Persons authorized or permitted under the terms hereof to make such request or give such direction) pursuant to this Agreement or any of the other Facility Documents, unless such Lenders shall have provided to the Collateral Agent security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses (including reasonable and documented attorney’s fees and expenses) and Liabilities which might reasonably be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction, whether such indemnity is provided under this Section 11.04 or otherwise).

The rights of the Agents and obligations of the Lenders under or pursuant to this Section 11.04 shall survive the termination of this Agreement, and the earlier removal or resignation of any Agent hereunder.

Section 11.05 Successor Agents .

(a) Subject to the terms of this Section 11.05(a) , each Agent may, upon thirty days’ notice to the Lenders and the Borrower, resign as Facility Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable. If the Collateral Agent shall be in material breach of its obligations hereunder, the Required Lenders or, with the prior written consent of the Required Lenders, the Collateral Manager, may, following a period of fifteen days during which the Collateral Agent may cure such breach, remove the Collateral Agent upon notice to the Borrower, the Collateral Manager, the Lenders and the Agents. If the Collateral Agent shall resign or be removed pursuant to this Section 11.05(a) , then the Facility Agent (at the direction of the Required Lenders), during such thirty- or fifteen-day period (as applicable), shall appoint a successor agent. If the Facility Agent shall resign or be removed pursuant to this Section 11.05(a) , then the Required Lenders, during such thirty- or fifteen-day period (as applicable), shall appoint a successor agent with written notice thereof and evidence of the acceptance of such appointment by such successor Facility Agent to the Borrower, the Collateral Agent and the Collateral Manager. If for any reason a successor agent is not so appointed and does not accept such appointment during such thirty period (the last day of such period, the “ Appointment Cut-off Date ”), such Agent may appoint a successor Agent. The appointment of any successor Agent pursuant to this Section 11.05(a) shall be subject to the prior written consent of the Borrower (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that the consent of the Borrower or the Collateral Manager to any such appointment shall not be required if (i) an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) if such assignee is a Lender or an Affiliate of such Agent or any Lender; or (iii) for any reason no successor after the resignation of the Collateral Agent has been appointed within 30 days after the relevant Appointment Cut-off Date and the Borrower has theretofore not entered into an agreement in principle with a potential successor that would be qualified to act as such Agent hereunder. Any resignation or removal of an Agent pursuant to this Section 11.05(a) shall be effective upon the appointment of a successor Agent pursuant to this Section 11.05(a) and the acceptance of such appointment by such successor. The Collateral

 

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Manager shall provide DBRS notice of the acceptance of such appointment by such successor. After the effectiveness of any retiring Agent’s resignation hereunder as Agent, the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder (other than any such duties and obligations arising prior to the effective date of its retirement) and under the other Facility Documents (but not in its capacity as a Lender, if applicable) and the provisions of this Article XI and Section 11.05(a) shall continue in effect for its benefit with respect to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this Agreement and under the other Facility Documents.

(b) Subject to the terms of this Section 11.05(b) , the Collateral Manager may, upon thirty days’ notice to the Collateral Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower, remove and discharge the Collateral Agent from the performance of its obligations under this Agreement and under the other Facility Documents without cause at any time. If the Collateral Agent shall be removed pursuant to this Section 11.05(b) , then the Collateral Manager during such thirty-day period shall appoint a successor Collateral Agent. The appointment of any successor Collateral Agent pursuant to this Section 11.05(b) shall be subject to the prior written consent of the Facility Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). If the Collateral Agent is removed pursuant to this Section 11.05(b) , the Collateral Agent shall be removed in all other capacities in which it serves under this Agreement and under any of the other Facility Documents (including, without limitation, in its capacity as Calculation Agent and Custodian). Any removal of the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Section 11.05(b) shall be effective upon the appointment of a successor Collateral Agent pursuant to this Section 11.05(b) and the acceptance of such appointment by such successor. If acceptance by a successor collateral agent has not have been effected within 60 days after the giving of such removal, the Collateral Agent may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Collateral Agent. The Collateral Manager shall provide DBRS notice of the acceptance of such appointment by such successor. After the effectiveness of any removal of the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Section 11.05(b) , the Collateral Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder (other than any such duties and obligations arising prior to the effective date of its retirement) and under the other Facility Documents (but not in its capacity as Lender, if applicable) and the provisions of this Article XI and Section 11.05(b) shall continue in effect for its benefit with respect to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Collateral Agent under this Agreement and under the other Facility Documents. In the event that the Collateral Agent is removed pursuant to this Section 11.05(b) , the Borrower shall bear any costs related to such removal and appointment of a successor Collateral Agent.

Section 11.06 Regarding the Collateral Agent .

(a) The Collateral Agent shall have no liability for losses arising from (i) any cause beyond its control, (ii) any delay, error, omission or default of any mail, telegraph, cable or wireless agency or operator, or (iii) the acts or edicts of any government or governmental agency or other group or entity exercising governmental powers.

(b) The Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for any indirect, special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages of any kind whatsoever, including but not limited to lost profits, whether or not foreseeable, even if the Collateral Agent has been advised of the possibility thereof and regardless of the form of action in which such damages are sought.

 

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(c) The Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for the preparation or filing of any UCC financing statements or continuation statement or the correctness of any financing statements or continuation statement filed in connection with this Agreement or the validity, adequacy, sufficiency or perfection of any lien or security interest created pursuant to this Agreement.

(d) The Collateral Agent may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, note or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

(e) The Collateral Agent shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, note or other paper or document, but the Collateral Agent, in its discretion, may, and upon the written direction of any Lender, shall make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit or as it shall be directed.

(f) Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, nothing herein shall be construed to impose an obligation on the part of the Collateral Agent to recalculate, evaluate, verify or independently determine the accuracy of any report, certificate or information received from the Borrower, any Lender, the Facility Agent or the Collateral Manager.

(g) Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, the Collateral Agent shall be under no obligation to monitor, supervise or perform the functions of the Borrower or the Collateral Manager under any Facility Document and shall be entitled to assume that the Borrower and the Collateral Manager are properly performing their functions and obligations thereunder and the Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for any diminution in the value of or loss occasioned to the assets subject thereto by reason of the act or omission by the Borrower and the Collateral Manager in relation to their functions thereunder.

(h) The Collateral Agent shall have no responsibility whatsoever to the Borrower, any Lender, the Facility Agent or the Collateral Manager for any deficiency which might arise because the Collateral Agent is subject to any tax in respect of the Facility Documents, the security created thereby or any part thereof or any income therefrom or any proceeds thereof.

(i) The delivery of reports, certificates or other information required to be provided hereunder to a Person other than a Responsible Officer of the Collateral Agent shall not constitute actual or constructive notice or knowledge of the contents thereof.

(j) No later than 11:00 a.m. on each Business Day, the Collateral Agent shall deliver to the Collateral Manager via such means of communication as they shall mutually agree a daily “cash availability report” which will detail all cash receipts with respect to the Collateral Obligations received as of the close of business of the prior Business Day, identifying which portion thereof constitutes Interest Proceeds, which portion thereof constitutes Principal Proceeds and any other amounts received not classified as either Interest Proceeds or Principal Proceeds. No later than the close of business on the Business Day the Collateral Manager

 

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receives such a daily cash availability report, the Collateral Manager shall review the same and identify any discrepancies that it becomes aware of between the cash receipts shown on the Collateral Agent’s daily cash availability report and the cash receipts relating to the Collateral Obligations shown on the Collateral Manager’s records. Thereafter the Collateral Agent and the Collateral Manager will cooperate to promptly resolve any discrepancies.

Section 11.07 Regarding the Collateral Agent and the Custodian .

The Collateral Agent and the Custodian shall each maintain all necessary or appropriate records, operating procedures and systems with respect to their respective duties under this Agreement and any other Facility Document and shall provide with reasonable promptness such additional reports and information (which information is reasonably available to any thereof as may be reasonably requested from time to time by the Collateral Manager or the Borrower.

ARTICLE XII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 12.01 No Waiver; Modifications in Writing .

(a) No failure or delay on the part of any Secured Party exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder or with respect to the Advances shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. Any waiver of any provision of this Agreement, and any consent to any departure by any party to this Agreement from the terms of any provision of this Agreement, shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given. No notice to or demand on the Borrower in any case shall entitle the Borrower to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

(b) No amendment, modification, supplement or waiver of this Agreement or the Fee Letter shall be effective unless (i) it is signed by the Borrower and the Required Lenders (or the Facility Agent on behalf of the Required Lenders), (ii) if it diminishes the rights or increases the obligations of the Collateral Manager, it is consented to by the Collateral Manager, (iii) if it diminishes the rights or increases the obligations of the Transferor with respect to any Facility Documents, it is consented to by the Transferor and (iv) a Rating Confirmation is obtained, provided that:

(i) no such amendment, modification, supplement or waiver shall, unless by an instrument signed by all of the Lenders (or the Facility Agent on behalf of all of the Lenders), (A) increase or extend the term of the Commitments or change the Final Maturity Date, (B) extend the date fixed for the payment of principal of or interest on any Advance or any fee hereunder, (C) reduce the amount of any such payment of principal, (D) reduce the rate at which interest is payable thereon or any fee is payable hereunder, (E) release all or substantially all of the Collateral, except in connection with dispositions permitted hereunder, (F) alter the terms of Section 9.01 or this Section

 

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12.01(b) , (G) modify in any manner the number or percentage of the Lenders required to make any determinations or waive any rights hereunder or to modify any provision hereof or (H) extend the Reinvestment Period; and

(ii) any amendment, modification, supplement or waiver of Article VIII, Article XI , or of any of the other rights or duties of either Agent (including the Collateral Agent in its role as Custodian) hereunder, shall require the consent of such Agent.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, no amendment or waiver under this Agreement or any other Facility Document that would affect a CP Conduit, a support provider of a CP Conduit or an Advance made by such CP Conduit in a manner that is disproportionate and adverse relative to other Lenders shall be effective without the consent of such CP Conduit.

Section 12.02 Notices, Etc .

Except where telephonic instructions are authorized herein to be given, all notices, demands, instructions and other communications required or permitted to be given to or made upon any party hereto shall be in writing and shall be personally delivered or sent by registered, certified or express mail, postage prepaid, or by facsimile transmission, or by prepaid courier service, or by electronic mail, and shall be deemed to be given for purposes of this Agreement on the day that such writing is received by the intended recipient thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Section 12.02 . Unless otherwise specified in a notice sent or delivered in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 12.02 , notices, demands, instructions and other communications in writing shall be given to or made upon the respective parties hereto at their respective addresses (or to their respective facsimile numbers) indicated below, and, in the case of telephonic instructions or notices, by calling the telephone number or numbers indicated for such party below:

 

If to the Facility Agent:    Natixis, New York Branch
   9 West 57th Street, 36th Floor
   New York, New York 10019
   Attention: Yazmin Vasconez
   Telephone No.: 212-891-6176
   Facsimile No.: 646-282-2361
   Email:    Versaillestransaction@us.natixis.com
      fiona.chan@db.com
      rajesh.rampersaud@db.com
If to the Collateral Agent:    The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
   601 Travis Street, 16th Floor
   Houston, TX 77002
   Attention: Corporate Trust- WhiteHorse Finance
   Warehouse, LLC- Ruben Luna
   Tel: 713-483-6456
   Fax: 713-483-6984
   Email: ruben.luna@bnymellon.com

 

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If to the Borrower:    WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC
   1450 Brickell Avenue
   Miami, FL 33131
   Attention: Mr. Richard Siegel
   Tel: (305) 379-2322
   Fax: (305) 381-4180
   Email: rsiegel@higcapital.com
   With a copy to:
   WhiteHorse Finance, LLC
   1450 Brickell Avenue
   Miami, FL 33131
   Attention: Alastair Merrick
   Tel: (212) 314-1039
   Fax: (212) 314-1016
   Email: amerrick@higwhitehorse.com
If to the Lender:    Versailles Assets LLC
   c/o Global Securitization Services, LLC
   68 South Service Road, Suite 120
   Melville, NY 11747
   Attention: Bernard J. Angelo
   Telephone No.: (631) 930-7203
   Facsimile No.: (212) 302-8267
   Email: jrangelo@gssnyc.com and dveidt@gssnyc.com
If to any other Lender:    As provided in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such other Lender becomes a Lender hereunder.
If to DBRS:    DBRS, Inc.
   Structured Credit Surveillance
   140 Broadway, 35th Floor
   New York, NY 10005 United States
   Phone: +1 (212) 806-3277 (main reception)
   Fax: +l (212) 806-3201
   SC_Surveillance@dbrs.com

 

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Section 12.03 Taxes .

(a) Any and all payments by or on behalf of the Borrower under this Agreement and the Notes shall be made, in accordance with this Agreement, free and clear of and without deduction for Taxes unless such deduction is required by law (or by the interpretation or administration thereof). If the Borrower shall be required by law (or by the interpretation or administration thereof) to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable by it hereunder, under any Note or under any other Facility Document to any Secured Party, (i) if any such deductions are in respect of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the Borrower shall be increased as may be necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 12.03 ) such Secured Party receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions in respect of Indemnified Taxes been made, (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions, and (iii) the Borrower shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Authority in accordance with Applicable Law.

(b) In addition, the Borrower agrees to timely pay any present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies which arise from any payment made by the Borrower hereunder, under the Notes or under any other Facility Document or from the execution, delivery or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement, the Notes or under any other Facility Document except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes (hereinafter referred to as “ Other Taxes ”).

(c) The Borrower agrees to indemnify each of the Secured Parties for the full amount of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section 12.03 ), together with all interest, penalties, reasonable costs and expenses arising therefrom, paid by any Secured Party in respect of the Borrower, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted. Payments by the Borrower pursuant to this indemnification shall be made promptly following the date the Secured Party makes written demand therefor, which demand shall be accompanied by a certificate describing in reasonable detail the basis thereof. Such certificate shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d) The Borrower shall not be required to indemnify any Secured Party, or pay any additional amounts to any Secured Party, in respect of United States federal withholding tax or United States federal backup withholding tax to the extent that (i) the obligation to pay such additional amounts would not have arisen but for a failure by such Secured Party to comply with paragraphs (g) or (h) below, except to the extent that the relevant Lender’s assignor or transferor (if any) was entitled at the time of assignment or transfer to receive an increased amount under paragraph (c) with respect to such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that, any Taxes resulting from any change in law (or interpretation, administration or application of any law or treaty or any published practice or published concession of any relevant taxing authority) after the date such relevant Lender becomes a Lender shall be compensated pursuant to paragraph (c) above or (ii) such amount is imposed under FATCA.

(e) Promptly after the date of any payment of Taxes or Other Taxes, the Borrower will furnish to each Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by the relevant Authority evidencing payment thereof (or other evidence of payment as may be reasonably satisfactory to such Agent).

 

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(f) If any payment is made by or on behalf of the Borrower to or for the account of any Secured Party after deduction for or on account of any Taxes or Other Taxes, and an indemnity payment or additional amounts are paid by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 12.03 , then, if such Secured Party in its sole discretion exercised in good faith determines that it has received a refund of such Taxes or Other Taxes, such Secured Party shall, to the extent that it can do so without prejudice to the retention of the amount of such refund, reimburse to the Borrower such amount of any refund received (net of out-of-pocket expenses incurred) as such Secured Party shall determine in its reasonable discretion to be attributable to the relevant Taxes or Other Taxes, provided that in the event that such Secured Party is required to repay such refund to the relevant taxing Authority, the Borrower agrees to return the refund to such Secured Party. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (f), in no event will the Secured Party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (f) the payment of which would place the Secured Party in a less favorable net after-tax position than the Secured Party would have been in if the indemnification payments or additional amounts giving rise to such refund had never been paid.

(g) Each Secured Party (other than the Collateral Agent or the Custodian) that is a U.S. person as that term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code (a “ U.S. Person ”) hereby agrees that it shall, no later than the Closing Date or, in the case of a Secured Party that becomes a party hereto after the Closing Date or pursuant to Section 12.06 , the date upon which such Secured Party becomes a party hereto, deliver to each Agent and the Borrower, if applicable, two accurate, complete and signed originals of U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or successor form, certifying that such Secured Party is a U.S. Person under the Code and on the date of delivery thereof entitled to an exemption from United States backup withholding tax or, after any change after the date it became a Lender under this Agreement in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or treaty or any published practice or published concession of any relevant taxing authority, the greatest amount of such exemption as is then available to be claimed by such Lender. Each Secured Party that is not a U.S. Person under the Code (a “Non-U.S. Lender”) shall deliver, no later than the Closing Date or, in the case of a Secured Party that becomes a party hereto after the Closing date or pursuant to Section 12.06 , the date upon which such Secured Party becomes a party hereto, to each Agent and the Borrower two properly completed and duly executed originals of either U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, W-8ECI or W-8IMY or any subsequent versions thereof or successors thereto or other applicable forms prescribed by the IRS, in each case, claiming complete exemption from, U.S. Federal withholding tax (other than any tax imposed under FATCA) with respect to payments hereunder or, after any change after the date it became a Lender under this Agreement in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or treaty or any published practice or published concession of any relevant taxing authority, the greatest amount of such exemption as is then available to be claimed by such Lender. In addition, in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming exemption from U.S. Federal withholding tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code, such Non-U.S. Lender hereby represents, and will provide a certification, that such Non-U.S. Lender is not a bank described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, is not a 10-percent shareholder (within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code) of the Borrower and is not a

 

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controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower (within the meaning of Section 864(d)(4) of the Code), and such Non-U.S. Lender agrees that it shall promptly notify each Agent and the Borrower in the event any such representation is no longer accurate. Such forms shall be delivered by each Non-U.S. Lender on or before the date it becomes a party to this Agreement. In addition, each Non-U.S. Lender and U.S. Lender shall deliver such forms as promptly as practicable after receipt of a written request therefor from an Agent or the Borrower (but only if such Non-U.S. Lender is legally able to deliver such forms). Each Lender agrees that when it is aware that a change in circumstances has rendered any previous delivered documentation pursuant to this paragraph (g) obsolete or inaccurate, it shall notify the Borrower and each Agent in writing and promptly deliver to the Borrower and each Agent a properly completed and executed documentation as may be required in order to confirm or establish the entitlement to a continued exemption from or reduction in Tax, if that Lender continues to be so entitled to such exemption or reduction.

(h) If any Lender requires the Borrower to pay any additional amount to any Secured Party or any taxing Authority for the account of any Lender or to indemnify a Secured Party pursuant to this Section 12.03 , then such Secured Party shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Advances hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if such Lender determines, in its sole discretion, exercised in good faith, that such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.09 or Section 12.03 , as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

Upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the Borrower’s obligation to pay additional amounts to a Lender pursuant to this Section 12.03(h) , the Borrower shall have the right to replace such Lender with one or more other assignees meeting the requirements set forth in Section 12.06 hereof which will not result in additional amounts being payable pursuant to this Section 12.03(h) , provided that (i) all fees and expenses incurred by such replaced Lender in connection with such assignment shall be paid by the Borrower and (ii) the assignee(s) shall acquire all of the Commitments and outstanding Advances of such replaced Lender and, in connection therewith, shall pay to the replaced Lender in respect thereof an amount equal to the principal of, and all accrued interest on, all outstanding Advances of the replaced Lender and all related fees and expenses in connection with the Facility Documents.

(i) If a payment made to a Lender under any Note or other Facility Document would be subject to United States federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and each Agent (at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or an Agent) such documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or an Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower or an Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine either that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (i), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

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(j) Nothing in this Section 12.03 shall be construed to require the Secured Party to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.

Section 12.04 Costs and Expenses; Indemnification .

(a) The Borrower agrees to promptly pay on demand all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Agents in connection with the administration and any waiver, consent, modification, amendment or similar agreement in respect of this Agreement, the Notes or any other Facility Document and advising the Agents as to their respective rights, remedies and responsibilities. The Borrower agrees to promptly pay on demand all costs and expenses of each of the Secured Parties in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement, the Notes, any Related Document or any other Facility Document, including the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of one outside counsel and one local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction for each of the Facility Agent and the Collateral Agent in connection therewith.

(b) The Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Secured Party and each of their Affiliates and the respective officers, directors, employees, agents, managers of, and any Person controlling any of, the foregoing (each, an “ Indemnified Party ”) from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, obligations, expenses, penalties, actions, suits, judgments and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of counsel) that may be incurred by or asserted or awarded against any Indemnified Party, in each case arising out of or in connection with or by reason of the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance, administration of or otherwise arising out of or incurred in connection with this Agreement, any other Facility Document, any Related Document (and, in the case of any Related Document, only after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default) or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby (and regardless of whether or not any such transactions are consummated) (collectively, the “ Liabilities ”), including any such Liability that is incurred or arises out of or in connection with, or by reason of, any one or more of the following: (i) preparation for a defense of any investigation, litigation or proceeding arising out of, related to or in connection with this Agreement, any other Facility Document, any Related Document or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby; (ii) any breach or alleged breach of any covenant by the Borrower contained in any Facility Document; (iii) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the Borrower contained in any Facility Document or in any certificate, statement or report delivered in connection therewith is, or is alleged to be, false or misleading; (iv) any failure by the Borrower to comply with any Applicable Law or contractual obligation binding upon it; (v) any failure to vest, or delay in vesting, in the Secured Parties a first-priority perfected security interest in all of the Collateral free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens; (vi) any action or omission, not expressly authorized by the Facility Documents or otherwise permitted or required by the Facility Documents, by the Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower which has the effect of reducing or impairing the Collateral or the rights of the Agents or the Secured Parties with respect thereto; and (vii) any Default or Event of Default; except to the extent any such Liability is found in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Indemnified Party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct provided that any payment hereunder which related to taxes, levies, imposes,

 

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deductions, charges and withholdings, and all liabilities (including penalties, interest and expenses) with respect thereto, or additional sums described in Section 12.03 , shall be covered by Section 12.03 and shall not be covered by this Section 12.04(b) .

Section 12.05 Execution in Counterparts .

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which counterparts, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original and all of which counterparts, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

Section 12.06 Assignability; Participation; Register .

(a) Each Lender may assign to an assignee all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its outstanding Advances or interests therein owned by it, together with ratable portions of its Commitment); provided that:

(i) if such assignment occurs prior to the Commitment Termination Date, such assignee satisfies the Rating Criteria at the time of the assignment (except in the case of an assignment to the Facility Agent);

(ii) such assignment is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws or is made in accordance with the Securities Act and such laws, and is made only to (A) either an “accredited investor” as defined in paragraphs (a)(1), (2), (3), or (7) of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act (or any entity in which all of the equity owners are entities described within such paragraphs) or to a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act and (B) a “qualified purchaser” for purposes of the Investment Company Act;

(iii) the Facility Agent has consented thereto; and

(iv) the Borrower has consented thereto (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), provided that the consent of the Borrower shall not be required if (A) the assignee is a Permitted Assignee with respect to such assignor, (B) the assignee is Natixis, an Affiliate of Natixis, or any commercial paper program or vehicle established or administered by Natixis or an Affiliate of Natixis or for which Natixis or an Affiliate of Natixis provides liquidity support that in each case satisfies the Rating Criteria, or (C) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

The parties to each such assignment shall execute and deliver to the Facility Agent and the Borrower an Assignment and Acceptance. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 12.06 , any Lender may at any time pledge or grant a security interest in all or any portion of its rights (including rights to payment of principal and interest) under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or security interest granted to a Federal Reserve Bank, without notice to or consent of the Borrower or the Facility Agent;

 

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provided that no such pledge or grant of a security interest shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or grantee for such Lender as a party hereto. Any purported assignment to an assignee that does not comply with the requirements of this Section 12.06 will be null and void ab initio .

(b) The Borrower may not assign any of its rights hereunder or any interest herein or delegate any of its obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Agents and the Lenders which can be withheld for any reason in their sole and absolute discretion.

(c) Any Lender may sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement; provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (C) the Borrower, the Agents and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and (D) each Participant shall have agreed to be bound by this Section 12.06 , Section 12.09 and Section 12.03 . In the event that any Lender sells participations in any portion of its rights and obligations hereunder:

(i) the agreement pursuant to which such Lender sells such participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification, supplement or waiver that requires the consent of all of the Lenders. Sections 2.09 , 2.10 and 12.03 shall apply to each Participant as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section; provided that no Participant shall be entitled to any amount under Section 2.09 , 2.10 or 12.03 which is greater than the amount the related Lender would have been entitled to under any such Sections or provisions if the applicable participation had not occurred; and

(ii) such Lender, as nonfiduciary agent for the Borrower, shall maintain a register on which it enters the name of all participants in the Advances held by it and the principal amount (and stated interest thereon) of the portion of the Advance which is the subject of the participation (the “ Participant Register ”). An Advance may be participated in whole or in part only by registration of such participation on the Participant Register (and each Note, if any, shall expressly so provide). Any participation of such Advance may be effected only by the registration of such participation on the Participant Register. The Participant Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and the Collateral Manager at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(d) The Facility Agent, on behalf of and acting solely for this purpose as the nonfiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at its address specified in Section 12.02 or such other address as the Facility Agent shall designate in writing to the Lenders, a copy of this Agreement and each signature page hereto and each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to

 

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and accepted by it and a register (the “ Register ”) for the recordation of (i) the names and addresses of the Lenders (ii) the amount of each Advance made hereunder by and any Commitments of each Lender to the Borrower, (iii) the amount of any principal due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder, (iv) the amount of any principal sum paid by the Borrower hereunder and each Lender’s share thereof and (v) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the outstanding Advances maintained by each Lender under this Agreement (and any stated interest thereon) after giving effect to any assignment hereunder. The entries in the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Collateral Manager, the Agents and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The entries maintained in the accounts and Register maintained pursuant Section 2.03(a) and Section 12.06(d) shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the Advances therein recorded; provided that the failure of the Facility Agent or any Lender to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Advances in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the Collateral Manager or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. An Advance (and a Note, if any, evidencing the same) may be assigned or sold in whole or in part only by registration of such assignment or sale on the Register (and each Note, if any, shall expressly so provide). The Facility Agent shall update and furnish to the Collateral Agent, the Borrower and the Collateral Manager from time to time at the request of the Collateral Agent, the Borrower or the Collateral Manager an updated version of Schedule 1 reflecting the then-current allocation of the Commitments.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein or in any other Facility Document, each Lender hereunder, and each Participant, must at all times be (A) either an “accredited investor” as defined in paragraphs (a)(1), (2), (3), or (7) of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act (or any entity in which all of the equity owners are entities described within such paragraphs) or to a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act and (B) a “qualified purchaser” as defined in the Investment Company Act (a “ Permitted Purchaser ”). Accordingly:

(i) each Lender represents to the Borrower, (A) on the date that it becomes a party to this Agreement (whether by being a signatory hereto or by entering into an Assignment and Acceptance) and (B) on each date on which it makes an Advance hereunder, that it is a Permitted Purchaser;

(ii) each Lender agrees that it shall not assign, or grant any participations in, any of its Advances or its Commitment to any Person unless such Person is a Permitted Purchaser; and

(iii) the Borrower agrees that, to the extent it has the right to consent to any assignment or participation herein, it shall not consent to such assignment or participation hereunder unless it reasonably believes that the assignee or participant is a “qualified purchaser” as defined in the Investment Company Act and that such assignment or participation will not cause the Borrower or the pool of Collateral to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

 

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Section 12.07 Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 12.08 Severability of Provisions .

Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 12.09 Confidentiality .

Each Secured Party and each Participant agrees to keep confidential all information provided to it by the Borrower or the Collateral Manager with respect to the Borrower, the Collateral Manager, their respective Affiliates, the Collateral, the Related Documents, the Obligors or any other information furnished to any other Secured Party pursuant to this Agreement or any other Facility Document (collectively, the “ Borrower Information ”); provided that nothing herein shall prevent any Secured Party from disclosing any Borrower Information (a) to any Secured Party or any Affiliate of a Secured Party, any of their respective Affiliates, employees, directors, agents, attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors (collectively, the “ Secured Party Representatives ”), it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Borrower Information and instructed to keep such Borrower Information confidential, (b) subject to an agreement to comply with the provisions of this Section and to use the Borrower Information only in connection with this Agreement and the other Facility Documents and not for any other purpose, to any actual or bona fide prospective permitted assignees and Participants in any of the Secured Parties’ interests under or in connection with this Agreement, (c) upon the request or demand of any Authority with jurisdiction over any Secured Party or any of its Affiliates or any Secured Party Representative, (d) in response to any order of any court or other Authority or as may otherwise be required to be disclosed pursuant to any Applicable Law, (e) that is a matter of general public knowledge or that has heretofore been made available to the public by any Person other than any Secured Party or any Secured Party Representative, (f) any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about a Secured Party’s investment portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect to such Secured Party, it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Borrower Information and instructed to keep such Borrower Information confidential, (g) in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Facility Document (including, without limitation, under Article VII ) or (h) in connection with any suit, action, proceedings or investigation (whether in law or in equity or pursuant to arbitration) involving any of the Facility Documents).

Section 12.10 Merger .

This Agreement, the Notes and the other Facility Documents executed by the Borrower, the Collateral Manager, the Agents or the Lenders taken as a whole incorporate the

 

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entire agreement between the parties thereto concerning the subject matter thereof and such Facility Documents supersede any prior agreements among the parties relating to the subject matter thereof.

Section 12.11 Survival .

All representations and warranties made hereunder, in the other Facility Documents and in any certificate delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Advances hereunder. The agreements in Sections 2.04(f) , 2.09 , 2.10 , 2.12 , the penultimate paragraph of 7.03 , 7.06(b) , 11.04 , 12.03 , 12.04 , 12.09 , 12.16 and 12.19 and this Section 12.11 shall survive the termination of this Agreement in whole or in part and the payment in full of the principal of and interest on the Advances.

Section 12.12 Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers; Etc .

Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:

(a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the other Facility Documents to which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the non-exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York, the courts of the United States for the Southern District of New York and the appellate courts of any of them;

(b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in any court described in Section 12.12(a) and waives to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

(c) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such party at its address set forth in Section 12.02 or at such other address as may be permitted thereunder;

(d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction or court; and

(e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding against any Secured Party arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Facility Document any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.

 

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Section 12.13 Waiver of Jury Trial .

EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND ANY LENDER THAT MAY BECOME A PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER FACILITY DOCUMENT OR FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN OR RELATING THERETO.

Section 12.14 Service of Process .

The Borrower hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers CT Corporation, (the “ Process Agent ”), with an office on the date hereof at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10011, as its designee, appointee and agent to receive, accept and acknowledge for and on its behalf, and its properties, assets and revenues, service for any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents which may be served in any action, suit or proceeding brought in the courts listed in Section 12.12 in connection with or arising out of this Agreement or any other Facility Document. If for any reason the Process Agent shall cease to act as such, the Borrower agrees to promptly designate new designees, appointees and agents in New York, New York on the terms and for the purposes of this Section 12.14 satisfactory to the Facility Agent, which new designees, appointees and agents shall thereafter be deemed to be the Process Agent for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Facility Documents. The Borrower further hereby irrevocably consents and agrees to the service of any and all legal process, summonses, notices and documents out of any of the aforesaid courts in any such action, suit or proceeding by serving a copy thereof upon the Process Agent (whether or not the appointment of the Process Agent shall for any reason prove to be ineffective or the Process Agent shall accept or acknowledge such service) or by mailing copies thereof by overnight mail, postage prepaid, to the Process Agent at its address specified above in this Section 12.14 , with a copy thereof contemporaneously mailed by overnight mail to the Borrower at its address specified in Section 12.02 . The Borrower agrees that the failure of the Process Agent to give any notice of such service to it shall not impair or affect in any way the validity of such service or any judgment rendered in any action or proceeding based thereon. Nothing herein shall in any way be deemed to limit the ability of any Secured Party to serve any such legal process, summons, notices and documents in any other manner permitted by Applicable Law or to obtain jurisdiction over the Borrower or bring actions, suits or proceedings against the Borrower in such other jurisdictions, and in a manner, as may be permitted by Applicable Law.

Section 12.15 [ Reserved ].

Section 12.16 [ Reserved ].

Section 12.17 PATRIOT Act Notice .

Each Lender and the Collateral Agent hereby notify the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law on October 26, 2001)) (the “ PATRIOT Act ”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow the Lenders to identify the Borrower in accordance with the

 

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PATRIOT Act. The Borrower shall provide, to the extent commercially reasonable, such information and take such actions as are reasonably requested by any Lender or the Collateral Agent in order to assist such Person in maintaining compliance with the PATRIOT Act.

Section 12.18 Legal Holidays .

In the event that the date of any Payment Date, date of prepayment or Final Maturity Date shall not be a Business Day, then notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any Facility Document, payment need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the nominal date of any such Payment Date, date of prepayment or Final Maturity Date, as the case may be, and interest shall accrue on such payment for the period from and after any such nominal date to but excluding such next succeeding Business Day.

Section 12.19 Non-Petition .

Each of the Agents, each Lender and each Secured Party hereby agrees not to institute against, or join, cooperate with or encourage any other Person in instituting against, the Borrower any bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership, arrangement, insolvency, moratorium or liquidation proceedings or other proceedings under federal or state bankruptcy or similar laws until at least one year and one day, or if longer, the applicable preference period then in effect plus one day, after the Payment in Full Date; provided that nothing in this Section 12.19 shall preclude, or be deemed to stop, each Agent and each Lender (i) from taking any action prior to the expiration of the aforementioned one year and one day period, or if longer the applicable preference period then in effect plus one day, in (a) any case or proceeding voluntarily filed or commenced by the Borrower or (b) any involuntary insolvency proceeding filed or commenced against the Borrower by a Person other than any Agent, Lender or Secured Party, or (ii) from commencing against the Borrower or any properties of the Borrower any legal action which is not a bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership, arrangement, insolvency, moratorium or liquidation proceeding or other proceeding under federal or state bankruptcy or similar laws. The provisions of this Section 12.19 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Section 12.20 Custodianship; Delivery of Collateral Obligations and Eligible Investments .

(a) The Collateral Manager shall deliver or cause to be delivered to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as custodian (in such capacity, the “ Custodian ”) and which is so appointed hereby by the Borrower, all Collateral in accordance with the definition of the term “ Deliver ”. The Custodian shall at all times be a Securities Intermediary. Any successor custodian shall be a state or national bank or trust company that has capital and surplus of at least $200,000,000, has DBRS Ratings of at least “A (high)” and “R-1 (middle)” and is a Securities Intermediary. The Collateral Agent or the Custodian, as applicable, shall hold (i) all Collateral Obligations, Eligible Investments, Cash and other investments purchased in accordance with this Agreement and (ii) any other property of the Borrower otherwise Delivered to the Collateral Agent or the Custodian, as applicable, by or on behalf of the Borrower, in the relevant Covered Account established and maintained pursuant to Article VIII ; as to which in each case the Borrower and the Collateral Agent shall have entered into an agreement with the Custodian

 

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substantially in the form of Exhibit E providing, inter alia, that the establishment and maintenance of such Covered Account will be governed by a law of a jurisdiction satisfactory to the Borrower and the Facility Agent.

(b) The Collateral Agent or the Custodian, as applicable, shall perform on behalf of the Facility Agent and the Lenders the following duties and obligations:

(i) The Custodian hereunder, shall take and retain custody of the Related Documents delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Sections 3.01 and 3.02 hereof in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, as custodian for the benefit of the Borrower subject to the lien of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties hereunder. In connection with each delivery of Related Documents hereunder to the Custodian, the Collateral Manager shall provide to the Custodian an electronic file (in EXCEL or a comparable format) that contains the related Collateral Obligation Checklist or that otherwise contains the Collateral Obligation identification number, the original principal balance of such Collateral Obligation and the name of the Obligor with respect to each related Collateral Obligation.

(ii) In taking and retaining custody of the Related Documents, the Custodian shall be deemed to be acting as the agent of the Borrower, subject to the lien of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties hereunder, and as agent for the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties as necessary to perfect the security interest of the Collateral Agent in the Related Documents, and the Collateral Agent shall be deemed to be acting as the agent of the Facility Agent and the Secured Parties; provided that the Collateral Agent makes no representations as to the existence, perfection or priority of any Lien on the Related Documents or the instruments therein; and provided further that the Collateral Agent’s and Custodian’s duties as agent hereunder shall be limited to those expressly contemplated herein.

(iii) [Reserved].

(iv) [Reserved].

(v) Prior to acquiring a Collateral Obligation, the Borrower or the Collateral Manager will provide the Collateral Agent and Custodian with a Trade Ticket, together with the Notice of Borrowing to be used in connection therewith.

(vi) [Reserved].

(vii) Promptly after receipt thereof, the Collateral Agent or the Custodian, as applicable, shall provide to the Collateral Manager a copy of all written notices and written communications identified as being sent to it in connection with the Collateral held hereunder which it receives from the related Obligor or any other Person. In no instance shall the Collateral Agent be under any duty or obligation to take any action on behalf of the Collateral Manager (or Borrower) in respect of the exercise of any voting or consent rights, or similar actions, unless it timely receives specific written instructions from the Collateral Manager (prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default) or the Facility Agent (after the occurrence of an Event of Default) in which event the Collateral Agent shall vote, consent or take such other action in accordance with such instructions.

(viii) In performing its duties, the Collateral Agent and Custodian, as applicable, shall use the same degree of care and attention as it employs with respect to similar collateral that it holds as Collateral Agent or as Custodian, as applicable, for others.

 

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(c) Each time that the Collateral Manager directs or causes the acquisition of any Collateral Obligation, Eligible Investment, or other investment, the Borrower shall, if the Collateral Obligation, Eligible Investment, or other investment is required to be, but has not already been, transferred to the relevant Covered Account, cause the Collateral Obligation, Eligible Investment, or other investment to be Delivered to the Custodian to be held in the Custodial Account (or, in the case of any such investment that is not a Collateral Obligation, in the Covered Account in which the funds used to purchase the investment are held in accordance with Article X ) for the benefit of the Borrower subject to the lien of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in accordance with this Agreement. The security interest of the Collateral Agent in the funds or other property used in connection with the acquisition shall, immediately and without further action on the part of the Collateral Agent, be released. The security interest of the Collateral Agent shall nevertheless come into existence and continue in the Collateral Obligation, Eligible Investment, or other investment so acquired, including all interests of the Borrower in any contracts related to and proceeds of such Collateral Obligation, Eligible Investment, or other investment.

(d) The Custodian hereby agrees to accept the Collateral Delivered to it as set forth in Sections 12.20(a) and (c) , to hold the Collateral in safekeeping in the applicable Account or Accounts and to invest, release and transfer the same only in accordance with the written instructions of the Collateral Manager (prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default) or the Collateral Agent (after the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default) or as otherwise provided herein or in the Account Control Agreement; provided , however that in the event of any conflict, the provisions of the Account Control Agreement shall control. Interest, dividends and any other proceeds received by the Custodian with respect to the Collateral shall be distributed by the Collateral Agent in accordance with this Agreement.

(e) The Custodian shall be obligated only for the performance of such duties as are specifically set forth in this Agreement and the Account Control Agreement and may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting on any written notice, request, waiver, consent or instrument believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. The Custodian shall have no duty to determine or inquire into the happening or occurrence of any event or contingency, and it is agreed that its duties hereunder are purely ministerial in nature. The Custodian may consult with and obtain advice from legal counsel as to any provision hereof or its duties hereunder. The Custodian shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized hereby or taken or omitted by it in accordance with the advice of its counsel, except, in each case, to the extent such action or omission constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Custodian. Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Section 12.20, the Custodian shall have all of the rights and protections afforded to the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Agreement.

 

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(f) Should any controversy arise between the undersigned with respect to the Collateral held by the Custodian, the Custodian shall have the right to consult with counsel and/or follow the instructions of the Collateral Agent acting at the direction of the Facility Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties.

(g) The Custodian may at any time resign hereunder by giving written notice of its resignation to the Borrower and the Facility Agent at least ninety days prior to the date specified for such resignation to take effect, and, upon the effective date of such resignation, the Collateral held by the Custodian shall be delivered by it to such successor Custodian as shall be appointed by the Borrower, with the prior written consent of the Facility Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), whereupon all the Custodian’s obligations hereunder shall cease and terminate; provided that no such resignation shall be effective until a successor has accepted such appointment. The Custodian’s sole responsibility thereafter shall be to keep safely all Collateral then held by it and to deliver the same to a Person designated by, the Collateral Agent acting at the direction of the Facility Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties or in accordance with the direction of a final order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(h) The Custodian shall have no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the services called for hereunder in good faith and without willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its duties hereunder. The Custodian shall incur no liability to anyone in acting upon any signature, instrument, statement, notice, resolution, request, direction, consent, order, certificate, report, opinion, bond or other document or paper reasonably believed by it to be genuine and reasonably believed by it to be signed by the proper party or parties. Neither the Custodian nor any of its affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, agents or employees shall be liable to any other party hereto, except by reason of acts or omission constituting bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the Custodian’s duties hereunder. Anything in this Agreement notwithstanding, in no event shall the Custodian be liable for special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including lost profits), even if the Custodian has been advised of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(i) The Custodian shall have no liability for losses arising from (i) any cause beyond its control, including, but not limited to, the act, failure or neglect of any agent or correspondent selected with due care by the Custodian for the remittance of funds, (ii) any delay, error, omission or default of any mail, telegraph, cable or wireless agency or operator, or (iii) the acts or edicts of any government or governmental agency or other group or entity exercising governmental powers.

Section 12.21 Special Provisions Applicable to CP Conduits .

Each of the parties hereby covenants and agrees that:

(a) It shall not institute against, or encourage, cooperate with or join any other Person in instituting against, any CP Conduit any bankruptcy, examination, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceeding, or other proceeding under bankruptcy or similar law until at least one year and one day after the latest maturing commercial paper notes or other rated indebtedness issued by (x) any limited purpose entity providing funding to any CP

 

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Conduit or (y) such CP Conduit, is paid in full; provided that nothing in this Section 12.21 shall preclude, or be deemed to stop, (i) from taking any action prior to the expiration of the aforementioned one year and one day period, or if longer the applicable preference period then in effect plus one day, in (a) any case or proceeding voluntarily filed or commenced by such CP Conduit or (b) any involuntary insolvency proceeding filed or commenced against such CP Conduit by a Person other than it, or (ii) from commencing against such CP Conduit or any properties of the CP Conduit any legal action which is not a bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership, arrangement, insolvency, moratorium or liquidation proceeding or other proceeding under federal or state bankruptcy or similar laws.

(b) It waives any right to set-off and to appropriate and apply any and all deposits and any other indebtedness at any time held or owing thereby to or for the credit or the account of any CP Conduit against and on account of the obligations and liabilities of such CP Conduit to such party under this Agreement.

(c) Notwithstanding any provisions contained in this Agreement or the other Facility Documents to the contrary, the Commitment of any CP Conduit and any other amounts payable by such CP Conduit under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents shall be without recourse to any officer, director, employee, stockholder, member, agent or manager of such CP Conduit and shall be solely the corporate obligations of such CP Conduit.

(d) Notwithstanding any provisions contained in this Agreement or the other Facility Documents to the contrary, no CP Conduit shall, or shall be obligated to, fund or pay any amount pursuant to its Commitment or any other obligation under this Agreement unless such CP Conduit has received funds which may be used to make such funding or other payment and which funds are not required to repay commercial paper notes or other short term funding backing its commercial paper notes issued by a conduit providing funding to such CP Conduit, or finance activities of, such CP Conduit when due, and after giving effect to such payment, either (i) such CP Conduit (or, if applicable, the limited purpose entity which finances the CP Conduit) could issue commercial paper to refinance all of such CP Conduit’s outstanding commercial paper (assuming such outstanding commercial paper matured at such time) in accordance with the program documents governing its commercial paper program or (ii) all of the commercial paper of such CP Conduit (or, if applicable, the limited purpose entity which finances such CP Conduit) is paid in full. Any amount which such CP Conduit does not advance pursuant to the operation of this paragraph shall not constitute a claim (as defined in Section 101 of the Bankruptcy Code) against or obligation of such CP Conduit for any such insufficiency.

In the event neither a CP Conduit nor its Liquidity Provider is able to fund or pay a CP Conduit’s Commitment required to be paid or funded in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and the inability to fund continues for 3 Business Days after the expiration of a CP Conduit’s obligation to fund an Advance on any Borrowing Date, the Borrower shall have the right to replace such CP Conduit with one or more other assignees meeting the requirements set forth in Section 12.06 hereof, provided that (i) all fees and expenses incurred by such replaced CP Conduit in connection with such assignment shall be paid by the Borrower and (ii) the assignee(s) shall acquire all of the Commitments and outstanding Advances of such replaced CP Conduit and, in connection therewith, shall pay to the replaced CP Conduit in respect thereof an amount equal to the principal of, and all accrued interest on, all outstanding Advances of the replaced CP Conduit and all related fees and expenses in connection with the Facility Documents.

 

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(e) Notwithstanding any provisions contained in this Agreement, a CP Conduit may, from time to time, with prior or concurrent notice to the Borrower and the Facility Agent, in one transaction or a series of transactions, assign all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) to a Conduit Assignee which meets the Rating Criteria. Upon and to the extent of such assignment by the CP Conduit to a Conduit Assignee (i) such Conduit Assignee shall become a CP Conduit, (ii) such Conduit Assignee (as Lender) shall be the owner of the assigned portion of the rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents (iii) such Conduit Assignee, any multi-seller commercial paper conduit that issues commercial paper, the proceeds of which are loaned to or are otherwise the CP Conduit’s source of funding the CP Conduit’s acquisition or maintenance of its funding obligations hereunder, if such Conduit Assignee does not itself issue commercial paper, and other related parties shall have the benefit of all the rights and protections provided to the CP Conduit and in the other Facility Documents (including any limitation on recourse against such Conduit Assignee or related parties, any agreement not to file or join in the filing of a petition to commence an insolvency proceeding against such Conduit Assignee, and the right to assign to another Conduit Assignee as provided in this paragraph), (iv) such Conduit Assignee shall assume all (or the assigned or assumed portion) of the CP Conduit’s obligations, if any, hereunder or any other Facility Document, and the Conduit Lender shall be released from such obligations, in each case to the extent of such assignment, and the obligations of the CP Conduit and such Conduit Assignee shall be several and not joint, (v) all distributions in respect of the obligations hereunder assigned shall be made to the Facility Agent, on behalf of the CP Conduit and such Conduit Assignee on a pro rata basis according to their respective interests, and (vi) if requested by the Facility Agent with respect to the Conduit Assignee, the parties will execute and deliver such further agreements and documents and take such other actions as such Facility Agent may reasonably request to evidence and give effect to the foregoing.

(f) Notwithstanding any provisions contained in this Agreement or the other Facility Documents to the contrary, but subject in all respects to Section 12.09 hereof, each CP Conduit may disclose to its respective support providers, any Affiliates of any such party and Authorities having jurisdiction over such CP Conduit, such support provider, any Affiliate of such party and any rating agency that issues a rating on such CP Conduit’s commercial paper notes, the identities of (and other material information regarding) the Borrower, any other obligor on, or in respect of, an Advance made by such CP Conduit, collateral for such an Advance, its monthly transaction surveillance reports, and any of the terms and provisions of the Facility Documents that it may deem necessary or advisable and such other information as may be requested by a rating agency.

(g) The provisions of Sections 12.21(a) , (c)  and (d)  shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

(h) No pledge and/or collateral assignment by any CP Conduit to a support provider under a support facility of an interest in the rights of such CP Conduit in any Advance made by such CP Conduit and the Obligations shall constitute an assignment and/or assumption

 

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of such CP Conduit’s obligation under this Agreement, such obligations in all cases remaining with such CP Conduit. Moreover, any such pledge and/or collateral assignment of the rights of such CP Conduit shall be permitted hereunder without further action or consent and any such pledgee may foreclose on any such pledge and perfect an assignment of such interest and enforce such CP Conduit’s right hereunder notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement.

(i) Each CP Conduit may act hereunder by and through its Collateral Manager or its administrator.

(j) This Section  12.21 shall not be amended or waived without the written consent of each CP Conduit.

[SIGNATURES COMMENCE ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.

 

WHITEHORSE FINANCE WAREHOUSE, LLC,
as Borrower
By: WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC, its
Designated Manager
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[SIGNATURES CONTINUE ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

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THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,
as Collateral Agent and Calculation Agent
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,
as Custodian
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[SIGNATURES CONTINUE ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

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VERSAILLES ASSETS LLC
as Lender
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
NATIXIS, NEW YORK BRANCH,
as Facility Agent
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

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SCHEDULE 1

Initial Commitments And Percentages

 

Name of Lender

   Commitment      Percentage  

Versailles Assets LLC

   $ 150,000,000         100.00
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL

   $ 150,000,000         100.00

 

S-1-1


SCHEDULE 2

Scope of Monthly Report and Payment Date Report

Part 1: Monthly Reporting Scope

 

  1. The Aggregate Principal Balance of all Collateral Obligations and Equity Securities

 

  2. The balance of all Eligible Investments and cash in each of:

 

  a. The Collection Account (including the Interest Collection Subaccount and the Principal Collection Subaccount)

 

  b. The Payment Account

 

  c. The Revolving Reserve Account

 

  d. The Lender Funding Account (including each Lender Funding Subaccount therein)

 

  e. The Custodial Account

 

  f. The Closing Expense Account

 

  g. The Excess Concentration Loan Account

 

  3. Commitment and aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Advances

 

  4. The nature, source and amount of any proceeds in the Collection Account (including Principal Proceeds and Interest Proceeds received since the Monthly Report Determination Date or Determination Date relating to the last Monthly Report or Payment Date Report, respectively), the Excess Concentration Loan Account and the Revolving Reserve Account

 

  5. Compliance level of Coverage Tests vs. test level

 

  a. Calculation of Overcollateralization Ratio Test

 

  b. Calculation of Interest Coverage Ratio Test

 

  c. Calculation of MV Overcollateralization Ratio Test

 

  6. Compliance with Advance Rate Test

 

  a. Calculation of Advance Rate Test

 

  7. Compliance with Collateral Quality Tests

 

  a. the Minimum Diversity Score Test

 

  b. the Minimum Weighted Average Spread Test

 

  c. the Minimum Weighted Average Fixed Rate Coupon Test

 

  d. the Weighted Average Maturity Test

 

  e. the Maximum DBRS Risk Score Test

 

  8. Compliance with Concentration Limitations

 

  a. Fixed Rate Obligations

 

  b. Obligor concentrations

 

  c. Revolving Collateral Loans or Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loans

 

  d. Eligible Second Lien Loans, Eligible Mezzanine Loan and Unsecured Loans

 

  e. Eligible Mezzanine Loan and Unsecured Loans

 

  f. DBRS Industry Classification

 

  g. DIP Loans

 

  h. Collateral Obligations that permit payment of interest less frequently than quarterly

 

  i. Collateral Obligations with DBRS Risk Score above 22.0296/ Credit Estimate and trailing 12 month EBITDA of less than 12.5 million

 

  j. PIK Loans

 

  k. Covenant Lite Loans

 

  9. Listing of all Collateral Obligations with attributes including

 

  a. Obligor name and identifying number

 

  b. Principal Balance

 

  c. DBRS rating (if public) and the last date of the Credit Estimate (if a Credit Estimate)

 

S-2-1


  d. Fitch rating (if public)

 

  e. Moody’s rating (if public)

 

  f. S&P rating (if public)

 

  g. DBRS Industry Classification

 

  h. lien position (Eligible Senior Secured Loan, Eligible Second Lien Loan, Eligible Mezzanine Loan, Unsecured Loan)

 

  i. Whether the Collateral Obligation is fixed or floating

 

  j. For floating rate obligations, the index over which interest is calculated (e.g., LIBOR, prime or other)

 

  k. Cash-pay coupon (for Fixed Rate Obligations)

 

  l. Cash-pay spread (for floating rate obligations)

 

  m. Maturity date

 

  n. Whether the Collateral Obligation is a Credit Risk Loan or Defaulted Loan

 

  o. Country of domicile

 

  p. Frequency of interest payment

 

  q. Whether such Collateral Obligation is a Revolving Collateral Loan or a Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loan

 

  r. The unfunded amount, if any, in respect of a Revolving Collateral Loan or a Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loan

 

  10. Listing of all Collateral Obligations with Specified Changes including

 

  a. Obligor name and identifying number

 

  b. Principal Balance

 

  c. The date of such Specified Change

 

  d. Nature of Specified Change

 

  11. Listing of all Excess Concentration Loans with attributes including

 

  a. Obligor name and identifying number

 

  b. Principal Balance

 

  c. DBRS rating (if public) and the last date of the Credit Estimate (if a Credit Estimate)

 

  d. Fitch rating (if public)

 

  e. Moody’s rating (if public)

 

  f. S&P rating (if public)

 

  g. DBRS Industry Classification

 

  h. lien position (Eligible Senior Secured Loan, Eligible Second Lien Loan, Eligible Mezzanine Loan, Unsecured Loan)

 

  i. Whether the Excess Concentration Loan is fixed or floating

 

  j. For floating rate obligations, the index over which interest is calculated (e.g., LIBOR, prime or other)

 

  k. Cash-pay coupon (for Fixed Rate Obligations)

 

  l. Cash-pay spread (for floating rate obligations)

 

  m. Maturity date

 

  n. Whether the Excess Concentration Loan is a Credit Risk Loan or Defaulted Loan

 

  o. Country of domicile

 

  p. Frequency of interest payment

 

  q. Whether such Excess Concentration Loan is a Revolving Collateral Loan or a Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loan

 

  r. The unfunded amount, if any, in respect of a Revolving Collateral Loan or a Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loan

 

  12. For Defaulted Loans

 

  a. Default Date

 

  b. Days in default

 

  c. Principal Balance

 

S-2-2


  d. If an appraisal has been received in last 3 months

 

  e. Appraised Value

 

  f. Borrowing Base

 

  13. Assets purchased or sold within the Collection Period including

 

  a. Facility name

 

  b. Trade/settlement dates

 

  c. Reason for sale / Transaction motivation (e.g. Discretionary, Credit Risk, Credit Improved.)

 

  d. Purchaser or seller is an affiliate of the Borrower?

 

  e. Par amount

 

  f. Price

 

  g. Proceeds

 

  h. Accrued interest

 

  i. Whether such asset is an Excess Concentration Loan

 

  14. Interest rate for the Advances for the Interest Accrual Period preceding the next Payment Date

 

  15. A refreshed Retention of Net Economic Interest Letter in the form of Exhibit G to this Agreement to be completed and provided by the Retention Provider.

Part 2: Payment Date Reporting Scope

 

  1. All information included in a Monthly Report under Part 1 above

 

  2. Payment Date waterfall list application of all Interest Proceeds and Principal Proceeds

 

  3. Beginning and ending aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Advances

 

  4. Beginning and ending balance of all Covered Accounts

 

S-2-3


SCHEDULE 3

Industry Diversity Score Table

 

Aggregate
Industry/
Regional

Equivalent

Unit Score

     Industry
Diversity
Score
     Aggregate
Industry/
Regional
Equivalent
Unit Score
     Industry
Diversity
Score
     Aggregate
Industry/
Regional
Equivalent
Unit Score
     Industry
Diversity
Score
     Aggregate
Industry/
Regional
Equivalent
Unit Score
     Industry
Diversity
Score
 
  0.0000         0.0000         5.0500         2.7000         10.1500         4.0200         15.2500         4.5300   
  0.0500         0.1000         5.1500         2.7333         10.2500         4.0300         15.3500         4.5400   
  0.1500         0.2000         5.2500         2.7667         10.3500         4.0400         15.4500         4.5500   
  0.2500         0.3000         5.3500         2.8000         10.4500         4.0500         15.5500         4.5600   
  0.3500         0.4000         5.4500         2.8333         10.5500         4.0600         15.6500         4.5700   
  0.4500         0.5000         5.5500         2.8667         10.6500         4.0700         15.7500         4.5800   
  0.5500         0.6000         5.6500         2.9000         10.7500         4.0800         15.8500         4.5900   
  0.6500         0.7000         5.7500         2.9333         10.8500         4.0900         15.9500         4.6000   
  0.7500         0.8000         5.8500         2.9667         10.9500         4.1000         16.0500         4.6100   
  0.8500         0.9000         5.9500         3.0000         11.0500         4.1100         16.1500         4.6200   
  0.9500         1.0000         6.0500         3.0250         11.1500         4.1200         16.2500         4.6300   
  1.0500         1.0500         6.1500         3.0500         11.2500         4.1300         16.3500         4.6400   
  1.1500         1.1000         6.2500         3.0750         11.3500         4.1400         16.4500         4.6500   
  1.2500         1.1500         6.3500         3.1000         11.4500         4.1500         16.5500         4.6600   
  1.3500         1.2000         6.4500         3.1250         11.5500         4.1600         16.6500         4.6700   
  1.4500         1.2500         6.5500         3.1500         11.6500         4.1700         16.7500         4.6800   
  1.5500         1.3000         6.6500         3.1750         11.7500         4.1800         16.8500         4.6900   
  1.6500         1.3500         6.7500         3.2000         11.8500         4.1900         16.9500         4.7000   
  1.7500         1.4000         6.8500         3.2250         11.9500         4.2000         17.0500         4.7100   
  1.8500         1.4500         6.9500         3.2500         12.0500         4.2100         17.1500         4.7200   
  1.9500         1.5000         7.0500         3.2750         12.1500         4.2200         17.2500         4.7300   
  2.0500         1.5500         7.1500         3.3000         12.2500         4.2300         17.3500         4.7400   
  2.1500         1.6000         7.2500         3.3250         12.3500         4.2400         17.4500         4.7500   
  2.2500         1.6500         7.3500         3.3500         12.4500         4.2500         17.5500         4.7600   
  2.3500         1.7000         7.4500         3.3750         12.5500         4.2600         17.6500         4.7700   
  2.4500         1.7500         7.5500         3.4000         12.6500         4.2700         17.7500         4.7800   
  2.5500         1.8000         7.6500         3.4250         12.7500         4.2800         17.8500         4.7900   
  2.6500         1.8500         7.7500         3.4500         12.8500         4.2900         17.9500         4.8000   
  2.7500         1.9000         7.8500         3.4750         12.9500         4.3000         18.0500         4.8100   
  2.8500         1.9500         7.9500         3.5000         13.0500         4.3100         18.1500         4.8200   
  2.9500         2.0000         8.0500         3.5250         13.1500         4.3200         18.2500         4.8300   
  3.0500         2.0333         8.1500         3.5500         13.2500         4.3300         18.3500         4.8400   
  3.1500         2.0667         8.2500         3.5750         13.3500         4.3400         18.4500         4.8500   
  3.2500         2.1000         8.3500         3.6000         13.4500         4.3500         18.5500         4.8600   

 

S-3-1


Aggregate
Industry/
Regional

Equivalent

Unit Score

     Industry
Diversity
Score
     Aggregate
Industry/
Regional
Equivalent
Unit Score
     Industry
Diversity
Score
     Aggregate
Industry/
Regional
Equivalent
Unit Score
     Industry
Diversity
Score
     Aggregate
Industry/
Regional
Equivalent
Unit Score
     Industry
Diversity
Score
 
  3.3500         2.1333         8.4500         3.6250         13.5500         4.3600         18.6500         4.8700   
  3.4500         2.1667         8.5500         3.6500         13.6500         4.3700         18.7500         4.8800   
  3.5500         2.2000         8.6500         3.6750         13.7500         4.3800         18.8500         4.8900   
  3.6500         2.2333         8.7500         3.7000         13.8500         4.3900         18.9500         4.9000   
  3.7500         2.2667         8.8500         3.7250         13.9500         4.4000         19.0500         4.9100   
  3.8500         2.3000         8.9500         3.7500         14.0500         4.4100         19.1500         4.9200   
  3.9500         2.3333         9.0500         3.7750         14.1500         4.4200         19.2500         4.9300   
  4.0500         2.3667         9.1500         3.8000         14.2500         4.4300         19.3500         4.9400   
  4.1500         2.4000         9.2500         3.8250         14.3500         4.4400         19.4500         4.9500   
  4.2500         2.4333         9.3500         3.8500         14.4500         4.4500         19.5500         4.9600   
  4.3500         2.4667         9.4500         3.8750         14.5500         4.4600         19.6500         4.9700   
  4.4500         2.5000         9.5500         3.9000         14.6500         4.4700         19.7500         4.9800   
  4.5500         2.5333         9.6500         3.9250         14.7500         4.4800         19.8500         4.9900   
  4.6500         2.5667         9.7500         3.9500         14.8500         4.4900         19.9500         5.0000   
  4.7500         2.6000         9.8500         3.9750         14.9500         4.5000         
  4.8500         2.6333         9.9500         4.0000         15.0500         4.5100         
  4.9500         2.6667         10.0500         4.0100         15.1500         4.5200         

 

S-3-2


SCHEDULE 4

DBRS Risk Scores

The “ DBRS Risk Score ” relating to any Collateral Obligation at any time is the percentage set forth in the table below opposite the DBRS Long Term Rating of such Collateral Obligation at such time:

 

DBRS Long Term Rating

   DBRS Risk Score  

AAA

     0.0987

AA (high)

     0.1539

AA

     0.2091

AA (low)

     0.2994

A (high)

     0.4801

A

     0.5704

A (low)

     0.9643

BBB (high)

     1.7521

BBB

     2.1460

BBB (low)

     2.9528

BB (high)

     6.9863

BB

     8.5997

BB (low)

     11.9572

B (high)

     17.3292

B

     22.0296

B (low)

     31.8670

CCC (high)

     48.2625

CCC

     54.8208

CCC (low)

     77.4104

C

     100.0000

 

S-4-1


SCHEDULE 5

DBRS Industry Classifications

Name

 

1 Aerospace & Defense
2 Air transport
3 Automotive
4 Beverage & Tobacco
5 Radio & Television
6 Brokers, Dealers & Investment houses
7 Building & Development
8 Business equipment & services
9 Cable & satellite television
10 Chemicals & plastics
11 Clothing/textiles
12 Conglomerates
13 Containers & glass products
14 Cosmetics/toiletries
15 Drugs
16 Ecological services & equipment
17 Electronics/electrical
18 Equipment leasing
19 Farming/agriculture
20 Financial intermediaries
21 Food/drug retailers
22 Food products
23 Food service
24 Forest products
25 Health care
26 Home furnishings
27 Lodging & casinos
28 Industrial equipment
29 Insurance
30 Leisure goods/activities/movies
31 Nonferrous metals/minerals
32 Oil & gas
33 Publishing
34 Rail industries
35 Retailers (except food & drug)
36 Steel
37 Surface transport
38 Telecommunications
39 Utilities
40 Miscs
41 Sovereign

 

S-5-1


SCHEDULE 6

LIBOR

With respect to each Interest Accrual Period, LIBOR will be determined by the Calculation Agent in accordance with the following provisions:

(i) LIBOR for such Interest Accrual Period shall equal the offered rate, as determined by the Calculation Agent, for Dollar deposits in Europe of the Designated Maturity which appears on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or such other page as may replace such Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page for the purpose of displaying comparable rates) as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets Commodities News (or, in the event that Bloomberg Financial Markets Commodities News ceases to report LIBOR for Dollar deposits, by another recognized financial reporting service) (the “ Screen Page ”) as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the applicable LIBOR Determination Date. “ LIBOR Determination Date ” means, with respect to any Interest Accrual Period, the second London Banking Day prior to the first day of such Interest Accrual Period.

(ii) If, on any LIBOR Determination Date, such rate does not appear on the Screen Page, the Calculation Agent shall determine the arithmetic mean of the offered quotations of the Reference Banks to prime banks in the London interbank market for U.S. Dollar deposits in Europe of the Designated Maturity (except that in the case where such Interest Accrual Period shall commence on a day that is not a LIBOR Business Day, for a term of the Designated Maturity commencing on the next following LIBOR Business Day), by reference to requests for quotations as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such LIBOR Determination Date made by the Calculation Agent to the Reference Banks. If, on any LIBOR Determination Date, at least two of the Reference Banks provide such quotations, LIBOR shall equal such arithmetic mean of such quotations. If, on any LIBOR Determination Date, fewer than two Reference Banks provide such quotations, LIBOR shall be deemed to be the arithmetic mean of the offered quotations that leading banks in New York City selected by the Calculation Agent (after consultation with the Borrower) are quoting on the relevant LIBOR Determination Date for Dollar deposits in Europe for the term of such Interest Accrual Period (except that in the case where such Interest Accrual Period shall commence on a day that is not a LIBOR Business Day, for a term of the Designated Maturity commencing on the next following LIBOR Business Day), to the principal London offices of leading banks in the London interbank market.

(iii) In respect of any Interest Accrual Period having a Designated Maturity other than three months, LIBOR shall be determined through the use of straight line interpolation by reference to two rates calculated in accordance with clauses (i) and (ii) above, one of which shall be determined as if the maturity of the Dollar deposits referred to therein were the period of time for which rates are available next shorter than the Interest Accrual Period and the other of which shall be determined as if such maturity were the period of time for which rates are available next longer than the Interest Accrual Period; provided that, if an Interest Accrual Period is less than or equal to seven days, then LIBOR shall be determined by reference to a rate calculated in accordance with clauses (i) and (ii) above as if the maturity of the Dollar deposits referred to therein were a period of time equal to seven days.

(iv) If the Calculation Agent is unable to determine a rate in accordance with at least one of the procedures described above, LIBOR with respect to such Interest Accrual Period shall be the arithmetic mean of the Base Rate for each day during such Interest Accrual Period.

 

S-6-1


For purposes of clauses (i), (iii) and (iv) above, all percentages resulting from such calculations shall be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred thousandth of a percentage point. For the purposes of clause (ii) above, all percentages resulting from such calculations shall be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one thirty second of a percentage point.

As used herein:

Designated Maturity ” means, in respect of any Interest Accrual Period, the length of such Interest Accrual Period.

LIBOR Business Day ” means a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments in Dollars in New York and London.

Reference Banks ” means four major banks in the London interbank market selected by the Calculation Agent.

 

S-6-2


SCHEDULE 7

DBRS Rating Procedure

The “ DBRS Rating ” for an Obligor, Lender or other Person (collectively referred to as the “ Obligor ” for purposes of this Schedule) means the DBRS Long Term Rating for such Obligor determined in accordance with Part A of this Schedule or the DBRS Short Term Rating for such Obligor determined in accordance with Part B of this Schedule, in each case as the context requires. The DBRS Rating of the Obligors shall be updated at least annually.

Part A: Long Term Ratings

The “ DBRS Long Term Rating ” for an Obligor will, on any date, be the rating of such Obligor determined as provided below:

 

(1) if there is a DBRS public long term rating of such Obligor at such date, such DBRS public long term rating;

 

(2) if a DBRS Long Term Rating for such Obligor cannot be determined under clause (1) above, but a Moody’s Rating, S&P Rating and Fitch Rating (each, a “ public long term rating ”) are all available at such date, the DBRS Long Term Rating will be the DBRS Equivalent of such public long term rating remaining after disregarding the highest and lowest such public long term ratings from such Rating Agencies. For this purpose, if more than one public long term rating has the same highest DBRS Equivalent or the same lowest DBRS Equivalent, then in each case one of such public long term ratings shall be so disregarded;

 

(3) if a DBRS Long Term Rating for such Obligor cannot be determined under clauses (1) through (2) above, but public long term ratings of such Obligor by any two of Moody’s, Fitch and S&P are available at such date, the DBRS Equivalent of the lower such public long term rating;

 

(4) if a DBRS Long Term Rating for such Obligor cannot be determined under clauses (1) through (3) above, but a public long term rating of such Obligor by only one of Moody’s, Fitch or S&P is available at such date, the DBRS Equivalent of such available public long term rating; and

 

(5) if at any time a DBRS Long Term Rating for an Obligor cannot be determined under clauses (1) through (4) above, then such Obligor will be deemed not to have a DBRS Long Term Rating at such time and the Borrower shall be required to comply with Section 5.04 in respect of such Obligor.

Part B : Short Term Ratings

The “ DBRS Short Term Rating ” for a Lender or other Person (collectively referred to as the “ Obligor ” for purposes of this definition) will, on any date, be the rating of such Obligor determined as provided below:

 

(1) if there is a DBRS public short term rating of such Obligor at such date, such DBRS public short term rating;

 

S-7-1


(2) if a DBRS Short Term Rating for such Obligor cannot be determined under clause (1) above, but public short term ratings of such Obligor by each of Moody’s, Fitch and S&P are all available at such date, the DBRS Short Term Rating will be the DBRS Equivalent of the public short term rating remaining after disregarding the highest and lowest public short term ratings from such Rating Agencies. For this purpose, if more than one public short term rating has the same highest DBRS Equivalent or the same lowest DBRS Equivalent, then in each case one of such public short term ratings shall be so disregarded;

 

(3) if a DBRS Short Term Rating for such Obligor cannot be determined under clauses (1) through (2) above, but public short term ratings of such Obligor by any two of Moody’s, Fitch and S&P are available at such date, the DBRS Equivalent of the lower such short term rating;

 

(4) if a DBRS Short Term Rating for such Obligor cannot be determined under clauses (1) through (3) above, but a public short term rating of such Obligor by only one of Moody’s, Fitch or S&P is available at such date, the DBRS Equivalent of such available short term rating; and

 

(5) if a DBRS Short Term Rating for such Obligor cannot be determined under clauses (1) through (4) above, then for purposes of this Agreement there shall be no DBRS Short Term Rating for such Obligor as at such date.

Part C : Other Definitions

The “ DBRS Equivalent ” of any rating by Moody’s, Fitch or S&P will be the rating set forth below under the heading “ DBRS Rating ” opposite the applicable rating by Moody’s, Fitch or S&P:

Long Term Rating Equivalents

 

DBRS Rating

  

Moody’s

  

S&P

  

Fitch

AAA

   Aaa    AAA    AAA

AA (high)

   Aa1    AA+    AA+

AA

   Aa2    AA    AA

AA (low)

   Aa3    AA-    AA-

A (high)

   A1    A+    A+

A

   A2    A    A

A (low)

   A3    A-    A-

BBB (high)

   Baa1    BBB+    BBB+

BBB

   Baa2    BBB    BBB

BBB (low)

   Baa3    BBB-    BBB-

BB (high)

   Ba1    BB+    BB+

BB

   Ba2    BB    BB

BB (low)

   Ba3    BB-    BB-

B (high)

   B1    B+    B+

B

   B2    B    B

B (low)

   B3    B-    B-

CCC (high)

   Caa1    CCC+    CCC+

CCC

   Caa2    CCC    CCC

CCC (low)

   Caa3    CCC-    CCC-

CC

   Ca    CC    CC

D

   D    D    D

 

S-7-2


Short Term Rating Equivalents

 

DBRS Rating

  

Moody’s

  

S&P

  

Fitch

R-1 (high)A-1+

   F1+      

R-1 (middle)

   P-1    A-1    F1

R-1 (low)

        

R-2 (high)

        

R-2 (middle)

   P-2    A-2    F2

R-2 (low)

        

R-3 (high)

        

R-3 (middle)

   P-3    A-3    F3

R-3 (low)

        

—B

   B      

—C

   C      

D

   NP    D    D

Fitch Rating ” means, for any Obligor at any time, the rating determined as follows:

 

(i) if there is a publicly available issuer rating or senior unsecured rating by Fitch, such issuer rating, if no issuer rating is available then the senior unsecured rating; and

 

(ii) if the rating is not available as defined in the first clause above, but there is a rating by Fitch on another obligation of the same Obligor, then the rating will be as follows:

 

  (a) if such rating is on a senior secured obligation, one subcategory below such rating; and

 

  (b) if such rating in on a subordinate obligation, one subcategory above such rating.

If a Fitch Rating for an Obligor cannot be determined under clause (i) or (ii) above at any time, then such Obligor will be deemed not to have a Fitch Rating at such time.

Moody’s Rating ” means, with respect to any Obligor as of any date of determination, the rating determined in accordance with the following methodology:

 

(i) with respect to an Obligor on a Collateral Obligation that is an Eligible Senior Secured Loan (or an Obligor that is a Lender or other Person), if such Obligor has a corporate family rating by Moody’s, then such corporate family rating;

 

S-7-3


(ii) with respect to an Obligor on a Collateral Obligation that is an Eligible Senior Secured Loan, if not determined pursuant to clause (i) above, if such Collateral Obligation is publicly rated by Moody’s, such public rating; and

 

(iii) with respect to an Obligor on a Collateral Obligation, if not determined pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above, (A) if such Obligor has one or more senior unsecured obligations publicly rated by Moody’s, then the Moody’s public rating on any such obligation (or, if such Obligor is an Obligor on a Collateral Obligation that is an Eligible Senior Secured Loan, the Moody’s rating that is one subcategory higher than the Moody’s public rating on any such senior unsecured obligation) as selected by the Collateral Manager in its sole discretion or, if no such rating is available, (B) if such Collateral Obligation is publicly rated by Moody’s, such public rating or, if no such rating is available, (C) if such Collateral Obligation is a DIP Loan, with respect to any DIP Loan, one subcategory below the facility rating (whether public or private) of such DIP Loan rated by Moody’s,

provided that, for purposes of calculating a Moody’s Rating, each applicable rating on credit watch by Moody’s with positive or negative implication at the time of calculation will be treated as having been upgraded or downgraded by one rating subcategory, as the case may be, and each applicable rating with negative outlook by Moody’s at the time of calculation will be treated as having been downgraded by one rating subcategory. If a Moody’s Rating for an Obligor cannot be determined under clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above at any time, then such Obligor will be deemed not to have a Moody’s Rating at such time.

S&P Rating ” means, with respect to any Obligor, as of any date of determination, the rating determined in accordance with the following methodology:

 

(iv) (a) if there is an issuer credit rating of such Obligor by S&P as published by S&P, or the guarantor which unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees such Collateral Obligation pursuant to a form of guaranty approved by S&P, then the S&P Rating shall be such rating (regardless of whether there is a published rating by S&P on the Collateral Obligations of such Obligor held by the Borrower) or (b) if there is no issuer credit rating of the Obligor by S&P but (1) there is a senior secured rating on any obligation or security of the Obligor, then the S&P Rating of such Obligor shall be one sub-category below such rating; (2) if clause (1) above does not apply, but there is a senior unsecured rating on any obligation or security of the Obligor, the S&P Rating of such Obligor shall equal such rating; and (3) if neither clause (1) nor clause (2) above applies, but there is a subordinated rating on any obligation or security of the Obligor, then the S&P Rating of such Collateral Obligation shall be one sub-category above such rating if such rating is higher than “ BB+ ”, and shall be two sub-categories above such rating if such rating is “ BB+ ” or lower; and

 

(v) with respect to any Collateral Obligation that is a DIP Loan, the S&P Rating thereof shall be the credit rating assigned to such issue by S&P;

 

S-7-4


provided that, for purposes of the determination of the S&P Rating, (x) if the applicable rating assigned by S&P to an Obligor or its obligations is on “ credit watch positive ” by S&P, such rating will be treated as being one sub-category above such assigned rating and (y) if the applicable rating assigned by S&P to an Obligor or its obligations is on “ credit watch negative ” by S&P, such rating will be treated as being one sub-category below such assigned rating. If a S&P Rating for an Obligor cannot be determined under clause (i) or (ii) above at any time, then such Obligor will be deemed not to have an S&P Rating at such time.

 

S-7-5


SCHEDULE 8

Matrix

“Matrix” shall mean:

(a) until the date occurring 1 year following the end of the Reinvestment Period:

 

Applicable Row Level

   Row
Advance
Rate
    Row
Diversity
Score
     Row
Minimum
OC Level
 

1

     40.00     0         200.00

2

     45.00     5         177.78

3

     50.00     10         160.00

4

     55.00     15         145.45

and

(b) thereafter:

 

Applicable Row Level

   Row
Advance
Rate
    Row
Diversity
Score
     Row
Minimum
OC Level
 

1

     40.00     0         250.00

2

     45.00     5         222.22

3

     50.00     10         200.00

4

     55.00     15         181.82

 

S-8-1


EXHIBIT A

[FORM OF NOTE]

 

$                               ,         

FOR VALUE RECEIVED , the undersigned (the “ Borrower ”) hereby promises to pay to [INSERT NAME OF LENDER] (the “ Lender ”) and its registered assigns on the Final Maturity Date (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement hereinafter referred to) the principal sum of [DOLLAR AMOUNT] Dollars (or such lesser amount as shall equal the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Advances made by the Lender to the Borrower under the Revolving Credit Agreement), in immediately available funds and in lawful money of the United States, and to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each such Advance, in like funds and money, from the Borrowing Date thereof until the principal amount thereof shall have been paid in full, at the rates per annum and on the dates provided in the Revolving Credit Agreement. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Revolving Credit Agreement.

This promissory note is a Note referred to in the Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated as of September 27, 2012 (as from time to time amended, the “ Revolving Credit Agreement ”) among the Borrower, as borrower, the Lender, as lender, the other lenders from time to time parties thereto, Natixis, New York Branch, as Facility Agent and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as collateral agent. The date and principal amount of each Advance (and stated interest thereon) made to the Borrower and of each repayment of principal thereon shall be recorded by the Lender or its designee on Schedule I attached to this Note, and the aggregate unpaid principal amount shown on such schedule shall be prima facie evidence of the principal amount owing and unpaid on the Advances made by the Lender. The failure to record or any error in recording any such amount on such schedule shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Borrower hereunder or under the Revolving Credit Agreement to repay the principal amount of the Advances together with all interest accrued thereon.

Except as permitted by Section 12.06 of the Revolving Credit Agreement, this Note may not be participated by the Lender to any other Person. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Note may be participated in whole or in part only by registration of such participation on the Participant Register.

Except as permitted by Section 12.06 of the Revolving Credit Agreement, this Note may not be assigned by the Lender to any other Person. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Note may be assigned or sold in whole or in part only by registration of such assignment or sale on the Register.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

A-1


THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

WHITEHORSE FINANCE WAREHOUSE, LLC
By:   WhiteHorse Finance, LLC, its Designated Manager
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

A-2


SCHEDULE I

This Note evidences Advances made by [INSERT NAME OF LENDER], (the “ Lender ”) to WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC (the “ Borrower ”) under the Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated as of September 27, 2012 among the Borrower, as borrower, the Lender, as lender, the other lenders from time to time parties thereto, Natixis, New York Branch, as Facility Agent, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as collateral agent, in the principal amounts and on the dates set forth below, subject to the payments and prepayments of principal set forth below:

 

DATE

   PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
ADVANCED
   PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT PAID
OR PREPAID
   PRINCIPAL
BALANCE
OUTSTANDING
   NOTATION BY
           
           
           

 

A-3


EXHIBIT B

[FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING]

[Date]

Natixis, New York Branch,

as Facility Agent

9 West 57th Street

36th Floor

New York, New York 10019

The Lenders party to the Revolving

Credit Agreement referred to below

Cc:

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

601 Travis Street, 16th Floor

Houston, TX 77002

Attention: Corporate Trust- WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC- Ruben Luna

NOTICE OF BORROWING

This Notice of Borrowing is made pursuant to Section 2.02 of that certain Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated as of September 27, 2012 (as the same may from time to time be amended, supplemented, waived or modified, the “ Revolving Credit Agreement ”) among WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC, as borrower (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders from time to time parties thereto (collectively, the “ Lenders ”), Natixis, New York Branch, as facility agent (the “ Facility Agent ”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as collateral agent. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Revolving Credit Agreement.

 

1. The Borrower hereby requests that on                     ,      (the “ Borrowing Date ”) it receive Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement in an aggregate principal amount of              Dollars ($        ) (the “ Requested Amount ”).

 

2. The Borrower hereby gives notice of its request for Advances in the aggregate principal amount equal to the Requested Amount to the Lenders and the Facility Agent pursuant to Section 2.02 of the Revolving Credit Agreement and requests the Lenders to remit, or cause to be remitted, the proceeds thereof to the Principal Collection Subaccount in its respective Percentage of the Requested Amount.

 

3. The Borrower certifies that immediately after giving effect to the proposed Borrowing on the Borrowing Date each of the applicable conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.02 of the Credit Agreement is satisfied, including:

 

  (1) in the case of the initial Borrowing under the Revolving Credit Agreement, the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.01 shall have been fully satisfied on or prior to the Borrowing Date referred to above;

 

B-1


  (2) immediately after the making of the Advance requested herein on the Borrowing Date, the Commitment Shortfall Test shall be satisfied (on a pro-forma basis);

 

  (3)

[immediately after the making of such Advance on the Borrowing Date, each Coverage Test shall be satisfied (on a pro-forma basis) and the Row Advance Rate that is in use at such time equals or exceeds the Portfolio Advance Rate;] 1

 

  (4) [each of the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Article IV of the Revolving Credit Agreement and the other Facility Documents is true and correct in all material respects as of such Borrowing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to any earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date);] 2

 

  (5) [no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of making of the Advance or shall result upon the making of such Advance;]/[no Default or Event of Default described in Sections 6.01(c), (e) or (f) of the Revolving Credit Agreement shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of the making of such Advance or shall result upon the making of such Advance;] 3

 

  (6) [other than in connection with Advances obtained on the Closing Date which are used for purposes other than the acquisition of additional Collateral Obligations,] 4 the provisions of Section 10.02 have been satisfied as of the date of acquisition in connection with any acquisition of additional Collateral Obligations with the proceeds of the applicable Advance.

WITNESS my hand on this      day of             ,     .

 

WHITEHORSE FINANCE WAREHOUSE, LLC,
as Borrower
By:   WhiteHorse Finance, LLC, its Designated Manager
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

1  

Paragraphs (3) may be omitted if, and only if, not required under Section 3.02.

2   Paragraphs (4) may be omitted if, and only if, not required under Section 3.02.
3   Choose between bracketed text in paragraph (5) depending on requirements under Section 3.02.
4   Insert bracketed text only in connection with the Notice of Borrowing on the Closing Date.

 

B-2


EXHIBIT C

[FORM OF NOTICE OF PREPAYMENT]

Natixis, New York Branch,

as Facility Agent

9 West 57th Street

36th Floor

New York, New York 10019

The Lenders party to the Revolving

Credit Agreement referred to below

Cc:

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

601 Travis Street, 16th Floor

Houston, TX 77002

Attention: Corporate Trust- WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC- Ruben Luna

NOTICE OF PREPAYMENT

This Notice of Prepayment is made pursuant to Section 2.05 of that certain Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated as of September 27, 2012 among WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC, as borrower (the “ Borrower ”), the lenders from time to time parties thereto (collectively, the “ Lenders ”), Natixis, New York Branch, as Facility Agent and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as collateral agent (as the same may from time to time be amended, supplemented, waived or modified, the “ Revolving Credit Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Revolving Credit Agreement.

 

1. The Borrower hereby gives notice that on                     ,      (the “ Prepayment Date ”) it will make a prepayment under the Revolving Credit Agreement in the principal amount of                      Dollars ($        ) (the “ Prepayment Amount ”).

 

2. The Borrower hereby gives notice of intent to prepay (through the Collateral Agent) in the aggregate principal amount equal to the Prepayment Amount to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.05 of the Revolving Credit Agreement and will remit, or cause to be remitted through the Collateral Agent, the proceeds thereof to the account of each Lender set forth in Schedule I hereto in an amount equal to its respective Percentage of the Prepayment Amount.

WITNESS my hand on this      day of             ,         .

 

C-1


WHITEHORSE FINANCE WAREHOUSE, LLC, as Borrower
By:   WhiteHorse Finance, LLC, its Designated Manager
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

C-2


Schedule I

[Describe accounts of the Lenders]

 

C-3


EXHIBIT D

[FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE]

Reference is made to the Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated as of September 27, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Revolving Credit Agreement ”) among [INSERT NAME OF ASSIGNING LENDER] (the “ Assignor ”), the other lenders from time to time parties thereto (together with the Assignor, the “ Lenders ”), The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Collateral Agent, Natixis, New York Branch, as Facility Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns, the “ Facility Agent ”), and WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC, as borrower (the “ Borrower ”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Revolving Credit Agreement.

The Assignor and the “ Assignee ” referred to on Schedule I hereto agree as follows:

1. As of the Effective Date (as defined below), the Assignor hereby absolutely and unconditionally sells and assigns, without recourse, to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby purchases and assumes, without recourse to or representation of any kind (except as set forth below) from Assignor, an interest in and to the Assignor’s rights and obligations under the Revolving Credit Agreement and under the other Facility Documents equal to the percentage interest specified on Schedule I hereto, including the Assignor’s percentage interest specified on Schedule I hereto of the outstanding principal amount of the Advances to the Borrower (such rights and obligations assigned hereby being the “ Assigned Interests ”). After giving effect to such sale, assignment and assumption, the Assignee’s “ Percentage ” will be as set forth on Schedule I hereto.

2. The Assignor (i) represents and warrants that immediately prior to the Effective Date it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest free and clear of any Lien created by the Assignor; (ii) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Facility Documents or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of, or the perfection or priority of any lien or security or ownership interest created or purported to be created under or in connection with, the Facility Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto or the condition or value of the Assigned Interest, Collateral relating to the Borrower, or any interest therein; and (iii) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower, the Facility Agent, the Collateral Manager or any other Person, or the performance or observance by any Person of any of its obligations under any Facility Document or any instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto.

3. The Assignee (i) confirms that it has received a copy of the Revolving Credit Agreement and the other Facility Documents, together with copies of any financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 of the Revolving Credit Agreement and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance; (ii) agrees that it will, independently and

 

D-1


without reliance upon the Facility Agent, the Assignor, or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under or in connection with any of the Facility Documents; (iii) appoints and authorizes the Facility Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers and discretion under the Facility Documents as are delegated to the Facility Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (iv) agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations that by the terms of the Facility Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

4. The Assignee, by checking the box below, (i) acknowledges that it is required to be a Qualified Purchaser for purposes of the Investment Company Act at the time it becomes a Lender and on each date on which an Advance is made under the Revolving Credit Agreement and (ii) represents and warrants to the Assignor, the Borrower and the Agents that the Assignee is a Qualified Purchaser:

 

¨ By checking this box, the Assignee represents and warrants that it is a Qualified Purchaser.

5. The Assignee, by checking the box below, (i) acknowledges that the Assigned Interests are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or any state securities laws and are being transferred to us in a transaction that is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws, and (ii) represents and warrants to the Assignor, the Borrower the Administrative Agent and the Trustee that the Assignee is (a) a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, or (b) we are an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act:

 

¨ is (a) a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, or (b) we are an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act.

6. The Assignee specifies that its Liquidity Provider, if any, is                      and its jursidiction of incorporation is                     . The Lender’s holding company is                      and its jursidiction of incorporation is                     . The Liquidity Provider’s, if any, holding company is                      and its jurisdiction of incorporation is                     .

7. Following the execution of this Assignment and Acceptance, it will be delivered to the Facility Agent for acceptance and recording by the Facility Agent. The effective date for this Assignment and Acceptance (the “ Effective Date ”) shall be the date of acceptance hereof by the Facility Agent, unless a later effective date is specified on Schedule I hereto.

8. Upon such acceptance and recording by the Facility Agent, as of the Effective Date, (i) the Assignee shall be a party to and bound by the provisions of the Revolving Credit Agreement and, to the extent provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder and under any other Facility Document, (ii) without

 

D-2


limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Assignee expressly acknowledges and agrees to its obligations of indemnification to the Agents pursuant to and as provided in Section 11.04 thereof, and (iii) the Assignor shall, to the extent provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under the Revolving Credit Agreement and under any other Facility Document.

9. Upon such acceptance and recording by the Facility Agent, from and after the Effective Date, the Borrower shall make all payments under the Revolving Credit Agreement in respect of the Assigned Interest to the Assignee. The Assignor and Assignee shall make all appropriate adjustments in payments under the Revolving Credit Agreement and the Assigned Interests for periods prior to the Effective Date directly between themselves.

10. This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

11. This Assignment and Acceptance may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of Schedule I to this Assignment and Acceptance by facsimile shall be effective as a delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Acceptance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Assignor and the Assignee have caused Schedule I to this Assignment and Acceptance to be executed by their officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date specified thereon.

 

D-3


Schedule I

 

Percentage interest transferred by Assignor:         %
Assignor:     [INSERT NAME OF ASSIGNOR], as Assignor
      By:  

 

        Authorized Signatory,
Assignee:     [INSERT NAME OF ASSIGNEE] as Assignee
      By:  

 

        Authorized Signatory
Accepted this      day of                     ,                   
NATIXIS, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Facility Agent      
By:  

 

     
  Authorized Signatory      
By:  

 

     
  Authorized Signatory      
[Consented to this      day of             ,                   
WHITEHORSE FINANCE WAREHOUSE, LLC, as Borrower      
By:  

 

     
  Name:      
  Title:] 1      

 

1  

Insert in an Assignment and Acceptance if Borrower consent is required

 

D-4


EXHIBIT E

[FORM OF ACCOUNT CONTROL AGREEMENT]

(see Account Control Agreement)

 

E-1


EXHIBIT F

APPROVED APPRAISAL FIRMS

A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.

Axiom Valuation Solutions

Bank of America

Barclays Capital

Cantor Fitzgerald

CIBC World Markets

Citigroup

Credit Research & Trading

Credit Suisse

Dabney Flannigan

Delaware Bay, Inc.

Deutsche Bank

Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein

Duff & Phelps

Empire Valuation Consultants

Goldman Sachs & Co.

Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin

J.P. Morgan Chase

Jefferies & Company, Inc.

Lazard Freres

Lincoln Partners Advisors, an affiliate of Lincoln International

Morgan Stanley

Murray Devine

Raymond James

TD Securities

The Blackstone Group

Union Bank

Wells Fargo

William Blair & Company

 

F-1


EXHIBIT G

RETENTION OF NET ECONOMIC INTEREST LETTER

[Letterhead]

[DATE]

Natixis, New York Branch

9 West 57th Street, 36th Floor

New York, New York 10019

Attention: Yazmin Vasconez

The Lenders party to the Revolving

Credit Agreement referred to below

WhiteHorse Finance, LLC

c/o H.I.G. WhiteHorse Management LLC

1450 Brickell Avenue, 31st Floor

Miami, FL 33131

Attention: Alastair Merrick

Facsimile No.: (212) 314-1016

Re: Retention of Net Economic Interest

This letter is being delivered in connection with the Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated as of September 27, 2012 (the “ Credit Agreement ”), among WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC, as borrower (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders from time to time parties thereto (collectively, the “ Lenders ”), Natixis, New York Branch, as facility agent (the “ Facility Agent ”) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as collateral agent (the “Collateral Agent”). All capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the respective meanings give to such terms in the Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof.

The undersigned Retention Provider, acting in its capacity as originator, hereby agrees for the benefit of the addressees of this letter and each other Lender, for so long as the Payment in Full Date has not occurred:

 

a. that it has retained and will retain, on an ongoing basis, a material net economic interest which, in any event, shall not be less than 5% (or such higher or lower amount as notified by the Facility Agent to the Retention Provider is required by Article 122a of the CRD) of the nominal value of the Collateral calculated based on the Aggregate Principal Balance of all of the Collateral Obligations and outstanding principal amount of all Eligible Investments, in each case at the time of determination without taking into account any deduction pursuant to the proviso to the definition of “Principal Balance” of any Collateral Obligation or any deduction or discount in respect of the purchase price paid for such Collateral Obligation or Eligible Investment by the Borrower;

 

G-1


b. that it will retain at all times the net economic interest referred to in clause (a) above by retention of the first loss tranche and, if necessary, other tranches having the same or a more severe risk profile than those transferred or sold to investors (being the Lenders) and not maturing any earlier than those transferred or sold to investors;

 

c. confirms that the retention of the net economic interest will be measured at the origination (being the occasion of each origination or acquisition of a Collateral Obligation or Eligible Investment) and shall be maintained on an ongoing basis. The retention of such net economic interest shall not be subject to any credit risk mitigation, any short positions, or any other credit risk hedge or credit risk hedging arrangement, except to the extent permitted under Article 122a of the CRD;

 

d. that it will remain, directly or indirectly, the 100% owner of all of the equity interests in WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC;

 

e. that after an appointment of a Board of Directors, such Board of Directors (i) has reviewed the terms and conditions of the credit facility documented by the Credit Agreement, (ii) in connection with the preparation of the Transferor’s quarterly financial statements, reviewed the Collateral Obligations held by the Borrower and (iii) must receive not less than 2 Business Days prior notice of any proposed material amendment or waiver to the Eligibility Criteria and Concentration Limitations specified in the Credit Agreement and an opportunity to veto such proposed amendment or waiver (provided that such right to veto may be deemed to be waived if no response to such proposed amendment or waiver has been given within 2 Business Days); and

 

f. agrees that it will take such further actions and provide such information as may be requested by any Lender or the Facility Agent so as to ensure compliance with the provisions of Article 122a of the CRD, and any such Lender or the Facility Agent may share such information with any Authority (including any bank regulatory agency) as may be necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of Article 122a of the CRD.

As used in this letter, the terms “retention of net economic interest”, “original lender”, “originator”, “credit institution”, “securitisation position”, “securitisations”, “ongoing basis”, “securitised exposures” and “tranche” shall have the meanings given thereto in Article 122a of the CRD.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

G-2


Very Truly Yours,
WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

G-3


EXHIBIT H

FORM OF PAYOFF LETTER

NOTICE, PAYOFF AND RELEASE AGREEMENT

[Date]

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.,

as Collateral Agent and Calculation Agent

601 Travis Street, 16th Floor

Houston, TX 77002

Attention: Corporate Trust- WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC- Ruben Luna

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.,

as Custodian

601 Travis Street, 16th Floor

Houston, TX 77002

Attention: Corporate Trust- WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC- Ruben Luna

Natixis, New York Branch,

as Facility Agent

9 West 57 th Street, 36 th Floor

New York, New York 10019

Attention: Yazmin Vasconez

[Versailles Assets LLC, as Lender

c/o Global Securitization Services LLC

68 South Service Road, Suite 120

Melville, New York 11747

Attention: Andrew Stidd]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Pursuant to Section 2.06(b) of the Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of September 27, 2012, among WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC (“ Borrower ”), as borrower (in such capacity, the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders from time to time parties thereto, Natixis, New York Branch, as Facility Agent and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as collateral agent for the Secured Parties (in such capacity as trustee, the “ Collateral Agent ”) (as amended, modified, waived, supplemented, restated or replaced from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”; capitalized terms not defined herein are used as defined in the Credit Agreement), the Borrower hereby (i) notifies the above addressees of its intention to cause a Payment in Full and a termination of the Commitments in their entirety on              (the “ Payment in Full Date ”) and (ii) requests a release of all of the Collateral Obligations and of all other Collateral (other than the Payment Account) from the Lien of the Credit Agreement upon such Payment in Full as provided herein. This letter agreement constitutes notice of termination under Section 2.06(b) of the Credit Agreement, a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and

 

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written request as provided in Section 7.02(a) and Section 8.07(e) of the Credit Agreement and a direction as provided in Section 10.01(c) of the Credit Agreement. This notice is irrevocable as provided in Section 2.06(b) of the Credit Agreement.

The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that (i) all conditions precedent under the Credit Agreement to the Payment in Full described herein have been or will be satisfied by the applicable parties on the Payment in Full Date (except to the extent expressly waived herein by the Collateral Agent and the Facility Agent), and (ii) all conditions precedent under the Credit Agreement to the Payment in Full, termination of the Commitments, release of Collateral (other than the Payment Account) and release and delivery of the Related Documents (as modified by this letter agreement) have been or will be satisfied on the Payment in Full Date (except to the extent expressly waived herein by the Collateral Agent and the Facility Agent).

The Borrower hereby certifies to the Collateral Agent and the Facility Agent that the Borrower will have sufficient funds on the Payment in Full Date to effect the contemplated Payment in Full and termination of the Commitments in accordance with the Credit Agreement and this letter agreement. The Borrower hereby certifies that upon remittance by the Collateral Agent of the amounts set forth in Exhibit A to the applicable parties set forth in Exhibit A , all Obligations owing the Secured Parties under the Credit Agreement or under the other Facility Documents will have been paid in full.

The Facility Agent hereby confirms that [Versailles Assets LLC is the sole Lender][            are the only Lenders] under the Credit Agreement.

The Borrower agrees to pay to the Collateral Agent, for remittance by the Collateral Agent (in accordance with Exhibit A ) to the Lender(s), the Facility Agent, the Custodian, and itself, as applicable, on the Payment in Full Date, each of the amounts set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto (collectively, the “ Payoff Amount ”) and may transfer funds to the Payment Account from the Collection Account and the Revolving Reserve Account as directed by the Collateral Manager to pay such Payoff Amount. Upon receipt by the Collateral Agent of the Payoff Amount:

(i) each of the Collateral Agent, the Custodian, the Facility Agent and the Lender, acknowledges and agrees that such payment will constitute payment in full of all of the obligations under the Facility Documents owed to it and that all Obligations under the Facility Documents shall be fully satisfied and the Facility Documents shall be terminated (other than the provisions of the Facility Documents which by their terms expressly survive the termination thereof);

(ii) the Borrower confirms that all of its Obligations under the Credit Agreement or under the other Facility Documents have been satisfied and the Commitments have been terminated in their entirety. The Borrower confirms that all conditions precedent provided for in the Credit Agreement related to all of the proposed actions in this letter agreement, as modified or waived by this letter agreement, have been satisfied, and (as referenced above) this letter agreement shall serve as a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower;

 

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(iii) the Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have released the Lien of the Credit Agreement on the Collateral (other than the Payment Account) in favor of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties and hereby does automatically (a) release, transfer, assign and convey any and all right, title, claim and interest in the Collateral to the Borrower free and clear of all liens and encumbrances created by or through it, (b) authorize the Borrower or the Collateral Manager on its behalf to file any requisite UCC-3 termination statements in respect thereof, and (c) direct the Custodian to release the Related Property and other Collateral held by it, at the expense of the Borrower, to the Borrower or its designee(s) as directed by the Borrower; and

(iv) without limiting clause (iii)  above, the Collateral Agent agrees to execute and deliver to the Borrower any assignment and release of Collateral and UCC-3 termination statements reasonably requested by the Borrower, at the expense of the Borrower.

The Facility Agent agrees that it has or will cause the Note to be cancelled and returned to the Borrower upon Payment in Full.

THIS LETTER AGREEMENT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF THAT WOULD CALL FOR THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

This letter agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page by telecopier or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart.

 

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Very truly yours,
WHITEHORSE FINANCE WAREHOUSE LLC, as Borrower
By:   WhiteHorse Finance, LLC, its Designated Manager
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Notice, Waiver, Payoff and Release Letter

 

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THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Collateral Agent, Calculation Agent and Custodian
By:  

 

  Name:  

 

  Title:  

 

NATIXIS, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Facility Agent
By:  

 

  Name:  

 

  Title:  

 

By:  

 

  Name:  

 

  Title:  

 

[VERSAILLES ASSETS, LLC, as Lender]
By:  

 

  Name:  

 

  Title:  

 

Notice, Waiver, Payoff and Release Letter

 

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EXHIBIT A

[See attached]

Notice, Waiver, Payoff and Release Letter

 

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Exhibit (k)(6)

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN SALE AND CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

by and between

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC,

as the Seller

and

WHITEHORSE FINANCE WAREHOUSE, LLC,

as the Buyer

Dated as of September 27, 2012

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ARTICLE I               DEFINITIONS

     1   

Section 1.01         Definitions

     1   

Section 1.02         Other Terms

     3   

Section 1.03         Computation of Time Periods

     3   

Section 1.04         Interpretation

     4   

Section 1.05         References

     4   

Section 1.06         Calculations

     4   

ARTICLE II              TRANSFER OF LOAN ASSETS

     5   

Section 2.01         Sale, Transfer and Assignment

     5   

Section 2.02         Purchase Price

     7   

Section 2.03         Payment of Purchase Price

     7   

ARTICLE III            CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     8   

Section 3.01         Conditions Precedent to Closing

     8   

Section 3.02         Conditions Precedent to all Purchases

     9   

Section 3.03         Release of Excluded Amounts

     10   

ARTICLE IV            REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     10   

Section 4.01         Representations and Warranties Regarding the Seller

     10   

Section 4.02         Representations and Warranties of the Seller Relating to the Agreement and the Collateral

     15   

Section 4.03         Representations and Warranties Regarding the Buyer

     15   

Section 4.04         Ordinary Course of Business

     17   

ARTICLE V             COVENANTS

     17   

Section 5.01         Affirmative Covenants of the Seller

     17   

Section 5.02         Negative Covenants of the Seller

     19   

ARTICLE VI            OPTION TO REPURCHASE AND SUBSTITUTE COLLATERAL LOANS

     19   

Section 6.01         Substitution of Collateral Obligations

     19   

Section 6.02         Seller’s Optional Right to Repurchase Collateral Obligations

     20   

ARTICLE VII          INDEMNIFICATION BY THE SELLER

     21   

Section 7.01         Indemnification

     21   

Section 7.02         Liabilities to Obligors

     22   

Section 7.03         Operation of Indemnities

     22   

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

     Page  

ARTICLE VIII         MISCELLANEOUS

     22   

Section 8.01         Amendments and Waivers

     22   

Section 8.02         Notices, Etc

     22   

Section 8.03         Binding Effect; Benefit of Agreement

     22   

Section 8.04         GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF OBJECTION TO VENUE SERVICE OF PROCESS

     23   

Section 8.05         WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     23   

Section 8.06         Certain Taxes

     23   

Section 8.07         Non-Petition

     23   

Section 8.08         Recourse Against Certain Parties

     24   

Section 8.09         Protection of Right, Title and Interest in the Collateral; Further Action Evidencing Purchases

     25   

Section 8.10         Execution in Counterparts; Severability; Integration

     26   

Section 8.11         Headings, Exhibits and Schedules

     26   

Section 8.12         Assignment

     26   

Section 8.13         No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies

     26   

Exhibit A             Form of Assignment

  

Schedule I            Initial Collateral Obligations

  

 

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AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN SALE AND CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN SALE AND CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT, dated as of September 27, 2012 (as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), is between WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with its successors (including any successor by conversion in connection with the BDC Election Date) and assigns, “ Parent ,” and in its capacity as seller hereunder, together with its successors (including any successor by conversion in connection with the BDC Election Date) and assigns, the “ Seller ”) and WHITEHORSE FINANCE WAREHOUSE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with its successors and assigns, the “ Buyer ”).

WHEREAS, in the regular course of its business, the Seller originates and/or otherwise acquires Collateral Obligations;

WHEREAS , the parties hereto previously entered into the Loan Sale and Contribution Agreement dated as of August 16, 2012 (as amended, modified, supplemented or restated prior to the date hereof, the “ Original Loan Sale and Contribution Agreement ”);

WHEREAS , pursuant to the Original Loan Sale and Contribution and this Agreement, the Buyer has purchased and may from time to time continue to purchase certain assets from the Seller and the Seller has sold and may from time to time continue to sell to the Buyer certain assets originated or acquired by the Seller in its normal course of business, together with, among other things, certain related security and rights of payment thereunder; and

WHEREAS , the parties hereto now wish to amend and restate the Original Loan Sale and Contribution Agreement in its entirety;

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

  Section 1.01 Definitions .

Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings attributed to such terms in the Credit Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires. In addition, as used herein, the following defined terms shall have the following meanings:

Advance Date ” means the date of the initial Advance made to the Buyer with respect to the related Collateral Obligation under the Credit Agreement.

Agreement ” shall have the meaning provided in the first paragraph of this Agreement.


BDC Election Date ” means the date upon which, after the Seller has filed an election with the SEC on Form N-54A to be subject to the provisions of Sections 55 through 65 of the Investment Company Act in anticipation of (or concurrent with) the effectiveness of its registration statement with the SEC on Form N-2 for the public offering of its securities.

Buyer ” shall have the meaning provided in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

Collateral ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.01 .

Conversion ” means the date, if any, upon which the Parent converts by operation of law from a Delaware limited liability company to a Delaware corporation in anticipation of its expected BDC Election Date.

Credit Agreement ” means the Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Buyer, as Borrower, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Natixis, New York Branch, as Facility Agent and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Collateral Agent.

Excluded Amounts ” means (a) any amount received by, on or with respect to any Collateral Obligation in the Collateral, which amount is attributable to the payment of any tax, fee or other charge imposed by any governmental Authority on such Collateral Obligation, (b) any amount representing escrows relating to taxes, insurance and other amounts in connection with any Collateral Obligation which is held in an escrow account for the benefit of the related Obligor and the secured party (other than the Seller in its capacity as lender with respect to such Collateral Obligation) pursuant to escrow arrangements, (c) any amount with respect to any Collateral Obligation repurchased or substituted by the Seller under Article VI to the extent such amount is attributable to a time after the effective date of such repurchase or substitution, (d) any Retained Fee received by the Seller in connection with the origination of any Collateral Obligation and (e) any Equity Security related to any Collateral Obligation that the Seller determines will not be transferred to the Buyer by the Seller in connection with the sale of any related Collateral Obligation hereunder.

Fair Market Value ” shall mean, with respect to any Collateral Obligation and Related Property that is to be sold to the Seller pursuant to Section 6.02 , (a) (i) the average of the bid-side quotes determined by three independent broker-dealers active in the trading of such Collateral Obligation and Related Property; (ii) if only two such bids can be obtained, the average of the bid-side quotes; or (iii) if only one such bid can be obtained, such bid; or (b) if the Fair Market Value of a Collateral Obligation and Related Property cannot be determined in accordance with clause (a) above, then the Fair Market Value shall be the Appraised Value of such Collateral Obligation and Related Property that has been obtained or updated within the immediately preceding three months.

Indemnified Party ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 7.01 .

Loan List ” means the list of Collateral Obligations provided by the Seller to the Buyer on each Purchase Date and incorporated as Schedule I to this Agreement by reference, as such list may be amended, supplemented or modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

 

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Parent ” shall have the meaning provided in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

Purchase ”: A purchase or other acquisition by the Buyer of Collateral from or as directed or referred by the Seller pursuant to Section 2.01 .

Purchase Date ”: Any day on which any Collateral is acquired by the Buyer pursuant to the terms of this Agreement (including any Substitution Date), and including, for the avoidance of doubt, any day on which any Collateral is acquired directly by the Buyer from a third party in a transaction arranged and underwritten by the Seller and any day on which any Collateral is acquired by the Buyer in a transaction in which the Buyer is the designee of the Seller under the instruments of conveyance relating to the applicable Collateral.

Purchase Price ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.02 .

Replaced Loan ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 6.01 .

Repurchase Price ” means, on any date of determination with respect to any Collateral Obligation and Related Property with respect to which the Seller elects to exercise its option to repurchase pursuant to Section 6.02 of this Agreement, an amount equal to the greater of (a) the Fair Market Value of such Collateral Obligation and Related Property and (b) the amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 10.01(a)(viii) of the Credit Agreement so that Buyer shall be able to obtain a release the Lien of the Credit Agreement with respect thereto. To the extent any Repurchase Price exceeds the Fair Market Value of the related Collateral Obligation and Related Property, such excess shall be deemed a capital contribution by the Seller to the Buyer.

Seller ” shall have the meaning provided in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

Substitute Loans ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 6.01 .

Substitution Date ” means any date on which the Seller transfers a Substitute Loan to the Buyer.

Warehouse Facility ” means any collateralized loan financing facility or collateralized loan obligation transaction that the Seller or any Affiliate thereof may be party to in any capacity.

 

  Section 1.02 Other Terms .

All accounting terms used but not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The symbol “$” shall mean the lawful currency of the United States of America. All terms used in Article 9 of the UCC in the State of New York, and not specifically defined herein, are used herein as defined in such Article 9.

 

  Section 1.03 Computation of Time Periods .

Unless otherwise stated in this Agreement, in the computation of a period of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including,” the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding”.

 

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  Section 1.04 Interpretation .

In this Agreement, unless a contrary intention appears:

(i) the singular number includes the plural number and vice versa ;

(ii) reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and assigns but, if applicable, only if such successors and assigns are permitted by the Facility Documents;

(iii) references to “including” means “including, without limitation”;

(iv) reference to day or days without further qualification means calendar days;

(v) unless otherwise stated, reference to any time means New York, New York time;

(vi) references to “writing” include printing, typing, lithography, electronic or other means of reproducing words in a visible form;

(vii) reference to any agreement (including any Facility Document), document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended, modified, supplemented, replaced, restated, waived or extended and in effect from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and, if applicable, the terms of the other Facility Documents, and reference to any promissory note includes any promissory note that is an extension or renewal thereof or a substitute or replacement therefore; and

(viii) reference to any Applicable Law means such Applicable Law as amended, modified, codified, replaced or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time, including rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and reference to any Section or other provision of any Applicable Law means that provision of such Applicable Law from time to time in effect and constituting the substantive amendment, modification, codification, replacement or reenactment of such Section or other provision.

 

  Section 1.05 References .

All section references (including references to the preamble), unless otherwise indicated, shall be to Sections (and the preamble) in this Agreement.

 

  Section 1.06 Calculations .

Except as otherwise provided herein, all interest rate and basis point calculations hereunder will be made on the basis of a 360 day year and the actual days elapsed in the relevant period and will be carried out to at least three decimal places.

 

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ARTICLE II

TRANSFER OF LOAN ASSETS

 

  Section 2.01 Sale, Transfer and Assignment .

(a) On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement (including the conditions to purchase set forth in Article III ), on each Purchase Date, (x) with respect to items of Collateral conveyed by the Seller hereunder, the Seller hereby sells, transfers, assigns, sets over and otherwise conveys to the Buyer, and the Buyer hereby Purchases and takes from the Seller all right, title and interest (whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising and wherever located) of the Seller (including all obligations of the Seller as lender to fund any Revolving Collateral Loan or Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loan conveyed by the Seller to Buyer hereunder which obligations Buyer hereby assumes), and (y) in all other cases, with respect to items of Collateral Purchased by the Buyer hereunder, the Buyer hereby Purchases all right, title and interest (whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising and wherever located) (including all obligations as lender to fund any Revolving Collateral Loan or Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loan Purchased by Buyer hereunder which obligations Buyer hereby assumes), in the property identified in clauses (i) - (iv) below and all accounts, cash and currency, chattel paper, tangible chattel paper, electronic chattel paper, copyrights, copyright licenses, equipment, fixtures, general intangibles, instruments, commercial tort claims, deposit accounts, inventory, investment property, letter-of-credit rights, accessions, proceeds and other property consisting of, arising out of, or related to any of the following (in each case excluding the Excluded Amounts) (collectively, the “ Collateral ”):

(i) the Collateral Obligations listed on each Loan List delivered by the Seller to the Buyer from time to time pursuant to this Agreement and all monies due, to become due or paid in respect of such Collateral Obligations on and after the related Purchase Date, including but not limited to all Collections and other recoveries thereon, in each case as they arise after the related Purchase Date;

(ii) all Liens and Related Property with respect to the Collateral Obligations referred to in clause (i)  above;

(iii) all Related Documents with respect to the Collateral Obligations referred to in clause (i)  above; and

(iv) all income and proceeds of the foregoing.

For the avoidance of doubt, and without limiting the foregoing, the term “Collateral” shall, for all purposes of this Agreement, be deemed to include any Collateral Obligation acquired directly by the Buyer from a third party in a transaction arranged and underwritten by the Seller or any Collateral Obligation acquired by the Buyer in a transaction in which the Buyer is the designee of the Seller under the instruments of conveyance relating to the applicable Collateral Obligation.

(b) From and after each Purchase Date, the Collateral listed on the relevant Loan List shall be deemed to be Collateral hereunder.

 

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(c) On any Purchase Date and on the Advance Date with respect to the Collateral to be acquired or financed by the Buyer on that date, as applicable, the Seller shall be deemed to, and hereby does, reaffirm and certify to the Buyer, the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, and the Facility Agent, as of such Purchase Date or such Advance Date, as applicable, that each of the representations and warranties in Section 4.02 is true and correct as of such Purchase Date or such Advance Date, as applicable.

(d) Except as specifically provided in this Agreement, the sale and purchase of Collateral under this Agreement shall be without recourse to the Seller; it being understood that the Seller shall be liable to the Buyer for all representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities made by the Seller pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, all of which obligations are limited so as not to constitute recourse to the Seller for the credit risk of the Obligors.

(e) In connection with each Purchase of Collateral as contemplated by this Agreement, the Buyer hereby directs the Seller to, and the Seller agrees that it will Deliver, or cause to be Delivered, to the Custodian, each Collateral Obligation being transferred to the Buyer on such Purchase Date in accordance the applicable provisions of the Credit Agreement. The Seller shall take such action requested by the Buyer or the Facility Agent, from time to time hereafter, that may be necessary or appropriate to ensure that the Buyer has an enforceable ownership interest and its assigns under the Credit Agreement have an enforceable and perfected security interest in the Collateral Purchased by the Buyer as contemplated by this Agreement, including after the BDC Election Date, filing a UCC-3 financing statement to amend the name of the Seller, as debtor in connection with the UCC financing statement filed on the Closing Date with respect to this Agreement.

(f) In connection with the Purchase by the Buyer of the Collateral as contemplated by this Agreement, the Seller further agrees that it will, at its own expense, indicate clearly and unambiguously in its computer files and its financial statements, on or prior to each Purchase Date, that such Collateral has been Purchased by the Buyer in accordance with this Agreement.

(g) The Seller further agrees to deliver to the Buyer on or before each Purchase Date a computer file containing a true, complete and correct Loan List (which shall contain the related Principal Balance, outstanding principal balance, loan number and Obligor name for each Collateral Obligation) as of the related Purchase Date. Such file or list shall be marked as Schedule I to this Agreement, shall be delivered to the Buyer as confidential and proprietary, and is hereby incorporated into and made a part of this Agreement as such Schedule I may be supplemented and amended from time to time.

(h) It is the intention of the parties hereto that the conveyance of all right, title and interest in and to the Collateral to the Buyer as provided in Section 2.01 shall constitute an absolute sale, conveyance and transfer conveying good title, free and clear of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) and that the Collateral shall not be part of the Seller’s bankruptcy estate in the event of an Insolvency Event with respect to the Seller. Furthermore, it is not intended that such conveyance be deemed a pledge of the Collateral Obligations and the other Collateral to the Buyer to secure a debt or other obligation of the Seller. If, however, notwithstanding the intention of the parties, the conveyance provided for in this Section 2.01 is determined to be a transfer for security, then this Agreement shall also be deemed to be, and hereby is, a “security

 

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agreement” within the meaning of Article 9 of the UCC and the Seller hereby grants to the Buyer a duly perfected, first priority “security interest” within the meaning of Article 9 of the UCC in all right, title and interest in and to the Collateral, now existing and hereafter created, to secure the prompt and complete payment of a loan deemed to have been made in an amount equal to the aggregate Purchase Price of the Collateral together with all of the other obligations of the Seller hereunder. The Buyer shall have, in addition to the rights and remedies which it may have under this Agreement, all other rights and remedies provided to a secured creditor under the UCC and other Applicable Law, which rights and remedies shall be cumulative.

 

  Section 2.02 Purchase Price .

The purchase price for each item of Collateral (a) sold to the Buyer by the Seller under this Agreement shall be a dollar amount equal to the fair market value thereof as determined by Seller’s investment adviser prior to the BDC Election Date and, on and after the BDC Election Date, the value thereof as determined by the board of directors of the Seller in accordance with the Investment Company Act (but in no event at less than fair market value) and (b) acquired directly by the Buyer from an unaffiliated third party as contemplated by this Agreement shall be a dollar amount equal to the purchase price paid or other amount, however characterized, advanced by the Buyer for such Collateral (in each case, the “ Purchase Price ”).

 

  Section 2.03 Payment of Purchase Price .

(a) The Purchase Price for any Collateral sold by the Seller to the Buyer on any Purchase Date shall be paid in a combination of (i) immediately available funds and (ii) if the Buyer does not have sufficient funds to pay the full amount of the Purchase Price, by means of a capital contribution by the Seller to the Buyer.

(b) The Purchase Price for any Collateral Purchased by the Buyer directly from a third party on any Purchase Date shall be paid in immediately available funds, which may comprise, if the Buyer does not have sufficient funds to pay the full amount of the Purchase Price (after taking into account any Advance the Buyer expects to receive pursuant to the Credit Agreement), amounts contributed by the Seller to the Buyer.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Seller may on any Purchase Date elect to designate all or a portion of the Collateral proposed to be transferred to the Buyer on such date as a capital contribution to the Buyer. In such event, the cash portion of the Purchase Price payable with respect to such transfer shall be reduced by that portion of the Purchase Price of the Collateral that was so contributed; provided that Collateral contributed to the Buyer as capital shall constitute Collateral for all purposes of this Agreement. To the extent the fair market value of any Collateral purchased or acquired by replacement and substitution by Buyer pursuant to this Agreement exceeds the amount of cash paid or other consideration exchanged therefore, such excess shall be deemed to be a capital contribution from the Seller to the Buyer.

(d) The Seller, in connection with each Purchase hereunder relating to any Collateral, shall be deemed to have certified, and hereby does certify, with respect to the Collateral to be Purchased by the Buyer on such day, that its representations and warranties contained in Article  IV are true and correct on and as of such day, with the same effect as though made on and as of such day.

 

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(e) Upon the payment of the Purchase Price for any Purchase, title to the Collateral included in such Purchase shall vest in Buyer, whether or not the conditions precedent to such Purchase and the other covenants and agreements contained herein were in fact satisfied; provided that Buyer shall not be deemed to have waived any claim it may have under this Agreement for the failure by the Seller in fact to satisfy any such condition precedent, covenant or agreement.

(f) The Seller and the Buyer acknowledge and agree that, solely for administrative convenience, any assignment agreement required to be executed and delivered in connection with the transfer of a Collateral Obligation in accordance with the terms of any Related Documents may reflect that the Seller or any Affiliate thereof is assigning such Collateral Obligation directly to the Buyer. Nothing in such assignment agreements shall be deemed to impair the transfers of the Collateral Obligations by the Seller to the Buyer in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Any such Collateral Obligation so assigned for administrative convenience shall be sold and transferred by the related Affiliate to the Seller and, pursuant to this Agreement, shall be sold and transferred by the Seller to the Buyer. For the avoidance of doubt, all of the provisions of this Agreement, including without limitation the conditions precedent to all purchases, the representations and warranties of the Seller, the covenants of the Seller and the indemnity of the Seller, contained in Section 3.02, Article IV, Article V and Article VII hereof, respectively, shall apply to the Seller with equal force with respect to any such sales and assignments for administrative convenience by any Affiliate of the Seller to the Buyer as if such sale and assignment was directly from the Seller to the Buyer.

(g) Collateral Obligations may be purchased or acquired from time to time by the Buyer from the Seller or any of its Affiliates hereunder only if (i) the terms and conditions thereof are no less favorable to the Buyer than the terms it would obtain in a comparable, timely purchase or acquisition with a non-Affiliate and (ii) the transactions are effected in accordance with all Applicable Laws.

ARTICLE III

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

  Section 3.01 Conditions Precedent to Closing .

The closing hereunder of this Agreement is subject to the conditions precedent that (i) each of the conditions precedent to the execution, delivery and effectiveness of each other Facility Document (other than a condition precedent in any such other Facility Document relating to the effectiveness of this Agreement) shall have been fulfilled, and (ii) on or prior to the Closing Date, the Seller shall have delivered to the Buyer each of the items specified below in form and substance satisfactory to the Buyer and the Facility Agent.

(a) Counterparts of this Agreement executed on behalf of the Seller.

 

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(b) Officer’s Certificates as to solvency duly executed by Responsible Officers of the Seller.

(c) All documents and information necessary to complete the Exhibit and Schedule to this Agreement, including the current Loan List (Schedule I hereto).

(d) Certificates of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary or other Responsible Officer of the Seller, each dated as of the date of this Agreement, certifying (i) the names and true signatures of the incumbent officers of the Seller authorized to sign this Agreement and the other documents to be delivered by it hereunder (on which certificate the Buyer, the Collateral Agent, the Custodian, the Facility Agent and the Lenders may conclusively rely), (ii) that the copy of the certificate of formation of the Seller attached thereto is a complete and correct copy and that such certificate of formation has not been further amended, modified or supplemented and is in full force and effect, (iii) that the copy of the limited liability company agreement of the Seller attached thereto is a complete and correct copy and that such limited liability company agreement has not been further amended, modified or supplemented and is in full force and effect, and (iv) the resolutions of the Seller’s manager prior to its Conversion, if any, or board of directors after its Conversion, if any, approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance by the Seller of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and of the documents entered into by the Seller related thereto.

(e) All limited liability company and legal proceedings and all instruments in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Buyer and the Facility Agent.

(f) A good standing certificate for the Seller issued by the Secretary of State of Delaware dated as of a date no more than ten (10) days prior to the Closing Date.

(g) Opinions of Dechert LLP, counsel to the Seller, in form and substance satisfactory to the Buyer and the Facility Agent.

(h) Filed UCC-1 financing statements naming the Seller, as debtor, and the Buyer, as secured party, and a filed UCC-3 financing statement naming the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, as assignee, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, describing the Collateral and meeting the requirements of the laws of each jurisdiction in which it is necessary or reasonably desirable, or in which the Seller is required by Applicable Law, and in such manner as is necessary or reasonably desirable, to perfect the conveyance of the Collateral to the Buyer.

 

  Section 3.02 Conditions Precedent to all Purchases .

The obligations of the Buyer to Purchase the Collateral from the Seller on any Purchase Date shall be subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent that:

(a) all representations and warranties of the Seller contained in Sections 4.01 and 4.02 shall be true and correct on and as of such date as though made on and as of such date and shall be deemed to have been made on and as of such day;

 

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(b) the Seller shall have delivered to the Buyer a duly completed Loan List that is true, accurate and complete in all respects as of the related Purchase Date;

(c) on and as of such Purchase Date, the Seller shall have performed all of the covenants and agreements required to be performed by it on or prior to such date pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement;

(d) no event has occurred and is continuing, or would result from such Purchase, that constitutes a Default or Event of Default (unless such purchase would cure such Default or Event of Default) and Buyer makes such Purchase in accordance with the applicable provisions hereof and of the Credit Agreement;

(e) except in connection with the transfer of a Substitute Loan in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and of the Credit Agreement, the final day of the Reinvestment Period shall not have occurred; and

(f) no Applicable Law shall prohibit or enjoin, and no order, judgment or decree of any federal, state or local court or governmental body, agency or instrumentality shall prohibit or enjoin, the making of any such Purchase by the Buyer in accordance with the provisions hereof.

 

  Section 3.03 Release of Excluded Amounts .

The parties acknowledge and agree that the Buyer has no interest in the Excluded Amounts. Promptly upon the receipt by or release to the Buyer of any Excluded Amounts, the Buyer hereby irrevocably agrees to deliver and release to the Seller such Excluded Amounts, which release shall be automatic and shall require no further act by the Buyer; provided that the Buyer shall execute and deliver such instruments of release and assignment or other documents, or otherwise confirm the foregoing release of such Excluded Amounts, as may be reasonably requested by the Seller in writing.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

  Section 4.01 Representations and Warranties Regarding the Seller .

As of the Closing Date, as of each Purchase Date and as of each Advance Date, as applicable, the Seller represents and warrants to the Buyer for the benefit of the Buyer and each of its successors and assigns that:

(a) Due Organization . The Seller is a limited liability company duly formed (or, on and after its Conversion, if any, a corporation duly incorporated) and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with full power and authority to own and operate its assets and properties, conduct the business in which it is now engaged and to execute and deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents to which it is a party.

 

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(b) Due Qualification and Good Standing. The Seller is in good standing in the State of Delaware. The Seller is duly qualified to do business and, to the extent applicable, is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which the nature of its business, assets and properties, including the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, the other Facility Documents to which it is a party and its Constituent Documents to which it is a party, requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the business operations, assets or financial condition of the Seller or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the provisions of any other Facility Document applicable to the Seller, or the performance by the Seller of its duties hereunder or thereunder.

(c) Due Authorization; Execution and Deliver; Legal, Value and Binding; Enforceability; Valid Sale . The execution and delivery by the Seller of, and the performance of its obligations under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents to which it is a party and the other instruments, certificates and agreements contemplated hereby and thereby are within its powers and have been duly authorized by all requisite action by it and have been duly executed and delivered by it and constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms, subject, as to enforcement, (A) to the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting generally the enforcement of creditors’ rights as such laws would apply in the event of any bankruptcy, receivership, insolvency or similar event applicable to the Seller and (B) to general equitable principles (whether enforceability of such principles is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity). This Agreement shall effect a valid sale, transfer and assignment of or grant of a security interest in the Collateral Obligations from the Seller to the Buyer, enforceable against the Seller and creditors of and purchasers from the Seller.

(d) Non-Contravention . None of the execution and delivery by the Seller of this Agreement or the other Facility Documents to which it is a party, the consummation of the transactions herein or therein contemplated, or performance and compliance by it with the terms, conditions and provisions hereof or thereof, will (i) conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under its Constituent Documents, (ii) conflict with or contravene (A) any Applicable Law, (B) any indenture, agreement or other contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets, including any Related Document, or (C) any order, writ, judgment, award, injunction or decree binding on or affecting it or any of its assets or properties or (iii) result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, or permit the acceleration of any obligation or liability in, or but for any requirement of the giving of notice or the passage of time (or both) would constitute such a conflict with, breach or violation of, or default under, or permit any such acceleration in, any contractual obligation or any agreement or document to which it is a party or by which it or any of its assets are bound (or to which any such obligation, agreement or document relates), in each case which would have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, assets or financial condition of the Seller or that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect in a material manner its ability to perform its obligations hereunder and under any other Facility Document applicable to it;

(e) Governmental Authorizations; Private Authorizations; Governmental Filings . Other than any filings the Seller may be required to file after the Closing Date under the Investment Company Act, the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, and any registration it may be

 

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required to make after the Closing Date as an investment adviser pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, the Seller has obtained, maintained and kept in full force and effect all Governmental Authorizations and Private Authorizations which are necessary for it to properly carry out its business, and has made all Governmental Filings necessary for the execution and delivery by it of the Facility Documents to which it is a party and the performance by the Seller of its obligations under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents, and no Governmental Authorization, Private Authorization or Governmental Filing which has not been obtained or made is required to be obtained or made by it in connection with the execution and delivery by it of any Facility Document to which it is a party or the performance of its obligations under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents to which it is a party;

(f) Compliance with Applicable Law. The Seller has duly observed and complied with all Applicable Laws, including the Investment Company Act, relating to the conduct of its business and its assets except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect upon the performance by the Seller of its duties under, or on the validity or enforceability of this Agreement and the provisions of any other Facility Document applicable to the Seller.

(g) Solvency . The Seller, at the time of and after giving effect to each conveyance of Collateral Obligations hereunder and the transactions contemplated hereunder and under the Credit Agreement and the other Facility Documents, is Solvent on and as of the date thereof.

(h) Taxes . The Seller has filed or caused to be filed all tax returns which, to its knowledge, are required to be filed and has paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns or on any assessments made against it or any of its property and all other taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any governmental Authority (other than any amount of tax due, the validity of which is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been provided on the books of the Seller); no tax Lien has been filed and, to the Seller’s knowledge, no claim is being asserted, with respect to any such tax, fee or other charge.

(i) Place of Business; No Changes . The Seller’s location (within the meaning of Article 9 of the UCC) is the State of Delaware. Except in connection with its Conversion, if any, the Seller has not changed its name, whether by amendment of its certificate of formation, by reorganization or otherwise, and has not changed its location within the four months preceding the Closing Date.

(j) Investment Company Status . Prior to its BDC Election Date, if any, the Seller is not required to be registered as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act. On and after its BDC Election Date, if any, it conducts and will conduct its business and other activities (i) in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act and any applicable rules, regulations or orders issued by the SEC thereunder and (ii) in such a way that the transactions contemplated by the Facility Documents do not violate in any material respect the provisions of the Investment Company Act applicable to business development companies or any rules, regulations or orders issued by the SEC thereunder.

 

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(k) Sale Treatment . Other than for accounting and tax purposes, the Seller has treated the transfer of Collateral Obligations to the Buyer for all purposes as a sale and/or capital contribution and purchase on all of its relevant books and records.

(l) Security Interest .

(i) This Agreement creates a valid and continuing security interest (as defined in the applicable UCC) in favor of the Buyer in all right, title and interest of the Seller in the Collateral Obligations, which security interest is prior to all other Liens (except for Permitted Liens), and is enforceable as such against creditors of and purchasers from the Seller;

(ii) the Loans, along with the Related Documents, constitute “general intangibles,” “instruments,” “accounts,” “investment property,” or “chattel paper,” within the meaning of the applicable UCC;

(iii) the Seller owns and has, and upon the sale and transfer thereof by the Seller to the Buyer, the Buyer will have good and marketable title to such Collateral Obligations free and clear of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens), claim or encumbrance of any Person;

(iv) the Seller has received all consents and approvals required by the terms of the Collateral Obligations to the sale of the Collateral Obligations hereunder to the Buyer (except (A) to the extent that the requirement for such consent is rendered ineffective under Section 9-406 of the UCC and (B) for any customary procedural requirements and agents’ and/or Obligors’ consents expected to be obtained in due course in connection with the transfer of the Collateral Obligations to the Buyer (except, in the case of clause (B), for any such agents’ consents where the Seller or any of its Affiliates is the agent which the Seller has or will obtain));

(v) the Seller has caused, or will cause in the case of the UCC-3 financing statement to be filed after its BDC Election Date to amend the name of the Seller, as debtor, the filing of all appropriate financing statements in the proper filing office in the appropriate jurisdictions under Applicable Law in order to perfect the security interest in the Collateral Obligations granted to the Buyer under this Agreement to the extent perfection can be achieved by filing a financing statement;

(vi) other than the security interest granted to the Buyer pursuant to this Agreement, the Seller has not pledged, assigned, sold, granted a security interest in or otherwise conveyed any of the Collateral Obligations, except in connection with its Warehouse Facilities, if any, which security interests, if any, with respect to such Collateral Obligations will be released on or prior to the applicable Purchase Date. The Seller has not authorized the filing of and is not aware of any financing statements naming the Seller as debtor that include a description of collateral covering the Collateral Obligations other than any financing statement (A) relating to the security interest granted to the Buyer under this Agreement, or (B) that has been terminated or for which a

 

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release or partial release has been or will be timely filed. The Seller is not aware of the filing of any judgment or tax Lien filings against the Seller;

(vii) except with respect to any Collateral Obligation for which there is no promissory note, all original executed copies of each promissory note that constitutes or evidences the Collateral Obligations have been Delivered by the Seller at the direction of the Buyer as required under the Credit Agreement; and

(viii) none of the promissory notes, if any, that constitute or evidence any Collateral Obligations has any marks or notations indicating that they have been pledged, assigned or otherwise conveyed to any Person other than the Buyer.

(m) Value Given . The cash payments, if any, received by the Seller, and the increase in the Seller’s equity interest in the Buyer as a result of any capital contribution by the Seller to the Buyer in respect of the purchase price of the Collateral Obligations sold hereunder constitute reasonably equivalent value in consideration for the transfer to the Buyer of such Collateral Obligations under this Agreement, such transfer was not made for or on account of an antecedent debt owed by the Seller to the Buyer, and such transfer was not and is not voidable or subject to avoidance under any applicable bankruptcy laws.

(n) Bulk Transfer Laws . The transfer, assignment and conveyance of the Collateral Obligations by the Seller pursuant to this Agreement are not subject to the bulk transfer laws or any similar statutory provisions in effect in any applicable jurisdiction.

(o) Origination and Collection Practices . The origination and collection practices used by the Seller and any of its Affiliates with respect to each Collateral Obligation prior to the Purchase Date with respect thereto have been consistent with the Servicing Standard.

(p) Lack of Intent to Hinder, Delay or Defraud . Neither the Seller nor any of its Affiliates has sold, or will sell, any interest in any Collateral Obligations with any intent to hinder, delay or defraud any of their respective creditors.

(q) Nonconsolidation . The Seller conducts its affairs such that (i) the Buyer would not be substantively consolidated in the estate of the Seller and their respective separate existences would not be disregarded in the event of the Seller’s bankruptcy and (ii) in its capacity as designated manager of the Buyer, such that Buyer is in compliance with the provisions of its Constituent Documents (provided, however, Seller does not hereby agree to maintain the solvency of the Buyer or agree to pay any of the Buyer’s obligations or liabilities).

(r) Accuracy of Information . All written factual information heretofore furnished by the Seller for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement or the other Facility Documents to which the Seller is a party, or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby is, and all such written factual information hereafter furnished by the Seller to any party to the Facility Documents will be, accurate in all material respects, on or as of the date such information is stated or certified; provided that the Seller shall not be responsible for, nor have any liability with respect to, any factual information furnished to it by any third party not affiliated with it, except to the extent that a Responsible Officer of the Seller has actual knowledge that such factual information is inaccurate in any material respect.

 

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  Section 4.02 Representations and Warranties of the Seller Relating to the Agreement and the Collateral .

The Seller hereby represents and warrants to the Buyer as of the Closing Date and as of each Purchase Date and each Advance Date with respect to the Collateral to be acquired or financed by the Buyer on that date, as applicable:

(a) Valid Transfer and Security Interest . This Agreement constitutes a valid transfer to the Buyer of all right, title and interest of the Seller in, to and under all of the Collateral, free and clear of any Lien of any Person claiming through or under the Seller or its Affiliates, except for Permitted Liens. If the conveyances contemplated by this Agreement are determined to be a transfer for security, then this Agreement constitutes a grant of a security interest in all of the Collateral to the Buyer, which security interest is a valid and first priority perfected security interest in all Collateral, subject only to Permitted Liens. Neither the Seller nor any Person claiming through or under Seller shall have any claim to or interest in the Collection Account and if this Agreement constitutes the grant of a security interest in such property, except for the interest of the Seller in such property as a debtor for purposes of the UCC.

(b) Eligibility of Collateral . As of the Closing Date, each Purchase Date and each Advance Date, as applicable, (i) the Loan List is an accurate and complete listing of all Collateral as of the related Purchase Date or the related Advance Date, as applicable, and the information contained therein with respect to the identity of such Collateral and the amounts owing thereunder is true and correct as of the related Purchase Date or the related Advance Date, as applicable, (ii) as of its Purchase Date and as of its Advance Date, each such Collateral Obligation satisfies or satisfied, as applicable, the definition of Collateral Obligation, and (iii) the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.02(a) are true and correct with respect to each item of Collateral.

(c) No Fraud . Each Loan was originated without any fraud or material misrepresentation by the Seller or, to the best of the Seller’s knowledge, on the part of the Obligor.

 

  Section 4.03 Representations and Warranties Regarding the Buyer .

By its execution of this Agreement, the Buyer represents and warrants to the Seller that:

(a) Due Organization . The Buyer is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with full power and authority to own and operate its assets and properties, conduct the business in which it is now engaged and to execute and deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents to which it is a party;

(b) Due Qualification and Good Standing . The Buyer is in good standing in the State of Delaware. The Buyer is duly qualified to do business and, to the extent applicable, is in good

 

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standing in each other jurisdiction in which the nature of its business, assets and properties, including the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, the other Facility Documents to which it is a party and its Constituent Documents to which it is a party, requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) Due Authorization; Execution and Delivery; Legal, Valid and Binding; Enforceability . The execution and delivery by the Buyer of, and the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, the other Facility Documents to which it is a party and the other instruments, certificates and agreements contemplated hereby or thereby are within its powers and have been duly authorized by all requisite action by it and have been duly executed and delivered by it and constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally or general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law;

(d) Non-Contravention . None of the execution and delivery by the Buyer of this Agreement or the other Facility Documents to which it is a party, the consummation of the transactions herein or therein contemplated, or performance and compliance by it with the terms, conditions and provisions hereof or thereof, will (i) conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under its Constituent Documents, (ii) conflict with or contravene (A) any Applicable Law, (B) any indenture, agreement or other contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets, including any Related Document, or (C) any order, writ, judgment, award, injunction or decree binding on or affecting it or any of its assets or properties or (iii) result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, or permit the acceleration of any obligation or liability in, or but for any requirement of the giving of notice or the passage of time (or both) would constitute such a conflict with, breach or violation of, or default under, or permit any such acceleration in, any contractual obligation or any agreement or document to which it is a party or by which it or any of its assets are bound (or to which any such obligation, agreement or document relates);

(e) Governmental Authorizations; Private Authorizations; Governmental Filings . The Buyer has obtained, maintained and kept in full force and effect all Governmental Authorizations and Private Authorizations which are necessary for it to properly carry out its business, and made all Governmental Filings necessary for the execution and delivery by it of the Facility Documents to which it is a party and the performance by the Buyer of its obligations under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents, and no Governmental Authorization, Private Authorization or Governmental Filing which has not been obtained or made is required to be obtained or made by it in connection with the execution and delivery by it of any Facility Document to which it is a party or the performance of its obligations under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents to which it is a party;

(f) [ Intentionally Omitted .]

(g) Place of Business; No Changes . The Buyer’s location (within the meaning of Article 9 of the UCC) is the State of Delaware. The Buyer has not changed its name, whether by

 

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amendment of its certificate of formation, by reorganization or otherwise, and has not changed its location, within the four months preceding the Closing Date.

(h) Sale Treatment . Other than for accounting and tax purposes, the Buyer has treated the transfer of Collateral Obligations from the Seller for all purposes as a sale and purchase on all of its relevant books and records and other applicable documents.

 

  Section 4.04 Ordinary Course of Business

Each of the Seller and the Buyer represents and warrants to the other as to itself that in the event the conveyances of the Collateral provided for in Section 2.01(a) of this Agreement are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be a transfer for security purposes, each remittance of payments, if any, by the Seller hereunder to the Buyer under this Agreement will have been (i) in payment of an obligation incurred by the Seller in the ordinary course of business or financial affairs of the Seller and the Buyer, as the case may be, and (ii) made in the ordinary course of business or financial affairs of the Seller and the Buyer.

ARTICLE V

COVENANTS

 

  Section 5.01 Affirmative Covenants of the Seller .

From the date hereof until the Payment in Full Date:

(a) Preservation of Corporate Existence . The Seller will preserve and maintain its limited liability company (or, on and after its Conversion, if any, corporate) existence, rights, franchises and privileges in the jurisdiction of its formation, and qualify and remain qualified in good standing as a foreign limited liability company (or, on and after its Conversion, if any, foreign corporation) in each jurisdiction where the failure to preserve and maintain such existence, rights, franchises, privileges and qualification has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on the business operations, assets or financial condition of the Seller or on the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the provisions of any other Facility Document applicable to the Seller, or the performance by the Seller of its duties hereunder or thereunder.

(b) Performance and Compliance with Collateral . The Seller will, at its expense, timely and fully perform and comply in all material respects with all provisions, covenants and other promises required to be observed by it under all agreements related to such Collateral.

(c) Protection of Interest in Collateral . With respect to the Collateral Purchased by the Buyer, the Seller will (i) sell such Collateral pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, (ii) (at the Seller’s expense) take all action necessary to perfect, protect and more fully evidence the Buyer’s or its assignee’s ownership of or security interest in such Collateral free and clear of any Lien other than the Lien created hereunder and Permitted Liens, including, without limitation, (a) filing and maintaining (at the Seller’s expense), effective financing statements naming the Seller, as debtor, the Buyer, as secured party, and the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as assignee, in all necessary or

 

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appropriate filing offices, and filing continuation statements, amendments or assignments with respect thereto in such filing offices, including after its BDC Election Date, in order to amend its name on any UCC financing statement filed in connection with this Agreement, and (b) executing or causing to be executed such other instruments or notices as may be necessary or appropriate, and (iii) take all additional action that the Buyer, the Collateral Agent or the Facility Agent may reasonably request to perfect, protect and more fully evidence the respective interests of the parties to this Agreement in the Collateral and of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, under the Credit Agreement.

(d) Delivery of Collections . The Seller will cause all payments relating to all Collateral to be remitted directly to the Collection Account. In the event any payments relating to any Collateral are remitted directly to the Seller or any Affiliate of the Seller, the Seller will remit (or will cause all such payments to be remitted) directly to the Collection Account within two (2) Business Days following receipt thereof, and, at all times prior to such remittance, the Seller will itself hold or, if applicable, will cause such payments to be held in trust for the exclusive benefit of the Buyer (and its assignees).

(e) Separate Identity . The Seller acknowledges that the Facility Agent, the Lenders and the other Secured Parties are entering into the transactions contemplated by the Credit Agreement in reliance upon the Buyer’s identity as a legal entity that is separate from the Seller and each other Affiliate of the Seller. Therefore, from and after the date of execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Seller will take all reasonable steps to maintain the Buyer’s identity as a legal entity that is separate from the Seller and each other Affiliate of the Seller and to make it manifest to third parties that the Buyer is an entity with assets and liabilities distinct from those of the Seller and each other Affiliate thereof and not just a division of the Seller or any such other Affiliate (except as otherwise required under GAAP or applicable tax law). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and in addition to the other covenants set forth herein, the Seller agrees that:

(i) the Seller will take all other actions necessary on its part to ensure that the Buyer is at all times in compliance with Section 5.03 of the Credit Agreement (provided, however, that the Seller does not hereby guaranty the solvency of the Buyer or agree to pay any of the Buyer’s obligations or liabilities);

(ii) the Seller shall maintain corporate records and books of account separate from those of the Buyer;

(iii) the annual financial statements of the Seller shall disclose the effects of the Seller’s transactions in accordance with GAAP and the annual financial statements of the Seller shall not reflect in any way that the assets of the Buyer, including, without limitation, the Collateral, could be available to pay creditors of the Seller or any other Affiliate of the Seller;

(iv) the resolutions, agreements and other instruments underlying the transactions described in this Agreement shall be continuously maintained by the Seller as official records;

 

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(v) the Seller shall maintain an arm’s–length relationship with the Buyer and will not hold itself out as being liable for the debts of the Buyer;

(vi) except as otherwise permitted under the Credit Agreement, the Seller shall keep its assets and its liabilities wholly separate from those of the Buyer;

(vii) the Seller will avoid the appearance, and promptly correct any known misperception of any of the Seller’s creditors, that the assets of the Buyer are available to pay the obligations and debts of the Seller; and

(viii) to the extent that the Seller services the Collateral and performs other services on the Buyer’s behalf, the Seller will clearly identify itself as an agent for the Buyer in the performance of such duties; provided , however , that the Seller will not be required to so identify itself when communicating with the Obligors not in its capacity as agent for the Buyer but rather in its capacity as agent for a group of lenders.

(f) Cooperation with Requests for Information or Documents . The Seller will cooperate fully with all reasonable requests of the Buyer regarding the provision of any information or documents in the possession of or reasonably obtainable by the Seller without undue burden or expense which are necessary or desirable, including the provision of such information or documents in electronic or machine–readable format, to allow each of the Buyer and its assignees (including, without limitation, the Collateral Agent) to carry out their responsibilities under the Facility Documents.

 

  Section 5.02 Negative Covenants of the Seller .

From the date hereof until the Payment in Full Date:

(a) Change of Name or Location of Loan Files . The Seller shall not change its name, move the location of its principal place of business and chief executive office, or change the jurisdiction of its formation (or, on and after its Conversion, if any, incorporation), unless the Seller gives written notice thereof to the Buyer and the Facility Agent and takes all actions required under the UCC of each relevant jurisdiction in order to continue the first priority perfected security interest of the Buyer and the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the Collateral.

(b) Accounting of Purchases . Other than for tax and consolidated accounting purposes, the Seller will not account for or treat (whether in financial statements or otherwise) the transactions contemplated hereby in any manner other than as a sale of the Collateral by the Seller to the Buyer; provided that for federal income tax reporting purposes, the Buyer is treated as a “disregarded entity” and, therefore, the transfer of Collateral by the Seller to the Buyer hereunder will not be recognized.

 

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ARTICLE VI

OPTION TO REPURCHASE AND SUBSTITUTE COLLATERAL LOANS

 

  Section 6.01 Substitution of Collateral Obligations .

So long as the Seller is permitted to do so pursuant to Section 10.01(a)(vi) of the Credit Agreement, the Seller may, subject to the conditions set forth in said section and in this Section 6.01 , replace any Credit Risk Loan, Defaulted Loan or Excess Concentration Loan and Related Property with one or more other Collateral Obligations, provided that no such replacement shall occur unless each of the following conditions is satisfied as of the date of such replacement and substitution:

(a) the Seller has notified the Buyer and the Facility Agent in writing identifying the Collateral Obligation to be replaced (a “ Replaced Loan ”) and the Collateral Obligation(s) to be substituted therefore (each, a “ Substitute Loan ”);

(b) all representations and warranties of the Seller contained in Sections 4.01 and 4.02 shall be true and correct as of the date of substitution of any such Substitute Loan;

(c) the Repurchase and Substitution Limits applicable to any such substitution are satisfied;

(d) the Acquisition and Disposition Standards are adhered to;

(e) the Seller shall deliver to the Buyer on the date of such substitution a revised Schedule I that shall include such Substitute Loan(s) and shall have deleted such Replaced Loan(s); and

(f) the Seller shall deliver to the Buyer and the Facility Agent on the date of such substitution a certificate of a Responsible Officer stating that the foregoing conditions have been or will be met upon such replacement and substitution and an assignment substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto with respect to such Substitute Loan(s).

Contemporaneously with the receipt of the Substitute Loan, the Buyer shall sell, transfer, assign, set over and otherwise convey to the Seller, without recourse, all the right, title and interest of the Buyer in and to any Replaced Loan and Related Property pursuant to this Section 6.01 , and the Buyer shall cause the Collateral Agent to release the Lien of the Credit Agreement thereon.

 

  Section 6.02 Seller’s Optional Right to Repurchase Collateral Obligations .

(a) In addition to its right of substitution hereunder, so long as the Seller is permitted to do so pursuant to Section 10.01(a)(vi) of the Credit Agreement, the Seller may, subject to the conditions set forth in Section 10.01(a)(vi) and Section 10.01(a)(viii) of the Credit Agreement and this Section 6.02 , repurchase any Credit Risk Loan, Defaulted Loan or Excess Concentration Loan and Related Property at the Repurchase Price, provided that no such repurchase shall occur unless each of the following conditions is satisfied as of the date thereof:

 

-20-


(i) the Repurchase and Substitution Limits applicable to any such repurchase are satisfied;

(ii) the Acquisition and Disposition Standards are adhered to;

(iii) the Seller shall deposit in the Collection Account the Repurchase Price with respect to such Collateral Obligation and Related Property as of the date of such repurchase.

(b) Promptly upon request of the Seller to do so, the Buyer (or the Collateral Manager on its behalf) shall determine each component of the Repurchase Price and shall notify the Seller of each thereof and of the Repurchase Price with respect thereto should the Seller elect to exercise its repurchase option. No later than ten (10) Business Days after receipt of such information, the Seller may, at its option, by written notice to the Buyer, the Collateral Manager, the Collateral Agent and the Facility Agent, elect to exercise its right to repurchase such Collateral Obligation and Related Property and, on such date or within five (5) Business Days thereafter, repurchase such Collateral Obligation and Related Property. Failure by the Seller to exercise such option to repurchase any Collateral Obligation and Related Property at any time shall not affect the ability of the Seller to exercise such right at a later date with respect to such Collateral Obligation and Related Property provided the Repurchase Price is redetermined at such later time.

(c) Contemporaneously with the receipt of the Repurchase Price, the Buyer shall sell, transfer, assign, set over and otherwise convey to the Seller, without recourse, all the right, title and interest of the Buyer in and to any Collateral Obligation and Related Property repurchased by the Seller pursuant to Section 6.02(a) , and the Buyer shall cause the Collateral Agent to release the Lien of the Credit Agreement thereon.

ARTICLE VII

INDEMNIFICATION BY THE SELLER

 

  Section 7.01 Indemnification .

The Seller agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Buyer, its officers, directors, employees, personnel and agents (any one of which is an “ Indemnified Party ”) from and against any and all claims, losses, penalties, fines, forfeitures, judgments, reasonable legal fees and related costs and any other reasonable costs, fees and expenses that such Person may sustain as a result of the Seller’s fraud or the failure of the Seller to perform its duties in compliance in all material respects with the terms of this Agreement, except to the extent arising from gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud by the Person claiming indemnification, provided that the Seller shall not be liable for any consequential (including loss of profit), indirect, special or punitive damages hereunder. Any Person seeking indemnification hereunder shall promptly notify the Seller if such Person receives a complaint, claim, compulsory process or other notice of any loss, claim, damage or liability giving rise to a claim of indemnification hereunder but failure to provide such notice shall not relieve the Seller of its indemnification obligations hereunder unless and to the extent the Seller is deprived of material substantive or

 

-21-


procedural rights or defenses as a result thereof. The Seller shall assume (with the consent of the Indemnified Party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) the defense and any settlement of any such claim and pay all expenses in connection therewith, including reasonable counsel fees, and promptly pay, discharge and satisfy any judgment or decree which may be entered against the Indemnified Party in respect of such claim. The parties agree that the provisions of this Section 7.01 shall not be interpreted to provide recourse to the Seller against loss by reason of the bankruptcy, insolvency or lack of creditworthiness of an Obligor with respect to a Collateral Obligation. The Seller shall have no liability for making indemnification hereunder to the extent any such indemnification constitutes recourse for uncollectible or uncollected Collateral Obligations.

 

  Section 7.02 Liabilities to Obligors .

Except with respect to the funding commitment assumed by the Buyer with respect to any Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loan or Revolving Collateral Loan, no obligation or liability to any Obligor under any of the Collateral Obligations is intended to be assumed by the Buyer, the Facility Agent or any of the other the Secured Parties under or as a result of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

  Section 7.03 Operation of Indemnities .

If the Seller has made any indemnity payments to an Indemnified Party pursuant to this Article VII and such Indemnified Party thereafter collects any such amounts from others, such Indemnified Party will repay such amounts collected to the Seller.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

 

  Section 8.01 Amendments and Waivers .

Except as provided in this Section 8.01 , no amendment, waiver or other modification of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless signed by the Buyer and Seller, consented to in writing by the Facility Agent and Rating Confirmation having been satisfied, other than an amendment to this Agreement to incorporate by reference and/or amend a Loan List on the related Purchase Date.

 

  Section 8.02 Notices, Etc .

All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall, unless otherwise stated herein, be in writing and mailed, e-mailed, transmitted or delivered, as to each party hereto, at its address set forth under its name on the signature pages hereof or at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties hereto. All such notices and communications shall be effective, upon receipt, or in the case of (a) notice by mail, five (5) days after being deposited in the United States mail, first class postage prepaid, (b) notice by e-mail or by facsimile mail, when electronic confirmation or verbal communication of receipt is obtained.

 

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  Section 8.03 Binding Effect; Benefit of Agreement .

This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Each of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns acknowledges that the rights and obligations of the Seller may be transferred, assigned and delegated to a successor corporation in connection with the Seller’s Conversion, if any.

Section 8.04 GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF OBJECTION TO VENUE SERVICE OF PROCESS .

THIS AGREEMENT AND ALL MATTERS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER (WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) TO THE FOREGOING SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, INCLUDING NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 BUT OTHERWISE WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES THEREOF GOVERNING CONFLICTS OF LAW. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY AGREES TO THE NON–EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY FEDERAL COURT LOCATED WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION BASED ON FORUM NON CONVENIENS, AND ANY OBJECTION TO VENUE OF ANY ACTION INSTITUTED HEREUNDER IN ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS AND CONSENTS TO THE GRANTING OF SUCH LEGAL OR EQUITABLE RELIEF AS IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY SUCH COURT.

Each of the Buyer and the Seller agrees that service of process may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Buyer or the Seller, as applicable, at its address specified in the signature pages to this Agreement or at such other address(es) as the Facility Agent and the Collateral Agent shall have been notified in accordance with the Credit Agreement. Nothing in this Section 8.04 shall affect the right of the Facility Agent and the Collateral Agent to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

  Section 8.05 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .

TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO HAVE A JURY PARTICIPATE IN RESOLVING ANY DISPUTE, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE BETWEEN THE PARTIES HERETO ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED TO, OR INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANY OF THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. INSTEAD, ANY SUCH DISPUTE RESOLVED IN COURT WILL BE RESOLVED IN A BENCH TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY.

 

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Section 8.06 Certain Taxes . The Seller shall pay on demand any and all stamp, sales, excise and other taxes and fees payable or determined to be payable to any governmental Authority in connection with the execution, delivery, filing and recording of this Agreement and the other documents to be delivered hereunder.

 

  Section 8.07 Non-Petition .

(a) The Seller hereby agrees not to institute against, or join, cooperate with or encourage any other Person in instituting against the Buyer any bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership, arrangement, insolvency, moratorium or liquidation proceedings or other proceedings under federal or state bankruptcy or similar laws until at least one year and one day, or if longer, the applicable preference period then in effect plus one day, after the Payment in Full Date, provided that nothing in the Section 8. 07 shall preclude, or be deemed to stop, the Seller (i) from taking any action prior to the expiration of the aforementioned one year and one day period, or if longer the applicable preference period then in effect plus one day, in (a) any case or proceeding voluntarily filed or commenced by the Buyer or (b) any involuntary insolvency proceeding filed or commenced against the Buyer by a Person other than the Seller, or (ii) from commencing against the Buyer or any properties of the Buyer any legal action which is not a bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership, arrangement, insolvency, moratorium or liquidation proceeding or other proceeding under federal or state bankruptcy or similar laws.

 

  Section 8.08 Recourse Against Certain Parties .

(a) No recourse under or with respect to any obligation, covenant or agreement (including, without limitation, the payment of any fees or any other obligations) of the Seller as contained in this Agreement, any other Facility Document or any other agreement, instrument or document entered into by it pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Facility Document shall be had against any stockholder, incorporator, partner, member, manager, authorized representative, officer, employee, personnel or director of the Seller by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, by virtue of any statute or otherwise it being expressly agreed and understood that the agreements of the Seller contained in this Agreement, any other Facility Document and all of the other agreements, instruments and documents entered into by it pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Facility Document are, in each case, solely the limited liability company (or, on or after the Conversion, if any, corporate) obligations of the Seller, and that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to or be incurred by any stockholder, incorporator, partner, member, manager, authorized representative, officer, employee, personnel or director of the Seller, or any of them, under or by reason of any of the obligations, covenants or agreements of the Seller contained in this Agreement, any other Facility Document or in any other such instruments, documents or agreements, or which are implied therefrom, and that any and all personal liability of each stockholder, incorporator, partner, member, manager, authorized representative, officer, employee, personnel or director of the Seller, or any of them, for breaches by the Seller of any such obligations, covenants or agreements, which liability may arise either at common law or at equity, by statute or constitution, or otherwise, is hereby expressly waived as a condition of and in consideration for the execution of this Agreement. The provisions of this Section 8.08(a) shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

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(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the obligations of the Buyer under this Agreement and any other Facility Document are limited recourse obligations of the Buyer payable solely from the Collateral and, following realization of the Collateral, and application of the proceeds thereof in accordance with the Priority of Payments and all obligations of and any claims by the Seller against the Buyer hereunder after any such realization and application shall be extinguished and shall not thereafter revive. No recourse under or with respect to any obligation, covenant or agreement (including, without limitation, the payment of any fees or any other obligations) of the Buyer as contained in this Agreement, any other Facility Document or any other agreement, instrument or document entered into by it pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Facility Document shall be had against any stockholder, incorporator, partner, member, manager, authorized representative, officer, employee, personnel or director of the Buyer by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, by virtue of any statute or otherwise it being expressly agreed and understood that the agreements of the Buyer contained in this Agreement, any other Facility Document and all of the other agreements, instruments and documents entered into by it pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement and any other Facility Document are, in each case, solely the limited liability company obligations of the Buyer, and that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to or be incurred by any stockholder, incorporator, partner, member, manager, authorized representative, officer, employee, personnel or director of the Buyer or any of them, under or by reason of any of the obligations, covenants or agreements of the Buyer contained in this Agreement, any other Facility Document or in any other such instruments, documents or agreements, or which are implied therefrom, and that any and all personal liability of each stockholder, incorporator, partner, member, manager, authorized representative, officer, employee, personnel or director of the Buyer, or any of them, for breaches by the Buyer of any such obligations, covenants or agreements, which liability may arise either at common law or at equity, by statute or constitution, or otherwise, is hereby expressly waived as a condition of and in consideration for the execution of this Agreement. The provisions of this Section 8.08(b) shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

  Section 8.09 Protection of Right, Title and Interest in the Collateral; Further Action Evidencing Purchases .

(a) The Seller shall cause all financing statements and continuation statements and any other necessary documents perfecting the Buyer’s security interest in the Collateral to be promptly recorded, registered and filed, and at all times to be kept recorded, registered and filed, all in such manner and in such places as may be required by law fully to preserve and protect the perfection and priority of the security interest of the Buyer in all property comprising the Collateral. The Seller shall deliver to the Buyer the file–stamped copies of, or filing receipts for, any document recorded, registered or filed as provided above, as soon as available following such recording, registration or filing. The Seller shall cooperate fully with the Buyer in connection with the obligations set forth above and will execute any and all documents reasonably required to fulfill the intent of this Section 8.09(a) .

(b) The Seller agrees that from time to time, at its expense, it will promptly execute and deliver all instruments and documents, and take all actions, that the Buyer, the Facility Agent or the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, may reasonably request in order to perfect, protect or more fully evidence the Purchases hereunder and the security and/or interest granted in the Collateral.

 

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(c) If the Seller fails to perform any of its obligations hereunder, the Buyer or the Facility Agent may (but shall not be required to) perform, or cause performance of, such obligation; and the Buyer’s or the Facility Agent’s costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by the Seller. The Seller irrevocably authorizes the Buyer or the Facility Agent at any time (so long as it has failed to perform its obligations hereunder) at the Buyer’s or the Facility Agent’s sole discretion and appoints each of the Buyer and the Facility Agent as its attorney–in–fact to act on behalf of the Seller (i) to execute on behalf of the Seller and to file financing statements on behalf of the Seller, as debtor, necessary or desirable in the Buyer’s and the Facility Agent’s sole discretion to perfect and to maintain the perfection and priority of the security interest of the Buyer (and its assignees) in the Collateral and (ii) to file a carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this Agreement or any financing statement with respect to the Collateral as a financing statement in such offices as the Buyer or the Facility Agent in its sole discretion deems necessary or desirable to perfect and to maintain the perfection and priority of the security interests of the Buyer (and its assignees) in the Collateral. This appointment is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable.

 

  Section 8.10 Execution in Counterparts; Severability; Integration .

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts (including by facsimile), each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. This Agreement and any agreements or letters (including fee letters) executed in connection herewith contains the final and complete integration of all prior expressions by the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, superseding all prior oral or written understandings.

 

  Section 8.11 Headings, Exhibits and Schedules .

The headings herein are for purposes of references only and shall not otherwise affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision hereof. The exhibits and schedules attached hereto and referred to herein shall constitute a part of this Agreement and are incorporated into this Agreement for all purposes.

 

  Section 8.12 Assignment .

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, this Agreement may not be assigned by the Buyer or the Seller except as permitted by this Section 8.12 or by the Credit Agreement. Simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Buyer shall assign all of its right, title and interest herein to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, to which assignment the Seller hereby expressly consents. Upon assignment,

 

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the Seller agrees to perform its obligations hereunder for the benefit of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and the Collateral Agent, in such capacity, shall be a third party beneficiary hereof. The Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties under and in accordance with the Credit Agreement may enforce the provisions of this Agreement, exercise the rights of the Buyer and enforce the obligations of the Seller hereunder without joinder of the Buyer.

 

  Section 8.13 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies .

No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Buyer or the Seller, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder, shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exhaustive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law. Any waiver of this Agreement shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC,

as the Seller

By:    
Name:  
Title:  
Address for Notices:

1450 Brickell Avenue

Miami, FL 33131

Attention: Mr. Richard Siegel

Tel: (305) 379-2322

Fax: (305) 381-4180

Email: rsiegel@higcapital.com

with a copy at the same address to:

Alastair Merrick

Tel: (212) 314-1039

Fax: (212) 314-1016

Email: amerrick@higwhitehorse.com

WHITEHORSE FINANCE WAREHOUSE, LLC,

as the Buyer

By:   WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC, its designated manager
By:    
Name:  
Title:  
Address for Notices:

1450 Brickell Avenue

Miami, FL 33131

Attention: Mr. Richard Siegel

Tel: (305) 379-2322

Fax: (305) 381-4180

Email: rsiegel@higcapital.com

with a copy at the same address to:


Alastair Merrick

Tel: (212) 314-1039

Fax: (212) 314-1016

Email: amerrick@higwhitehorse.com

 

 

-2-


Exhibit A

Form of Assignment

[ Date ]

In accordance with the Loan Sale and Contribution Agreement (together with all amendments and modifications from time to time thereto, the “ Agreement ”), dated as of September 27, 2012, made by and between the undersigned, WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC, as the Seller (together with its successors and permitted assigns, the “ Seller ”), and WHITEHORSE FINANCE WAREHOUSE, LLC, as the Buyer (together with its successors and permitted assigns, the “ Buyer ”), as assignee thereunder, the undersigned does hereby sell, transfer, convey and assign, set over and otherwise convey to the Buyer, all of the Seller’s right, title and interest in and to the following (including, without limitation, all obligations of the lender to fund any Revolving Collateral Loan or Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loan conveyed by the undersigned to Buyer hereunder which obligations Buyer hereby assumes):

(i) the Collateral Obligations listed on Schedule I attached hereto (which Schedule I is hereby incorporated by reference in and shall become part of the Loan List referred to as Schedule I in the Agreement), all payments paid in respect thereof and all monies due, to become due or paid in respect thereof accruing on and after the Purchase Date and all Collections and other recoveries thereon, in each case as they arise after the Purchase Date;

(ii) all Liens and Related Property with respect to the Collateral Obligations referred to in clause (i)  above;

(iii) all Related Documents with respect to the Collateral Obligations referred to in clause (i)  above;

(iv) all income, payments, proceeds and other benefits of any and all of the foregoing, including but not limited to, all accounts, cash and currency, chattel paper, electronic chattel paper, tangible chattel paper, copyrights, copyright licenses, equipment, fixtures, general intangibles, instruments, commercial tort claims, deposit accounts, inventory, investment property, letter of credit rights, software, supporting obligations, accessions, proceeds and other property consisting of, arising out of, or related to the foregoing, but excluding any Excluded Amount with respect thereto.

Capitalized terms used herein have the meaning given such terms in the Agreement.

This Assignment is made pursuant to and in reliance upon the representations and warranties on the part of the undersigned contained in Article IV of the Agreement and no others.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned has caused this Assignment to be duly executed on the date written above.

 

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

 

 

A-2


Schedule I

Loan List

WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC

 

Position    Outstanding
Principal
Balance
     Purchase
Price
 

Acella Pharmaceuticals, LLC (Senior Secured Debt)

     61,396,680         61,396,680   

* AGS (American Gaming Systems)(Initial TL - 8/15/12 - 17mm @ 96% - UBS)

     17,309,180         16,620,620   

Genoa Healthcare (2nd Lien TL - 12/31/11)

     26,923,271         26,896,416   

** Hilex Poly Co (11/10)(Loan - 11/16/10 - DB)

     34,331,526         35,193,516   

Jackson Hewitt Inc (Restructured Term Loan)

     41,718,065         40,674,058   

Metropolitan Health Networks, Inc. (2nd Lien TL - 10/17/11)

     8,860,521         8,515,776   

Prepaid Legal Services, Inc. (Term Loan A - 6/30/11 - Macquarie)

     1,605,024         1,554,843   

Prepaid Legal Services, Inc. (Term Loan B - 6/30/11 - Macquarie)

     3,928,716         3,821,499   

St. John Knits Inc. (1st Lien TL - JPM)

     4,911,750         4,924,450   

TCO Funding Corp. (Tensar)(Term Loan B - 30mm - 4/3/12 - GE)

     24,215,126         23,832,721   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     225,199,859         223,430,579   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  * Initial Delayed Draw Term Loan - Undrawn $1,128,859.57
       Secondary Delayed Draw Term Loan - Undrawn $1,128,859.57

Exhibit (k)(7)

 

 

 

COLLATERAL MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

dated as of September 27, 2012

by and between

WHITEHORSE FINANCE WAREHOUSE, LLC,

as Borrower

and

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC,

as Collateral Manager

 

 

 


SECTION 1.  

DEFINITIONS; RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

     1   
SECTION 2.  

APPOINTMENT; GENERAL DUTIES AND AUTHORITY OF THE COLLATERAL MANAGER

     4   
SECTION 3.  

PURCHASE AND SALE TRANSACTIONS

     9   
SECTION 4.  

SERVICES TO OTHER BORROWERS; CERTAIN AFFILIATED ACTIVITIES

     12   
SECTION 5.  

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

     15   
SECTION 6.  

RECORDS; CONFIDENTIALITY

     15   
SECTION 7.  

ACTIONS OF THE COLLATERAL MANAGER

     16   
SECTION 8.  

COMPENSATION

     17   
SECTION 9.  

STANDARD OF CARE; BENEFIT OF THE AGREEMENT

     19   
SECTION 10.  

LIMITS OF COLLATERAL MANAGER RESPONSIBILITY

     19   
SECTION 11.  

NO JOINT VENTURE

     22   
SECTION 12.  

TERM; REPLACEMENT OF THE COLLATERAL MANAGER

     22   
SECTION 13.  

REMOVAL FOR CAUSE

     23   
SECTION 14.  

OBLIGATIONS OF RESIGNING OR REMOVED COLLATERAL MANAGER

     25   
SECTION 15.  

ASSIGNMENTS; DELEGATION

     26   
SECTION 16.  

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     27   
SECTION 17.  

NON-PETITION; LIMITED RECOURSE

     30   
SECTION 18.  

NOTICES

     31   
SECTION 19.  

BINDING NATURE OF AGREEMENT; SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

     33   
SECTION 20.  

ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT

     33   
SECTION 21.  

CONTROLLING LAW

     34   
SECTION 22.  

SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION

     34   
SECTION 23.  

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     34   
SECTION 24.  

CONFLICT WITH THE CREDIT AGREEMENT

     34   
SECTION 25.  

CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT

     35   
SECTION 26.  

INDULGENCES NOT WAIVERS

     35   
SECTION 27.  

THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES

     35   
SECTION 28.  

TITLES NOT TO AFFECT INTERPRETATION

     35   
SECTION 29.  

EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS

     35   
SECTION 30.  

PROVISIONS SEPARABLE

     35   


THIS COLLATERAL MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of September 27, 2012, is entered into by and between WHITEHORSE FINANCE WAREHOUSE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with its successors and assigns permitted hereunder, the “ Borrower ”), and WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ WhiteHorse Finance ” and in its capacity as Collateral Manager, and together with its successors (including any successor by conversion in connection with its BDC Election Date) and its assigns permitted hereunder, the “ Collateral Manager ”).

RECITALS:

WHEREAS, pursuant to a Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of September 27, 2012 (the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among the Borrower, the Lenders from time to time parties thereto, Natixis New York Branch, as Facility Agent (together with any successor facility agent permitted under the Credit Agreement, the “ Facility Agent ”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as collateral agent (together with any successor collateral agent permitted under the Credit Agreement, the “ Collateral Agent ”), the Lenders intend to make Advances under and as defined therein to the Borrower;

WHEREAS, the Borrower intends to pledge certain Collateral Obligations, Equity Securities, Eligible Investments and certain other assets as set forth in the Credit Agreement to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as security for the Advances;

WHEREAS, the Borrower desires to appoint WhiteHorse Finance as the Collateral Manager to provide the services described herein and WhiteHorse Finance desires to accept such appointment;

WHEREAS, the Credit Agreement will permit the Borrower to enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which the Collateral Manager agrees to perform, on behalf of the Borrower, certain duties with respect to the acquisition, administration and disposition of Collateral in the manner and on the terms set forth herein and to perform such additional duties as are consistent with the terms of this Agreement and the Credit Agreement as the Borrower may from time to time reasonably request; and

WHEREAS, the Collateral Manager has the capacity to provide the services required hereby and is prepared to perform such services upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

  Section 1. Definitions; Rules of Construction

(a) Definitions

Capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement or the Master Transfer Agreement, as applicable. As used in this Agreement:

Advisers Act ” shall mean the United States Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.


Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Appointment Procedures ” shall mean, with respect to the appointment of a successor Collateral Manager, the following procedures in the following order to the extent necessary to appoint a successor Collateral Manager:

(A) The Borrower will, within 30 days of a Proposed Termination Date, propose a successor to the Collateral Manager (a “ Proposed Successor ”). If such Proposed Successor is approved by the Required Lenders, then such Proposed Successor will be the new Collateral Manager.

(B) If the Borrower fails to nominate a Proposed Successor in accordance with clause (A) above, or if the Required Lenders do not approve the Proposed Successor in accordance with clause (A) above, then the procedures set forth in this clause (B) will apply. Either the Required Lenders or the Borrower may propose to the other a Proposed Successor. The first Proposed Successor (i) that is not objected to by the Borrower (in the case of Proposed Successors that are proposed by the Required Lenders), and (ii) that is approved by the Required Lenders (in the case of Proposed Successors that are proposed by the Borrower) will be the successor Collateral Manager.

(C) If no successor Collateral Manager has been appointed pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above, or evidence of acceptance of appointment has not been delivered to the resigning or removed Collateral Manager and the Facility Agent, within 90 days after the Proposed Termination Date, then (i) the Collateral Manager (with the consent of the Required Lenders and Borrower) will be entitled to appoint a successor within the subsequent 30 days thereafter, subject to the requirement that such successor satisfy the provisions of Section 12(e) and (ii) each of the Collateral Manager, the Borrower, and the Required Lenders shall have the right to petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Collateral Manager, which appointment will not require the consent of, nor be subject to the disapproval of the Required Lenders or the Borrower, as applicable.

Borrower ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Cause ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13 .

Client ” means with respect to any specified Person, any Person or account for which the specified Person provides investment management services or provides investment advice.

Collateral Manager ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Collateral Manager Affiliate ” means any of (1) any director or officer of the Collateral Manager (or any Person performing a similar function), (2) any Person directly or indirectly controlling, under common control with or controlled by the Collateral Manager and (3) all current employees or personnel of the Collateral Manager (other than employees or personnel performing only clerical, administrative, support or similar functions). For the purposes of this

 

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definition “control” means the power, directly or indirectly, to direct the management or policies of a Person, whether through ownership of securities, by contract or otherwise and (1) a Person’s directors or officers are presumed to control such Person, (2) a Person is presumed to control a corporation if such Person (a) directly or indirectly has the right to vote 25% or more of a class of the corporation’s voting securities or (b) has the power to sell or direct the sale of 25% or more of a class of the corporation’s voting securities, (3) a Person is presumed to control a partnership if such Person has the right to receive on dissolution, or has contributed, 25% or more of the capital of such partnership, (4) a Person is presumed to control a limited liability company if the Person (a) directly or indirectly has the right to vote 25% or more of a class of interest in such limited liability company, (b) has the right to receive on dissolution, or has contributed, 25% or more of the capital of such limited liability company or (c) is an appointed or elected manager of such limited liability company (other than an independent manager), and (5) a Person is presumed to control a trust if it is a trustee or managing agent of such trust.

Collateral Manager Breach ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10(a) .

Collateral Manager Party ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10(a) .

Collateral Manager Related Person ” means with respect to the Collateral Manager, without duplication, each Affiliate, each Collateral Manager Affiliate, their respective Clients and their respective partners, managers, members, shareholders, directors, officers, employees and personnel.

Credit Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Facility Agent ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Indemnified Party ” shall have the applicable meaning set forth in Section 10(b) .

Indemnifying Party ” shall have the applicable meaning set forth in Section 10(b) .

Losses ” shall mean, collectively, all expenses, losses, damages, liabilities, demands, charges or claims of any kind or nature whatsoever (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and accountants’ fees and costs and expenses relating to investigating or defending any demands, charges and claims).

Managed Assets ” shall mean, collectively, the Collateral Obligations, the Equity Securities, the Eligible Investments and any other assets from time to time owned by the Borrower.

Obligor ” means in respect of any Collateral Obligation, the Person primarily obligated to pay Collections in respect of such Collateral Obligation.

Officer’s Certificate ” means a certificate delivered to the Collateral Agent or other Person entitled to receive the same under this Agreement or any other Facility Document signed by a Responsible Officer of the Collateral Manager, or by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, as required by this Agreement or any other Facility Document.

 

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Organizational Documents ” means the articles or certificate of incorporation and bylaws (or the comparable documents for the applicable jurisdiction), in the case of a corporation, the partnership agreement, in the case of a partnership, or the certificate of formation and limited liability company agreement, in the case of a limited liability company.

Personnel ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(e) .

Proposed Successor ” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of Appointment Procedures.

Proposed Termination Date ” shall mean the date that the Collateral Manager’s termination or resignation would be effective if not for a failure to satisfy any requirement set forth in Section 12 .

Standard of Care ” shall mean, with respect to any Collateral Obligations and all other assets included in the Collateral, to service and administer such Collateral Obligations and other assets in the Collateral in accordance with the Related Documents (as applicable) and all customary and usual servicing practices (A) which are consistent with the higher of: (x) the customary and usual servicing practices that a prudent loan investor or lender would use in servicing loans like the Collateral Obligations and other assets in the Collateral for its own account, and (y) the same care, skill, prudence and diligence with which the Collateral Manager services and administers loans and other assets for its own account or for the account of others; and (B) except as may be required by applicable law, without regard to: (1) any relationship that the Collateral Manager or any Affiliate of the Collateral Manager may have with any Obligor or any Affiliate of any Obligor, (2) the Collateral Manager’s obligations to incur servicing and administrative expenses with respect to a Collateral Obligation or other assets in the Collateral, (3) the Collateral Manager’s right to receive compensation for its services hereunder or with respect to any particular transaction, (4) the ownership by the Collateral Manager or any Affiliate of any Collateral Obligations or Equity Securities, (5) the ownership, servicing or management for others by the Collateral Manager of any other Collateral Obligations, Equity Securities or property by the Collateral Manager or (6) any relationship that the Collateral Manager or any Affiliate of the Collateral Manager may have with any holder of mezzanine loans of the Obligor with respect to such Collateral Obligations or Equity Securities.

WhiteHorse Finance ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

(b) Rules of Construction

The rules of construction set forth in Section 1.02 of the Credit Agreement are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

  Section 2. Appointment; General Duties and Authority of the Collateral Manager

(a) WhiteHorse Finance is hereby appointed as Collateral Manager of the Borrower for the purpose of performing certain duties as specified herein, including directing and supervising the investment and reinvestment of Managed Assets and performing certain administrative functions on behalf of the Borrower in accordance with the applicable provisions

 

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of the Credit Agreement, this Agreement and the other Facility Documents applicable to it, including, without limitation, Section 7 and Section 9 hereof, and WhiteHorse Finance hereby accepts such appointment. The Collateral Manager shall have the power to execute and deliver all necessary and appropriate documents and instruments on behalf of the Borrower in connection with performing its obligations set forth herein.

(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 5 , Section 7 , Section 9 and Section 10 , the Collateral Manager agrees, and is hereby authorized, to provide the following services to or on behalf of the Borrower:

(i) selection of the Managed Assets to be acquired by the Borrower in accordance with the Master Transfer Agreement, this Agreement and the Credit Agreement;

(ii) investment and reinvestment of the Collateral in accordance with this Agreement and the Credit Agreement;

(iii) designation of any Principal Proceeds for reinvestment or for deposit into the Revolving Reserve Account and designation of any Excess Concentration Principal Proceeds for deposit into the Excess Concentration Loan Account, in each case accordance with the Credit Agreement;

(iv) disposition or tender of any Managed Asset and delivery of any instruction or certificate to the Collateral Agent, the Custodian or the Facility Agent, as applicable, with respect thereto, in accordance with the Credit Agreement;

(v)(A) performance of investment-related duties and functions (including, without limitation, the furnishing of direction letters and certificates) as required hereunder and under the Credit Agreement with regard to purchases, sales, substitutions or other dispositions of Managed Assets and deposits in certain accounts; and (B) execution and delivery of all necessary and appropriate documents and instruments on behalf of the Borrower with respect thereto;

(vi) monitoring and keeping appropriate records of the assets that constitute the Collateral on an ongoing basis and provision to or on behalf of the Borrower of all reports, schedules, certificates and other data that the Borrower is required to prepare and deliver under the Credit Agreement (other than any thereof that are required to be prepared or provided by the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement), in such forms, and containing such information, required thereby, in sufficient time for such required reports, schedules, certificates and data to be reviewed and delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower to the parties entitled thereto under the Credit Agreement;

(vii) advising and, as applicable, directing the Collateral Agent, the Custodian or the Facility Agent, as applicable, in connection with all actions to be taken by the Collateral Agent, the Custodian or the Facility Agent, as applicable, at the direction of the Borrower or of the Collateral Manager, in each case subject to the applicable terms thereof and the terms hereof;

 

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(viii) negotiating on behalf of the Borrower with prospective sellers or purchasers of Collateral Obligations as to the terms relating to the purchase, sale and disposition of such Collateral Obligations;

(ix) consulting on behalf of the Borrower with the Rating Agency at such times as may be reasonably requested by the Rating Agency and providing the Rating Agency with any information reasonably requested in connection with the Rating Agency’s monitoring of the Collateral and the Rating Agency’s maintenance of its ratings of the Notes, and providing to the Facility Agent copies of all information provided by the Collateral Manager to the Rating Agency in connection with any Credit Estimate;

(x) determining whether any Collateral Obligation is a Credit Risk Loan, Defaulted Loan, Excess Concentration Loan or Equity Security (and, if necessary, determining whether any Equity Security is Margin Stock);

(xi) determining the timing and amount of Borrowings to be made under the Notes (and effectuating such Borrowings);

(xii) directing the Facility Agent, the Collateral Agent or the Custodian, as applicable, to take, or taking on behalf of the Borrower, as applicable, any appropriate actions, as agent and attorney-in-fact of the Borrower, with respect to any Managed Asset, including, without limitation and in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement:

 

  (A) purchasing and retaining such Managed Asset (or the retention of any such Equity Security or other asset that is not Margin Stock) and the selection of the dates for purchase;

 

  (B) selling or otherwise disposing of such Managed Asset, and selecting the dates for such sale or disposition as required or permitted under the Credit Agreement;

 

  (C) if applicable, tendering such Managed Asset pursuant to an Offer;

 

  (D) if applicable, consenting to or refusing to consent to any proposed amendment, modification or waiver pursuant to an Offer or otherwise;

 

  (E) retaining or disposing of any Managed Asset received pursuant to an Offer;

 

  (F) waiving a default with respect to any Defaulted Loan;

 

  (G) voting to accelerate the maturity of any Defaulted Loan;

 

  (H) participating in a committee or group formed by creditors of an issuer or an Obligor under a Managed Asset;

 

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  (I) after or in connection with a Payment in Full or in connection with any payment, prepayment or refinancing of the Notes, advising the Borrower as to when, in the view of the Collateral Manager, it would be in the best interest of the Borrower to liquidate all or any portion of the Borrower’s assets and rendering such assistance as may be necessary or required by the Borrower in connection with such liquidation or any actions necessary to effectuate a Payment in Full, payment, prepayment or refinancing of the Notes;

 

  (J) advising and assisting the Borrower with respect to the valuation of any Managed Asset, to the extent required or permitted by the Credit Agreement or by Applicable Law;

 

  (K) monitoring and, as required by the Credit Agreement, reporting on the performance of each entity in which the Borrower shall have invested and, where appropriate, providing advice at the policy level to the management of any entity in which the Borrower shall have invested, including in relation to the designation of members of the board of directors or similar governing body of any such entity, if applicable;

 

  (L) providing strategic and financial planning advice to the Borrower, including advice on utilization of assets;

 

  (M) obtaining tax, accounting and other professional services required by the Borrower; and

 

  (N) exercising any other rights or remedies with respect to any Managed Asset as provided in the Organizational Documents of the Borrower or of the issuer of or Obligor under such Managed Asset or as provided in the Related Documents governing the terms of such Managed Asset, or the taking of any other action not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement and the Credit Agreement that the Collateral Manager reasonably determines to be in the best interests of the Borrower;

provided that, notwithstanding any provisions of this Agreement, in no event shall the Collateral Manager direct the Collateral Agent, the Custodian or the Facility Agent, as applicable, to effect, or effect on behalf of the Borrower, any purchase, sale or substitution of a Managed Asset that is not in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Credit Agreement;

(xiii) in the event that a request to draw on any Revolving Collateral Loan or Delayed Drawdown Collateral Loan is received (A) first directing the use of amounts on deposit in the Revolving Reserve Account to fund such draw and (B) if sufficient funds are not then available in the Revolving Reserve Account to cover such draw, directing the withdrawal of funds in the Principal Collection Subaccount representing Principal Proceeds in an amount so that such draw may be fully funded and (C) if the sum of the amounts then available under clause (A) and clause (B) is not sufficient to fully fund such draw, make a Borrowing by preparing a Notice of Borrowing for the remaining amounts needed to fund such draw, all in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement;

 

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(xiv) compiling and preparing certain reports on behalf of the Borrower and performing such other functions and complying with such other reporting duties and responsibilities as are provided hereunder and in the Credit Agreement, including without limitation, preparing the Collateral Obligation Checklist and any other reports required to be prepared by the Collateral Manager, as set forth in the Credit Agreement;

(xv) monitoring compliance by the Borrower with the Eligibility Criteria as they relate to the acquisition of Collateral Obligations; and

(xvi) performing (and acting as agent of the Borrower in order to perform on behalf of the Borrower) all obligations of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement relating to investment management, servicing, administration and, reporting in connection with the Managed Assets.

(c) The Collateral Manager shall, and is hereby authorized to, perform its obligations hereunder and under the Credit Agreement in a manner that is consistent with the terms of the Credit Agreement (including Section 5.02(h) thereof).

(d) The Collateral Manager shall not be bound to comply with any amendment, waiver or modification to the Credit Agreement that could reasonably be expected to be material and adverse to the Collateral Manager unless the Collateral Manager has consented thereto in writing.

(e) The Borrower acknowledges, and the Collateral Manager agrees, that the directors, officers, principals, employees, personnel, professional staff and agents of the Collateral Manager or of its Investment Adviser Affiliates will devote such time and effort in conducting activities on behalf of the Borrower as the Collateral Manager reasonably deems appropriate to perform its duties in accordance with this Agreement and in accordance with reasonable commercial standards.

(f) In providing services hereunder, the Collateral Manager may employ third parties, including its Affiliates, to render advice (including investment advice) and assistance; provided that the Collateral Manager shall not be relieved of any of its duties hereunder regardless of the performance of any services by third parties including Affiliates, except that the Collateral Manager may, with respect to the affairs of the Borrower, consult with nationally recognized counsel and accountants in their capacity as such selected by the Collateral Manager in accordance with its Standard of Care and shall be fully protected, in acting or failing to act hereunder if such action or inaction is taken or not taken, in each case in good faith by the Collateral Manager in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel or accountants and subject to the Standard of Care.

(g) Subject to any directions of the Borrower to the Collateral Manager in writing and subject to the Credit Agreement and the provisions hereof, the Borrower hereby makes, constitutes and appoints the Collateral Manager, with full power of substitution (any person in favor of which such power of substitution shall be exercised being referred to as a

 

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“subattorney”), as its true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in its name, place and stead (i) to sign, execute, certify, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file, receive and record any and all documents, and to make any payment, which the Collateral Manager reasonably deems necessary or appropriate in connection with its duties under this Agreement and (ii) to (A) vote in its discretion any Managed Assets included in the Collateral, (B) execute proxies, waivers, consents, amendments and other documents, instruments and certificates with respect to such Managed Assets, (C) endorse, transfer or deliver such Managed Assets and execute and deliver all transfer documentation with respect hereto, and (D) participate in or consent (or decline to consent) to any modification, work-out, restructuring, bankruptcy proceeding, class action, plan or reorganization, merger, combination, consolidation, liquidation or similar plan or transaction with regard to such Managed Assets. This grant of power-of-attorney is coupled with an interest and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, irrevocable, and it shall survive and not be affected by the subsequent dissolution or bankruptcy of the Borrower; provided that this grant of power of attorney shall expire, and the Collateral Manager and any subattorney shall cease to have any power to act as the Borrower’s agent or attorney-in-fact, upon termination of this Agreement or upon the removal or resignation of the Collateral Manager becoming effective in accordance with Section 12 or 13(a) , as applicable. The Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Collateral Manager all such other powers of attorney, proxies, and other orders, and all such instruments, as the Collateral Manager may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling the Collateral Manager to exercise the rights and power which it is entitled to exercise pursuant to this Agreement. Each of the Collateral Manager and the Borrower shall take such other actions, and furnish such certificates, opinions and other documents, as may be reasonably requested by the other party hereto in order to effectuate the purposes of this Agreement and to facilitate compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the terms of this Agreement.

 

  Section 3. Purchase and Sale Transactions

(a) In executing transactions with respect to the Collateral (other than Collateral Obligations originated by WhiteHorse Finance which are subject to Section 3(b) below), the Collateral Manager will seek to achieve best execution but has no obligation to obtain the lowest prices available. The Collateral Manager may choose to execute transactions utilizing electronic trading platforms and may incur incidental fees as a result, if in the Collateral Manager’s reasonable business judgment, electronic execution will improve execution quality. In pursuit of best execution, the Collateral Manager may take into consideration all factors the Collateral Manager reasonably determines to be relevant, including the provision by the broker of services of value to the Collateral Manager in managing accounts for itself, its Affiliates and others. Such services may be used in connection with the other proprietary or advisory activities or investment operations of the Collateral Manager and/or its Affiliates. The Collateral Manager may aggregate sales and purchase orders placed with respect to the Collateral with similar orders being made simultaneously for itself, its Affiliates or other Clients taking into consideration the availability of purchasers or sellers, the selling or purchase price, brokerage commissions or mark-ups or mark-downs and other expenses. If any such aggregated order is not filled at the same price, such order may be allocated on an average price or other appropriate basis. However, no provision in this Agreement shall require the Collateral Manager or any of its Affiliates to execute orders as part of concurrent authorizations or to aggregate sales. In the event that a sale or purchase of a Collateral Obligation occurs as part of any aggregate sale or

 

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purchase order (other than Collateral Obligations originated by WhiteHorse Finance which are subject to Section 3(b) below), the objective of the Collateral Manager shall be to allocate the executions among itself, its Affiliates and the relevant Clients in a manner reasonably believed by the Collateral Manager to be equitable over time for the Clients involved (taking into account, among other factors, the constraints imposed by the Credit Agreement on the Borrower). The Collateral Manager and its Affiliates may also at certain times simultaneously seek to purchase or dispose of Collateral for the Borrower, themselves and/or their other Clients. Subject to applicable law and the requirements of any governing documents applicable thereto, investment opportunities sourced by the Collateral Manager (other than to Collateral Obligations originated by WhiteHorse Finance which are subject to Section 3(b) below) will generally be allocated to the Borrower in a manner that the Collateral Manager believes, in its reasonable business judgment, to be appropriate given factors that it believes to be relevant. The Borrower acknowledges that the determinations pursuant to this Section 3 made by the Collateral Manager are subjective and represents the Collateral Manager’s evaluation at the time.

(b) With respect to Collateral Obligations originated by WhiteHorse Finance, such Collateral Obligations may be offered to the Borrower and acquired by the Borrower in accordance with the Master Transfer Agreement and the Credit Agreement. The Borrower agrees that WhiteHorse Finance is not obligated to offer any such Collateral Obligation to the Borrower.

(c) Subject to Sections 3(a) and 3(b) hereof and the Credit Agreement, as applicable, and subject to applicable law, including, without limitation the Advisers Act, the Collateral Manager is hereby authorized to effect Client cross-transactions where the Collateral Manager causes a transaction to be effected between the Borrower and another Client advised by it or by any of its Collateral Manager Affiliates, including, without limitation, other entities investing in, entering into or warehousing assets similar to the Collateral Obligations. The Collateral Manager may engage in a Client cross-transaction involving the Borrower any time that the Collateral Manager believes such transaction to be fair to the Borrower and its other Client. The Borrower hereby consents to any such Client cross transactions between the Borrower and another Client of the Collateral Manager or one of its Collateral Manager Affiliates.

(d) The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the Collateral Manager and Collateral Manager Related Persons may invest for their own accounts or for the accounts of others in securities, obligations, and other assets that would be appropriate investments for the Borrower. Such investments may be the same as or different from those made on behalf of the Borrower. The Borrower acknowledges that the Collateral Manager and Collateral Manager Related Persons, subject to any obligations they may respectively have as Retention Provider under the Retention of Net Economic Interest Letter, may enter into, for their own accounts or for the accounts of others, credit default swaps relating to Obligors or issuers with respect to the Collateral. The Borrower understands that the Collateral Manager and Collateral Manager Related Persons may have economic interests in (including, without limitation, controlling equity interests or other equity or debt interests), be lenders to, receive payments from, render services to, engage in transactions with or have other relationships with Obligors or issuers with respect to the Collateral. In particular, the Collateral Manager and Collateral Manager Related Persons may make or hold investments in an Obligor’s or issuer’s securities or obligations that may be

 

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pari passu , senior or junior in ranking to an investment in such Obligor’s or issuer’s securities or obligations held by the Borrower or otherwise have interests different from or adverse to those of the Borrower. The Borrower agrees that, in the course of managing the Collateral held by the Borrower, the Collateral Manager subject to the Standard of Care, may consider its relationships with other Clients (including Obligors or issuers) and Collateral Manager Related Persons. The Collateral Manager may decline to make a particular investment for the Borrower in view of such relationships. In addition, individuals who are partners, managers, members, shareholders, directors, officers, employees, personnel or agents of the Collateral Manager or of one or more Collateral Manager Related Persons may serve on boards of directors of, or otherwise have ongoing relationships with, such Obligors or issuers. As a result, such individuals may possess information relating to Obligors or issuers of Collateral that is (a) not known to or (b) known but restricted as to its use by the individuals at the Collateral Manager responsible for monitoring the Collateral and performing the other obligations of the Collateral Manager under this Agreement. Each of such ownership and other relationships may result in securities laws restrictions on transactions in such securities by the Borrower and otherwise create conflicts of interest for the Borrower. The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that, in all such instances, the Collateral Manager and Collateral Manager Related Persons may in their discretion make investment recommendations and decisions that may be the same as or different from those made with respect to the Borrower’s investments and they have no duty, in making or managing such investments, to act in a way that is favorable to the Borrower.

(e) The Borrower agrees that neither the Collateral Manager nor any Collateral Manager Related Person is under any obligation to offer investment opportunities of which it becomes aware to the Borrower or to account to the Borrower for (or share with the Borrower or inform the Borrower of) any such transaction or any benefit received by it from any such transaction or to inform the Borrower before purchasing any Collateral for its own account or offering any opportunities to purchase Collateral to any of its Affiliates or to other funds or Clients that the Collateral Manager or any of its Affiliates may manage or advise or to third parties. The Borrower understands that the Collateral Manager and Collateral Manager Related Persons may have, for their own accounts or for the accounts of others, portfolios with substantially the same portfolio criteria as are applicable to the Borrower. Furthermore, the Collateral Manager and each Collateral Manager Related Person may make an investment on behalf of any Client or on their own behalf without offering the investment opportunity or making any investment on behalf of the Borrower and, accordingly, investment opportunities may not be allocated among all such Clients. The Borrower acknowledges that affirmative obligations may arise in the future, whereby the Collateral Manager or Collateral Manager Related Persons are obligated to offer certain investments to Clients before or without the Collateral Manager’s offering those investments to the Borrower. The Borrower agrees that the Collateral Manager may make investments on behalf of the Borrower in securities or obligations that it has declined to invest in or enter into for its own account, the account of any of the Collateral Manager Related Persons or the account of any other Client.

(f) Subject to Sections 3(a) and 3(b) hereof and the Credit Agreement, as applicable, the Collateral Manager may effect transactions with the Borrower or its Affiliates in accordance with applicable law (i) on an agency basis or (ii) on a principal basis where the Collateral Manager or any of its Collateral Manager Affiliates sells assets to or purchases assets from the Borrower. For the avoidance of doubt, WhiteHorse Finance and the Borrower acknowledge and agree that since and so long as the Borrower is a wholly owned subsidiary of WhiteHorse Finance, it is intended that the Borrower is not treated as a client of WhiteHorse Finance within the meaning of the Advisers Act.

 

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  Section 4. Services to Other Borrowers; Certain Affiliated Activities

(a) The relationship between the Collateral Manager and the Borrower as described in this Agreement permits the Collateral Manager and its Affiliates to act in multiple capacities (i.e., act as principal or agent in addition to acting on behalf of the Borrower), and, subject only to the Collateral Manager’s execution obligations set forth in Section 3 hereof and the Credit Agreement, to effect transactions with or for the Borrower’s account in instances in which the Collateral Manager and its Affiliates may have multiple interests. In this regard the Borrower acknowledges that the Collateral Manager and the Collateral Manager Related Persons may have multiple proprietary, advisory, transactional and financial and other interests in other issuers of collateralized loan obligations that invest in assets of a similar nature to those of the Borrower, and in obligations, securities, instruments and companies that may be purchased, sold or held for the Borrower’s account. The Collateral Manager and/or its Affiliates may originate and invest in Managed Assets on behalf of themselves and their Affiliates and act and may act as adviser to Clients in investment banking, financial advisory, asset management and other capacities related to instruments that may be purchased, sold or held on the Borrower’s behalf, and the Collateral Manager and/or its Affiliates may originate obligations or securities that the Borrower may purchase, sell or hold subject to the provisions of this Agreement and of the Credit Agreement and, with respect to the Collateral Obligations purchased by the Borrower from WhiteHorse Finance, the Master Transfer Agreement. The Collateral Manager and/or its Affiliates may syndicate Collateral Obligations and/or act as agent for the lenders with respect to a Collateral Obligation acquired by the Borrower. The Collateral Manager and/or its Affiliates serve and/or will serve as collateral manager, collateral servicer, investment advisor or sub-advisor for other loan financing vehicles, collateral loan obligation vehicles, structured finance vehicles, loan funds, loan separate account and the like. At times, these activities and activities of the Collateral Manager and/or its Affiliates for their own respective accounts may cause the Collateral Manager or its Affiliates to take actions adverse to the interests of the Borrower. Subject to applicable law, the Collateral Manager and/or Collateral Manager Related Persons will at certain times (a) be seeking to purchase or sell securities or obligations for the Borrower while simultaneously seeking to take the same or opposite action for themselves, or their other Clients and/or (b) take short positions or enter into short credit default swaps with respect to certain Collateral or Obligors included in the Collateral. The Borrower understands that such actions may have an adverse impact on the market which the Collateral Manager seeks to access on behalf of the Borrower. The Collateral Manager and/or Collateral Manager Related Persons may give advice, and take action, with respect to any of their Clients or their respective proprietary accounts that may differ from the advice given, or may involve a different timing or nature of action taken, than with respect to any one or all of the Collateral Manager’s advisory accounts (including the Borrower), and effect transactions for such Clients or their respective proprietary accounts at prices or rates that may be more or less favorable than the prices or rates applying to transactions effected for the Borrower.

 

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(b) The Borrower acknowledges that the ability of the Collateral Manager and its Affiliates to effect or recommend transactions may be restricted by applicable regulatory requirements in the United States or elsewhere or by their internal policies designed to comply with such requirements. As a result, there may be periods when the Collateral Manager will not initiate or recommend certain types of transactions in certain obligations or securities on behalf of the Borrower.

(c) Nothing herein shall prevent the Collateral Manager and/or Collateral Manager Related Persons from (1) acting as principal, agent or fiduciary for other Clients in connection with obligations or securities simultaneously held by the Borrower or of the type eligible for acquisition by the Borrower or limiting any relationships the Collateral Manager and/or Collateral Manager Related Persons may have with any Obligor or issuer of any Collateral or (2) engaging, to the extent permitted by law and not prohibited by the Credit Agreement, in its or their customary business, other businesses or from rendering services of any kind to the Borrower and its Affiliates, the Collateral Agent, the Custodian, the Facility Agent, the Lenders or any other Person. There is no limitation or restriction on the ability of the Collateral Manager or any of its Affiliates now or in the future to act as collateral manager, collateral servicer, investment advisor or sub-advisor (or in a similar role) to other Persons.

Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Collateral Manager or any Collateral Manager Related Person may, among other things:

(i) serve as shareholders, directors (whether supervisory or managing), managers, officers, employees, personnel, agents, nominees or signatories for the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof, or for any Obligor or issuer or Affiliate of any Obligor or issuer of any of the Collateral;

(ii) receive fees for services of whatever nature rendered to the Obligor or issuer of any of the Collateral; provided , that with respect to such services, the Collateral Manager is not acting as an agent for the Borrower;

(iii) be retained to provide services unrelated to this Agreement to the Borrower or its Affiliates or to any other Person and be paid therefor;

(iv) be a secured or unsecured creditor of, or hold an equity interest in (A) the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof or (B) any Obligor or issuer of any Collateral;

(v) subject to Sections 3 and 5 hereof and the Credit Agreement and, with respect to Collateral Obligations purchased by the Borrower from WhiteHorse Finance, the Master Transfer Agreement, sell any Collateral to, or purchase any Collateral from, the Borrower while acting in the capacity of principal or agent;

(vi) originate, underwrite, act as an agent with respect to, act as a distributor of or make a market in any Collateral;

(vii) serve as a member of any “creditors’ board” or “creditors’ committee” with respect to any Obligor or issuer with respect to any Collateral; and

 

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(viii) act as collateral manager, collateral servicer, investment advisor and/or sub-advisor in other corporate loan financing vehicles, collateralized loan obligation vehicles, structured finance vehicles, funds or separate accounts.

(d) The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that:

(i) the Collateral Manager and/or its Affiliates have proprietary interests in, and may manage or advise, accounts or investment funds that have investment objectives similar or dissimilar to those of the Borrower and/or that engage in transactions in the same types of securities, obligations and investments as the Borrower, and as a result may compete with the Borrower for appropriate investment opportunities;

(ii) issuers or Obligors of securities or obligations held by the Borrower may have publicly or privately traded securities or obligations, including securities or obligations that are senior to, or have interests different from or adverse to, the securities that are pledged to secure the Notes, in which the Collateral Manager and/or its Affiliates may be an investor or may make a market;

(iii) the trading activities of the Collateral Manager and/or its Affiliates generally are carried out without reference to positions held by the Borrower and may have an effect on the value of the positions so held, or may result in the Collateral Manager and/or its Affiliates having an interest in the applicable Obligor or issuer adverse to that of the Borrower;

(iv) the Collateral Manager, subject to any of its obligations under the Retention of Net Economic Interest Letter, and/or its Affiliates may create, write or issue derivative instruments with respect to which the underlying obligations or securities may be those in which the Borrower invests;

(v) the Collateral Manager, any Collateral Manager Related Person or any member of their families or a Person advised by the Collateral Manager and/or its Affiliates may have an interest in a particular transaction or in investments of the same kind or class, or investments of a different kind or class of the same issuer or Obligor, as those whose acquisition or sale the Collateral Manager may direct hereunder; and

(vi) the Collateral Manager and/or its Affiliates may obtain and keep any profits, commissions and fees accruing to them in connection with their activities as agent or principal in transactions for the Borrower’s account and other activities for themselves and other Clients and their own accounts, and the Collateral Manager’s fees as set forth in this Agreement shall not be abated thereby.

(e) In connection with their activities with the Collateral Manager, the Borrower understands that the directors, officers, employees and personnel of the Collateral Manager or of any of its Investment Adviser Affiliates (the “ Personnel ”) may receive information regarding the Collateral Manager’s proposed activities or activities or proposed activities of any Obligor or any issuer of securities that is not generally available to the public. However, there will be no obligation on the part of such Personnel to make available for use by the Borrower or by any advisory accounts any information or strategies known to them or

 

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developed in connection with their advisory, proprietary or other activities. In addition, the Collateral Manager will be under no obligation to make available any research or analysis prior to its public dissemination. Furthermore, the Collateral Manager shall have no obligation to recommend for purchase or sale by the Borrower any obligation or security that the Collateral Manager or its Personnel may purchase for themselves or for any other Clients. The Borrower understands that the policies of the Collateral Manager are such that certain Personnel may have or obtain information that, by virtue of the Collateral Manager’s internal policies relating to confidential communications, cannot or may not be used by the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Borrower. In addition, the Collateral Manager and Collateral Manager Related Persons, in connection with their other business activities, may acquire material non-public confidential information that may restrict the Collateral Manager from purchasing obligations or securities or selling obligations or securities for itself, for its Affiliates (including the Borrower) or for its Clients or otherwise using such information for the benefit of itself, its Affiliates or its Clients. The Collateral Manager shall have no obligation to seek to obtain any material non-public information about any Obligor or any issuer, and, if so required by Applicable Law, will not effect transactions for the Borrower on the basis of any material non-public information as may come into its possession.

(f) The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that, although the officers, employees and personnel of the Collateral Manager or of its Investment Adviser Affiliates will devote as much time to the Borrower as the Collateral Manager deems necessary and appropriate, such officers, employees and personnel may have conflicts in allocating their time and services among the Borrower and the Collateral Manager’s and its Affiliates’ other Clients and proprietary accounts.

 

  Section 5. Conflicts of Interest

In certain circumstances, the interests of the Borrower and/or the Lenders with respect to matters as to which the Collateral Manager is advising the Borrower may conflict with the interests of the Collateral Manager. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that various potential and actual conflicts of interest may exist with respect to the Collateral Manager as described in this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Section 5 shall be construed as altering duties of the Collateral Manager as set forth herein, in the Credit Agreement or under applicable law.

 

  Section 6. Records; Confidentiality

(a) The Collateral Manager shall maintain appropriate books of account and records relating to services performed hereunder, and such books of account and records shall be accessible for inspection and copying by representatives of the Borrower, the Collateral Agent and of the Facility Agent, or their designees, upon reasonable advance notice and during normal business hours, provided that the Collateral Manager shall not be required to disclose any information which it is required by law or contract to keep confidential unless a confidentiality agreement is otherwise entered into and, provided further , that, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Credit Agreement, rights under this Section 6(a) may be exercised by any and all of the Persons entitled to do so in the aggregate no more frequently than twice in any consecutive 12 month period and only one such visit per annum shall be at the Borrower’s or the Collateral Manager’s expense. The Collateral Manager shall keep confidential

 

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any and all such information obtained in connection with the services rendered hereunder and shall not disclose any such information to third parties that are not Affiliates of the Collateral Manager or the Borrower except (i) with the prior written consent of the Borrower, (ii) such information as the Rating Agency shall request in connection with the rating of the Notes or any Credit Estimate, (iii) as required by law, regulation, court order, request by a governmental regulatory agency with jurisdiction over the Collateral Manager or the rules or regulations of any self-regulating organization, body or official having jurisdiction over the Collateral Manager or as required by the rules and regulations of any stock exchange on which the Notes may be listed, (iv) to its shareholders and its professional advisors, (v) as expressly permitted in the Credit Agreement or in any other Facility Document, (vi) to the extent necessary in connection with the duties or rights of the Collateral Manager hereunder, under the Credit Agreement or under any other Facility Document, (vii) subject to the second succeeding sentence, in connection with other transactions managed or to be managed by the Collateral Manager or its Affiliates or an assessment by others of the Collateral Manager or its Affiliates performance or investment management business or (viii) such information as shall have been publicly disclosed other than in violation of this Agreement. For purposes of this Section 6 , the Lenders, prospective Lenders, the Facility Agent, the Collateral Agent or any other party, prospective or otherwise, to an agreement contemplated by the Credit Agreement, shall in no event be considered “third parties that are not Affiliates of the Collateral Manager or the Borrower.” Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Collateral Manager and its Affiliates shall have the right to disclose the Collateral Manager’s performance with respect to the Collateral owned by the Borrower from time to time in connection with the marketing of other portfolios, funds and accounts managed or to be managed by the Collateral Manager or any of its Affiliates.

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Collateral Manager (and each of the employees, personnel, representatives, or other agents of the Collateral Manager) may disclose to any and all other persons, without limitations of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the transactions described here (including the ownership and disposition of the Notes) and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to the Collateral Manager relating to such tax treatment and tax structure. However any such information relating to the tax treatment or tax structure is required to be kept confidential to the extent reasonably necessary to comply with applicable federal or state securities law. For purposes of this paragraph, the terms “tax treatment” and “tax structure” have the meaning given to such terms under United States Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(c) and applicable state and local law.

 

  Section 7. Actions of the Collateral Manager

The Collateral Manager shall not take any action that, in its judgment, subject to the Standard of Care, would (i) materially adversely affect the status of the Borrower for purposes of United States federal or state law or other law that, in its judgment, subject to the Standard of Care, is applicable to the Borrower, (ii) if taken on behalf of the Borrower, not be permitted by the Borrower’s Organizational Documents, copies of which the Collateral Manager acknowledges it has received, (iii) violate any law, rule or regulation of any governmental body or agency having jurisdiction over the Borrower, including, without limitation, actions that would violate United States federal, state or other applicable securities law, the violation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iv) require registration

 

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of the Borrower or the pool of Collateral as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act, or (v) cause the Borrower to violate any provision of the Credit Agreement or any other Facility Document to which the Borrower is a party, in each case in any material respect (provided that, in and of itself, failure of the Borrower to satisfy any Coverage Tests, Collateral Quality Tests, Advance Rate Test, Concentration Limitations or Eligibility Criteria shall not be considered such a violation). If the Collateral Manager is ordered to take any such action on behalf of the Borrower, the Collateral Manager shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Facility Agent of the Collateral Manager’s judgment that such action would, in its reasonable business judgment, have one or more of the consequences set forth above and need not take such action, unless the Borrower again requests the Collateral Manager to do so and the Facility Agent has consented thereto in writing. Notwithstanding any such request, the Collateral Manager need not take such action unless (1) arrangements reasonably satisfactory to it are made to insure or indemnify the Collateral Manager, its partners, members, managers, stockholders, directors, officers, employees, personnel, professional advisors and agents from any liability and expense it may incur as a result of such action and (2) if the Collateral Manager so requests in respect of a question of law, the Borrower delivers to the Collateral Manager an opinion of counsel (from outside counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Manager) that the action so requested does not violate any law, rule or regulation of any governmental body or agency having jurisdiction over the Borrower or over the Collateral Manager. Neither the Collateral Manager nor its partners, members, managers, stockholders, directors, officers, employees, personnel, professional advisors or agents shall be liable to the Borrower or any other Person, except as provided in Section 10 . Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, any indemnification or insurance provided for in this Section 7 , Section 10 or Section 14 shall be payable out of the Collateral in accordance with the Priority of Payments set forth in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement and it is acknowledged that indemnification or insurance arrangements provided for in this Section 7 , Section 10 or Section 14 may not be reasonably satisfactory if the Person who would benefit therefrom does not expect sufficient funds may be available under Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement to satisfy all contingencies. The Collateral Manager covenants that it shall comply in all material respects with all laws and regulations applicable to it in connection with the performance of its duties under this Agreement and the Credit Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the Credit Agreement, the Collateral Manager shall not intentionally take any action that it knows or should be reasonably expected to know would cause a Default or an Event of Default under the Credit Agreement.

 

  Section 8. Compensation

(a) Subject to and in accordance with the Priority of Payments and other applicable terms of the Credit Agreement, the Borrower shall pay to the Collateral Manager, for services rendered under this Agreement, the Senior Collateral Management Fee, the Subordinated Collateral Management Fee, the Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee and Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee Interest pursuant to the Priority of Payments and payable in arrears on each Payment Date to the extent provided in the Credit Agreement provided that (i) the Senior Collateral Management Fee payable on any Payment Date shall not include any such fee (or any portion thereof) that has been waived by the Collateral Manager or for which the Collateral Manager has elected to treat as a Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee, and (ii) the Subordinated Collateral Management Fee, the Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee or the Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee Interest, as

 

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applicable, payable on any Payment Date shall not include any such fee or interest (or any portion thereof) that has been waived by the Collateral Manager. The Collateral Manager may, in its sole discretion (but shall not be obligated to), elect to waive all or any portion of the Senior Collateral Management Fee, the Subordinated Collateral Management Fee, the Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee or the Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee Interest, and may defer all or a portion of the Senior Collateral Management Fee payable to the Collateral Manager on any Payment Date. Any such election shall be made by the Collateral Manager delivering written notice thereof to the Collateral Agent and the Facility Agent no later than the Determination Date immediately prior to such Payment Date. Any election to waive or defer all or a portion of the Senior Collateral Management Fee, or to waive all of a portion of the Subordinated Collateral Management Fee, the Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee or the Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee Interest, as applicable, may also take the place of written standing instructions thereto; provided that such standing instructions may be rescinded by the Collateral Manager at any time except during the period between a Determination Date and the related Payment Date.

(b) Unless otherwise specified herein or in the Credit Agreement, the Collateral Manager shall be responsible for all of its ordinary expenses and costs incurred by it in the performance of its services under this Agreement; provided that the Borrower shall bear, or reimburse the Collateral Manager for, to the extent funds are available therefor in accordance with and subject to the limitations contained in the Credit Agreement, the following expenses and costs (which shall constitute “Administrative Expenses” under the Credit Agreement): (i) any fees, expenses or other amounts payable to the Rating Agency, any web service provider, and any accountants, counsel and other professional advisors engaged by the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Borrower; (ii) any extraordinary, out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Collateral Manager in the performance of its obligations and exercise of its rights under this Agreement, the Credit Agreement or any other Facility Document, (iii) any reasonable fees and expenses incurred by it to employ outside lawyers, consultants or outside professionals (but not including, for the avoidance of doubt, employee salaries) reasonably necessary with respect to its obligations and rights under this Agreement, excluding, however, any such fees and expenses incurred in connection with any dispute between the Collateral Manager and the Facility Agent or any Lender relating to this Agreement or the Credit Agreement, (iv) brokerage commissions paid on an arms-length basis, transfer fees, registration costs, taxes and other similar costs and transaction related expenses and fees arising out of transactions effected for the Borrower’s account; (v) reasonable, out-of-pocket expenses of communicating with the Facility Agent and/or the Lenders (including the portion of the expenses of visiting investors attributable to such investors’ investments in the Notes), and (vi) any reasonable, out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred by the Collateral Manager to employ asset pricing, asset valuation and asset rating services, and third party accounting, programming, software, data entry and other services that are retained by the Borrower or by the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Borrower in order to provide the services provided by the Collateral Manager pursuant to this Agreement.

(c) If this Agreement is terminated for any reason or the Collateral Manager resigns or is removed, then the removed Collateral Manager shall be entitled to receive any accrued and unpaid Senior Collateral Management Fee, Subordinated Collateral Management Fee, Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee and Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee Interest (excluding any waived Senior Collateral Management Fee, waived Subordinated

 

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Collateral Management Fee, waived Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee or any waived Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee Interest) which remains due and owing pro rata with the payment of accrued and unpaid Senior Collateral Management Fee, Subordinated Collateral Management Fee, Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee and Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee Interest to the replacement Collateral Manager, and reimbursement of reasonable expenses when payable in accordance with the Priority of Payments and prorated for any partial period elapsing from the last day of the prior Collection Period to (but excluding) the effective date of such termination, resignation or removal (which shall be such day as the successor collateral manager has accepted its appointment in writing). Such Senior Collateral Management Fee, Subordinated Collateral Management Fee, Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee and Deferred Senior Collateral Management Fee Interest due to a removed Collateral Manager shall be due and payable on each Payment Date, commencing on the first Payment Date following the date of such termination, resignation or removal, subject to the Priority of Payments.

 

  Section 9. Standard of Care; Benefit of the Agreement

The Collateral Manager shall perform its duties and obligations hereunder in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Credit Agreement applicable to it and in accordance with the Standard of Care. The Collateral Manager shall not have any obligation to perform any duties other than as specified herein and in the Credit Agreement.

 

  Section 10. Limits of Collateral Manager Responsibility

(a) In rendering the services called for hereunder and under the terms of the Credit Agreement applicable to the Collateral Manager, the Collateral Manager assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to perform its duties and obligations hereunder and under the terms of the Credit Agreement applicable to it and, except as set forth in the next sentence, shall not be responsible for any action or inaction of the Borrower, the Collateral Agent, the Custodian or the Facility Agent in following or declining to follow any direction or advice of the Collateral Manager. None of the Collateral Manager, its Affiliates and their respective partners, members, managers, stockholders, directors, officers, employees, personnel and agents (each a “ Collateral Manager Party ”) will be liable to the Borrower, the Facility Agent, the Custodian, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders or any other Person for any Losses incurred (including reasonable attorneys’ and accountants’ fees and expenses), or for any decrease in the value of the Collateral as a result of, the actions taken or recommended, or for any omissions (including, with respect to the Collateral Agent, the Custodian, the Facility Agent or any Lender, any failure to timely grant any consent requested by the Collateral Manager) by, the Collateral Manager, its Affiliates or their respective partners, members, managers, stockholders, directors, officers, employees, personnel or agents under or in connection with this Agreement or the terms of the Credit Agreement applicable to it, except that the Collateral Manager shall be so liable as and to the extent specified in Section 10(b)(ii) for such Losses arising out of or in connection with acts or omissions of the Collateral Manager constituting bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence or fraud by the Collateral Manager in the performance of, or reckless disregard by the Collateral Manager with respect to, the obligations of the Collateral Manager hereunder and under the terms of the Credit Agreement applicable to the Collateral Manager (a “ Collateral Manager Breach ”); provided that , no Collateral Manager Party shall be liable to the Borrower, the Collateral Agent, the Custodian, the Facility Agent, the Lenders or any other Person for any consequential (including loss of profit), indirect, special or punitive damages under this Agreement or the Credit Agreement or any other Facility Document.

 

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(b)(i) The Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless (the Borrower in such case, the “ Indemnifying Party ”) the Collateral Manager, its Affiliates and their respective partners, members, managers, stockholders, directors, officers, employees, personnel and agents (in each such case, an “ Indemnified Party ”) from and against any and all Losses arising out of or in connection with the issuance of the Notes, the transactions contemplated by the this Agreement, the Credit Agreement or any other Facility Document or any acts or omissions of any such Indemnified Party; provided , that the Borrower will not be liable for any Losses to the extent that such Losses are incurred as a result of any acts or omissions by any such Indemnified Party that constitute a Collateral Manager Breach.

(ii) The Collateral Manager shall indemnify and hold harmless (the Collateral Manager in such case, the “ Indemnifying Party ”) the Borrower, its Affiliates and their respective partners, members, managers, stockholders, directors, officers, employees, personnel and agents (any such party in each such case, the “ Indemnified Party ”) from and against any and all Losses arising out of or in connection with a Collateral Manager Breach; provided , that the Collateral Manager will not be liable for any Losses to the extent that such Losses are incurred as a result of any acts or omissions by such Indemnified Party that constitute bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence or fraud by such Indemnified Party hereunder or under the terms of any other Facility Document applicable to it. No partners, members, managers, stockholders, directors, officers, employees, personnel or agents of the Collateral Manager shall be liable for the Collateral Manager’s obligations hereunder.

(iii) If for any reason the indemnity provided for in this Section 10 is unavailable, then the Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the Indemnified Party as a result of any Losses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Indemnifying Party on the one hand and the Indemnified Party on the other hand.

(c) An Indemnified Party shall (or, with respect to the Collateral Manager’s partners, members, managers, stockholders, directors, officers, employees, personnel and agents, the Collateral Manager shall cause such Indemnified Party to) within ten (10) Business Days of receiving notice thereof, notify the Indemnifying Party if the Indemnified Party receives a complaint, claim, compulsory process or other notice of any loss, claim, damage or liability giving rise to a claim for indemnification under this Section 10 , but failure so to notify the Indemnifying Party or to comply with Section 10 shall not relieve such Indemnifying Party from its obligations under paragraph Section 10(b) unless and to the extent that such failure results in the forfeiture by the Indemnifying Party of substantial rights and defenses.

 

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(d) With respect to any claim made or threatened against an Indemnified Party, or compulsory process or request served upon such Indemnified Party for which such Indemnified Party is or may be entitled to indemnification under this Section 10 , such Indemnified Party shall (or with respect to the Collateral Manager’s partners, members, managers, stockholders, directors, officers, employees, personnel and agents, the Collateral Manager shall cause such Indemnified Party to):

(i) at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, provide the Indemnifying Party with such information and cooperation with respect to such claim as the Indemnifying Party may reasonably require, including, but not limited to, making appropriate personnel available to the Indemnifying Party at such reasonable times as the Indemnifying Party may request;

(ii) at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, cooperate and take all such steps as the Indemnifying Party may reasonably request to preserve and protect any defense to such claim;

(iii) in the event suit is brought with respect to such claim, upon reasonable prior notice, afford to the Indemnifying Party the right, which the Indemnifying Party may exercise in its sole discretion and at its expense, to participate in the investigation, defense and settlement of such claim, and, to the extent that it shall wish, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party (who shall not, except with the consent of the Indemnified Party, be counsel to the Indemnifying Party), and, after notice from the Indemnifying Party to such Indemnified Party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to such Indemnified Party for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party, in connection with the defense thereof unless such Indemnified Party reasonably determines that counsel selected by the Indemnifying Party has a conflict of interest due to conflicting interests of the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party, in which case such Indemnifying Party shall pay the reasonable fees and disbursements of one additional counsel selected by the Indemnified Party (in additional to any local counsel) separate from its own counsel for all Indemnified Parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances; and

(iv) neither incur any material expense to defend against nor release or settle any such claim or make any admission with respect thereto (other than routine or incontestable admission or factual admissions the failure to make that could expose such Indemnified Party to (A) unindemnified liability or (B) any liability in respect of which, in the good faith determination of such Indemnified Party, the Indemnifying Party is unlikely to have sufficient funds available to indemnify the Indemnified Party in full (taking into account the Priority of Payments set forth in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement)) without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party; provided that the Indemnifying Party shall have advised such Indemnified Party that such Indemnified Party is entitled to be indemnified hereunder with respect to such claim.

(e) No Indemnified Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, settle or compromise any claim giving rise to a claim for indemnity hereunder, or permit a default or consent to the entry

 

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of any judgment in respect thereof; provided that such Indemnified Party shall not be required to seek or obtain such consent if it determines in good faith, that the Indemnifying Party is unlikely to have sufficient funds available to indemnify it in full, taking into account the Priority of Payments set forth in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement.

(f) No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, settle or compromise any claim giving rise to a claim for indemnity hereunder if such settlement includes a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of an Indemnified Party.

 

  Section 11. No Joint Venture

The Borrower and the Collateral Manager are not partners or joint venturers with each other and nothing herein shall be construed to make them such partners or joint venturers or impose any liability as such on either of them. The Collateral Manager’s relation to the Borrower shall be deemed to be solely that of an independent contractor.

 

  Section 12. Term; Replacement of the Collateral Manager

(a) This Agreement shall commence as of the date first set forth above and shall continue in force until the first of the following occurs: (i) the liquidation of the Collateral and the final distribution of the proceeds of such liquidation, (ii) the Payment in Full Date or (iii) the termination of this Agreement in accordance with this Section 12 or Section 13 .

(b) So long as it does not create a Default or Event of Default under the Credit Agreement and subject to Sections 12(c) , 12(d) , and 12(e) , this Agreement may be terminated without cause by the Collateral Manager, and the Collateral Manager may resign, upon ninety (90) days’ prior written notice (or such shorter notice as the Borrower and the Facility Agent may agree to in writing) to the Borrower, the Facility Agent and the Collateral Agent.

(c) Promptly after its receipt of notice of any resignation or removal of the Collateral Manager, the Collateral Agent shall transmit copies of such notice to the Lenders.

(d) No removal or resignation of the Collateral Manager will be effective unless a successor has been appointed (and has accepted such appointment in writing) in accordance with the Appointment Procedures.

(e) No removal or resignation of the Collateral Manager will be effective until the appointment of a successor Collateral Manager that satisfies the following criteria:

(i) such successor has the ability to professionally and competently perform duties similar to those imposed upon the Collateral Manager hereunder;

(ii) such successor is legally qualified and has the capacity to act as successor to the Collateral Manager under this Agreement in the assumption of all of the responsibilities, duties and obligations of the Collateral Manager hereunder and under the terms of the Credit Agreement applicable to the Collateral Manager;

 

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(iii) such successor has assumed in writing all of the responsibilities, duties and obligations of the Collateral Manager under this Agreement and the Credit Agreement and is ready and able to assume the duties of the Collateral Manager;

(iv) the appointment of such successor does not cause or result in the Borrower becoming, or require the pool of Collateral to be registered as, an investment company under the Investment Company Act or to become subject to income or withholding tax that would not have been imposed but for such appointment; and

(v) the Rating Confirmation has been satisfied.

(f) If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section 12 , such termination shall be without any further liability or obligation of either party to the other, except as provided in Section 12(h) below.

(g) Upon the later to occur of (i) expiration of the applicable notice period with respect to a removal or resignation specified in this Section 12 or Section 13 , as applicable, and (ii) acceptance of its appointment by the successor Collateral Manager, all authority and power of the Collateral Manager under this Agreement, whether with respect to the Collateral or otherwise, shall automatically and without further action by any person or entity pass to and be vested in the successor Collateral Manager. The Borrower, the Facility Agent, the Custodian, the Collateral Agent, the outgoing Collateral Manager and the successor shall take such action consistent with this Agreement and the terms of the Credit Agreement applicable to the Collateral Manager, as shall be necessary to effect any such succession.

(h) This Section 12(h) and Section 8 (with respect to fees accrued and expenses incurred prior to such termination) and Sections 10 , 12(f) , 14 , 17 , 21 through 24 , 26 and 28 shall survive any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 12 or Section 13 .

(i) Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement or the removal or resignation of the Collateral Manager, the Borrower shall remain liable for its obligations under Section 10 and the Collateral Manager shall remain liable for its obligations under Section 10 relating to any Collateral Manager Breaches arising prior to such termination, removal or resignation.

 

  Section 13. Removal for Cause

(a) Subject to Sections 12(c ), 12(d) and 12(e) , the Collateral Manager may be removed for Cause upon prior written notice by the Borrower, at the direction of the Required Lenders. For purposes of determining “Cause” with respect to any such termination of the Collateral Manager, such term will mean any one of the following events:

(i) willful violation or willful breach by the Collateral Manager of any provision of this Agreement or any other Facility Document applicable to it;

(ii) violation or breach by the Collateral Manager of any provision of this Agreement or any other Facility Document applicable to it, if such violation or breach is not cured by the Collateral Manager within thirty (30) days of any Responsible Officer of the Collateral Manager becoming aware of, or receiving notice from, the Borrower or the Facility Agent of such violation or breach that, either individually or in the aggregate, has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

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(iii) the failure of any representation, warranty, certification or statement made or delivered by the Collateral Manager in or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Facility Document applicable to it to be correct when made, if such failure could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and no correction is made for a period of thirty (30) days after the first to occur of (A) the actual knowledge of such failure by any Responsible Officer of the Collateral Manager directly involved in the performance by the Collateral Manager of its duties under this Agreement and (B) the Collateral Manager’s receipt of notice of such failure from the Borrower or the Facility Agent;

(iv) the occurrence of an Insolvency Event with respect to the Collateral Manager;

(v)(1) the occurrence of one or more acts (including any failure(s) to act) by the Collateral Manager or any of its executive officers that constitutes fraud (as determined in an adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction) in the performance of its, his or her obligations under this Agreement or any other Facility Document applicable to it or in the performance of investment advisory services comparable to those contemplated to be provided by the Collateral Manager under this Agreement and any other Facility Document; or (2) the Collateral Manager or any executive officer of the Collateral Manager is indicted for a criminal offense materially related to the performance of its, his or her obligations under this Agreement or any other Facility Document or in the performance of investment advisory services comparable to those contemplated to be provided by the Collateral Manager in this Agreement and the other Facility Documents; or (3) the occurrence of one or more acts (including any failure(s) to act) by any Investment Adviser Affiliate or any executive officer thereof or any employee thereof who acts as an executive officer of the Collateral Manager that constitutes fraud (as determined in an adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction) in the performance of investment advisory services comparable to those contemplated to be provided by the Collateral Manager under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents and such event would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or (4) any Investment Adviser Affiliate, any executive officer thereof is indicted for a criminal offense materially related to the performance of investment advisory services comparable to those contemplated to be provided by the Collateral Manager in this Agreement and the other Facility Documents and such event would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(vi) the occurrence of any other Event of Default under the Credit Agreement that consists of a default in the payment of principal of or interest or commitment fees on the Notes when due and payable and results from any breach by the Collateral Manager of its duties under this Agreement or any other Facility Document applicable to it;

 

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(vii) the Borrower or the pool of Collateral has become required to be registered as an investment company under the provisions of the Investment Company Act, as a result of a material breach by the Collateral Manager in violation of this Agreement;

(viii) any violation or breach by WhiteHorse Finance of any provision of the Retention of Net Economic Interest Letter;

(ix) the occurrence of a Change in Control;

(x) an EOD OC Ratio Failure for more than 3 consecutive Business Days;

(xi) the occurrence of a Material Adverse Effect or any event that has, or could be reasonably expected to have, a material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or operations of the Collateral Manager; or

(xii) the inability of the Collateral Manager to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Facility Documents due to the termination of any investment advisory agreement, staffing agreement or other services agreement with any Investment Adviser Affiliate.

(b) If any event listed in Section 13(a) occurs, the Collateral Manager shall give prompt written notice thereof to the Borrower, the Facility Agent and DBRS upon a Responsible Officer of the Collateral Manager’s becoming aware of the occurrence of such event.

 

  Section 14. Obligations of Resigning or Removed Collateral Manager

From and after the effective date of the resignation or removal of the Collateral Manager in accordance with this Agreement, such Collateral Manager shall not be entitled to compensation for further services hereunder, but shall, subject to the provisions of Section 8(b) , be paid all compensation and expense reimbursement accrued to the effective date of resignation or removal and shall be entitled to receive any amounts owing to it under Section 10 . On, or as soon as practicable after, the date any resignation or removal is effective, the Collateral Manager shall, at the Borrower’s expense:

(a) deliver to the Borrower or the successor Collateral Manager, as directed by the Borrower, all property and documents of the Borrower relating to the Collateral then in the custody of the Collateral Manager;

(b) deliver to the Facility Agent an accounting with respect to the books and records delivered to the Borrower or the successor Collateral Manager appointed pursuant to Section 12 ; and

(c) reasonably cooperate in any proceedings, even after its resignation or removal, that arise in connection with this Agreement or the Credit Agreement or any of the Collateral (excluding any such proceedings in which claims are asserted against the Collateral Manager or any Affiliate of the Collateral Manager); provided that the Collateral Manager has received or has been offered indemnity and expense reimbursement reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Manager.

 

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  Section 15. Assignments; Delegation

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 15 , the Collateral Manager may not assign or, so long as the Collateral Manager or its investment adviser is an investment adviser registered pursuant to the Advisers Act, be deemed for the purposes of Section 205(a)(2) of the Advisers Act to have assigned, its rights and responsibilities under this Agreement without (i) satisfying the Rating Confirmation with respect thereto and (ii) the prior consent of the Borrower and the Facility Agent.

(b) The Collateral Manager may, with the consent of the Facility Agent, but without satisfying the Rating Confirmation and without obtaining the consent of the Borrower, assign any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement to an Affiliate provided that such Affiliate (i) has the ability to professionally and competently perform duties similar to those imposed upon the Collateral Manager pursuant to this Agreement, (ii) has the legal right and capacity to act as Collateral Manager under this Agreement, (iii) shall not cause the Borrower or the pool of Collateral to become required to register under the provisions of the Investment Company Act, (iv) immediately after the assignment, employs or otherwise has the benefit of the services of the same key personnel performing the duties required under this Agreement who would have performed the duties had the assignment not occurred; provided that the Collateral Manager shall deliver prior written notice to the Rating Agency of any assignment to be made pursuant to this sentence. Upon the execution and delivery of any such assignment by the assignee, and satisfaction of the foregoing conditions, the Collateral Manager will be released from further obligations pursuant to this Agreement except with respect to its obligations and agreements arising under Section 6 , 9 , 10 , 12(f) , 12(g) , 17 , 21 through 24 , 26 and 28 in respect of acts or omissions occurring prior to such assignment and except with respect to its obligations under Section 14 after such assignment.

(c) This Agreement shall not be assigned by the Borrower without satisfying the Rating Confirmation and obtaining the prior written consent of the Collateral Manager and the Facility Agent, except in the case of assignment by the Borrower (i) to an entity that is a successor to the Borrower permitted under the Credit Agreement, in which case such successor organization shall be bound hereunder and by the terms of said assignment in the same manner as the Borrower is bound thereunder or (ii) to the Collateral Agent as contemplated by the Granting clauses of the Credit Agreement. The Borrower may assign its rights, title and interest in (but not its obligations under) this Agreement to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to the Credit Agreement; and the Collateral Manager by its signature below agrees to, and acknowledges, such assignment. In the event of any assignment of this Agreement by the Borrower, the Borrower shall (x) use reasonable efforts to, or cause such assignee to, execute and deliver to the Collateral Manager such documents as the Collateral Manager shall consider reasonably necessary to effect fully such assignment and (y) notify the Rating Agency and the Facility Agent of any such assignment as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter.

 

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(d) The Collateral Manager may perform any or all of its duties (including rendering investment advice) hereunder or under the Credit Agreement directly or by or through its Affiliates (including, without limitation, its investment adviser) or other third parties. The Collateral Manager shall exercise reasonable care in the selection of any such third parties. Any fees and expenses of any such third parties (except as otherwise provided in Section 8(b) hereof) shall be borne by the Collateral Manager. The Collateral Manager shall remain fully responsible and liable for its duties and obligations hereunder and under the Credit Agreement notwithstanding any delegation to any such third party. Performance by any such third party of any of the duties of the Collateral Manager hereunder or under the Credit Agreement shall be deemed to be performance thereof by the Collateral Manager.

 

  Section 16. Representations and Warranties

(a) The Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Collateral Manager as of the date hereof as follows:

(i) the Borrower is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with full power and authority to own and operate its assets and properties, conduct the business in which it is now engaged and to execute and deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents to which it is a party;

(ii) the Borrower is in good standing in the State of Delaware. The Borrower is duly qualified to do business and, to the extent applicable, is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which the nature of its business, assets and properties, including the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, the other Facility Documents to which it is a party and its Constituent Documents to which it is a party, requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(iii) the execution and delivery by the Borrower of, and the performance of its obligations under, the Facility Documents to which it is a party and the other instruments, certificates and agreements contemplated thereby are within its powers and have been duly authorized by all requisite action by it and have been duly executed and delivered by it and constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally or general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law;

(iv) none of the execution and delivery by the Borrower of this Agreement or the other Facility Documents to which it is a party, the consummation of the transactions herein or therein contemplated, or performance and compliance by it with the terms, conditions and provisions hereof or thereof, will (i) conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under its Constituent Documents, (ii) conflict with or contravene (A) any Applicable Law, (B) any indenture, agreement or other contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets, including any

 

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Related Document, or (C) any order, writ, judgment, award, injunction or decree binding on or affecting it or any of its assets or properties or (iii) result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, or permit the acceleration of any obligation or liability in, or but for any requirement of the giving of notice or the passage of time (or both) would constitute such a conflict with, breach or violation of, or default under, or permit any such acceleration in, any contractual obligation or any agreement or document to which it is a party or by which it or any of its assets are bound (or to which any such obligation, agreement or document relates);

(v) the Borrower has obtained, maintained and kept in full force and effect all Governmental Authorizations and Private Authorizations which are necessary for it to properly carry out its business, and made all Governmental Filings necessary for the execution and delivery by it of the Facility Documents to which it is a party and the performance by the Borrower of its obligations under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents, and no Governmental Authorization, Private Authorization or Governmental Filing which has not been obtained or made is required to be obtained or made by it in connection with the execution and delivery by it of any Facility Document to which it is a party or the performance of its obligations under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents to which it is a party;

(vi) the Borrower has duly observed and complied with all Applicable Laws, including the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act, relating to the conduct of its business and its assets except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower has preserved and kept in full force and effect its legal existence. The Borrower has preserved and kept in full force and effect its rights, privileges, qualifications and franchises, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(vii) the Borrower is not required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act; and

(viii) true and complete copies of the Credit Agreement and each other Facility Document to which it is a party and all other documents contemplated therein and the Borrower’s Organizational Documents have been or, no later than the Closing Date, will be delivered to the Collateral Manager and the Borrower agrees to deliver a true and complete copy of each amendment to the documents referred to in this Section 16(a)(viii) to the Collateral Manager as promptly as practicable after its adoption or execution.

(b) The Collateral Manager hereby represents and warrants to the Borrower as of the date hereof as follows:

(i) the Collateral Manager is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with full power and authority to own and operate its assets and properties, conduct the business in which it is now engaged and to execute and deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents to which it is a party;

 

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(ii) the Collateral Manager is in good standing in the State of Delaware. The Collateral Manager is duly qualified to do business and, to the extent applicable, is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which the nature of its business, assets and properties, including the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, the other Facility Documents and its Constituent Documents, requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the business operations, assets or financial condition of the Collateral Manager and could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the provisions of the Credit Agreement or any other Facility Document applicable to the Collateral Manager, or the performance by the Collateral Manager of its duties hereunder or thereunder;

(iii) the execution and delivery by the Collateral Manager of, and the performance of its obligations under, the Facility Documents to which it is a party and the other instruments, certificates and agreements contemplated thereby are within its powers and have been duly authorized by all requisite action by it and have been duly executed and delivered by it and constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms, subject, as to enforcement, (A) to the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting generally the enforcement of creditors’ rights as such laws would apply in the event of any bankruptcy, receivership, insolvency or similar event applicable to the Collateral Manager and (B) to general equitable principles (whether enforceability of such principles is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity);

(iv) none of the execution and delivery by the Collateral Manager of this Agreement or the other Facility Documents to which it is a party, the consummation of the transactions herein or therein contemplated, or performance and compliance by it with the terms, conditions and provisions hereof or thereof, will (i) conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under its Constituent Documents, (ii) conflict with or contravene (A) any Applicable Law, (B) any indenture, agreement or other contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets, including any Related Document, or (C) any order, writ, judgment, award, injunction or decree binding on or affecting it or any of its assets or properties or (iii) result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, or permit the acceleration of any obligation or liability in, or but for any requirement of the giving of notice or the passage of time (or both) would constitute such a conflict with, breach or violation of, or default under, or permit any such acceleration in, any contractual obligation or any agreement or document to which it is a party or by which it or any of its assets are bound (or to which any such obligation, agreement or document relates), in each case which would have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, assets or financial condition of the Collateral Manager or that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect in a material manner its ability to perform its obligations hereunder and under the Credit Agreement and any other Facility Document applicable to it;

 

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(v) the Collateral Manager has obtained, maintained and kept in full force and effect all Governmental Authorizations and Private Authorizations which are necessary for it to properly carry out its business, and has made all Governmental Filings necessary for the execution and delivery by it of the Facility Documents to which it is a party and the performance by the Collateral Manager of its obligations under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents, and no Governmental Authorization, Private Authorization or Governmental Filing which has not been obtained or made is required to be obtained or made by it in connection with the execution and delivery by it of any Facility Document to which it is a party or the performance of its obligations under this Agreement and the other Facility Documents to which it is a party;

(vi) the Collateral Manager has duly observed and complied with all Applicable Laws relating to the conduct of its business and its assets except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect upon the performance by the Collateral Manager of its duties under, or on the validity or enforceability of this Agreement and the provisions of the Credit Agreement and any other Facility Document applicable to the Collateral Manager or could reasonably be expected to constitute “Cause” hereunder. The Collateral Manager has preserved and kept in full force and effect its legal existence. The Collateral Manager has preserved and kept in full force and effect its rights, privileges, qualifications and franchises, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect on the business, operations, assets or financial condition of the Collateral Manager or on the validity of enforceability of this Agreement or the provisions of the Credit Agreement or any other Facility Document applicable to the Collateral Manager, or the performance by the Collateral Manager of its duties hereunder or thereunder;

(vii) to the Collateral Manager’s knowledge, no event constituting Cause hereunder has occurred and is continuing and no event that with the giving of notice or passage of time would become an event constituting Cause has occurred or is continuing and no such event would occur as a result of its entering into or performing its obligations under this Agreement; and

(viii) the Collateral Manager possesses all necessary resources (including access to personnel) required to perform its obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the Standard of Care.

 

  Section 17. Non-Petition; Limited Recourse

The Collateral Manager shall continue to serve as Collateral Manager under this Agreement notwithstanding that the Collateral Manager shall not have received amounts due it under this Agreement because sufficient funds were not then available hereunder to pay such amounts in accordance with the Priority of Payments. The Collateral Manager hereby agrees that it shall not institute against, or join, cooperate with or encourage any other Person in instituting against, the Borrower for any reason whatsoever, including, without limitation, the non-payment to the Collateral Manager of any amounts due to it hereunder, any bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership, arrangement, insolvency, moratorium or liquidation proceedings or other proceedings under United States federal or state bankruptcy or similar laws until at least one year

 

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and one day or, if longer, the applicable preference period then in effect plus one day, after the Payment in Full Date; provided that nothing in this Section 17 shall preclude, or be deemed to stop, the Collateral Manager (A) from taking any action prior to the expiration of the applicable aforementioned period in (x) any case or proceeding voluntarily filed or commenced by the Borrower or (y) any involuntary insolvency proceeding filed or commenced against the Borrower by a Person other than the Collateral Manager or (B) from commencing against the Borrower or any properties of the Borrower any legal action which is not a bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership, arrangement, insolvency, moratorium or liquidation proceeding or other proceeding under United States federal or state bankruptcy or similar laws. The Collateral Manager hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Borrower’s obligations hereunder will be solely the company obligations of the Borrower, and that the Collateral Manager will not have any recourse to any of the officers, directors, employees, personnel, shareholders, Affiliates, members, managers, agents, partners, principals, incorporators or agents of the Borrower, its Affiliates or their respective successors or assigns with respect to any claims, losses, damages, liabilities, indemnities or other obligations in connection with any transactions contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, recourse in respect of any obligations of the Borrower hereunder will be limited to the Collateral as applied in accordance with the Priority of Payments and, on the exhaustion thereof in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, all obligations of and all claims against the Borrower arising from this Agreement or any transactions contemplated hereby shall be extinguished and shall not thereafter revive. The provisions of this Section 17 shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason whatsoever.

 

  Section 18. Notices

Unless expressly provided otherwise herein, all notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be personally delivered or sent by registered, certified or express mail, postage prepaid, or by facsimile transmission, or be prepaid courier service, or by electronic mail, and shall be deemed to be given for purposes of this Agreement on the day that such writing is received by the intended recipient thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Section 18 at their respective address, facsimile number or email address as set forth below (or at such other notice address as any of the Persons below may notify all of the other Persons below as their new or additional notice address in writing):

(a) If to the Borrower:

WHITEHORSE FINANCE WAREHOUSE, LLC

1450 Brickell Avenue, 31st Floor

Miami, FL 33131

Attention: Mr. Richard Siegel

Tel: (305) 379-2322

Facsimile No.: (305) 381-4180

Email; rsiegel@higcapital.com

 

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With a copy to:

WHITEHORSE FINANCE WAREHOUSE, LLC

1450 Brickell Avenue, 31st Floor

Miami, FL 33131

Attention: Mr. Alastair Merrick

Tel: (212) 314-1039

Facsimile No.: (212) 314-1016

Email: amerrick@higwhitehorse.com

(b) If to the Collateral Manager :

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

1450 Brickell Avenue, 31st Floor

Miami, FL 33131

Attention: Mr. Richard Siegel

Tel: (305) 379-2322

Facsimile No.: (305) 381-4180

Email; rsiegel@higcapital.com

With a copy to:

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC

1450 Brickell Avenue, 31st Floor

Miami, FL 33131

Attention: Mr. Alastair Merrick

Tel: (212) 314-1039

Facsimile No.: (212) 314-1016

Email: amerrick@higwhitehorse.com

(c) If to the Facility Agent:

Natixis New York Branch

9 West 57th Street, 36th Floor

New York, New York 10019

Attention: Yazmin Vasconez

Tel: (212) 891-6176

Facsimile No.: (646) 282-2361

Email: Versaillestransaction@usnatixis.com

and Fiona.chan@db.com and rajesh.rampersaud@db.com

 

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(d) If to the Collateral Agent or the Custodian:

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

601 Travis Street, 16 th Floor

Houston, TX 77002

Attention: Corporate Trust – WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC – Ruben Luna

Tel: (713) 483-6456

Facsimile No.: (713) 483-6984

Email: ruben.luna@bnymellon.com

(e) If to DBRS:

DBRS, Inc.

Structured Credit Surveillance

140 Broadway, 35th Floor

New York, NY 10005 United States

Phone: +1 (212) 806-3277 (main reception)

Fax: +l (212) 806-3201

SC_Surveillance@dbrs.com

Any party may change the address or fax number to which communications or copies directed to such party are to be sent by giving notice to the other parties of such change of address or fax number in conformity with the provisions of this Section 18 for the giving of notice.

 

  Section 19. Binding Nature of Agreement; Successors and Assigns

This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and permitted assigns as provided herein.

 

  Section 20. Entire Agreement; Amendment

This Agreement, the Credit Agreement and the other Facility Documents contain the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, inducements and conditions, express or implied, oral or written, of any nature whatsoever with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. The express terms hereof and thereof control and supersede any course of performance or usage of the trade inconsistent with any of the terms hereof. This Agreement may not be modified or amended other than by an agreement in writing executed by the parties hereto and with the consent of the Facility Agent, provided , that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower and the Collateral Manager, without the consent of the Facility Agent or any Lender, may amend any provision of this Agreement to reflect a change that is (1) of an inconsequential nature or (2) clarifying any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in this Agreement in a manner that is not adverse to the Borrower, the Facility Agent or any Lender. The Collateral Manager shall notify the Rating Agency of any amendment to this Agreement and shall notify the Facility Agent of any amendment to this Agreement not submitted to it for consent; provided that Rating Confirmation shall have been satisfied for any material amendment to this Agreement.

 

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  Section 21. Controlling Law

THIS AGREEMENT AND ALL MATTERS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER (WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) TO THE FOREGOING SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, INCLUDING NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW §§ 5-1401 AND 5-1402 BUT OTHERWISE WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES THEREOF GOVERNING CONFLICTS OF LAW.

 

  Section 22. Submission to Jurisdiction

(a) Each of the Collateral Manager and the Borrower irrevocably submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any federal or New York state or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Notes, the Credit Agreement or this Agreement;

(b) The Collateral Manager and the Borrower irrevocably and unconditionally agree that service of any and all process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by the mailing or delivery of copies of such process by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such party at its address set forth in Section 18 hereof or at such other address as may be permitted thereunder, and that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction or court.

 

  Section 23. Waiver of Jury Trial

EACH OF THE BORROWER AND THE COLLATERAL MANAGER HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT, OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, STATEMENTS (WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF THE PARTIES HERETO. EACH OF THE BORROWER AND THE COLLATERAL MANAGER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT IT HAS RECEIVED FULL AND SUFFICIENT CONSIDERATION FOR THIS PROVISION AND THAT THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR SUCH PARTIES ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT.

 

  Section 24. Conflict with the Credit Agreement

Except as set forth in Section 2(d) , in the event that this Agreement requires any action to be taken with respect to any matter and the Credit Agreement requires that a different action be taken with respect to such matter, and such actions are mutually exclusive, the provisions of the Credit Agreement in respect thereof shall control. In respect of any other conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Credit Agreement, the terms of the Credit Agreement shall control.

 

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  Section 25. Consent to Assignment

The Collateral Manager hereby (i) consents to the assignment of the Borrower’s rights, title and interest in this Agreement to the Collateral Agent as provided in Section 7.01(a) of the Credit Agreement and agrees to perform any provisions of the Credit Agreement applicable to the Collateral Manager subject to the terms of this Agreement, (ii) acknowledges that the Borrower has assigned all of its right, title and interest in, to and under this Agreement to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and (iii) agrees that it will not enter into any agreement amending, modifying or terminating this Agreement without complying with the applicable provisions hereof.

 

  Section 26. Indulgences Not Waivers

Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of any party hereto to exercise any right, remedy, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right, remedy, power or privilege, nor shall any waiver of any right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any occurrence be construed as a waiver of such right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any other occurrence. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and is signed by the party asserted to have granted such waiver.

 

  Section 27. Third Party Beneficiaries

The parties hereto agree that the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, the Facility Agent and the Lenders (to the extent that they are expressly provided rights under this Agreement) shall be express third party beneficiaries of this Agreement, entitled to the benefits hereof and to enforce the provisions hereof.

 

  Section 28. Titles Not to Affect Interpretation

The titles of paragraphs and subparagraphs contained in this Agreement are for convenience only, and they neither form a part of this Agreement nor are they to be used in the construction or interpretation hereof.

 

  Section 29. Execution in Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts by electronic or other written form of communication, each of which shall be deemed to be an original as against any party whose signature appears thereon, and all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall become binding when one or more counterparts hereof, individually or taken together, shall bear the signatures of all of the parties reflected hereon as the signatories.

 

  Section 30. Provisions Separable

The provisions of this Agreement are independent of and separable from each other, and no provision shall be affected or rendered invalid or unenforceable by virtue of the fact that for any reason any other or others of them may be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part.

 

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[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

WHITEHORSE FINANCE WAREHOUSE, LLC, as Borrower
By: WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC, its Designated Manager
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

 

S-1


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC, as Collateral Manager
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Collateral Management Agreement]

Exhibit (k)(8)

RETENTION OF NET ECONOMIC INTEREST LETTER

[Letterhead]

[DATE]

Natixis, New York Branch

9 West 57th Street, 36th Floor

New York, New York 10019

Attention: Yazmin Vasconez

The Lenders party to the Revolving

Credit Agreement referred to below

WhiteHorse Finance, LLC

c/o H.I.G. WhiteHorse Management LLC

1450 Brickell Avenue, 31st Floor

Miami, FL 33131

Attention: Alastair Merrick

Facsimile No.: (212) 314-1016

 

  Re: Retention of Net Economic Interest

This letter is being delivered in connection with the Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated as of September 27, 2012 (the “ Credit Agreement ”), among WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC, as borrower (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders from time to time parties thereto (collectively, the “ Lenders ”), Natixis, New York Branch, as facility agent (the “ Facility Agent ”) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as collateral agent (the “Collateral Agent”). All capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the respective meanings give to such terms in the Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof.

The undersigned Retention Provider, acting in its capacity as originator, hereby agrees for the benefit of the addressees of this letter and each other Lender, for so long as the Payment in Full Date has not occurred:

 

a. that it has retained and will retain, on an ongoing basis, a material net economic interest which, in any event, shall not be less than 5% (or such higher or lower amount as notified by the Facility Agent to the Retention Provider is required by Article 122a of the CRD) of the nominal value of the Collateral calculated based on the Aggregate Principal Balance of all of the Collateral Obligations and outstanding principal amount of all Eligible Investments, in each case at the time of determination without taking into account any deduction pursuant to the proviso to the definition of “Principal Balance” of any Collateral Obligation or any deduction or discount in respect of the purchase price paid for such Collateral Obligation or Eligible Investment by the Borrower;

 

G-1


b. that it will retain at all times the net economic interest referred to in clause (a) above by retention of the first loss tranche and, if necessary, other tranches having the same or a more severe risk profile than those transferred or sold to investors (being the Lenders) and not maturing any earlier than those transferred or sold to investors;

 

c. confirms that the retention of the net economic interest will be measured at the origination (being the occasion of each origination or acquisition of a Collateral Obligation or Eligible Investment) and shall be maintained on an ongoing basis. The retention of such net economic interest shall not be subject to any credit risk mitigation, any short positions, or any other credit risk hedge or credit risk hedging arrangement, except to the extent permitted under Article 122a of the CRD;

 

d. that it will remain, directly or indirectly, the 100% owner of all of the equity interests in WhiteHorse Finance Warehouse, LLC;

 

e. that after an appointment of a Board of Directors, such Board of Directors (i) has reviewed the terms and conditions of the credit facility documented by the Credit Agreement, (ii) in connection with the preparation of the Transferor’s quarterly financial statements, reviewed the Collateral Obligations held by the Borrower and (iii) must receive not less than 2 Business Days prior notice of any proposed material amendment or waiver to the Eligibility Criteria and Concentration Limitations specified in the Credit Agreement and an opportunity to veto such proposed amendment or waiver (provided that such right to veto may be deemed to be waived if no response to such proposed amendment or waiver has been given within 2 Business Days); and

 

f. agrees that it will take such further actions and provide such information as may be requested by any Lender or the Facility Agent so as to ensure compliance with the provisions of Article 122a of the CRD, and any such Lender or the Facility Agent may share such information with any Authority (including any bank regulatory agency) as may be necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of Article 122a of the CRD.

As used in this letter, the terms “retention of net economic interest”, “original lender”, “originator”, “credit institution”, “securitisation position”, “securitisations”, “ongoing basis”, “securitised exposures” and “tranche” shall have the meanings given thereto in Article 122a of the CRD.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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Very Truly Yours,
WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC
By:    
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

H-1

Exhibit (k)(9)

 

 

WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC,

as Borrower

 

 

$90,000,000.00

TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

 

CITIBANK, N. A.,

as Administrative Agent and Sole Lead Arranger,

and

LENDERS NAMED HEREIN

as Lenders

DATE OF AGREEMENT: November [    ], 2012

 

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS      1   
Section 1.1  

Defined Terms.

     1   
Section 1.2  

Other Definitional Provisions.

     12   
Section 1.3  

Times of Day.

     13   
Section 1.4  

Currency.

     13   
Section 1.5  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     13   
SECTION 2 LOANS      13   
Section 2.1  

The Loans

     13   
Section 2.2  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     13   
Section 2.3  

Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.

     13   
Section 2.4  

Minimum Loan Amounts.

     15   
Section 2.5  

Funding.

     15   
Section 2.6  

Interest; Payment of Interest.

     15   
Section 2.7  

Notes.

     16   
Section 2.8  

Maturity Date; Payment of Obligations.

     16   
Section 2.9  

Payments of Principal and Prepayments.

     16   
Section 2.10  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     17   
Section 2.11  

Lending Office.

     17   
Section 2.12  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     18   
Section 2.13  

Use of Proceeds.

     18   
Section 2.14  

Certain Fees.

     18   
Section 2.15  

Computation of Interest and Fees.

     18   
Section 2.16  

Taxes.

     18   
Section 2.17  

Illegality.

     20   
Section 2.18  

Inability to Determine Rates.

     21   
Section 2.19  

Increased Costs.

     21   
Section 2.20  

Compensation for Losses.

     23   
Section 2.21  

Demand Deposit Account.

     23   
Section 2.22  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     23   
Section 2.23  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     23   
SECTION 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES      23   
Section 3.1  

Organization and Good Standing of Borrower.

     23   
Section 3.2  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     24   
Section 3.3  

Authorization and Power.

     24   
Section 3.4  

No Conflicts or Consents.

     24   
Section 3.5  

Enforceable Obligations.

     24   
Section 3.6  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     24   
Section 3.7  

Financial Condition.

     24   
Section 3.8  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     24   
Section 3.9  

No Default.

     24   
Section 3.10  

No Litigation.

     24   
Section 3.11  

Material Adverse Change.

     24   

 

i


Section 3.12  

Taxes.

     25   
Section 3.13  

Chief Executive Office; Records.

     25   
Section 3.14  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     25   
Section 3.15  

Compliance with Legal Requirements.

     25   
Section 3.16  

Limited Liability Company Structure.

     25   
Section 3.17  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     25   
Section 3.18  

Fiscal Year.

     25   
Section 3.19  

Investment Company Act.

     25   
Section 3.20  

Margin Stock.

     25   
Section 3.21  

Insurance.

     25   
Section 3.22  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     25   
Section 3.23  

Foreign Trade Regulations.

     25   
Section 3.24  

Solvency.

     26   
Section 3.25  

No Setoff.

     26   
Section 3.26  

Hazardous Substances.

     26   
Section 3.27  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     26   
Section 3.28  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     26   
Section 3.29  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     26   
SECTION 4 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS      26   
Section 4.1  

Financial Statements, Reports and Notices.

     26   
Section 4.2  

Payment of Taxes.

     28   
Section 4.3  

Maintenance of Existence and Rights.

     28   
Section 4.4  

Notice of Default.

     28   
Section 4.5  

Compliance with Organizational Documents.

     28   
Section 4.6  

Books and Records; Access.

     28   
Section 4.7  

Compliance with Law.

     28   
Section 4.8  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     28   
Section 4.9  

Insurance.

     29   
Section 4.10  

Other Notices.

     29   
Section 4.11  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     29   
Section 4.12  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     29   
Section 4.13  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     29   
Section 4.14  

Authorizations and Approvals.

     29   
Section 4.15  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     29   
Section 4.16  

Further Assurances.

     29   
Section 4.17  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     29   
Section 4.18  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     29   
Section 4.19  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     29   
Section 4.20  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     30   
Section 4.21  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     30   
SECTION 5 NEGATIVE COVENANTS      30   
Section 5.1  

Mergers; Dissolution; Manager to Remain.

     30   
Section 5.2  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     30   
Section 5.3  

Fiscal Year and Accounting Method.

     30   
Section 5.4  

Organizational Documents.

     30   
Section 5.5  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     31   
Section 5.6  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     31   

 

ii


Section 5.7  

Limitations on Dividends and Distributions.

     31   
Section 5.8  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     31   
Section 5.9  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     31   
Section 5.10  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     31   
Section 5.11  

Environmental Matters.

     31   
Section 5.12  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     31   
Section 5.13  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     31   
Section 5.14  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     31   
SECTION 6 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BORROWINGS      31   
Section 6.1  

Conditions to Initial Borrowing

     31   
Section 6.2  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     33   
Section 6.3  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     33   
SECTION 7 EVENTS OF DEFAULT      33   
Section 7.1  

Events of Default.

     33   
Section 7.2  

Remedies Upon Event of Default.

     35   
SECTION 8 ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT      36   
Section 8.1  

Appointment and Authority.

     36   
Section 8.2  

Rights as a Lender.

     36   
Section 8.3  

Exculpatory Provisions.

     36   
Section 8.4  

Reliance by Administrative Agent.

     37   
Section 8.5  

Delegation of Duties.

     37   
Section 8.6  

Resignation of Administrative Agent.

     37   
Section 8.7  

Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.

     38   
Section 8.8  

No Other Duties, Etc.

     38   
Section 8.9  

Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim.

     38   
Section 8.10  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     39   
SECTION 9 MISCELLANEOUS      39   
Section 9.1  

Amendments.

     39   
Section 9.2  

Setoff.

     41   
Section 9.3  

Sharing of Payments.

     41   
Section 9.4  

Payments Set Aside

     41   
Section 9.5  

Waiver.

     42   
Section 9.6  

Payment of Expenses.

     42   
Section 9.7  

Indemnification by Borrower.

     42   
Section 9.8  

Notice.

     43   
Section 9.9  

Governing Law.

     44   
Section 9.10  

Choice of Forum; Consent to Service of Process and Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury.

     45   
Section 9.11  

Invalid Provisions.

     45   
Section 9.12  

Entirety.

     45   
Section 9.13  

Successors and Assigns.

     45   
Section 9.14  

Lender Default.

     47   
Section 9.15  

Replacement of Lender.

     48   

 

iii


Section 9.16  

Maximum Interest.

     49   
Section 9.17  

Headings.

     49   
Section 9.18  

[Intentionally Omitted].

     49   
Section 9.19  

Confidentiality.

     49   
Section 9.20  

PATRIOT ACT NOTICE.

     50   
Section 9.21  

Multiple Counterparts.

     50   
Section 9.22  

Independence of Covenants.

     50   

 

iv


Schedules and Exhibits

 

Schedules

   
Schedule 1.1(a)   Commitments of Lenders; Pro Rata Shares
Schedule 1.1(b)   Environmental and Social Policy Guidelines of Administrative Agent
Schedule 3.16   Ownership of Equity Interests of Borrower

Exhibits

   
Exhibit 1.1(a)   Form of Revolving Credit Borrower Guaranty
Exhibit 2.3(a)   Form of Notice of Advance
Exhibit 2.3(d)   Form of Notice of Continuation/Conversion
Exhibit 2.7(i)   Form of Lender Term Loan Note
Exhibit 4.1(c)   Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit 9.13(b)   Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement

 

v


TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

THIS TERM LOAN AGREEMENT , dated as of November [    ], 2012, by and among WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company, as borrower (the “ Borrower ”), CITIBANK, N. A. , a national banking association (in its individual capacity, “ Citibank ”), as a Lender (as hereinafter defined) and as Administrative Agent (as hereinafter defined) for Lenders, and each of the other lending institutions that becomes a Lender hereunder.

RECITALS:

WHEREAS, Lenders are willing to lend funds to the Borrower upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises herein contained and for other valuable consideration the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Defined Terms . For the purposes of this Agreement, unless otherwise expressly defined, the following terms shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in this Section 1.1 or in the Section or recital referred to:

Administrative Agent ” means Citibank until the appointment of a successor administrative agent pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and, thereafter, shall mean such successor administrative agent.

Administrative Agent’s Office ” means Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, such account as set forth in Section 9.8 hereof, or such other address or account as Administrative Agent may from time to time notify Borrower and Lenders.

Affiliate ” shall mean, with respect to a certain Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly Controls, or is under common Control with, or is Controlled by, such Person.

Agreement ” means this Term Loan Agreement, as same may be amended, supplemented, renewed, extended, replaced, or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

Alternate Base Rate ” means a fluctuating annual rate of interest in effect from time to time that for any day shall be equal to the highest of: (a) the Base Rate in effect on such day; and (b) the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such day plus 2.00%  per annum ; and (c) the Reset LIBOR Rate on such day plus 2.00%  per annum .

Alternate Base Rate Conversion Date ” is defined in Section 2.3(d)(i) hereof.

Alternate Base Rate Loan ” means a Loan that bears interest based on the Alternate Base Rate.

Applicable Margin ” means (a) with respect to any Alternate Base Rate Loan, 1.00%  per annum; and (b) with respect to any LIBOR Loan, 2.75%  per annum .

 

1


Approved Fund ” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business, that is administered or managed by: (a) a Lender; (b) an Affiliate of a Lender; or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

Assignee ” is defined in Section 9.13(b) hereof.

Assignment and Assumption Agreement ” means the agreement contemplated by Section 9.13(b) hereof, pursuant to which any Lender assigns all or any portion of its rights and obligations hereunder, which agreement shall be in the form of Exhibit 9.13(b) attached hereto.

Attorney Costs ” means all reasonable fees and disbursements of any law firm or other external counsel of Administrative Agent, and to the extent permitted by Section 9.6 hereof, the Lenders.

Bankruptcy Code ” means the United States Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. §101, et seq .

Base Rate ” means a fluctuating annual rate of interest in effect from time to time that for any day shall be equal to the rate of interest for such day announced publicly by Citibank in New York, New York, as Citibank base rate (which Borrower acknowledges and agrees is announced by such bank and used by Administrative Agent for reference purposes only and may not represent the lowest or best rate available to any of the customers of such bank, Administrative Agent or Lenders).

Borrower ” is defined in the first paragraph hereof.

Borrowing ” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Loans of the same Type of Loan and, in the case of LIBOR Loans, having the same Interest Period, made by Lenders.

Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required to close by law and, if such day relates to any LIBOR Loan, means any such day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.

CERCLIS ” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Information System.

Change in Law ” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any Legal Requirement; (b) any change in any Legal Requirement or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority having the force of law; or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith, and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

Citibank ” is defined in the Preamble hereto and includes its successors and assigns.

 

2


Closing Date ” means the date on which all of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 6.1 hereof are satisfied or waived.

Commitment ” means, for each Lender, the amounts in respect of the Maximum Commitment set forth on Schedule 1.1(a) attached hereto or on its respective Assignment and Assumption Agreement, or by further assignment by such Lender pursuant to Section 9.13(b) hereof. Schedule 1.1(a) shall automatically be deemed to be amended in the event that any Lender’s Commitment is added, increased, decreased or terminated in accordance with the terms hereof. The aggregate Commitments of all Lenders on the Closing Date are Ninety Million and 00/100 Dollars ($90,000,000.00).

Compliance Certificate ” is defined in Section 4.1(c) hereof.

Consolidated ” refers to the consolidation of accounts in accordance with GAAP of the relevant Person and its Subsidiaries.

Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.

Controlled Group ” means, as to any Person: (a) the controlled group of corporations as defined in Section 414(b) of the Internal Revenue Code; or (b) the group of trades or businesses under common control as defined in Section 414(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, in each case of which such Person is a part.

Convert ”, “ Conversion ”, and “ Converted ” shall refer to a conversion pursuant to Section 2.3(d) hereof of one Type of Loan into another Type of Loan.

Current Party ” is defined in Section 9.14 hereof.

Debtor Relief Laws ” means any applicable liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, moratorium, rearrangement, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, or similar laws affecting the rights, remedies, or recourse of creditors generally, including without limitation the Bankruptcy Code and all amendments thereto, as are in effect from time to time during the term of the Loans.

Defaulting Lender ” means any Lender that: (a) has failed to make its Pro Rata Share of any disbursement required to be made in respect of Loans; (b) has otherwise failed to pay over to Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within one (1) Business Day of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute; or (c) has been deemed insolvent or become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding.

Default Rate ” means on any day the lesser of: (a) two (2%) percent per annum above the rate then in effect for such Loan, and (b) the maximum interest rate permitted by law, in either case.

Demand Deposit Account ” is defined in Section 2.21 hereof.

Distribution ” is defined in Section 5.7(a) hereof.

Dollars ” and the sign “$” means lawful currency of the United States of America.

Eligible Assignee ” means (a) a Lender; (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to a Lender; and (c) prior to an Event of Default, any other Person approved by Administrative

 

3


Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld); provided , however , that, except as otherwise permitted in the Revolving Credit Borrower Guaranty, none of Borrower, Revolving Credit Borrower, General Partner or any of their respective Affiliates shall qualify as an “ Eligible Assignee ”.

Environmental and Social Policy Guidelines ” means the Environmental and Social Policy Guidelines of Administrative Agent, a copy of which is attached hereto as Schedule 1.1(b) .

Environmental Complaint ” means any complaint, order, demand, citation or notice threatened or issued in writing to Borrower by any Person with regard to air emissions, water discharges, Releases, or disposal of any Hazardous Material, noise emissions or any other environmental, health or safety matter affecting Borrower or any of Borrower’s Properties.

Environmental Laws ” means: (a) the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Re-authorization Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §9601 et seq.; (b) the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984, 42 U.S.C. §6901 et seq.; (c) the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. §7401 et seq., as amended by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990; (d) the Clean Water Act of 1977, 33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq.; (e) the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C.A. §2601 et seq.; (f) all other federal, state and local laws, ordinances, regulations or policies relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment including without limitation, air pollution, water pollution, noise control, or the use, handling, discharge, disposal or Release or recovery of on-site or off-site Hazardous Materials, as each of the foregoing may be amended from time to time, applicable to Borrower; and (g) any and all regulations promulgated under or pursuant to any of the foregoing statutes.

Environmental Liability ” means any actual or contingent liability in respect of any damage (including, without limitation, to any Person, property or natural resources), injury, judgment, penalty or fine, cost of enforcement, cost of remedial action, clean up, restoration or any other cost or expense arising out of any Environmental Complaint, Release of Hazardous Materials or violation of Environmental Law.

Equity Interest ” means the limited liability company interest, membership interest, shares of capital stock or other equity interest of a Person in Borrower under the Organizational Documents of Borrower.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the United States Department of Labor, as from time to time in effect.

Event of Default ” is defined in Section 7.1 hereof.

Excluded Taxes ” means, with respect to Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of Borrower hereunder: (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income, net profit or net worth (however denominated), and franchise or capital Taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income taxes), by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such recipient (or, in the case of a pass-through entity, any of its beneficial owners) is organized or is (or is deemed to be) doing business or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable Lending Office is located; (b) any branch profits or backup withholding Taxes imposed by the United States or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which Borrower is located; (c) in the case of a Lender (other than an assignee

 

4


pursuant to a request by Borrower under Section 9.13 hereof), any withholding tax unless such Tax is imposed as a result of a change in applicable statute, regulation or treaty occurring after such Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new Lending Office), except to the extent that such Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new Lending Office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 2.16(a) hereof; and (d) Taxes attributable to a Lender’s (or, in the case of a pass-through entity, any of its beneficial owners’) failure to comply with Section 2.16(e) or (f) hereof.

FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code and any regulations or official interpretations thereof.

Federal Funds Rate ” means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal for each day during such period to (i) the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or (ii) if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, for the day for such transactions received by Citibank, N.A. from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

Foreign Lender ” means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which Borrower is resident for tax purposes. For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

GAAP ” means those generally accepted accounting principles and practices that are recognized as such by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or through other appropriate boards or committees thereof that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.

General Partner ” means H.I.G. Bayside Loan Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and the general partner of the Revolving Credit Borrower.

Governmental Authority ” means any foreign governmental authority, the United States of America, any State of the United States of America, and any subdivision of any of the foregoing, and any agency, department, commission, board, authority or instrumentality, bureau or court having jurisdiction over Borrower, Administrative Agent, or Lenders, or any of their respective businesses, operations, assets, or properties.

Guaranty Obligations ” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, any obligations (other than endorsements in the ordinary course of business of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection) guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person in any manner, whether direct or indirect, and including without limitation any obligation, whether or not contingent: (a) to purchase any such Indebtedness or other obligation or any property constituting security therefor; (b) to advance or provide funds or other support for the payment or purchase of such Indebtedness or obligation or to maintain working capital, solvency or other balance sheet condition of such other Person (including, without limitation, maintenance agreements, comfort letters, take or pay arrangements, put agreements or similar agreements or arrangements) for the benefit of the holder of Indebtedness of such other Person; (c) to lease or purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness; or (d) to otherwise assure or hold harmless the owner of such Indebtedness or obligation against loss in respect thereof.

 

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Hazardous Material ” means any substance, material, or waste which is or becomes regulated, under any Environmental Law, as hazardous to public health or safety or to the environment, including, but not limited to: (a) any substance or material designated as a “hazardous substance” pursuant to Section 311 of the Clean Water Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq., or listed pursuant to Section 307 of the Clean Water Act, as amended; (b) any substance or material defined as “hazardous waste” pursuant to Section 1004 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §6901 et seq.; (c) any substance or material defined as a “hazardous substance” pursuant to Section 101 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §9601 et seq.; or (d) petroleum, petroleum products and petroleum waste materials.

Indebtedness ” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:

(a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;

(b) all direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties and similar instruments;

(c) all net obligations of such Person’s Swap Contracts;

(d) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property purchased or services rendered (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business and intercompany liabilities);

(e) all indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being acquired by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;

(f) all capital leases; and

(g) all Guaranty Obligations of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.

For all purposes hereof, (i) the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person, and (ii) the amount of the Indebtedness shall not include any portion thereof which is secured by cash; provided , however , that for purposes of Section 7 hereof clause (ii) shall be deemed to be included as part of the definition of “ Indebtedness ”. Subject to clause (ii) immediately preceding, the amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date.

Indemnified Taxes ” means Taxes imposed on any payment by Borrower or on account of any Obligation hereunder or under any Loan Document other than Excluded Taxes.

Indemnitees ” is defined in Section 9.7(a) hereof.

Information ” is defined in Section 9.19 hereof.

 

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Interest Option ” means each of LIBOR and the Alternate Base Rate.

Interest Payment Date ” means: (a) as to any Alternate Base Rate Loan, the last Business Day of each month, or such earlier date as such Alternate Base Rate Loan shall mature, by acceleration or otherwise; (b) as to any LIBOR Loan: (i) the last day of the Interest Period for such LIBOR Loan, unless such Interest Period shall be an Interest Period in excess of three (3) months, in which case the “ Interest Payment Date ” shall be, with respect to such LIBOR Loan, the date that is three (3) months following the initial Borrowing date of such LIBOR Loan and each three (3) month anniversary thereafter, and, thereafter, the last day of such Interest Period; or (ii) such earlier date as such LIBOR Loan shall mature, by acceleration or otherwise; and (c) as to any Loan, the date of any prepayment made hereunder, as to the amount prepaid.

Interest Period ” means, with respect to any LIBOR Loan, a period commencing:

(a) on the borrowing date of such LIBOR Loan; or

(b) on the termination date of the immediately preceding Interest Period in the case of a continuation of a LIBOR Loan to a successive Interest Period as described in Section 2.3 hereof, and ending one (1) month, two (2) months, three (3) months, four (4) months, five (5) months or six (6) months thereafter, each as Borrower shall elect in accordance with Section 2.3 hereof; provided , howeve r, that :

(i) any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;

(ii) any Interest Period which begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall, subject to clause (i) immediately above, end on the last Business Day of a calendar month; and

(iii) if the Interest Period would otherwise end after the Stated Maturity Date, such Interest Period shall end on the Stated Maturity Date.

Internal Revenue Code ” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Legal Requirement ” means, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, court orders, decrees, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, having the force of law.

Lender ” means each lending institution that is a signatory hereto on the Closing Date as a “Lender” or that becomes a Lender hereunder pursuant to Section 9.13 hereof or otherwise, and “ Lenders ” means all Lenders collectively.

Lending Office ” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender (or an Affiliate of such Lender) described as such in such Lender’s written notice delivered to Administrative Agent, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify Borrower and Administrative Agent in writing.

 

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LIBOR ” means, with respect to any Borrowing in respect of Dollars, for any Interest Period, the rate per annum equal to the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate (“ BBA LIBOR ”), as published by Reuters (or another commercially available source providing quotations of BBA LIBOR as designated by Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for U.S. dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period. If such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the “ LIBOR ” for such Interest Period shall be the rate per annum determined by Administrative Agent to be the rate at which U.S. dollar deposits with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by Citibank, N.A. in London, England to major banks in the London or other offshore interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.

LIBOR Conversion Date ” is defined in Section 2.3(d)(i) hereof.

LIBOR Loan ” means a Loan made hereunder with respect to which the interest rate is calculated by reference to LIBOR for a particular Interest Period.

Lien ” means any lien, mortgage, security interest, tax lien, pledge, charge, encumbrance, or conditional sale or title retention arrangement, or any other interest in property designed to secure the repayment of indebtedness, whether arising by agreement or under common law, any statute or other law, contract, or otherwise.

Loan ” means any extension of credit by a Lender to Borrower hereunder in the form of an Alternate Base Rate Loan or a LIBOR Loan, and “ Loans ” means the plural thereof.

Loan Documents ” means this Agreement, the Notes (including any renewals, extensions, re-issuances and refundings thereof) and each Assignment and Assumption Agreement and such other agreements and documents, any amendments or supplements thereto or modifications thereof, executed or delivered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents and any additional documents delivered in connection with any amendment, supplement or modification, each as same may be amended, supplemented, renewed, extended, replaced, or restated from time to time, together with all attachments thereto.

Margin Stock ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U.

Material Adverse Effect ” means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent) or condition (financial or otherwise) of a Person; (b) a material impairment of the ability of a Person, to perform its respective obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against a Person of any Loan Document to which it is a party.

Material Amendment ” is defined in Section 5.4 hereof.

Material Indebtedness ” means any Indebtedness having an aggregate outstanding principal amount of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00).

 

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Maturity Date ” means the earliest of: (a) the Stated Maturity Date; or (b) the date upon which Administrative Agent declares the Obligations due and payable during the continuance of an Event of Default.

Maximum Commitment ” means the principal amount of Ninety Million and 00/100 Dollars ($90,000,000).

Maximum Rate ” means, on any day, the highest rate of interest (if any) permitted by applicable law on such day.

Non-Consenting Lender ” is defined in Section 9.15 hereof.

Non-Recourse Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Person, Indebtedness of such Person with respect to which the holder of such Indebtedness may not look to the general credit or assets of such Person for repayment other than to the extent of any security provided for the payment of such Indebtedness.

Notes ” means the promissory notes provided for in Section 2.7 hereof, and all promissory notes delivered in substitution or exchange therefor, as such notes may be amended, restated, reissued, extended or modified; and “ Note ” means any one of the Notes.

Notice of Advance ” is defined in Section 2.3(a) hereof and shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.3(a) attached hereto.

Notice of Continuation ” is defined in Section 2.3(d)(ii) hereof and shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.3(d) attached hereto.

Notice of Conversion ” is defined in Section 2.3(d)(i) hereof and shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.3(d) attached hereto.

Obligations ” means all present and future indebtedness, obligations, and liabilities of Borrower to Lenders, and all renewals and extensions thereof, or any part thereof (including, without limitation, Borrowings, or any part thereof), arising pursuant to this Agreement (including, without limitation, the indemnity provisions hereof) or represented by the Notes, and all interest accruing thereon, and reasonable Attorney Costs incurred in the enforcement or collection thereof, regardless of whether such indebtedness, obligations, and liabilities are direct, indirect, fixed, contingent, joint, several, or joint and several; together with all indebtedness, obligations, and liabilities of Borrower to Lenders and any Affiliate of any Lender evidenced or arising pursuant to any of the other Loan Documents or any Swap Contract, and all renewals and extensions thereof, or any part thereof.

OFAC ” is defined in Section 3.21 hereof.

Organizational Documents ” means, for any entity, its constituent or organizational documents, including: (a) in the case of any partnership, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, or other applicable agreement of formation and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation with the secretary of state or other department in the state of its formation, in each case as amended from time to time; (b) in the case of any limited liability company, the articles or certificate of formation and its operating agreement or limited liability company agreement; and (c) in the case of a corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and its bylaws.

 

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Other Taxes ” means all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or similar taxes, charges or levies arising from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

Participant ” is defined in Section 9.13(d) hereof.

Patriot Act ” means USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-66 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), as amended.

Permitted Conversion ” means a conversion of Borrower from a Delaware limited liability company to a Delaware corporation in accordance with the requirements of Section 5.4.

Person ” means an individual, sole proprietorship, joint venture, association, trust, estate, business trust, corporation, non-profit corporation, partnership, sovereign government or agency, instrumentality, or political subdivision thereof, or any similar entity or organization.

Potential Default ” means the breach by Borrower of any representation, condition or covenant hereunder that, with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default.

Principal Obligation ” means the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans.

Property ” means any real property, improvements thereon and any leasehold or similar interest in real property which is owned, directly or indirectly, by Borrower, and “ Properties ” means the plural of the foregoing.

Pro Rata Share ” means, with respect to each Lender, the percentage obtained from the fraction: (a) on or prior to the Closing Date, (i) the numerator of which is the Commitment of such Lender; and (ii) the denominator of which is the aggregate Commitments of all Lenders; or (b) thereafter, (i) the numerator of which is the amount of Loans outstanding of such Lender at such time and (ii) the denominator of which is the aggregate Loans outstanding of all Lenders at such time.

Register ” is defined in Section 9.13(c) hereof.

Regulation D ,” “ Regulation T ,” “ Regulation U ,” and “ Regulation X ” means Regulation D, T, U, or X, as the case may be, of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, from time to time in effect, and shall include any successor or other regulation relating to reserve requirements or margin requirements, as the case may be, applicable to member banks of the Federal Reserve System.

Related Parties ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

Release ” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching, or migration of Hazardous Materials into the environment, or into or out of any Property, including the movement of any Hazardous Material through or in the air, soil, surface water, groundwater, of any Property.

Request for Credit Extension ” means, with respect to a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Loans, a Notice of Advance, Notice of Continuation or Notice of Conversion.

 

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Required Lenders ” means, as of any date of determination, (a) in the event that there are only two (2) banks acting as Lenders, both Lenders; (b) in the event that there are more than two (2) banks acting as Lenders, Lenders (other than a Defaulting Lender) holding an aggregate Pro Rata Share of more than fifty-one percent (51%) of the aggregate Loans of all Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders) at such time.

Reset LIBOR Rate ” means a daily fluctuating rate of interest per annum , equal for each day to the one-month BBA LIBOR for such day, or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day.

Responsible Officer ” means, as to any Person, the chief executive officer, the president, the chairman, the chief financial officer, the treasurer, any vice president, the managing member, the general partner or the manager of such Person.

Revolving Credit Agreement ” means the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 4, 2011, as amended by the First Amendment to Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 3, 2012, and the Second Amendment to Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of the Closing Date and as further amended from time to time, each among the Revolving Credit Borrower, the General Partner, the Lenders, and Citibank, N.A., as letter of credit issuer, administrative agent and sole lead arranger.

Revolving Credit Borrower ” means H.I.G. Bayside Loan Opportunity Fund II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

Revolving Credit Borrower Guaranty ” means an unconditional guaranty of payment in the form of Exhibit 1.1(a) attached hereto, enforceable against Revolving Credit Borrower for the payment of Borrower’s debt or obligations to Lenders.

Solvent ” as to any Person means that such Person is not “insolvent” within the meaning of Section 101(32) of the Bankruptcy Code or Section 271 of the Debtor and Creditor Law of the State of New York.

Stated Maturity Date ” means July 3, 2014, as same may be accelerated in accordance with the terms hereof.

Subsidiary ” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

Super Majority Lenders ” means, as of any date of determination, (a) in the event that there are only two (2) banks acting as Lenders, both Lenders; (b) in the event that there are more than two (2) banks acting as Lenders, Lenders (other than a Defaulting Lender) holding an aggregate Pro Rata Share of more than sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the aggregate Loans of all Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders) at such time.

Swap Contract ” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or

 

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forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement; and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement, including any such obligations or liabilities under any such master agreement; provided that any of the foregoing shall be entered into with Citibank, N.A. or an Affiliate thereof.

Swap Termination Value ” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts: (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s); and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in subclause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include Administrative Agent, a Lender or any Affiliate of Administrative Agent or a Lender).

Taxes ” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

Type of Loan ” means any type of Loan (i.e., an Alternate Base Rate Loan or LIBOR Loan).

UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in the State of New York and any other state, which governs creation or perfection (and the effect thereof) of security interests in any collateral for the Obligations.

Section 1.2 Other Definitional Provisions .

(a) All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the above-defined meanings when used in the Notes or any other Loan Documents or any certificate, report or other document made or delivered pursuant to this Agreement, unless otherwise defined in such other document.

(b) Defined terms used in the singular shall import the plural and vice versa.

(c) The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereunder,” and similar terms when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provisions of this Agreement.

(d) Section, Exhibit and Schedule references are to the Loan Document in which such reference appears unless otherwise specified.

(e) The term “including” is by way of example and not limitation.

(f) The term “documents” includes any and all instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, notices, reports, financial statements and other writings, however evidenced, whether in physical or electronic form.

 

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(g) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including;” the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding;” and the word “through” means “to and including.”

(h) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

Section 1.3 Times of Day . Unless otherwise specified in the Loan Documents, time references are to time in New York, New York.

Section 1.4 Currency . All calculations shall be in Dollars.

Section 1.5 [Intentionally Omitted] .

SECTION 2

LOANS

Section 2.1 The Loans .

(a) The Loans . Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, Lenders agree, on the Closing Date, to make Loans to the Borrower in the amount requested pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof not to exceed the Maximum Commitment. Loans repaid pursuant to Sections 2.8 and 2.9 may not be reborrowed.

(b) Limitation on Initial Borrowing . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, Lenders shall not be required to advance the initial Borrowing hereunder on the Closing Date if the conditions of Section 6.2 of the Revolving Credit Agreement and Section 6.1 hereof are not satisfied.

(c) [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 2.2 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 2.3 Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans .

(a) Request for Credit Extension; Conversions and Continuations . Each Borrowing shall be made upon Borrower’s irrevocable notice to Administrative Agent, which notice shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.3(a) attached hereto (each, a “ Notice of Advance ”), which may also be given by telephone. Each such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent (i) not later than 11:59 a.m. at least three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of LIBOR Loans; and (ii) not later than 11:59 a.m. on the same Business Day of the requested date of any Borrowing of Alternate Base Rate Loans. Each telephonic notice by Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.3(a) must be confirmed promptly by delivery to Administrative Agent of a written Notice of Advance, appropriately completed and signed by the Responsible Officer(s) of Borrower. If, with respect to a maturing LIBOR Loan, Borrower shall fail to deliver a Notice of Continuation or Notice of Conversion, Borrower will be deemed to have requested a new Alternate Base Rate Loan in the same principal amount as the maturing LIBOR Loan. If Borrower requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of LIBOR Loans in any such Notice of Advance, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an

 

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Interest Period of one month. Each Notice of Advance submitted by Borrower shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Sections 6.1(r) and 6.1(s) hereof have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Borrowing, conversion or continuation.

(b) Administrative Agent Notification of Lenders . Following receipt of a Notice of Advance, Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its Pro Rata Share of the applicable Borrowing, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is provided by Borrower, Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the details of any automatic conversion of LIBOR Loans pursuant to the preceding subsection.

(c) Maximum LIBOR Loans . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Borrower shall not have the right to have more than three (3) Borrowings of LIBOR Loans outstanding at any one time.

(d) Conversions and Continuations of Loans .

(i) Borrower shall have the right, with respect to: (A) any Alternate Base Rate Loan to convert such Alternate Base Rate Loan to a LIBOR Loan (the date of conversion being the “ LIBOR Conversion Date ”); and (B) any LIBOR Loan to convert such LIBOR Loan to a Alternate Base Rate Loan (the date of conversion, a “ Alternate Base Rate Conversion Date ”), ( provided , however , that Borrower shall, on such Alternate Base Rate Conversion Date, make the payments required by Sections 2.19 and 2.20 hereof, if any); in either case, by giving Administrative Agent written notice substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.3(d) attached hereto (a “ Notice of Conversion ”) of such selection no later than 11:59 a.m. at least: (x) three (3) Business Days prior to such LIBOR Conversion Date; or (y) one (1) Business Day prior to such Alternate Base Rate Conversion Date. Each Notice of Conversion shall be irrevocable and effective upon notification thereof to Administrative Agent and shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by Borrower that except as otherwise disclosed to Administrative Agent in writing, the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3 hereof are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Notice of Conversion, with the same force and effect as if made on and as of such date (except for representations and warranties which, by their terms are expressly limited to an earlier date (such as “as of the date hereof”) which shall only be required to be true as of such earlier date). Each Notice of Conversion submitted by Borrower shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Sections 6.1(r) and 6.1(s) hereof have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable conversion.

(ii) No later than 11:00 a.m. at least three (3) Business Days prior to the termination of an Interest Period related to a LIBOR Loan, Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent written notice in substantially the form of Exhibit 2.3(d) attached hereto (the “ Notice of Continuation ”) whether it desires to continue such LIBOR Loan and shall designate the Interest Option which shall be applicable to such continuation upon the expiration of such Interest Period. Each Notice of Continuation shall be irrevocable and effective upon notification thereof to the Administrative Agent and shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by Borrower that except as otherwise disclosed to Administrative Agent in writing, the representations and warranties set forth in

 

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Section 3 hereof are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Notice of Continuation, with the same force and effect as if made on and as of such date (except for representations and warranties which, by their terms are expressly limited to an earlier date (such as “as of the date hereof”) which shall only be required to be true as of such earlier date). Each Notice of Continuation submitted by Borrower shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Sections 6.1(r) and 6.1(s) hereof have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable continuation.

(iii) Except as otherwise provided herein, a LIBOR Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such LIBOR Loan. During the existence of an Event of Default, no Loans may be requested as, converted to or continued as LIBOR Loans without the consent of the Administrative Agent.

Section 2.4 Minimum Loan Amounts . Each Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of LIBOR Loans shall be in a principal amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000.00 and not less than $1,000,000.00, and each Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Alternate Base Rate Loans shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000.00 and not less than $500,000.00.

Section 2.5 Funding . Each Lender shall make the proceeds of its Pro Rata Share of each Borrowing available to Administrative Agent at Administrative Agent’s Office for the account of Borrower no later than 1:00 p.m. on the applicable borrowing date in immediately available funds (it being understood that there shall be no penalty for funds delivered later than such time so long as delivery is made on the borrowing date), and upon fulfillment of all applicable conditions set forth herein, Administrative Agent shall promptly deposit such proceeds in immediately available funds in Borrower Demand Deposit account at Administrative Agent, and shall, no later than 3:00 p.m., wire transfer such funds therefrom as may be further requested by Borrower. The failure of any Lender to advance the proceeds of its Pro Rata Share of any Borrowing required to be advanced hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation to advance the proceeds of its Pro Rata Share of any Borrowing required to be advanced hereunder. Absent contrary written notice from a Lender, Administrative Agent may assume that each Lender has made its Pro Rata Share of the requested Borrowing available to Administrative Agent on the applicable borrowing date, and Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption (but is not required to), make available to Borrower a corresponding amount. If a Lender fails to make its Pro Rata Share of any requested Borrowing available to Administrative Agent on the applicable borrowing date, then Administrative Agent may recover the applicable amount on demand: (a) from such Lender, together with interest at the Federal Funds Rate for the period commencing on the date the amount was made available to Borrower by Administrative Agent and ending on (but excluding) the date Administrative Agent recovers the amount from such Lender; or (b) if a Lender fails to pay its amount upon Administrative Agent’s demand, then from Borrower, within fifteen (15) Business Days after Administrative Agent’s demand; together with interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate applicable to the requested Borrowing for the period commencing on the applicable borrowing date and ending on (but excluding) the date Administrative Agent recovers the amount from Borrower. The liabilities and obligations of each Lender hereunder shall be several and not joint, and neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be responsible for the performance by any other Lender of its obligations hereunder. Each Lender hereunder shall be liable to Borrower only for the amount of its respective Commitment.

Section 2.6 Interest; Payment of Interest .

 

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(a) Interest Rate; Interest Payment Dates . Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (b) below: (i) each LIBOR Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin; and (ii) each Alternate Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin. Accrued and unpaid interest (A) on the Loans shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date and on the Maturity Date, and (B) on any obligation of Borrower hereunder on which Borrower is in default shall be due and payable at any time and from time to time following such default upon demand by Administrative Agent. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment.

(b) Past Due Amounts . If any principal of, or interest on, the Loans is not paid when due, then (in lieu of the interest rate provided in Section 2.6(a) hereof) such past due principal and interest on the Loans shall bear interest at the Default Rate, from the date it was due to, but excluding, the date it is paid.

(c) Determination of Rate . Each change in the rate of interest for any Borrowing shall become effective, without prior notice to Borrower, automatically as of the opening of business of Administrative Agent on the date of said change. Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for LIBOR Loans upon determination of such interest rate. The determination of the LIBOR by Administrative Agent shall be conclusive in the absence of demonstrable error. At any time that Alternate Base Rate Loans are outstanding, Administrative Agent shall notify Borrower and Lenders of any change in the Alternate Base Rate promptly following the public announcement of such change.

(d) No Setoff, Deductions, etc . Other than as provided in Section 2.16, all payments of interest shall be made without any deduction, abatement, set-off or counterclaim whatsoever, the rights to which are specifically waived by Borrower.

Section 2.7 Notes . The Loans to be made by Lenders to Borrower hereunder need not be and shall not be, unless otherwise requested specifically by a Lender, evidenced by the promissory notes of Borrower. In the event that a Lender requests a Note(s), such Note(s) shall: (a) be in the amount of the applicable Lender’s Commitment; (b) be payable to such Lender at Administrative Agent’s Office; (c) bear interest in accordance with Section 2.6 hereof; (d) be in substantially the forms of Exhibit 2.7(i) attached hereto (with blanks appropriately completed in conformity herewith); and (e) be made by Borrower. Borrower agrees, from time to time, upon the request of Administrative Agent or any affected Lender, to reissue new Notes, in accordance with the terms and in the form heretofore provided, to any Lender and any Assignee of such Lender in accordance with Section 9.13 hereof, in renewal of and substitution for the Note previously issued by Borrower to the affected Lender.

Section 2.8 Maturity Date; Payment of Obligations .

The principal amount of the Loans made to Borrower shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, and without being limited by anything contained in this Section 2.8 or Section 2.9 hereof, Borrower shall prepay all outstanding Loans and pay all other Obligations on or prior to the Maturity Date.

Section 2.9 Payments of Principal and Prepayments .

(a) Payments on the Notes; Payments Generally . No principal amortization is required hereunder. The unpaid principal amount of each Loan shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date. All

 

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payments of principal of, and interest on, the Obligations under this Agreement by Borrower to or for the account of Lenders or any of them shall be made on a pro rata basis without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff by Borrower. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by Borrower hereunder shall be made to Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date specified herein. Funds received after 2:00 p.m. shall be treated for all purposes as having been received by Administrative Agent on the first Business Day next following receipt of such funds and any applicable interest or fees shall continue to accrue. Each Lender shall be entitled to receive its Pro Rata Share (or other applicable share as provided herein) of each payment received by Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of Lenders on the Obligations. Each payment received by Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of a Lender shall be promptly distributed by Administrative Agent to such Lender. If any payment to be made by Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be. All payments made on the Obligations shall be credited, to the extent of the amount thereof, in the following manner: (a) first, against all costs, expenses and other fees (including Attorney Costs) arising under the terms hereof; (b) second, against the amount of interest accrued and unpaid on the Obligations as of the date of such payment; (c) third, against all principal due and owing on the Obligations as of the date of such payment; and (d) fourth, to all other amounts constituting any portion of the Obligations. Any payment applied to principal of the Obligations shall be applied first to Alternate Base Rate Loans then outstanding until all Alternate Base Rate Loans have been paid in full and shall then be applied to LIBOR Loans subject to the Interest Periods next maturing until the entire amount of such payment has been applied.

(b) Voluntary Prepayments . Borrower may, upon notice to Administrative Agent, at any time or from time to time, voluntarily prepay Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that : (a) such notice must be received by Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 Noon: (i) three (3) Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of LIBOR Loans; and (ii) on the date of prepayment of Alternate Base Rate Loans; (b) any prepayment of LIBOR Loans shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000.00 or a whole multiple of $100,000.00 in excess thereof; and (c) any prepayment of Alternate Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $500,000.00 or a whole multiple of $100,000.00 in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding. Each such notice shall specify the date (which shall be a Business Day) and amount of such prepayment and the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid (it being understood and agreed that each payment shall be applied on a pro rata basis to the repayment of the outstanding Loans). Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such prepayment. If such notice is given by Borrower, Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein. Any prepayment of a LIBOR Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest thereon, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 2.20 hereof. Each such prepayment shall be applied to the Obligations held by each Lender in accordance with its respective Pro Rata Share.

(c) [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 2.10 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 2.11 Lending Office . Each Lender may: (a) designate its principal office or a branch, subsidiary or Affiliate of such Lender as its Lending Office (and the office to whose accounts

 

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payments are to be credited) for any LIBOR Loan; (b) designate its principal office or a branch, subsidiary or Affiliate as its Lender’s Office (and the office to whose accounts payments are to be credited) for any Alternate Base Rate Loan; and (c) change its Lending Office from time to time by notice in writing to Borrower. In such event, such Lender shall continue to hold the Note, if any, evidencing its loans for the benefit and account of such branch, subsidiary or Affiliate. Each Lender shall be entitled to fund all or any portion of such Lender’s Commitment in any manner it deems appropriate, consistent with the provisions of Section 2.5 hereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, if a Lender changes its applicable lending office (other than pursuant to Section 2.19(e) hereof) and the effect of such change, as of the date of such change, would be to cause Borrower to become obligated to pay any additional amount under Sections 2.16 or 2.19 hereof, Borrower shall not be obligated to pay such additional amount.

Section 2.12 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 2.13 Use of Proceeds . The proceeds of the Borrowings shall be used to finance Borrower’s activities permitted under the Organizational Documents of Borrower, including, without limitation, any distributions to the members of Borrower permitted under such Organizational Documents. Administrative Agent and Lenders shall have no liability, obligation, or responsibility whatsoever with respect to the use of the proceeds of the Borrowings by Borrower, and Administrative Agent and Lenders shall not be obligated to determine whether or not the use of the proceeds of the Borrowings by Borrower is for purposes permitted under such Organizational Documents. Nothing, including, without limitation, any Borrowing, any conversion or continuation thereof, or acceptance of any other document or instrument, shall be construed as a representation or warranty, express or implied, to any party by Administrative Agent or Lenders as to whether any use of proceeds by Borrower is permitted by the terms of such Organizational Documents. Borrower represents, warrants and covenants that it (a) will use reasonable efforts in connection with its own direct business activities to comply with the Environmental and Social Policy Guidelines during the term hereunder, and (b) under no circumstances shall any Loan proceeds be used to finance any investment in the gambling industries, or in any military equipment and/or military supply industries; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to (x) any entity or any product whose primary purpose is not in the gambling industries or whose primary purpose is not to cause bodily harm or injury to humans during the act of war or military conflict or (y) an entity that is engaged in the production or sale of computer technology, communications equipment, software, medical supplies, vaccines or similar items or any other items which may have an ancillary or secondary use by the gambling industries or the military but a primary use by other types of industries or Persons.

Section 2.14 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 2.15 Computation of Interest and Fees . Interest on Alternate Base Rate Loans, LIBOR Loans and fees shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid; provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.9 hereof, bear interest for one day.

Section 2.16 Taxes .

(a) Payments Free of Taxes . Any and all payments by Borrower or on account of any Obligation hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without

 

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reduction or withholding for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, provided that if Borrower shall be required by applicable law to deduct any Indemnified Taxes (including any Other Taxes) from such payments, then: (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions with respect to such Indemnified or Other Taxes (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.16) Administrative Agent or the applicable Lender, as the case may be, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made; (ii) Borrower shall make such deductions; and (iii) Borrower shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(b) Payment of Other Taxes by Borrower . Without limiting the provisions of subparagraph (a) immediately above, Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(c) Indemnification by Borrower . Borrower shall indemnify Administrative Agent or the applicable Lender, as the case may be, within ten (10) days after written demand setting forth the amount and the reasons in reasonable detail therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.16) paid by Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, and any penalties, interest and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto (other than penalties, interest and expenses attributable to gross negligence or willful misconduct), whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate setting forth the amount of such payment or liability and the reasons therefor in reasonable detail delivered to Borrower by Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, shall be conclusive absent demonstrable error.

(d) Evidence of Payments . As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by Borrower to a Governmental Authority, Borrower shall deliver to Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

(e) Status of Lenders . Any Lender (and, in the case of a pass-through entity, any of its beneficial owners) that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax with respect to payments hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall (and, in the case of a pass-through entity, shall cause its beneficial owners to) deliver to Borrower (with a copy to Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by Borrower or Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. Each Foreign Lender shall (and, in the case of a pass-through entity, shall cause its beneficial owners to) comply with any certification, documentation, information or other reporting necessary to establish an exemption from withholding under FATCA and shall provide any other documentation reasonably requested by Borrower or the Administrative Agent sufficient for the Administrative Agent and Borrower to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Foreign Lender has complied with such applicable reporting requirements. In addition, any Lender, if requested by Borrower or Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by Borrower or Administrative Agent as will enable Borrower or Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements.

(f) Tax Forms . Any Lender shall deliver to Borrower and Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Lender

 

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becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of Borrower or Administrative Agent, but only if such Lender is legally entitled to do so), whichever of the following is applicable:

(i) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party;

(ii) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI or Form W-8;

(iii) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Internal Revenue Code: (i) a certificate to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not: (1) a “bank” within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a “10 percent shareholder” of Borrower within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code; or (3) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code; and (ii) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-10BEN; or

(iv) any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States Federal withholding tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit Borrower to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.

The parties hereto understand and agree that the tax forms required to be provided by a Foreign Lender pursuant to this subparagraphs (e) and (f) of this Section 2.16 shall establish a complete exemption from United States federal withholding tax with respect to payments required to be made hereunder by Borrower that is resident for tax purposes in the United States.

(g) Treatment of Certain Refunds . If Administrative Agent or any Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by Borrower or with respect to which Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall pay to Borrower an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by Borrower under this Section with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses in respect of such refund of Administrative Agent or any Lender, as the case may be, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided that Borrower, upon the request of Administrative Agent or any Lender, as the case may be, agrees to repay the amount paid over to Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to Administrative Agent or any Lender, as the case may be, in the event Administrative Agent or any Lender, as the case may be, is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This subsection shall not be construed to require Administrative Agent or any Lender, as the case may be, to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to Borrower or any other Person.

Section 2.17 Illegality . If any Lender determines that any Legal Requirement has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for such Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund LIBOR Loans, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the LIBOR, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to Borrower and Administrative Agent, any obligation of such Lender to make or continue LIBOR Loans or to convert Alternate Base Rate Loans to LIBOR Loans shall be suspended until such Lender notifies Borrower and Administrative

 

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Agent that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Following receipt of such notice, all LIBOR Loans of such Lender shall be converted to Alternate Base Rate Loans, either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such LIBOR Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such LIBOR Loans. Upon any such conversion, Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so converted. Each Lender agrees to designate a different Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for such notice and will not, in the good faith judgment of such Lender, otherwise be materially disadvantageous to such Lender.

Section 2.18 Inability to Determine Rates . If the Administrative Agent determines that for any reason in connection with any request for a LIBOR Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof that: (a) Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank eurodollar market for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such LIBOR Loan; (b) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the LIBOR for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR Loan; or (c) LIBOR for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to Lenders of funding such Loan, then Administrative Agent will promptly so notify Borrower. Thereafter, the obligation of Lenders to make or maintain LIBOR Loans shall be suspended until Administrative Agent revokes such notice (which it agrees to do promptly upon such conditions ceasing to exist). Upon receipt of such notice, Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of LIBOR Loans or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Alternate Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.

Section 2.19 Increased Costs .

(a) Increased Costs Generally . If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, Lenders (except any reserve requirement);

(ii) subject Lenders to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement or any LIBOR Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to Lenders in respect thereof (except for Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes covered by Section 2.16 hereof and the imposition of, or any change in the rate of, any Excluded Tax); or

(iii) impose on Lenders or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or LIBOR Loans made by Lenders;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to Lenders of making or maintaining any LIBOR Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by Lenders hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount), in each case by an amount which such Lender deems to be material, then, upon request of Lenders, Borrower will pay to Lenders such additional amount or amounts as will compensate Lenders for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered, provided that, in any such case, Borrower may elect to convert LIBOR Loans made by any such Lender hereunder to Alternate Base Rate Loans by giving Administrative Agent at least one Business Day s notice of such election, in

 

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which case Borrower shall promptly pay to such Lender, upon demand, without duplication, amounts theretofore required to be paid to such Lender pursuant to this subsection 2.19(a) and such amounts, if any, as may be required pursuant to subsection 2.20.

(b) Capital Requirements . If any Lender determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or such Lender’s holding company, if any, regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by such Lender to a level below that which such Lender or such Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), in each case by an amount deemed by such Lender to be material, then from time to time Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c) Certificates for Reimbursement . A certificate of a Lender certifying (x) that one of the events described in subsection (a) or (b), as the case may be, has occurred and describing in reasonable detail the nature of such event, (y) as to the increased cost incurred or reduction suffered resulting from such event and (z) as to the additional amount or amounts demanded by such Lender and a reasonably detailed explanation of the calculation thereof, and delivered to Borrower shall be conclusive absent demonstrable error. Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

(d) Delay in Requests . Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.19 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation, provided that Borrower shall not be required to compensate any Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.19 for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered or other amounts claimed more than nine (9) months prior to the date that such Lender notifies Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine (9)-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

(e) Mitigation . If a condition or an event occurs which would, or would upon the passage of time or giving of notice, result in the payment of any additional amount to any Lender by Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.19, such Lender shall promptly notify Borrower and Administrative Agent and shall take such steps as may reasonably be available to it to mitigate the effects of such condition or event (which shall include efforts to rebook the Loans held by such Lender at another lending office, or through another branch or an affiliate, of such Lender); provided that such Lender shall not be required to take any step that, in its reasonable judgment, would be materially disadvantageous to its business or operations or would require it to incur additional costs or expenses (unless Borrower agrees to reimburse such Lender for the reasonable incremental out-of-pocket costs thereof). The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(f) Replacement of Lenders . If any Lender requests compensation under this Section 2.19, or if Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16, Borrower may replace such Lender in accordance with Section 9.15.

 

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Section 2.20 Compensation for Losses . Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to Administrative Agent) from time to time, Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:

(a) any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any LIBOR Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such LIBOR Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise); or

(b) any failure by Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of any Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any LIBOR Loan on the date or in the amount notified by Borrower, in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the amount so prepaid, or converted, or not so borrowed, converted or continued, for the period from the date of such prepayment or conversion or of such failure to borrow, convert or continue to the last day of the applicable Interest Period (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, the Interest Period that would have commenced on the date of such failure) in each case at the applicable rate of interest for such LIBOR Loans provided for herein (excluding, however, the Applicable Margin included therein, if any) over (ii) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined by such Lender) which would have accrued to such Lender on such amount by placing such amount on deposit for a comparable period with leading banks in the interbank eurocurrency market; or

(c) any assignment of a LIBOR Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by Borrower pursuant to Section 9.15; including any loss of anticipated profits and any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained. Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing.

Section 2.21 Demand Deposit Account . Borrower shall be required, during the term hereof, to maintain at Citibank, N.A., 153 East 53rd Street, New York, New York 10043, a separate demand deposit account (each, a “ Demand Deposit Account ”), in accordance with standard account documents of Administrative Agent. On any date a payment is due hereunder, Borrower shall deposit into such Demand Deposit Account an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the amount contained therein and the amount due on such date. Borrower agrees that on the date each payment hereunder is due and owing hereunder, Administrative Agent is authorized to, and shall, debit the Demand Deposit Account of Borrower by the amount of the payment owed.

Section 2.22 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 2.23 [Intentionally Omitted] .

SECTION 3

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

To induce Lenders to make the Loans hereunder, Borrower represents and warrants to Administrative Agent and Lenders that:

Section 3.1 Organization and Good Standing of Borrower . Borrower is a limited liability company or, upon consummation of the Permitted Conversion, a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, has the requisite power and authority to own its

 

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properties and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted, and is qualified to do business in each jurisdiction where the nature of the business conducted or the property owned or leased requires such qualification or where the failure to be so qualified to do business would have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.2 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 3.3 Authorization and Power . Borrower has limited liability company or, upon consummation of the Permitted Conversion, corporate power and requisite authority to execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Notes, and the other Loan Documents to be executed by it. Borrower is duly authorized to, and has taken all limited liability company or, upon consummation of the Permitted Conversion, corporate action necessary to authorize it to execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Notes and such other Loan Documents, and Borrower is and will continue to be duly authorized to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Notes and such other Loan Documents.

Section 3.4 No Conflicts or Consents . None of the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Notes or the other Loan Documents, the consummation of any of the transactions herein or therein contemplated, or the compliance with the terms and provisions hereof or with the terms and provisions thereof, will contravene or conflict with any of Borrower’s Organizational Documents, or contravene or conflict, in any material respect, with any provision of law, statute, or regulation to which Borrower is subject or any judgment, license, order, or permit applicable to Borrower or any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, or other agreement or instrument to which Borrower is a party or by which Borrower may be bound, or to which Borrower may be subject, to the extent such contravention or conflict could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No consent, approval, authorization, or order of any court or Governmental Authority or third party is required in connection with the execution and delivery by Borrower of the Loan Documents or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby which has not been obtained.

Section 3.5 Enforceable Obligations . This Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents to which Borrower is party are the legal, valid and binding obligations of Borrower, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, subject to Debtor Relief Laws.

Section 3.6 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 3.7 Financial Condition . Borrower has delivered to Administrative Agent the most-recently available copies of the financial statements of Borrower, in each case certified as true and correct by a Responsible Officer of Borrower. Such statements fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition of Borrower as of the applicable date of delivery, and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, except as provided therein.

Section 3.8 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 3.9 No Default . No event has occurred and is continuing which constitutes an Event of Default or a Potential Default.

Section 3.10 No Litigation . There are no actions, suits, investigations or legal, equitable, arbitration or administrative proceedings pending, or to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened in writing, against Borrower that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.11 Material Adverse Change . No changes to Borrower have occurred since the date of the most recent financial statements of Borrower delivered to Lenders which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 3.12 Taxes . To the extent that failure to do so would have a Material Adverse Effect, all tax returns required to be filed by Borrower in any jurisdiction have been filed and all taxes (including mortgage recording taxes), assessments, fees, and other governmental charges upon Borrower or upon any of its properties, income or franchises have been paid prior to the time that such taxes could give rise to a lien thereon which is not being contested in good faith in accordance with Section 4.2 hereof. There is no tax assessment pending against Borrower or, to Borrower’s knowledge, any basis for such assessment which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect which is not being contested in good faith.

Section 3.13 Chief Executive Office; Records . Borrower’s principal place of business and the place where Borrower keeps its books and records, including recorded data of any kind or nature, regardless of the medium or recording, including software, writings, plans, specifications and schematics, has been and will continue to be at 1450 Brickell Avenue, 31 st Floor, Miami, Florida 33131 (unless Borrower notifies Administrative Agent in writing promptly following the date of such change). Borrower’s federal taxpayer identification number is 45-4247759. Borrower’s organizational filing number with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, as issued by such Secretary of State, is 5087375.

Section 3.14 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 3.15 Compliance with Legal Requirements . Borrower is, to the best of its knowledge, in compliance in all material respects with all Legal Requirements which are applicable to Borrower or its properties to the extent a failure to be in compliance could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.16 Limited Liability Company Structure . As of the Closing Date, the owners of the Equity Interests of Borrower are set forth on Schedule 3.16 attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

Section 3.17 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 3.18 Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of Borrower is the calendar year.

Section 3.19 Investment Company Act . Borrower is not required to register as an investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Section 3.20 Margin Stock . No proceeds of any Borrowing will be used to purchase or carry any Margin Stock in violation of Regulation U.

Section 3.21 Insurance . Borrower has, with respect to its properties and business, insurance covering risks, in amounts, with deductibles or other retention amounts, and with carriers, which meet the requirements of Section 4.9 hereof as of the Closing Date.

Section 3.22 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 3.23 Foreign Trade Regulations . Borrower is not (a) a person included within the definition of “designated foreign country” or “national” of a “designated foreign country” in Executive

 

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Order No. 8389, as amended, in Executive Order No. 9193, as amended, in the Foreign Assets Control Regulations (31 C.F.R., Chapter V, Part 500, as amended), in the Cuban Assets Control Regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 C.F.R., Chapter V, Part 515, as amended) or in the Regulations of the Office of Alien Property, Department of Justice (8 C.F.R., Chapter II, Part 507, as amended) or within the meanings of any of the said Orders or Regulations, or of any regulations, interpretations, or rulings issued thereunder, or in violation of said Orders or Regulations or of any regulations, interpretations or rulings issued thereunder; or (b) an entity listed in Section 520.101 of the Foreign Funds Control Regulations (31 C.F.R., Chapter V, Part 520, as amended).

Section 3.24 Solvency . Borrower has not entered into the transactions hereunder or any Loan Document with the actual intent to hinder, delay, or defraud any creditor and Borrower has received reasonably equivalent value in exchange for its obligations hereunder and under the Loan Documents. On the date hereof and after and giving effect to the Loans occurring on the date hereof, and the disbursement of the proceeds of such Loans pursuant to the Borrower’s instructions, Borrower is and will be Solvent.

Section 3.25 No Setoff . Other than the statutory right of setoff provided by applicable Legal Requirements, to Borrower’s best knowledge, there exists no right of setoff, deduction or counterclaim on the part of Borrower against Administrative Agent, any Lender or any of their Affiliates.

Section 3.26 Hazardous Substances . Borrower (a) has not received any notice or other communication or otherwise learned of any Environmental Liability which would individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect arising in connection with: (i) any non-compliance with or violation of the requirements of any Environmental Law by Borrower, or any permit issued under any Environmental Law to Borrower; or (ii) the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material into the environment; and (b) to its knowledge, does not have either threatened or actual liability in connection with the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material into the environment which would individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.27 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 3.28 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 3.29 [Intentionally Omitted] .

SECTION 4

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

So long as Lenders have any Loans outstanding hereunder, and until payment in full of the Obligations, Borrower hereby agree that, unless Administrative Agent on behalf of the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing (unless the approval of Administrative Agent alone or a different number of Lenders is expressly permitted below):

Section 4.1 Financial Statements, Reports and Notices . Borrower shall deliver to Administrative Agent sufficient copies for each Lender, and Administrative Agent shall make available to the Lenders via IntraLinks, the following:

(a) Annual Statements . As soon as reasonably available and in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year of Borrower, financial statements of

 

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Borrower, together with all notes thereto, which statements shall contain a balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal year and statements of income and cash flow for such fiscal year, such statements to be audited, based upon an audit in accordance with GAAP, by an independent certified public accountant acceptable to the Lender, and whose opinion thereon shall be unqualified as to going concern or scope of audit.

(b) Quarterly Statements . As soon as reasonably available and in any event within sixty (60) days after the end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year of Borrower, the quarterly unaudited financial statements of Borrower, as prepared by the internal management of Borrower or Borrower’s independent certified public accountants;

(c) Compliance Certificate . Simultaneously with the delivery of each set of financial statements referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above, a certificate (a “ Compliance Certificate ”) of a Responsible Officer of Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit 4.1(c) attached hereto (with blanks appropriately completed in conformity herewith) (i) stating that each such Responsible Officer is familiar with the terms and provisions of the Loan Documents, and has made, or caused to be made under his or her supervision, a detailed review of the transactions and condition (financial or otherwise) of Borrower during the period covered by such Compliance Certificate; (ii) certifying that such financial statements fairly present the financial condition and the results of operations of Borrower on the dates and for the periods indicated, on the basis of GAAP, subject, in the case of interim financial statements, to the absence of footnotes and normally recurring year-end adjustments; and (iii) stating whether any Event of Default or Potential Default exists on the date of such certificate and, if any Event of Default or Potential Default then exists, setting forth the details thereof and the action which Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto; provided, however, that Borrower shall be required to deliver to Administrative Agent a copy of its most recently delivered Compliance Certificate, within five (5) Business Days from the end of each calendar month hereunder (or more frequently if Borrower is notified by the Administrative Agent) during which there exists an outstanding Swap Contract entered into hereunder by Borrower with Administrative Agent or any Lender to any Affiliate of Administrative Agent or any such Lender and, in respect thereof, updated to reflect if there exists any liabilities, obligations or exposure on the part of, or otherwise owed by, Borrower under a Swap Contract hereunder.

(d) [Intentionally Omitted] .

(e) Material Litigation . Promptly and in any event within five Business Days after acquiring knowledge thereof, written notification of the filing of any litigation against Borrower which, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect.

(f) [Intentionally Omitted] .

(g) [Intentionally Omitted] .

(h) [Intentionally Omitted] .

(i) [Intentionally Omitted] .

(j) [Intentionally Omitted] .

(k) [Intentionally Omitted] .

 

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(l) Other Information . Borrower shall deliver, with reasonable promptness, such other information, financial or otherwise, with respect to Borrower as Administrative Agent may reasonably request from time to time.

Section 4.2 Payment of Taxes . Borrower will pay and discharge all taxes, assessments, and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it, upon its income or profits, or upon any property belonging to it before delinquent, if failure to do so would have a Material Adverse Effect; provided, however, that Borrower shall not be required to pay any such tax, assessment, charge, or levy if and so long as the amount, applicability, or validity thereof shall currently be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and appropriate reserves therefor have been established.

Section 4.3 Maintenance of Existence and Rights . Borrower will preserve and maintain its existence. Borrower shall further preserve and maintain all of its rights, privileges, and franchises necessary in the normal conduct of its business and in accordance with all valid regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority the failure to preserve or to maintain of which would have a Material Adverse Effect. Borrower will not change its country of incorporation during the term hereof without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent.

Section 4.4 Notice of Default . Borrower will furnish to Administrative Agent, promptly following, and in any event within five (5) Business Days after becoming aware of the existence of any condition or event which constitutes an Event of Default or a Potential Default, a written notice specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and the action which Borrower are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.5 Compliance with Organizational Documents . Borrower shall comply in all material respects with its obligations under its Organizational Documents.

Section 4.6 Books and Records; Access . Borrower will give any representative of Administrative Agent access during all business hours and upon reasonable notice to, and permit such representatives to examine, copy, or make excerpts from, any and all books, records, and documents in the possession of Borrower and relating to its affairs, and to inspect any of the properties of Borrower; provided, however, that unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Administrative Agent may only exercise its right to inspection once during any twelve (12) month period. The Administrative Agent will deliver reasonable notice to the Lenders of its intent to exercise any such right of examination and each of Administrative Agent and Borrower agrees that each Lender will be entitled to have representatives attend such examination or a third party on its behalf (at such Lender’s own cost and expense). After an Event of Default, Administrative Agent shall be permitted to exercise its right to inspection (and each Lender shall be permitted to attend any such examination) more frequently than once per year; provided that (i) the permitted annual visit by Administrative Agent and any Lender (or its representatives) shall be at the Borrower’s expense; provided further , however, that attendance at any examination beyond the permitted annual visit by a Lender shall be at the expense of such Lender.

Section 4.7 Compliance with Law . Borrower will comply in all material respects with all material Legal Requirements, including all Environmental Laws, except to the extent that the failure to comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.8 [Intentionally Omitted] .

 

 

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Section 4.9 Insurance . Borrower will maintain liability insurance, and insurance on its properties, assets, and business against such casualties, risks, and contingencies, and in such types and amounts, as are consistent with customary practices and standards of Borrower’s industry and the failure of which to maintain could have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.10 Other Notices . Borrower will, promptly upon receipt of actual knowledge thereof, notify Administrative Agent of any of the following events that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Borrower: (a) any change in the financial condition or business of Borrower; (b) any default under any material agreement, contract, or other instrument to which Borrower is a party or by which any of its properties are bound, or any acceleration of the maturity of any Material Indebtedness, including any Non-Recourse Indebtedness, owing by Borrower; (c) any uninsured claim against or affecting Borrower or any of its properties; (d) the commencement of, and any material determination in, any litigation with any third party or any proceeding before any Governmental Authority affecting Borrower; (e) any Environmental Complaint or any claim, demand, action, event, condition, report or investigation indicating any potential or actual liability arising in connection with: (i) the non-compliance with or violation of the requirements of any Environmental Law or any permit issued under any Environmental Law; or (ii) the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material into the environment; (f) the existence of any Environmental Lien on any Properties or assets of Borrower; (g) any material remedial action taken by Borrower in response to any order, consent decree or judgment of any Governmental Authority or any Environmental Liability; or (h) the listing of any of Borrower’s Properties on CERCLIS to the extent that Borrower obtains knowledge of such listing, whether or not such listing would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.11 [ Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 4.12 [ Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 4.13 [ Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 4.14 Authorizations and Approvals . Borrower will promptly obtain, from time to time at its own expense, all such governmental licenses, authorizations, consents, permits and approvals as may be required to enable Borrower to comply with its obligations hereunder, under the other Loan Documents, and its Organizational Documents.

Section 4.15 [ Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 4.16 Further Assurances . Borrower will make, execute or endorse, and acknowledge and deliver or file or cause the same to be done, all such vouchers, invoices, notices, certifications, and additional agreements, undertakings, conveyances, transfers, assignments or other assurances, and take any and all such other action, as Administrative Agent may, from time to time, reasonably deem necessary in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or the obligations of Borrower hereunder or thereunder.

Section 4.17 [ Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 4.18 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 4.19 [ Intentionally Omitted] .

 

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Section 4.20 [ Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 4.21 [ Intentionally Omitted] .

SECTION 5

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

So long as Lenders have any Loans outstanding hereunder, and until payment and performance in full of the Obligations, Borrower agrees that, without the written consent of Administrative Agent, based upon the approval of Required Lenders (unless the approval of Administrative Agent alone or a different number of Lenders is expressly permitted below):

Section 5.1 Mergers; Dissolution . Borrower will not merge or consolidate with or into any Person, unless Borrower is the surviving entity. Borrower will not liquidate, dissolve or terminate its existence.

Section 5.2 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 5.3 Fiscal Year and Accounting Method . Without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent, Borrower will not change its fiscal year or method of accounting, except as required by GAAP.

Section 5.4 Organizational Documents . Without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent consistent with this Section 5.4 (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed): (a) Borrower shall not alter, amend, modify, supplement, terminate, or change any provision of its Organizational Documents to the extent any such amendment, modification, supplement, termination, or other change would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (each such amendment described being a “ Material Amendment ”). With respect to any proposed amendment, modification, supplement, termination, or other change to any Organizational Document, Borrower shall notify Administrative Agent of such proposal. Administrative Agent shall determine, in its sole discretion (that is, the determination of the other Lenders shall not be required) on Administrative Agent’s good faith belief, whether such proposed amendment, modification or change to such Organizational Document is a Material Amendment, and shall use reasonable efforts to notify Borrower of its determination within five (5) Business Days of the date on which it is deemed to have received such notification pursuant to Section 9.8 hereof. If Administrative Agent determines that the proposed amendment is a Material Amendment, the approval of the Super Majority Lenders and Administrative Agent will be required (unless the approval of all Lenders is required consistent with the terms of Section 9.1 hereof), and Administrative Agent shall promptly notify Lenders of such request for such approval, distributing, as appropriate, the proposed amendment and any other relevant information provided by Borrower. If Administrative Agent determines that the proposed amendment is not a Material Amendment, Borrower may make such amendment without the consent of Lenders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of Administrative Agent or Lenders, Borrower may amend its Organizational Documents to reflect transfers of interests permitted by this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the foregoing, a conversion of Borrower from a Delaware limited liability company to a Delaware corporation at any time after the Closing Date shall be expressly permitted hereunder if and only on the conditions that (i) Borrower shall provide at least five (5) Business Days prior written notice of its intention to make such conversion to Administrative Agent; provided , however , that if such conversion is made in connection with an initial public offering of equity of Borrower, then Borrower shall provide such written notice as soon as practicable prior to such fifth Business Day, (ii) such written notice shall include copies of the proposed Organizational Documents for the converted corporation, which such

 

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proposed Organizational Documents shall be reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent, and (iii) immediately after consummation of such conversion (and, in any case, not later than two (2) Business Days following the date thereof), Borrower shall deliver to Administrative Agent (A) an executed amended and restated Note(s), if requested by Administrative Agent and (B) a certificate from a Responsible Officer of Borrower stating that (1) all of the representations and warranties contained in Section 3 hereof and the other Loan Documents made by Borrower are true and correct in all material respects as of such date, except to the extent that they relate to a particular date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date; and (2) no Event of Default or, to its knowledge, Potential Default has occurred and is continuing.

Section 5.5 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 5.6 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 5.7 Limitations on Dividends and Distributions .

(a) Distributions . Borrower shall not declare or pay any dividends or distributions, or purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any of its Equity Interests now or hereafter outstanding (a “ Distribution ”) except as permitted under its Organizational Documents.

(b) No Distributions if a Default Exists . Borrower shall not declare or pay any Distributions if any (i) Event of Default exists and is continuing or would result therefrom, or (ii) a Potential Default related to Sections 7.1(a), 7.1(b), 7.1(f) or 7.1(g) exists.

(c) [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 5.8 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 5.9 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 5.10 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 5.11 Environmental Matters .

Except for such conditions as are in or will promptly be brought into compliance with relevant Environmental Laws or otherwise would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, Borrower: (a) shall not cause any Hazardous Material to be generated, placed, held, located or disposed of on, under or at, or transported to or from, any Property of Borrower in material violation of Environmental Law; or (b) shall not permit any such Property to ever be used as a dump site or storage site (whether permanent or temporary) for any Hazardous Material in material violation of Environmental Law.

Section 5.12 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 5.13 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 5.14 [Intentionally Omitted] .

SECTION 6

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BORROWING

Section 6.1 Conditions to Initial Borrowing . The obligations of Lenders to fund the initial Borrowing hereunder are subject to the conditions precedent that Administrative Agent shall have received, on or before the Closing Date, the following:

 

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(a) Agreement . This Agreement, duly executed and delivered by each of Borrower, Lenders and Administrative Agent.

(b) Notes . If requested by a Lender, a Note drawn to such Lender, duly executed and delivered by Borrower.

(c) Revolving Credit Borrower Guaranty; Second Amendment Effective Date . The Revolving Credit Borrower Guaranty in respect of the Obligations hereunder duly executed by the Revolving Credit Borrower. The Second Amendment Effective Date (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) shall have occurred.

(d) [Intentionally Omitted] .

(e) Organizational Documents; Authority . Such evidence as Administrative Agent may reasonably require to verify that Borrower (i) is duly organized or formed, validly existing and in good standing, including certified copies of Borrower’s Organizational Documents and certificates of good standing, and (ii) has the authority to execute, deliver and perform its Obligations.

(f) Responsible Officer Certificate . A certificate from a Responsible Officer of Borrower stating that: (i) all of the representations and warranties contained in Section 3 hereof and the other Loan Documents made by Borrower are true and correct in all material respects as of such date, except to the extent that they relate to a particular date, will be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date; and (ii) no Event of Default or, to its knowledge, Potential Default has occurred and is continuing.

(g) Incumbency Certificates . Incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible Officers of Borrower as Administrative Agent may require to establish the identities of and verify the authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer of Borrower authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which Borrower is a party.

(h) [Intentionally Omitted] .

(i) Opinions of Counsel . A favorable opinion of Greenberg Traurig, LLP, special New York counsel to Borrower, and of Dechert LLP, special Delaware counsel to Borrower, in each case, covering such matters relating to the transactions contemplated hereby as reasonably requested by Administrative Agent, and substantially in a form acceptable to Administrative Agent.

(j) [Intentionally Omitted] .

(k) [Intentionally Omitted] .

(l) [Intentionally Omitted] .

(m) [Intentionally Omitted] .

(n) [Intentionally Omitted] .

 

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(o) Compliance Certificate . A duly executed and completed Compliance Certificate.

(p) [Intentionally Omitted] .

(q) Additional Information . Such other information and documents as may reasonably be required by Administrative Agent and its counsel.

(r) Representations and Warranties . All of the representations and warranties of Borrower herein or in any other Loan Document are and will be true and correct in all material respects both immediately before and, after giving effect to such Borrowing, on the date of such Borrowing, with the same force and effect as if made on and as of such date (except to the extent (i) that such representations are made as of a specific date (such as “as of the date hereof”), in which event they shall only be required to remain true and correct in all material respects as of such date, and (ii) of changes in facts or circumstances which have been previously disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent) that do not constitute an Event of Default or a Potential Default under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

(s) No Default . No Event of Default or Potential Default exists at such date.

(t) Request for Credit Extension . Administrative Agent shall have received a Request for Credit Extension hereunder and a Request for Credit Extension (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) under the Revolving Credit Agreement, in each case, as applicable, duly completed including, without limitation, the schedules thereto and the calculations required therein. The Request for Credit Extension submitted by Borrower hereunder shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Section 6.1 hereof have been satisfied on and as of the date of the initial Borrowing.

Section 6.2. [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 6.3 [Intentionally Omitted] .

SECTION 7

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

Section 7.1 Events of Default . An Event of Default shall exist if any one or more of the following events (herein collectively called “ Events of Default ”) shall occur and be continuing:

(a) Failure to Pay . Borrower shall fail to pay when due: (i) any principal of any Loan; or (ii) any interest on any Loan and such failure under this subclause (ii) shall continue for three (3) Business Days, or (iii) any fee, expense, or other payment required hereunder, and such failure under this subclause (iii) shall continue unremedied for three (3) Business Days;

(b) Failure to Perform Certain Acts . Borrower shall fail to perform or observe any of the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of Sections 4.3, 4.4, 5.1, and 5.7 hereof;

(c) Failure to Perform Generally . Borrower shall fail to perform or observe any other covenant, agreement or provision to be performed or observed under this Agreement (other than as specified in Sections 7.1(a) or 7.1(b) hereof) or any other Loan Document applicable to it, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof by Administrative Agent to Borrower; provided, however, that if Borrower has commenced its actions to

 

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cure such failure and demonstrated such actions to the Super Majority Lenders’ reasonable satisfaction during such thirty (30) days period, neither Administrative Agent nor the Super Majority Lenders shall declare an Event of Default hereunder unless Administrative Agent and Super Majority Lenders determine, in its/their reasonable discretion, that the failure to cure within an additional sixty (60) day period shall cause a Material Adverse Effect;

(d) Misrepresentation . Any representation or warranty of Borrower herein or in any other Loan Document or any amendment to any thereof shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material respect at the time made or intended to be effective; provided , that , so long as Administrative Agent (in Administrative Agent’s sole and absolute discretion) or the Required Lenders have not acted or refrained from acting in any material manner in reliance upon such representation or warranty, and the circumstances giving rise to such representation or warranty are capable of being altered or cured in a manner to make such representation or warranty not false or misleading in any material respect, Borrower shall have thirty (30) days from the date on which Borrower discovers such representation or warranty was false or misleading to alter or cure the circumstances giving rise thereto; provided further , Borrower shall, immediately upon becoming aware of such circumstances, give written notice thereof to Administrative Agent together with a description of the suggested cure thereof, and Borrower shall proceed to diligently cure or alter such circumstances and upon such cure or alteration, provide to Administrative Agent evidence thereof, satisfactory to Administrative Agent;

(e) Cross-Defaults, etc . Borrower shall (i) fail to make any payment of Indebtedness (including, without limitation, Swap Contracts) after the applicable grace period with respect thereto, if any, (A) to any Lender or Affiliate of any Lender (excluding any such obligation evidenced by the Notes which is specifically governed by subparagraph (a) above of this Section 7.1), or (B) owed to any other Person in respect of any Material Indebtedness; or (ii) fail to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any Material Indebtedness, if the effect of which default is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Material Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, with the giving of notice or lapse of time if required, such Material Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity to become payable (an “ Acceleration ”), and such time shall have lapsed and, if any notice (a “ Default Notice ) shall be required to commence a grace period or declare the occurrence of an event of default before notice of Acceleration may be delivered, such Default Notice shall have been given; provided that this subparagraph (e)(ii) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness;

(f) Bankruptcy, etc . Borrower shall (i) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, intervenor, or liquidator of itself or of all or a substantial part of its assets; (ii) file a voluntary petition in bankruptcy or admit in writing that it is unable to pay its debts as they become due; (iii) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (iv) file a petition or answer seeking reorganization or an arrangement with creditors or to take advantage of any Debtor Relief Laws; or (v) file an answer admitting the material allegations of, or consent to, or default in answering, a petition filed against it in any bankruptcy, reorganization or insolvency proceeding; and/or (B) an order, judgment or decree shall be entered by any court of competent jurisdiction or other competent authority approving a petition seeking reorganization of Borrower or appointing a receiver, custodian, trustee, intervenor, or liquidator of Borrower, or of all or substantially all of its assets, and such order, judgment or decree shall continue unstayed and in effect for a period of sixty (60) days;

(g) Judgments . A final judgment(s) or order(s) for the payment of money in excess of the Material Indebtedness, in the aggregate, with respect to Borrower, shall be rendered against Borrower, and such judgment(s) or order(s) is unsatisfied and either (i) enforcement proceedings shall have been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order, or (ii) a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect for any period of thirty (30) consecutive days;

 

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(h) Repudiation in General, etc . This Agreement or any other Loan Document shall, at any time after their respective execution and delivery and for any reason whatsoever, cease to be in full force and effect or shall be declared to be null and void (other than in accordance with the terms thereof or by any action on behalf of Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders) (unless such circumstance is cured to the reasonable satisfaction of the Required Lenders within five (5) Business Days following request of Administrative Agent made pursuant to any “further assurance” clause herein or in any other Loan Document), or the validity or enforceability thereof shall be contested in writing by Borrower, or Borrower shall improperly deny that it, as the case may be, has any further liability or obligation under any of the Loan Documents to which it is a party;

(i) [Intentionally Omitted] ;

(j) Change in Control; Termination of Business . Either (a) Revolving Credit Borrower shall cease to own, directly or indirectly, greater than ten percent (10%) of the equity interests of Borrower for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days, or (b) the occurrence of the termination or cessation of Borrower’s businesses and operations for a period of twenty (20) consecutive days;

(k) [Intentionally Omitted] ;

(1) [Intentionally Omitted] ;

(m) [Intentionally Omitted] ; or

(n) [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 7.2 Remedies Upon Event of Default .

(a) Remedies . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, then Administrative Agent may, and, upon the direction of the Required Lenders, shall, take any and/or all of the following actions at the same or different times: (i) suspend the Commitments of Lenders and any obligation to make Borrowings until such Event of Default is cured; (ii) terminate the Commitments of Lenders and any obligation to make Borrowings hereunder; (iii) declare the principal of, and all interest then accrued on, the Loans to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon the same shall forthwith become due and payable without presentment, demand, protest, notice of default, notice of acceleration, or of intention to accelerate or other notice of any kind all of which Borrower hereby expressly waives, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding; (iv) exercise any right, privilege, or power set forth herein; or (v) without notice of default or demand, pursue and enforce any of Administrative Agent’s or Lenders’ rights and remedies under the Loan Documents, or otherwise provided under or pursuant to any Legal Requirement or agreement; provided, however, that if any Event of Default specified in Section 7.1(f) hereof shall occur, the principal of, and all interest on, the Loans shall thereupon become due and payable concurrently therewith, without any further action by Administrative Agent or Lenders, and without presentment, demand, protest, notice of default, notice of acceleration, or of intention to accelerate or other notice of any kind, all of which Borrower hereby expressly waives.

(b) Application of Proceeds . It is agreed that if an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, any and all amounts received by Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents shall be applied by Administrative Agent against the Obligations then due and owing in the following order of priority:

 

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FIRST , to the payment of all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Administrative Agent in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Documents;

SECOND , to the ratable satisfaction of all other Obligations until paid in full; and

THIRD , to Borrower or its successors or assigns, or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same.

(c) No Duty to Mitigate Damages . Other than in respect of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct, neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be required to do any act whatsoever or exercise any diligence whatsoever to mitigate any damages if any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing hereunder.

SECTION 8

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

Section 8.1 Appointment and Authority . Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints Citibank to act on their behalf as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes Administrative Agent to take such actions on its and their behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. This provisions of this Section 8 are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and Borrower shall not have rights as a third party beneficiary of any such provisions.

Section 8.2 Rights as a Lender . The Person serving as Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not Administrative Agent, and the term “ Lender ” or “ Lenders ” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Persons and their Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person is not Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to Lenders.

Section 8.3 Exculpatory Provisions .

(a) General . Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Administrative Agent shall not: (i) be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; (ii) have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law; and (iii)

 

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except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with its duties expressly set forth herein).

(b) No Liability . Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it: (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of Lenders as shall be necessary, or as Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 7.2 and 9.5 hereof); or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Potential Default or Event of Default (except with respect to defaults in the payment of principal, interest and fees required to be paid to Administrative Agent for the account of Lenders) unless and until notice describing the same is given to Administrative Agent by Borrower or a Lender.

(c) No Duty to Ascertain Facts, etc . Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into: (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith; (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Potential Default or Event of Default; (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document; or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Section 6 hereof or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to Administrative Agent.

Section 8.4 Reliance by Administrative Agent . Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender, Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender unless Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender prior to the making of such Loan. Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

Section 8.5 Delegation of Duties . Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by Administrative Agent. Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Section 8.5 shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

Section 8.6 Resignation of Administrative Agent .

 

 

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(a) Resignation as Administrative Agent . Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to Lenders and Borrower; provided that any such notice shall be accompanied by a resignation under Section 8.6(a) of the Revolving Credit Agreement. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Super Majority Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor, in consultation with the Borrower, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within sixty (60) days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the same or similar qualifications as that of Administrative Agent on the date hereof. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Administrative Agent, the term “ Administrative Agent ” shall mean such successor administrative agent and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents. The fees payable by Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed in writing between Borrower and such successor. After the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Section 8.6 and Sections 9.6 and 9.7 hereof shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.

(b) [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 8.7 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders . Each Lender represents that it has, independently and without reliance upon Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement and to extend credit hereunder. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

Section 8.8 No Other Duties, Etc . Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of Administrative Agent, Sole Lead Arranger, Lenders listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as Administrative Agent or a Lender hereunder.

Section 8.9 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim . In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to Borrower, Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of Lenders and Administrative

 

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Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and Administrative Agent hereunder) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to Administrative Agent and, in the event that Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to Lenders, to pay to Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due Administrative Agent under Section 9.6 hereof.

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.

Section 8.10 [Intentionally Omited] .

SECTION 9

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 9.1 Amendments . Neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document, nor any of the terms hereof or thereof, may be amended, waived, discharged or terminated, unless such amendment, waiver, discharge, or termination is in writing and signed by Borrower and Administrative Agent, based upon the approval of the Required Lenders, or the Required Lenders, on the one hand, and Borrower (with the written approval of Revolving Credit Borrower) on the other hand; provided that, if this Agreement or any other Loan Document specifically provides that the terms thereof may be amended, waived, discharged or terminated with the approval of Administrative Agent, acting alone, or all Lenders, then such amendment, waiver, discharge or termination must be signed by Administrative Agent or all Lenders, as applicable, on the one hand, and Borrower (with the written approval of Revolving Credit Borrower) on the other hand; provided further that no such amendment, waiver, discharge, or termination shall, without the consent of:

(a) each Lender directly affected thereby:

(i) reduce or increase the amount or extend the term of the Commitment or Loans of such Lender, it being understood that no amendment, modification, termination, waiver or consent with respect to any condition precedent, covenant, Potential Default, Event of Default, or mandatory reduction in the Commitments shall constitute an extension or increase in the Commitment of any Lender; and

(ii) postpone or extend the time for any scheduled date for payment for the principal, interest or fees or costs, reduce the principal of (except as a result of the application of payments or prepayments), or reduce the rate of interest or any other fee specified herein (other than as a result of waiving the applicability of the Default Rate); and

 

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(b) Super Majority Lenders:

(i) change the percentages specified in the definition of Super Majority Lenders or any other provision hereof specifying the Super Majority Lenders as the number or percentage of Lenders which are required to amend, waive or modify any rights hereunder or otherwise make any determination or grant any consent hereunder; and

(c) all Lenders:

(i) [intentionally omitted];

(ii) [intentionally omitted];

(iii) [intentionally omitted];

(iv) [intentionally omitted];

(v) [intentionally omitted];

(vi) change the percentages specified in the definition of Required Lenders or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders which are required to amend, waive or modify any rights hereunder or otherwise make any determination or grant any consent hereunder;

(vii) waive any Event of Default under Section 7.1(j) hereof;

(viii) consent to the assignment or transfer by Borrower of any of its rights and obligations under (or in respect of) the Loan Documents;

(ix) amend the terms of this Section 9.1;

(x) [intentionally omitted]; or

(xi) increase the amount of the Maximum Commitment.

Notwithstanding the above: (A) no provision of Section 8 hereof may be amended or modified without the consent of Administrative Agent; and (B) any provisions in Sections 4 and 5 that specify the requirements for waivers of the affirmative covenants and negative covenants listed therein, and any amendment to any provision of Section 4 or 5, shall require the consent of the Lenders that are specified therein as required for a waiver thereof.

Notwithstanding the fact that the consent of all Lenders is required in certain circumstances as set forth above and in Section 5 hereof: (1) each Lender is entitled to vote as such Lender sees fit on any reorganization plan that affects the Loans, and each Lender acknowledges that the provisions of Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code supersede the unanimous consent provisions set forth herein; and (2) Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, agree to the modification or waiver of any of the other terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or consent to any action or failure to act by Borrower, if such modification, waiver, or consent is of an administrative nature.

 

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If Administrative Agent shall request the consent of any Lender to any amendment, change, waiver, discharge, termination, consent or exercise of rights covered by this Agreement, and not receive such consent or denial thereof in writing within ten (10) Business Days of the making of such request by Administrative Agent, as the case may be, such Lender shall be deemed to have not given its consent to the request.

Section 9.2 Setoff . In addition to any rights and remedies of Lenders provided by law, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, each Lender is authorized at any time and from time to time, without prior notice to Borrower, any such notice being waived by Borrower to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held by such Lender to or for the credit or the account of Borrower other than deposits held in a custodial, trust or fiduciary capacity against any and all of the Obligations owing by them to Lenders, now or hereafter existing, irrespective of whether or not Lenders shall have made demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such Obligations may be contingent or unmatured. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify Borrower after any such setoff and application made by such Lender; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.

Section 9.3 Sharing of Payments . If, other than as expressly provided elsewhere herein, any Lender shall obtain on account of the Loans made by it, any payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any right of setoff or otherwise) in excess of its ratable share (or other share contemplated hereunder) thereof, such Lender shall immediately: (a) notify Administrative Agent of such fact; and (b) purchase from the other Lenders such participations in the Loans made by them as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment in respect of such of Loans or such participations, as the case may be, pro rata with each of them; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from the purchasing Lender, such purchase shall to that extent be rescinded and each other Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase price paid therefor, together with an amount equal to such paying Lender’s ratable share (according to the proportion of: (i) the amount that such paying Lender’s required repayment bears to; (ii) the total amount so recovered from the purchasing Lender) of any interest or other amount paid or payable by the purchasing Lender in respect of the total amount so recovered. Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of setoff), but subject to Section 9.2 hereof with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of Borrower in the amount of such participation. Administrative Agent will keep records (which shall be conclusive and binding in the absence of demonstrable error) of participations purchased under this Section and will in each case notify Lenders following any such purchases or repayments. Each Lender that purchases a participation pursuant to this Section 9.3 shall from and after such purchase have the right to give all notices, requests, demands, directions and other communications under this Agreement with respect to the portion of the Obligations purchased to the same extent as though the purchasing Lender were the owner of the Obligations purchased.

Section 9.4 Payments Set Aside . To the extent that Borrower makes a payment to Administrative Agent or any Lender, or Administrative Agent or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by Administrative Agent or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then: (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived

 

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and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender severally agrees to pay to Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share of any amount so recovered from or repaid by Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect.

Section 9.5 Waiver . No failure to exercise, and no delay in exercising, on the part of Administrative Agent or Lenders, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. The rights of Administrative Agent and Lenders hereunder and under the Loan Documents shall be in addition to all other rights provided by law. No modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents, nor consent to departure therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing and no such consent or waiver shall extend beyond the particular case and purpose involved. No notice or demand given in any case shall constitute a waiver of the right to take other action in the same, similar or other instances without such notice or demand.

Section 9.6 Payment of Expenses . Other than with respect to Taxes, which shall be governed solely by Section 2.16 hereof, Borrower agrees: (i) to pay or reimburse Administrative Agent for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with the development, preparation, negotiation and execution of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any amendment, waiver, consent or other modification of the provisions hereof and thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby are consummated), and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including all Attorney Costs; (ii) to pay or reimburse Administrative Agent and, to the extent that an Event of Default has occurred and continues to exist, Lenders, for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred during such period; and (iii) all out of pocket expenses incurred by Administrative Agent or any Lender (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for Administrative Agent or any Lender), in connection with the enforcement, attempted enforcement, or preservation of any rights or remedies under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (including all such costs and expenses incurred during any “workout” or restructuring in respect of the Obligations and during any legal proceeding, including any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law), including all Attorney Costs. All amounts due under this Section 9.6 shall be payable within fifteen (15) calendar days after demand therefor. The agreements in this Section shall survive the termination of the Maximum Commitment and repayment of all the other Obligations.

Section 9.7 Indemnification by Borrower .

(a) Indemnification . Other than with respect to Taxes, which shall be governed solely by Section 2.16, Borrower agrees to indemnify, save and hold harmless Administrative Agent, Lenders and their respective Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, counsel, agents and attorneys-in-fact (collectively the “ Indemnitees ”) from and against: (i) any and all claims, demands, actions or causes of action that may at any time (including at any time following repayment of the Obligations) be asserted or imposed against any Indemnitee, arising out of or relating to, the Loan Documents, the Commitments, the use or contemplated use of the proceeds of any Borrowing, or the relationship of Borrower and Administrative Agent and Lenders under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; and (ii) any administrative or investigative proceeding by any Governmental Authority arising out of or related to a claim, demand, action or cause of action described in subclause (i) above; provided that no Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification for any claim caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment, of any Indemnitee or its Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees, counsel, agents and

 

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attorneys-in-fact of such Indemnitee and its Affiliates or with respect to or arising from any loss or claim asserted against it by another Indemnitee or by it against another Indemnitee. Neither Borrower nor any Indemnitee shall have any liability for any indirect or consequential damages relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or arising out of its activities in connection herewith or therewith (whether before or after the Closing Date). All amounts due under this Section 9.7 shall be payable within ten (10) Business Days after demand therefor. The agreements in this Section shall survive the termination of the Maximum Commitment and repayment of all the other Obligations.

(b) Reimbursement . To the extent that Borrower for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under subsection (a) of this Section or under Section 9.6 hereof to be paid by them to Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof) or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s Pro Rata Share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount, provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) in connection with such capacity; provided, however, that any such payment by Lenders shall not relieve Borrower of its obligations to pay the amounts required to be paid by it to Administrative Agent under subparagraph (a) of this Section 9.7. If Administrative Agent subsequently recovers any such amounts from Borrower, Administrative Agent shall reimburse, on a ratable basis, each Lender for the amounts previously paid by such Lender to Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 9.7. The obligations of Lenders under this subsection (b) are several.

Section 9.8 Notice . Any notice, demand, request or other communication which any party hereto may be required or may desire to give hereunder shall be in writing (except where telephonic instructions or notices are expressly authorized herein to be given) and shall be deemed to be effective: (a) if by hand delivery, telecopy or other facsimile transmission, on the Business Day and at the time on which delivered to such party at the address or fax numbers specified below (and if delivery was on a day other than a Business Day, then on the next succeeding Business Day); (b) if by mail, on the day which it is received after being deposited, postage prepaid, in the United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to such party at the address specified below; or (c) if by Federal Express or other reputable express mail service, on the next Business Day following the delivery to such express mail service, addressed to such party at the address set forth below; or (d) if by telephone, on the day and at the time reciprocal communication (i.e., direct communication between two or more persons, which shall not include voice mail messages) with one of the individuals named below occurs during a call to the telephone number or numbers indicated for such party below:

 

  (i) If to Borrower:

c/o H.I.G. Bayside Loan Advisors, LLC

1450 Brickell Avenue, 31 st Floor

Miami, Florida 33131

  Attention: Alastair Merrick
  Telephone: 212-314-1039
  Fax: 212-314-1016

with copies to (which copy shall not constitute notice to Borrower, the Revolving Credit Borrower or General Partner) :

 

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c/o H.I.G. Bayside Loan Advisors, LLC

1450 Brickell Avenue, 31 st Floor

Miami, Florida 33131

  Attention: Richard Siegel
  Telephone: 305-379-8686
  Fax: 305-379-3655

Greenberg Traurig, LLP

77 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 3100

Chicago, IL 60601

  Attention: Daniel D. Gordon
  Telephone: (312) 456-8400
  Fax: (312) 456-8435

 

  (ii) If to Administrative Agent :

Citibank, N.A.

227 West Monroe Street, 4 th Floor

Chicago, IL 60606

  Attention: Gerard M. Russell
  Telephone: (312) 384-1418
  Fax: (312) 384-1400

with a copy to (which will not constitute notice to Administrative Agent) :

McGuireWoods LLP

77 West Wacker Drive

Suite 4100

  Attention: Charles A. Cavallo
  Telephone: (312) 849-8213
  Fax: (312) 920-3694

(iii) If to any Lender, in care of Administrative Agent, at its notice address and numbers set forth above and to their addresses set forth on their respective signature pages hereto. Each Lender agrees to provide to Administrative Agent a written notice stating its address, facsimile number, telephone number, and the name of a contact person, and Administrative Agent may rely on such written notice unless and until such Lender provides Administrative Agent with a written notice designating a different address, facsimile number, telephone number or contact person.

Any party may change its address for purposes of this Agreement by giving notice of such change to the other parties pursuant to this Section 9.8. When determining the prior days notice required for any Request for Credit Extension, or other notice to be provided by Borrower hereunder, the day the notice is delivered to Administrative Agent (or such other applicable Person) shall not be counted, but the day of the related Borrowing or other relevant action shall be counted. All communications shall be in the English language.

Section 9.9 Governing Law . This Agreement and the Loan Documents shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the

 

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conflicts of law principles thereof (other than Section 5-1401 of the New York General Obligations Law), and the applicable federal laws of the United States of America, shall govern the validity, construction, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement and all of the other Loan Documents.

Section 9.10 Choice of Forum; Consent to Service of Process and Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury . Any suit, action or proceeding against any party hereto with respect to this Agreement, the Notes or the other Loan Documents or any judgment entered by any court in respect thereof, may be brought in the courts of the State of New York, or in the United States Courts located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, and each party hereto hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts for the purpose of any such suit, action or proceeding. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably consents to the service of process in any suit, action or proceeding in said court by the mailing thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the applicable address set forth in Section 9.8 hereof. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably waives any objections which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Note brought in the courts located in the State of New York, Borough of Manhattan in New York City, and hereby further irrevocably waives any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING UNDER ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO OR ANY OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER FOUNDED IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE.

Section 9.11 Invalid Provisions . If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under present or future laws effective during the term of this Agreement, such provision shall be fully severable and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part of this Agreement and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected thereby, unless such continued effectiveness of this Agreement, as modified, would be contrary to the basic understandings and intentions of the parties as expressed herein.

Section 9.12 Entirety . The Loan Documents embody the entire agreement between the parties and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, if any, relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof. If any provision of this Agreement shall conflict with or be inconsistent with any provision of any of the other Loan Documents, then the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.

Section 9.13 Successors and Assigns .

(a) In General; Borrower Assignment, etc . The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except: (i) to an Eligible Assignee in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (b) of this Section 9.13; (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (d) of this Section 9.13; or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of subparagraph (f) of this Section 9.13 (and

 

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any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subparagraph (d) of this Section 9.13, and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Indemnitees) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) Lender Assignment . Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more Eligible Assignees (each, an “ Assignee ”) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that: (i) the prior written consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) shall be required unless (1) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (2) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, (ii) except in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund managed by a particular Lender, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption Agreement with respect to such assignment is delivered to Administrative Agent or, if “ Trade Date ” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000 (and shall be in an integral multiple of $1,000,000.00), and, after such assignment, no Lender shall hold a Commitment of less than $10,000,000 (unless, in the case of an assigning Lender, such Lender shall have assigned all of its Loans and Commitments); (iii) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned; (iv) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption Agreement, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500.00 (except in the case of a transfer at the demand of Borrower under Section 9.15 hereof, in which case Borrower or the transferee Lender shall pay such fee), (v) the assigning Lender shall deliver any Notes evidencing such Loans to Borrower or Administrative Agent (and Administrative Agent shall deliver such Notes to Borrower) and (vi) such Lender shall simultaneously assign a proportionate part of its Commitments and Loans (each as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) under the Revolving Credit Agreement to the assignee Lender. Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by Administrative Agent pursuant to subparagraph (c) of this Section 9.13, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption Agreement, the Eligible Assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption Agreement, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption Agreement, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption Agreement covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of and be subject to the obligations under Sections 2.16, 2.19, 2.20, 9.6 and 9.7 hereof with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment); provided that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. Upon request, and upon surrender by the assigning Lender of its Note, Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender, and the applicable existing Note or Notes shall be returned to Borrower. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subparagraph (d) of this Section 9.13.

 

46


(c) Records of Assignment . Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of Borrower, shall maintain at Administrative Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption Agreement delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of Lenders, and principal amounts of the Loans owing to each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). Absent demonstrable error, the entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and Borrower, Administrative Agent and Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(d) Participations . Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, Borrower or Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person or the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of the Loans owing to it); provided that: (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged; (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations; and (iii) Borrower, Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in Sections 9.1(a) and (b) hereof that directly affects such Participant. Subject to subparagraph (e) of this Section 9.13, Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.16, 2.19 and 2.20 (subject to the requirements and obligations of those sections, including timely delivery of forms pursuant to Section 2.16) to the same extent as if it were a Lender of the relevant Loans and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to subparagraph (b) of this Section 9.13. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of the right of setoff under Section 9.2 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Sections 9.2 and 9.3 hereof as though it were a Lender.

(e) No Payment Increase . A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 2.16, 2.19 or 2.20 hereof than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent; provided that, for the purposes of this subparagraph (e), entering into this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall not constitute consent. No Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.16 hereof unless Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of Borrower, to comply with Sections 2.16(e) and 2.16(f) hereof as though it were a Lender.

(f) Right to Assign as Security by a Lender . Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender to a Federal Reserve Bank or any central bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(g) [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 9.14 Lender Default . If for any reason any Lender shall become a Defaulting Lender hereunder, and such Defaulting Lender shall not have cured such failure or refusal within five (5)

 

47


Business Days of its occurrence, then, in addition to the rights and remedies that may be available to Administrative Agent, Lenders, or Borrower at law or in equity, such Defaulting Lender’s right to vote on matters related to this Agreement, and to participate in the administration of the Loans and this Agreement, shall be suspended during the pendency of such failure or refusal, except with respect to clause (a)(i) of Section 9.1 hereof. Administrative Agent shall have the right, but not the obligation, in its sole discretion, to acquire at par all of such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment, including its Pro Rata Share in the Obligations under this Agreement. In the event that Administrative Agent does not exercise its right to so acquire all of such Defaulting Lender’s interests, then each Lender that is not in Default (each, a “ Current Party ”) shall then, thereupon, have the right, but not the obligation, in its sole discretion to acquire at par (or if more than one Current Party exercises such right, each Current Party shall have the right to acquire, pro rata) such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment, including its Pro Rata Share in the outstanding Obligations under this Agreement.

Section 9.15 Replacement of Lender . If (a) Borrower becomes obligated to pay any additional amounts to any Lender pursuant to Section 2.19 hereof, or if Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16 hereof, and, in each case, such Lender has declined or is unable to designate a different lending office in accordance with Section 2.19(e), (b) any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, (c) any Lender delivers a notice pursuant to Section 2.17 with respect to circumstances that do not affect other Lenders hereunder or (d) any Lender becomes a “ Non-Consenting Lender ” (as defined below), then Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and Administrative Agent, (i) except following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, terminate the Commitments of such Lender and repay all obligations of Borrower owing to such Lender relating to the Loans and participations held by such Lender as of such termination date, or (ii) require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 9.13 hereof), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:

(A) Borrower shall have paid to Administrative Agent the assignment fee specified in Section 9.13(b) hereof (unless Administrative Agent waives such fee);

(B) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees);

(C) such assignment does not conflict with applicable Legal Requirements;

(D) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.19 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.16, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter; and

(E) in the case of any assignment resulting from a Lender becoming a Non-Consenting Lender, the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent.

A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

48


If (i) Borrower or Administrative Agent requests Lenders to consent to a departure or waiver of any provisions of the Loan Documents or to agree to any amendment thereto, (ii) the consent, waiver or amendment in question requires the agreement of all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 9.1 and (iii) the Required Lenders have agreed to such consent, waiver or amendment, then any Lender who does not agree to such consent, waiver or amendment shall be deemed a “ Non-Consenting Lender ”.

Section 9.16 Maximum Interest . Regardless of any provision contained in any of the Loan Documents, Lenders shall never be entitled to receive, collect or apply as interest on the Obligations any amount in excess of the Maximum Rate, and, in the event that Lenders ever receive, collect or apply as interest any such excess, the amount which would be excessive interest shall be deemed to be a partial prepayment of principal and treated hereunder as such; and, if the principal amount of the Obligations is paid in full, any remaining excess shall forthwith be paid to Borrower. In determining whether or not the interest paid or payable under any specific contingency exceeds the Maximum Rate, Borrower and Lenders shall, to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law: (a) characterize any nonprincipal payment as an expense, fee or premium rather than as interest; (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate and spread, in equal parts, the total amount of interest throughout the entire contemplated term of the Obligations so that the interest rate does not exceed the Maximum Rate; provided that, if the Obligations are paid and performed in full prior to the end of the full contemplated term thereof, and if the interest received for the actual period of existence thereof exceeds the Maximum Rate, Lenders shall refund to Borrower the amount of such excess or credit the amount of such excess against the principal amount of the Obligations and, in such event, Lenders shall not be subject to any penalties provided by any laws for contracting for, charging, taking, reserving or receiving interest in excess of the Maximum Rate. As used herein, the term “applicable law” shall mean the law in effect as of the date hereof; provided, however, that in the event there is a change in the law which results in a higher permissible rate of interest, then the Loan Documents shall be governed by such new law as of its effective date.

Section 9.17 Headings . Section headings are for convenience of reference only and shall in no way affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

Section 9.18 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 9.19 Confidentiality . Administrative Agent and each Lender agree to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed: (a) to its and its Affiliates’ respective partners directors, officers, employees, representatives, advisors and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential); (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners) or in connection with any pledge or assignment permitted under Section 9.13(f) hereof; (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process provided, that Administrative Agent or such Lender, unless prohibited by any Legal Requirement, shall use reasonable efforts to notify Borrower in advance of any disclosure pursuant to this subclause (c) but only to the extent reasonably practicable under the circumstances and on the understanding that neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall incur any liability for failure to give such notice; (d) to any other party to this Agreement; (e) to the extent necessary, in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder during the continuance of an Event of Default or any suit, action

 

49


or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder; (f) subject to an agreement for the benefit of Borrower containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 9.19, to any assignee of or participant in, or any prospective assignee of or participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement; (g) with the consent of Borrower, or (h) to the extent such Information: (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to Administrative Agent or a Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than Borrower, Revolving Credit Borrower or General Partner. For the purposes of this Section, “ Information ” means all information received from Borrower, Revolving Credit Borrower or General Partner relating to Borrower or its businesses, other than any such information that is available to Administrative Agent or a Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by such Person. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

Section 9.20 PATRIOT ACT NOTICE . Each Lender and Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies Borrower, which information includes the name and address of Borrower and other information that will allow each Lender and Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) to identify Borrower in accordance with the Patriot Act.

Section 9.21 Multiple Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart to this Agreement and any Loan Document by facsimile or electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement and any such Loan Document.

Section 9.22 Independence of Covenants . All covenants hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or be otherwise within the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of an Event of Default if such action is taken or condition exists.

[R EMAINDER OF P AGE I NTENTIONALLY B LANK .

S IGNATURE P AGES F OLLOW .]

 

50


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

BORROWER :
WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:   H.I.G.-GPII, Inc., its Manager
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

Signature Page to Term Loan Agreement


 

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT :
CITIBANK, N. A., as Administrative Agent
By:    
 

Name:  Gerard M. Russell

 

Title:    Director

 

Signature Page to Term Loan Agreement


 

    LENDER :
    CITIBANK, N.A.

Commitment:

$54,000,000.00

 

    By:    
     

Name:  Gerard M. Russell

     

Title:    Director

   

Notices:

 

Citibank, N.A.

227 West Monroe Street, 4 th Floor

Chicago, IL 60606

Attention:              Gerard M. Russell

Telephone:            (312) 384-1418

Fax:                        (312) 384-1400

 

With a copy (which shall not in itself constitute notice) to:

 

Citibank, N.A.

227 West Monroe Street, 4 th Floor

Chicago, IL 60606

Attention:              David Moore

Telephone:            (312) 384-1370

Fax:                       (312) 384-1400

 

Signature Page to Term Loan Agreement


 

    LENDER :
    DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS

Commitment:

$36,000,000.00

 

    By:    
     

Name:  

     

Title:    

    By:    
     

Name:  

     

Title:    

   

Notices:

 

Attention:              Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

                               60 Wall Street

                               New York, New York 10005-2836

                               Attention: Tina Gu

Telephone:            (212) 250-0357

Fax:                        (904) 222-8175

Email:                    abs.conduits@db.com

 

With a copy (which shall not in itself constitute notice) to:

 

Attention:              Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

                               5022 Gate Parkway, Suite 100

                               Jacksonville, FL 32256

                               Attention: Lee Joyner

Telephone:            (904) 527-6438

Fax:                        (904) 494-6815

Email:                    loan.admin-ny@db.com

 

Signature Page to Term Loan Agreement

Exhibit (k)(10)

TERM LOAN NOTE

 

$54,000,000.00

November [    ], 2012

 

1. FOR VALUE RECEIVED, WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Maker ”), hereby unconditionally promise to pay to the order of CITIBANK, N.A. (“ Payee ”), at the 227 West Monroe, Suite 200, Chicago, Illinois 60606 office of Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (“ Administrative Agent ”) for each of the Lenders under the Credit Agreement referred to below, or at such other office as Administrative Agent designates, the principal sum of FIFTY-FOUR MILLION AND 0/100 DOLLARS ($54,000,000.00), or, if less, the unpaid principal amount of the Loans, together with accrued interest thereon, in lawful money of the United States of America. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

 

2. The unpaid principal amount of this promissory note (as same may be amended, supplemented, renewed, extended, replaced, or restated from time to time, this “ Note ”) shall be payable in accordance with the terms of Sections 2.8, 2.9, 9.6 and 9.16 of the Credit Agreement.

 

3. The unpaid principal amount of this Note shall bear interest from the date of borrowing until maturity in accordance with Sections 2.6, 9.6 and 9.16 of the Credit Agreement. Interest on this Note shall be payable in accordance with Sections 2.6, 2.9, 9.6 and 9.16 of the Credit Agreement.

 

4. All Borrowings, conversions and continuations of LIBOR Loans hereunder, and all payments made with respect thereto, may be recorded by Payee from time to time on grid(s) which may be attached hereto, or Payee may record such information by such other method as Payee may generally employ; provided , however , that failure to make any such entry shall in no way reduce or diminish Maker’s obligations hereunder. The aggregate unpaid amount of all Loans set forth on grid(s) which may be attached hereto shall be rebuttably presumptive evidence of the unpaid principal amount of this Note.

 

5. This Note has been executed and delivered pursuant to that certain Term Loan Agreement (as same may be amended, supplemented, renewed, extended, replaced, or restated from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of November [    ], 2012, by and among the Maker, as the Borrower thereunder, Administrative Agent, Citibank, N.A., as the Sole Lead Arranger, and the Lenders named therein, and is one of the “Notes” referred to therein. This Note evidences Loans made under the Credit Agreement, and the holder of this Note shall be entitled to the benefits provided in the Credit Agreement. Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement for a statement of: (a) the prepayment rights and obligations of Maker; and (b) the events upon which the maturity of this Note may be accelerated. Loans repaid pursuant to Sections 2.8 and 2.9 of the Credit Agreement may not be reborrowed.

 

6. If this Note, or any payment due hereunder, is not paid when due, whether at maturity or by acceleration, or if it is collected through a bankruptcy, probate or other court, whether before or after maturity, the Maker agrees to pay all out-of-pocket costs of collection, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by the holder hereof and costs of appeal, in each case, solely as provided in the Credit Agreement. All past-due principal of, and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, past-due interest on, this Note shall bear interest until paid at the Default Rate as provided in the Credit Agreement.


7. The Maker and all sureties, endorsers, guarantors and other parties ever liable for payment of any sums payable pursuant to the terms of this Note, jointly and severally waive demand, presentment for payment, protest, notice of protest, notice of acceleration, notice of intent to accelerate, diligence in collection, the bringing of any suit against any party, and any notice of or defense on account of any extensions, renewals, partial payment, or any releases or substitutions of any security, or any delay, indulgence, or other act of any trustee or any holder hereof, whether before or after maturity.

 

8. Pursuant to Section 5-1401 of the New York General Obligations Law, the substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to the choice of law principles that might otherwise apply, and the applicable federal laws of the United States of America, shall govern the validity, construction, enforcement and interpretation of this Note.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank.

Signature Page Follows.]

 

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Maker has executed this instrument as of the date set forth above.

 

MAKER:
WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC
  By:   H.I.G.-GPII, Inc., its Manager
  By:    
  Name:    
  Title:    

Exhibit (k)(11)

TERM LOAN NOTE

 

$36,000,000.00

November [    ], 2012

 

1. FOR VALUE RECEIVED, WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Maker ”), hereby unconditionally promise to pay to the order of DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS (“ Payee ”), at the 227 West Monroe, Suite 200, Chicago, Illinois 60606 office of Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (“ Administrative Agent ”) for each of the Lenders under the Credit Agreement referred to below, or at such other office as Administrative Agent designates, the principal sum of THIRTY-SIX MILLION AND 0/100 DOLLARS ($36,000,000.00), or, if less, the unpaid principal amount of the Loans, together with accrued interest thereon, in lawful money of the United States of America. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

 

2. The unpaid principal amount of this promissory note (as same may be amended, supplemented, renewed, extended, replaced, or restated from time to time, this “ Note ”) shall be payable in accordance with the terms of Sections 2.8, 2.9, 9.6 and 9.16 of the Credit Agreement.

 

3. The unpaid principal amount of this Note shall bear interest from the date of borrowing until maturity in accordance with Sections 2.6, 9.6 and 9.16 of the Credit Agreement. Interest on this Note shall be payable in accordance with Sections 2.6, 2.9, 9.6 and 9.16 of the Credit Agreement.

 

4. All Borrowings, conversions and continuations of LIBOR Loans hereunder, and all payments made with respect thereto, may be recorded by Payee from time to time on grid(s) which may be attached hereto, or Payee may record such information by such other method as Payee may generally employ; provided , however , that failure to make any such entry shall in no way reduce or diminish Maker’s obligations hereunder. The aggregate unpaid amount of all Loans set forth on grid(s) which may be attached hereto shall be rebuttably presumptive evidence of the unpaid principal amount of this Note.

 

5. This Note has been executed and delivered pursuant to that certain Term Loan Agreement (as same may be amended, supplemented, renewed, extended, replaced, or restated from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of November [    ], 2012, by and among the Maker, as the Borrower thereunder, Administrative Agent, Citibank, N.A., as the Sole Lead Arranger, and the Lenders named therein, and is one of the “Notes” referred to therein. This Note evidences Loans made under the Credit Agreement, and the holder of this Note shall be entitled to the benefits provided in the Credit Agreement. Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement for a statement of: (a) the prepayment rights and obligations of Maker; and (b) the events upon which the maturity of this Note may be accelerated. Loans repaid pursuant to Sections 2.8 and 2.9 of the Credit Agreement may not be reborrowed.

 

6. If this Note, or any payment due hereunder, is not paid when due, whether at maturity or by acceleration, or if it is collected through a bankruptcy, probate or other court, whether before or after maturity, the Maker agrees to pay all out-of-pocket costs of collection, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by the holder hereof and costs of appeal, in each case, solely as provided in the Credit Agreement. All past-due principal of, and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, past-due interest on, this Note shall bear interest until paid at the Default Rate as provided in the Credit Agreement.


7. The Maker and all sureties, endorsers, guarantors and other parties ever liable for payment of any sums payable pursuant to the terms of this Note, jointly and severally waive demand, presentment for payment, protest, notice of protest, notice of acceleration, notice of intent to accelerate, diligence in collection, the bringing of any suit against any party, and any notice of or defense on account of any extensions, renewals, partial payment, or any releases or substitutions of any security, or any delay, indulgence, or other act of any trustee or any holder hereof, whether before or after maturity.

 

8. Pursuant to Section 5-1401 of the New York General Obligations Law, the substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to the choice of law principles that might otherwise apply, and the applicable federal laws of the United States of America, shall govern the validity, construction, enforcement and interpretation of this Note.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank.

Signature Page Follows.]

 

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Maker has executed this instrument as of the date set forth above.

 

MAKER:
WHITEHORSE FINANCE, LLC
  By:   H.I.G.-GPII, Inc., its Manager
  By:    
  Name:    
  Title:    

Signature Page to Term Loan Note (Deutsche Bank)

Exhibit (l)

 

LOGO

[            ], 2012

WhiteHorse Finance, LLC

1450 Brickell Avenue

31 st Floor

Miami, FL 33131

 

  Re: Registration Statement on Form N-2

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to WhiteHorse Finance, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), in connection with the preparation and filing of a Registration Statement on Form N-2 (Registration No. 333-183798) as originally submitted on May 14, 2012 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) for confidential, non-public review under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), and under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “ Investment Company Act ”), and as subsequently amended and submitted with the Commission for confidential, non-public review on July 13, 2012 and August 24, 2012, and as filed with the Commission on September 10, 2012, and as subsequently amended on September 25, 2012, November 7, 2012 [and November [ ], 2012] (the “ Registration Statement ”), relating to the proposed issuance by the Company of up to [            ] of shares (the “ Shares ”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“ Common Stock ”), including [            ] shares that may be sold pursuant to the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, to be sold to underwriters pursuant to an underwriting agreement substantially in the form filed as Exhibit (h) to the Registration Statement (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”). This opinion letter is being furnished to the Company in accordance with the requirements of Item 25 of Form N-2 under the Investment Company Act, and no opinion is expressed herein as to any matter other than as to the legality of the Shares.

In rendering the opinion expressed below, we have examined and relied on originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records and other instruments and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for rendering this opinion, including the following documents:

 

  (i) the Registration Statement;

 

  (ii) the Underwriting Agreement;

 

  (iii) the form of certificate evidencing the Shares, filed as Exhibit (d) to the Registration Statement;

 

LOGO


LOGO   

[            ], 2012

Page 2

 

  (iv) the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company;

 

  (v) the Bylaws of the Company;

 

  (vi) a certificate of good standing with respect to the Company issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as of a recent date; and

 

  (vii) resolutions of the board of directors of the Company relating to, among other things, the authorization and issuance of the Shares.

As to the facts upon which this opinion is based, we have relied, to the extent we deem proper, upon certificates of public officials and certificates and written statements of officers, directors, employees and representatives of the Company.

In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as original documents and the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies. In addition, we have assumed (i) the legal capacity of natural persons and (ii) the legal power and authority of all persons signing on behalf of the parties to all documents (other than the Company).

On the basis of the foregoing and subject to the assumptions and qualifications set forth in this letter, we are of the opinion that when (i) the Underwriting Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto and (ii) the Shares are (a) issued and delivered against receipt by the Company of payment therefor at a price per Share not less than the par value per share of the Common Stock as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the prospectus contained therein and in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement and (b) if applicable, countersigned by the transfer agent, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

The opinion expressed herein is limited to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and judicial interpretations thereof. We are not members of the bar of the State of Delaware.

We assume no obligation to advise you of any changes in the foregoing subsequent to the date of this opinion.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Dechert LLP

Dechert LLP

Exhibit (n)(1)

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the use in this Registration Statement of WhiteHorse Finance, LLC (the “Company”) on the pre-effective Amendment No. 2 to Form N-2 of our report dated May 14, 2012 on the January 1, 2012 financial statements of the Company, our report dated November 7, 2012 on the September 30, 2012 consolidated schedule of investments of the Company, and to the reference to us under the heading “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the prospectus.

/s/ Crowe Horwath LLP

Crowe Horwath LLP

New York, New York

November 7, 2012