As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 18, 2017

Securities Act Registration No. 333-214506

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-2

 

 

 

  Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933
  Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2
  Post-Effective Amendment No.

 

 

GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in the Charter)

 

 

200 West Street

New York, New York 10282

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 902-0300

Jonathan Lamm

Neena Reddy

Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

200 West Street

New York, New York 10282

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

 

Copies of information to:

 

Stuart Gelfond, Esq.

Joshua Wechsler, Esq.
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP One New York Plaza
New York, New York 10004
Telephone: (212) 859-8000
Facsimile: (212) 859-4000

 

Geoffrey R.T. Kenyon, Esq.

Thomas J. Friedmann, Esq.

William J. Tuttle, Esq.

Dechert LLP
One International Place, 40 th Floor

100 Oliver Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02110

Telephone: (617) 728-7100
Facsimile: (617) 426-6567

 

Margery K. Neale, Esq.

James G. Silk, Esq.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

787 Seventh Avenue

New York, New York 10019

Telephone: (212) 728-8000

Facsimile: (212) 728-9294

 

 

Approximate date of proposed public offering:

From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement

 

 

If any securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, 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   Amount Being
Registered
  Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price per Unit
  Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price (1)
  Amount of
Registration Fee (1)

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share (2)(3)

               

Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share (2)

               

Warrants (4)

               

Debt Securities (5)

               

Subscription Rights (2)

               

Total (6)

          $200,000,000  (6)   $23,180 (1)

 

 

 

(1) Registration fee previously paid. The proposed maximum offering price per security will be determined, from time to time, by the Registrant in connection with the sale by the Registrant of the securities registered under this registration statement.
(2) Subject to Note 6 below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, or subscription rights to purchase shares of common stock as may be sold, from time to time.
(3) Includes such indeterminate number of shares of common stock as may, from time to time, be issued upon conversion or exchange of other securities registered hereunder, to the extent any such securities are, by their terms, convertible or exchangeable for common stock.
(4) Subject to Note 6 below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of warrants as may be sold, from time to time, representing rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities.
(5) Subject to Note 6 below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate principal amount of debt securities as may be sold, from time to time. If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the offering price shall be in such greater principal amount as shall result in an aggregate price to investors not to exceed $200,000,000.
(6) In no event will the aggregate offering price of all securities issued from time to time pursuant to this registration statement exceed $200,000,000.

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

 

 

 


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 and sale is not permitted.

 

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION JANUARY 18, 2017

$200,000,000

GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Debt Securities

Subscription Rights

 

 

We are an externally managed specialty finance company that is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). We are focused on lending to “middle-market companies,” a term we generally use to refer to companies with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of between $5 million and $75 million annually. Our investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation through direct originations of secured debt, including first lien, unitranche, including last out portions of such loans, and second lien debt, unsecured debt, including mezzanine debt, as well as through select equity investments.

We are managed by our investment adviser, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM” or “Investment Adviser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“Group Inc.”). Group Inc., together with Goldman, Sachs & Co., GSAM and its other subsidiaries and affiliates, is referred to herein as “Goldman Sachs.”

We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings, together or separately, up to $200,000,000 of our common stock, preferred stock, warrants, debt securities or subscription rights representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, which we refer to, collectively, as the “securities.” The securities may be offered at prices and on terms to be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus.

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GSBD”. On January 17, 2017, the last reported sales price for our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $23.85 per share. The net asset value (“NAV”) of our common stock as of September 30, 2016 (the last date prior to the date of this prospectus as of which we determined NAV) was $18.58.

We are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”).

This prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement contain important information you should know before investing in our securities. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information about us with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You may obtain this information or make stockholder inquiries by written or oral request and free of charge by contacting us at 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, on our website at www.goldmansachsbdc.com, or by calling us collect at (212) 902-0300. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider that information to be a part of this prospectus. The SEC also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains this information.

Shares of closed-end investment companies, including BDCs, that are listed on an exchange frequently trade at a discount to their NAV per share . If our shares trade at a discount to our NAV, it may increase the risk of loss for purchasers in any offering.   Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk, including credit risk and the risk of the use of leverage, and is highly speculative. Before buying any securities, you should read the discussion of the material risks of investing in our securities in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 13 of this prospectus.


The securities in which we invest are generally not rated by any rating agency, and if they were rated, they would be below investment grade (rated lower than “Baa3” by Moody’s Investors Service and lower than “BBB-” by Fitch Ratings or Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”)). These securities, which may be referred to as “junk bonds,” “high yield bonds” or “leveraged loans,” have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

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.

This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is      , 2017


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     1   

FEES AND EXPENSES

     9   

RISK FACTORS

     13   

POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

     48   

USE OF PROCEEDS

     61   

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DISTRIBUTIONS

     62   

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA AND OTHER INFORMATION

     64   

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     66   

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

     68   

SENIOR SECURITIES

     103   

BUSINESS

     104   

MANAGEMENT

     120   

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS

     140   

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

     143   

PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

     145   

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

     149   

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

     151   

CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

     153   

DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK

     166   

DESCRIPTION OF OUR PREFERRED STOCK

     174   

DESCRIPTION OF OUR WARRANTS

     176   

DESCRIPTION OF OUR DEBT SECURITIES

     178   

DESCRIPTION OF OUR SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

     194   

REGULATION

     196   

CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

     203   

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

     204   

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     205   

LEGAL MATTERS

     207   

EXPERTS

     207   

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     207   

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     F-1   

GSAM PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES SUMMARY

     A-1   

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information or to make any representations not contained in this prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume the information contained in this prospectus is accurate after the date on the front cover of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

TRADEMARKS

This prospectus contains trademarks and service marks owned by Goldman Sachs. This prospectus may also contain trademarks and service marks owned by third parties.


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC using the “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf registration process, which constitutes a delayed offering in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), we may offer, from time to time, up to $200,000,000 of our common stock, preferred stock, warrants, debt securities or subscription rights representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities on the terms to be determined at the time of the offering. The securities may be offered at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. We may sell our securities through underwriters or dealers, “at-the-market” to or through a market maker, into an existing trading market or otherwise directly to one or more purchasers or through agents or through a combination of methods of sale. The identities of such underwriters, dealers, market makers or agents, as the case may be, will be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Please carefully read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with any exhibits before you make an investment decision.

 

ii


PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights some of the information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the securities offered by this prospectus. You should review the more detailed information contained in this prospectus, especially the information set forth under the heading “Risk Factors”.

Unless indicated otherwise in this prospectus or the context requires otherwise, the terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiary, as the context may require, or for periods prior to our conversion from a limited liability company to a corporation (the “Conversion”), Goldman Sachs Liberty Harbor Capital, LLC.

Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

We are a specialty finance company focused on lending to middle-market companies. We are a closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act. In addition, we have elected to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. From our formation in 2012 through September 30, 2016, we have originated more than $1.60 billion in aggregate principal amount of debt and equity investments prior to any subsequent exits and repayments. We seek to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation primarily through direct originations of secured debt, including first lien, unitranche, including last out portions of such loans, and second lien debt, and unsecured debt, including mezzanine debt, as well as through select equity investments. Unitranche loans are first lien loans that may extend deeper in a company’s capital structure than traditional first lien debt and may provide for a waterfall of cash flow priority between different lenders in the unitranche loan. In a number of instances, we may find another lender to provide the “first out” portion of such loan and retain the “last out” portion of such loan, in which case, the “first out” portion of the loan would generally receive priority with respect to payment of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder over the “last out” portion that we would continue to hold. In exchange for the greater risk of loss, the “last out” portion earns a higher interest rate. We use the term “mezzanine” to refer to debt that ranks senior only to a borrower’s equity securities and ranks junior in right of payment to all of such borrower’s other indebtedness. We may make multiple investments in the same portfolio company.

We invest primarily in U.S. middle-market companies, which we believe are underserved by traditional providers of capital such as banks and the public debt markets. In describing our business, we generally use the term “middle market companies” to refer to companies with EBITDA of between $5 million and $75 million annually. However, we may from time to time invest in larger or smaller companies. We generate revenues primarily through receipt of interest income from the investments we hold. In addition, we generate income from various loan origination and other fees, dividends on direct equity investments and capital gains on the sales of investments. Fees received from portfolio companies (directors’ fees, consulting fees, administrative fees, tax advisory fees and other similar compensation) are paid to us, unless, to the extent required by applicable law or exemptive relief, if any, therefrom, we only receive our allocable portion of such fees when invested in the same portfolio company as another account managed by Goldman Sachs. The companies in which we invest use our capital for a variety of purposes, including to support organic growth, fund acquisitions, make capital investments or refinance indebtedness.

Investment Strategy

Our origination strategy focuses on leading the negotiation and structuring of the loans or securities in which we invest and holding the investments in our portfolio to maturity. In many cases we are the sole investor

 



 

1


in the loan or security in our portfolio. Where there are multiple investors, we generally seek to control or obtain significant influence over the rights of investors in the loan or security. Our investments typically have maturities between three and ten years and generally range in size between $10 million and $75 million, although we may make larger or smaller investments on occasion. In addition, part of our strategy involves an investment in a joint venture, Senior Credit Fund, LLC (the “Senior Credit Fund”), with the Regents of the University of California (“Cal Regents”). The Senior Credit Fund’s principal purpose is to make investments, either directly or indirectly through its wholly owned subsidiary, Senior Credit Fund SPV I, LLC (“SPV I”), primarily in senior secured loans to middle-market companies.

Investment Portfolio

As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, our portfolio (excluding our investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc. of $0.00 million and $10.12 million, respectively) consisted of the following:

 

    

As of

 
    

September 30, 2016

   

December 31, 2015

 
Investment Type   

Amortized
Cost

    

Fair Value

    

Percentage
of Total
Portfolio at
Fair Value

   

Amortized
Cost

    

Fair Value

    

Percentage
of Total
Portfolio at
Fair Value

 
     ($ in millions)            ($ in millions)         

First Lien/Senior Secured Debt

   $ 446.31       $ 436.98         38.3   $ 425.53       $ 420.10         38.9

First Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

     328.20         314.45         27.5        308.10         305.72         28.3   

Second Lien/Senior Secured Debt

     298.90         284.56         24.9        312.83         285.47         26.4   

Preferred Stock

     31.51         32.22         2.8        25.62         24.87         2.3   

Common Stock

     11.63         5.01         0.4        4.45         —           —     

Investment Funds & Vehicles

     69.09         69.75         6.1        46.17         44.90         4.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $ 1,185.64       $ 1,142.97         100.0   $ 1,122.70       $ 1,081.06         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2016, our portfolio consisted of 47 investments in 39 portfolio companies across 27 different industries. The largest industries in our portfolio, based on fair value as of September 30, 2016, were Software, Internet Software & Services, Diversified Telecommunication Services and Building Products which represented 10.0%, 8.6%, 7.7% and 6.5%, respectively, of our portfolio at fair value.

As of September 30, 2016, on a fair value basis, approximately 10.4% of our performing debt investments bore interest at a fixed rate (including income producing preferred stock investments), and approximately 89.6% of our performing debt investments bore interest at a floating rate, which was primarily London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a spread.

The geographic composition of our portfolio at fair value at September 30, 2016 was United States 98.5%, Germany 1.3% and Canada 0.2%.

As of September 30, 2016, the weighted average yield of our total portfolio (excluding our investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc.) at amortized cost and fair value (both of which include interest income and amortization of fees and discounts) was 10.4% and 11.8%, respectively. The weighted average yield of our portfolio investments does not represent the total return to the Company’s stockholders because it does not reflect our expenses and the sales load, if any, paid by investors. As of September 30, 2016, the weighted average net debt to EBITDA and the weighted average interest coverage ratio of our portfolio companies was 4.6 times and 2.9 times, respectively. The weighted average net debt to EBITDA

 



 

2


represents the weighted average ratio of our portfolio companies’ debt (net of cash), including all of our investment and the amount of debt senior to us, to our portfolio companies’ EBITDA. The weighted average interest coverage ratio (EBITDA to total interest expense) of our portfolio companies reflects our portfolio companies’ EBITDA as a multiple of their interest expense. Portfolio company statistics have been calculated as a percentage of debt investments and income producing preferred investments, including the underlying debt investments in the Senior Credit Fund and excluding collateral loans where net debt to EBITDA may not be the appropriate measure of credit risk. Portfolio company statistics are derived from the most recently available financial statements of each portfolio company as of the reported year ended date.

As of September 30, 2016, we and Cal Regents had subscribed to fund and contributed the following in the Senior Credit Fund:

 

    

September 30, 2016

 
    

Subscribed to
fund

    

Contributed

 
     ($ in millions)  

Company

   $ 100.00       $ 69.09   

Cal Regents

     100.00         69.09   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 200.00       $ 138.18   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2016, the Senior Credit Fund had total investments in senior secured debt at fair value of $392.26 million. As of September 30, 2016, the Senior Credit Fund had no investments on non-accrual status. In addition, as of September 30, 2016, the Senior Credit Fund had an investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc. with a total fair value of $4.61 million. Additionally, as of September 30, 2016, the Senior Credit Fund had one unfunded commitment totaling $3.36 million.

Below is a summary of the Senior Credit Fund’s portfolio (excluding an investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc.) as of September 30, 2016:

 

    

September 30, 2016

 

Number of portfolio companies

     32   

Total senior secured debt (1)

   $ 399.29 million   

Largest loan to a single borrower (1)

   $ 23.69 million   

Weighted average current interest rate on senior secured debt (2)

     6.6

Percentage of performing debt bearing a floating rate (3)

     100.0

Percentage of performing debt bearing a fixed rate (3)

     —  

Weighted average leverage (net debt/EBITDA) (4)

     3.8x   

Weighted average interest coverage (4)

     3.3x   

Median EBITDA (4)

   $ 69.20 million   

 

(1) At par amount.
(2) Computed as the (a) annual stated interest rate on accruing senior secured debt divided by (b) total senior secured debt at par amount.
(3) Measured on a fair value basis.
(4)

For a particular portfolio company of the Senior Credit Fund, EBITDA typically represents net income before net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization. The weighted average net debt to EBITDA represents the weighted average ratio of the Senior Credit Fund’s portfolio companies’ debt (net of cash), including all of its investment and the amount of debt senior to it, to its portfolio companies as a multiple of EBITDA. Weighted average net debt to EBITDA and median EBITDA have been calculated as a percentage of the Senior Credit Fund’s debt investments and income producing

 



 

3


  preferred investments, excluding collateral loans where net debt to EBITDA may not be the appropriate measure of credit risk. The weighted average interest coverage ratio (EBITDA to total interest expense) of the Senior Credit Fund’s portfolio companies reflects its performing portfolio companies’ EBITDA as a multiple of interest expense and has been calculated as a percentage of performing debt investments and income producing preferred investments, excluding collateral loans. Portfolio company statistics are derived from the most recently available financial statements of each portfolio company of the Senior Credit Fund as of the respective reported end date. Statistics of the Senior Credit Fund’s portfolio companies have not been independently verified by us and may reflect a normalized or adjusted amount.

As of September 30, 2016, the Senior Credit Fund was invested across 20 different industries. The largest industries in the Senior Credit Fund’s portfolio, based on fair value as of September 30, 2016, were Software, IT Services, Capital Markets and Communications Equipment, which represented 10.3%, 9.9%, 8.7% and 8.2%, respectively, of the Senior Credit Fund’s portfolio at fair value.

Corporate Structure

We were formed as a private fund in September 2012 and commenced operations in November 2012, using seed capital contributions we received from Group Inc. In March 2013, we elected to be treated as a BDC. We have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. On March 18, 2015, our common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “GSBD”. On March 23, 2015, we closed our initial public offering (“IPO”), issuing 6,000,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $20.00 per share. Net of offering and underwriting costs, we received cash proceeds of $114.57 million. On April 21, 2015, we issued an additional 900,000 shares of our common stock pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option in connection with the IPO. Net of underwriting costs, we received additional cash proceeds of $17.27 million. As a result of the Conversion, subsequent share repurchases and the IPO, as of September 30, 2016, Group Inc. owned approximately 17.85% of our common stock. See “Business—Formation Transactions and Initial Public Offering.”

Our Investment Adviser

GSAM serves as our investment adviser and has been registered as an investment adviser with the SEC since 1990. Subject to the supervision of our Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”), a majority of which is made up of independent directors (including an independent Chairman), GSAM manages our day-to-day operations and provides us with investment advisory and management services and certain administrative services. GSAM is a subsidiary of Group Inc., a public company that is a bank holding company, financial holding company and a world-wide, full-service financial services organization. Group Inc. is the general partner and owner of GSAM. GSAM has been providing financial solutions for investors since 1988 and had over $1 trillion of assets under supervision as of September 30, 2016.

The Private Credit Group of GSAM (the “GSAM Private Credit Group”) is responsible for identifying investment opportunities, conducting research and due diligence on prospective investments, negotiating and structuring our investments and monitoring and servicing our investments. The GSAM Private Credit Group was comprised of 18 investment professionals, as of September 30, 2016, all of whom are dedicated to the Company’s investment strategy and other funds that share a similar investment strategy with the Company. These professionals are supported by an additional 15 investment professionals, as of September 30, 2016, who are primarily focused on investment strategies in syndicated, liquid credit (together with the GSAM Private Credit Group, “GSAM Credit Alternatives”). These individuals may have additional responsibilities other than those relating to us, but generally allocate a portion of their time in support of our business and our investment objective as a whole. In addition, GSAM has risk management, legal, accounting, tax, information technology

 



 

4


and compliance personnel, among others, who provide services to us. We benefit from the expertise provided by these personnel in our operations.

The GSAM Private Credit Group is dedicated primarily to private corporate credit investment opportunities in North America, and utilizes a bottom-up, fundamental research approach to lending. The senior members of the GSAM Private Credit Group have been working together since 2006 and have an average of over 16 years of experience in leveraged finance and private transactions.

All investment decisions are made by the Investment Committee of GSAM’s Private Credit Group (the “Investment Committee”), which currently consists of five voting members: Brendan McGovern, Salvatore Lentini, Jon Yoder, David Yu and Scott Turco, as well as three non-voting members with operational and/or legal expertise. For biographical information about the voting members of the Investment Committee, see “Management—Biographical Information.” The Investment Committee is responsible for approving all of our investments. The Investment Committee also monitors investments in our portfolio and approves all asset dispositions. We expect to benefit from the extensive and varied relevant experience of the investment professionals serving on the Investment Committee, which includes expertise in privately originated and publicly traded leveraged credit, stressed and distressed debt, bankruptcy, mergers and acquisitions and private equity. The voting members of the Investment Committee collectively have over 50 years of experience in middle-market investment and activities related to middle-market investing. The membership of the Investment Committee may change from time to time.

Allocation of Opportunities

Our investment objectives and investment strategies are similar to those of other client accounts managed by our Investment Adviser (including Goldman Sachs Private Middle Market Credit LLC (“GS PMMC”) a privately offered BDC, and Goldman Sachs Middle Market Lending LLC (“GS MMLC”), a closed-end investment company that intends to elect to be treated as a BDC, collectively, the “Accounts”), and an investment appropriate for us may also be appropriate for those Accounts. This creates potential conflicts in allocating investment opportunities among us and such other Accounts, particularly in circumstances where the availability of such investment opportunities is limited, where the liquidity of such investment opportunities is limited or where co-investments by us and other Accounts are not permitted under applicable law. For a further explanation of the allocation of opportunities and other conflicts and the risks related thereto, please see “Business—Allocation of Opportunities” and “Potential Conflicts of Interest.”

Market Opportunity

According to the National Center for the Middle Market and the CIA World Fact Book, the U.S. middle market is comprised of approximately 200,000 companies that collectively generate revenues of approximately $5.90 trillion annually. 2 Comparing revenues to gross domestic product, this makes the U.S. middle market equivalent to the world’s third largest global economy on a stand-alone basis. The GSAM Private Credit Group believes that existing market conditions and regulatory changes have combined to create an attractive investment environment for non-bank lenders such as us to provide loans to U.S. middle market companies. For a further discussion of the market opportunities associated with the Company’s focus on middle market companies, see “Business—Market Opportunities.”

 

2   Estimate for 2016 by the National Center for the Middle Market, which defined middle market as companies with annual revenue of $10 million - $1 billion. See http://www.middlemarketcenter.org (relying on data from the CIA World Factbook, available at https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/).

 



 

5


Competitive Advantages

The Goldman Sachs Platform : Goldman Sachs is a leading global financial institution that provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base, including companies and high net worth individuals, among others. The firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices across the United States and in all major financial centers around the world. Group Inc.’s asset management subsidiary, GSAM, is one of the world’s leading investment managers with over 700 investment professionals and over $1 trillion of assets under supervision, in each case as of September 30, 2016. GSAM’s investment teams, including the GSAM Private Credit Group, capitalize on the relationships, market insights, risk management expertise, technology and infrastructure of Goldman Sachs. We believe the Goldman Sachs platform delivers a meaningful competitive advantage to us. For a detailed discussion of the Company’s competitive advantages, see “Business—Competitive Advantages.”

Operating and Regulatory Structure

We have elected to be treated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act. As a BDC, 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 investment. Under the rules of the Investment Company Act, “eligible portfolio companies” include (i) private U.S. operating companies, (ii) public U.S. operating companies whose securities are not listed on a national securities exchange (e.g., the NYSE) or registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and (iii) 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 OTC Markets Group Inc. are not listed on a national securities exchange and therefore are eligible portfolio companies. In addition, we currently are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. See “Regulation.”

We have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. As a RIC, we generally will not be required 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 if we meet certain source of income, distribution and asset diversification requirements. We intend to timely distribute to our stockholders substantially all of our annual taxable income for each year, except that we may retain certain net capital gains for reinvestment and, depending upon the level of taxable income earned in a year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income for distribution in the following year and pay any applicable U.S. federal excise tax. In addition, the distributions we pay to our stockholders in a year may exceed our net ordinary income and capital gains for that year and, accordingly, a portion of such distributions may constitute a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “Price Range of Common Stock and Distributions.”

Use of Leverage

Our senior secured revolving credit agreement (as amended, the “Revolving Credit Facility”) with SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent, and Bank of America, N.A., as syndication agent, allows us to borrow money and lever our investment portfolio, subject to the limitations of the Investment Company Act, with the objective of increasing our yield. This is known as “leverage” and could increase or decrease returns to our stockholders. The use of leverage involves significant risks. As a BDC, with certain limited exceptions, we are only permitted to borrow amounts such that our asset coverage ratio, as defined in the Investment Company Act, equals at least 2 to 1 after such borrowing. Certain trading practices and investments, such as reverse repurchase agreements, may be considered borrowings or involve leverage and thus may be subject to Investment Company

 



 

6


Act restrictions. In accordance with applicable SEC staff guidance and interpretations, when we engage in such transactions, instead of maintaining an asset coverage ratio of at least 2 to 1, we will segregate or earmark liquid assets, or enter into an offsetting position, in an amount at least equal to our exposure, on a mark-to-market basis, to such transactions (as calculated pursuant to requirements of the SEC). Short-term credits necessary for the settlement of securities transactions and arrangements with respect to securities lending will not be considered borrowings for these purposes. Practices and investments that may involve leverage but are not considered borrowings are not subject to the Investment Company Act’s asset coverage requirement and we will not otherwise segregate or earmark liquid assets or enter into offsetting positions for such transactions. The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on our Investment Adviser’s and our Board of Directors’ assessment of market conditions and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing.

Recent Developments

On October 3, 2016, in connection with an offering pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act, we issued $115.00 million aggregate principal amount of 4.50% Convertible Notes due 2022 (the “Convertible Notes”), including $15.00 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes issued pursuant to the initial purchasers’ exercise in full of their over-allotment option. The Convertible Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated October 3, 2016 (the “Indenture”), between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”). The sale of the Convertible Notes generated net proceeds of approximately $110.90 million. For more information, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources—Convertible Notes Offering.”

On November 1, 2016, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly distribution of $0.45 per share of our common stock paid on January 17, 2017 to holders of record as of December 31, 2016.

On December 16, 2016, we amended the Revolving Credit Facility to, among other things, increase the aggregate borrowing amount to $605.00 million on a committed basis and extend the final maturity date to December 16, 2021.

Summary 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:

 

    The capital markets may experience periods of disruption and instability. Such market conditions may materially and adversely affect debt and equity capital markets in the United States, which may have a negative impact on our business and operations.

 

    Our operation as a BDC imposes numerous constraints on us and significantly reduces our operating flexibility. In addition, if we fail to maintain our status as a BDC, we might be regulated as a closed-end investment company, which would subject us to additional regulatory restrictions.

 

    We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on all of our income if we are unable to maintain our status as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial performance.

 

    We are dependent upon management personnel of our Investment Adviser for our future success.

 

    Our ability to grow depends on our ability to raise additional capital.

 

 



 

7


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

 

    We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.

 

    Potential conflicts of interest with other businesses of Goldman Sachs could impact our investment returns.

 

    Goldman Sachs has influence, and may continue to exert influence, over our management and affairs and over most votes requiring stockholder approval.

 

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

 

    Our Investment Adviser can resign on 60 days’ notice. We may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.

 

    Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted.

 

    We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.

 

    Our activities may be limited as a result of potentially being deemed to be controlled by a bank holding company.

 

    Our investments are very risky and highly speculative.

 

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

 

    Declines in market prices and liquidity in the corporate debt markets can result in significant net unrealized depreciation of our portfolio, which in turn would reduce our NAV.

 

    Investing in our common stock involves an above average degree of risk.

Corporate Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282 and our telephone number is (212) 902-0300. We maintain a website located at www.goldmansachsbdc.com. Information on our website is not incorporated into or a part of this prospectus.

 



 

8


FEES AND EXPENSES

The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the fees and expenses that an investor in our common stock will bear, directly or indirectly, based on the assumptions set forth below. We caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. The expenses shown in the table under “annual expenses” are based on estimated amounts for our current fiscal year. 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 that “we” will pay fees or expenses, the holders of our common stock will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as our investors.

 

Stockholder transaction expenses (as a percentage of offering price):

  

Sales load

     (1)  

Offering expenses

     (2)  

Dividend reinvestment plan expenses

     None (3)  
  

 

 

 

Total stockholder transaction expenses

       
  

 

 

 

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

  

Base management fee

     2.49 % (4)  

Incentive fees payable under the Investment Management Agreement (20% of investment income and capital gains)

     1.77 % (5)  

Interest payments on borrowed funds

     2.10 % (6)  

Other expenses

     1.36 % (7)  

Acquired fund fees and expenses

     0.79 % (8)  
  

 

 

 

Total annual expenses

     8.51
  

 

 

 

 

(1) In the event that the securities to which this prospectus relates are sold to or through underwriters or agents, a corresponding prospectus supplement will disclose the applicable sales load (underwriting discount or commission).
(2) The related prospectus supplement will disclose the estimated amount of offering expenses, the offering price and the offering expenses borne by us as a percentage of the offering price.
(3) The expenses associated with the dividend reinvestment plan are included in “Other expenses” in the table above. For additional information, see “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”
(4) Our management fee (the “Management Fee”) is calculated at an annual rate of 1.50% (0.375% per quarter) of the average value of our gross assets (excluding cash or cash equivalents (such as investments in money market funds), but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) at the end of each of the two most recently completed calendar quarters). See “Management—Investment Management Agreement.” The Management Fee referenced in the table above is based on actual amounts incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, annualized for a full year.
(5) The incentive fee (the “Incentive Fee”) payable to our Investment Adviser is based on our performance and is not paid unless we achieve certain goals. It consists of two components, one based on income and the other based on capital gains, that are determined independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not. The Incentive Fee referenced in the table above is based on actual amounts incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, annualized for a full year.

The Incentive Fee based on income is determined and paid quarterly in arrears at the end of each calendar quarter by reference to our aggregate net investment income, as adjusted as described below, from the calendar quarter then ending and the eleven preceding calendar quarters (or if shorter, the number of quarters that have occurred since January 1, 2015) (in either case, the “Trailing Twelve Quarters”). The hurdle amount for the Incentive Fee based on income is determined on a quarterly basis, and is equal to 1.75% multiplied by our NAV at the beginning of each applicable calendar quarter comprising the relevant

 

9


Trailing Twelve Quarters. The hurdle amount is calculated after making appropriate adjustments for subscriptions (which includes all issuances by us of shares of our common stock, including issuances pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan) and distributions that occurred during the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters.

For the portion of the Incentive Fee based on income, we pay our Investment Adviser a quarterly Incentive Fee based on the amount by which (A) aggregate net investment income (“Ordinary Income”) in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters exceeds (B) the hurdle amount for such Trailing Twelve Quarters. The amount of the excess of (A) over (B) described in this paragraph for such Trailing Twelve Quarters is referred to as the “Excess Income Amount.” For the avoidance of doubt, Ordinary Income is net of all fees and expenses, including the Management Fee but excluding any Incentive Fee.

The Incentive Fee based on income for each quarter is determined as follows:

 

    No Incentive Fee based on income is payable to our Investment Adviser for any calendar quarter for which there is no Excess Income Amount.

 

    100% of the Ordinary Income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle amount, but is less than or equal to an amount, which we refer to as the “Catch-up Amount,” determined as the sum of 2.1875% multiplied by our NAV at the beginning of each applicable calendar quarter comprising the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters is included in the calculation of the Incentive Fee based on income; and

 

    20% of the Ordinary Income that exceeds the Catch-up Amount is included in the calculation of the Incentive Fee based on income.

The amount of the Incentive Fee based on income that will be paid to our Investment Adviser for a particular quarter will equal the excess of the Incentive Fee so calculated minus the aggregate Incentive Fees based on income that were paid in respect of the first eleven calendar quarters (or the portion thereof) included in the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters but not in excess of the Incentive Fee Cap (as described below).

The Incentive Fee based on income that is paid to our Investment Adviser for a particular quarter is subject to a cap (the “Incentive Fee Cap”). The Incentive Fee Cap for any quarter is an amount equal to (a) 20% of the Cumulative Net Return (as defined below) during the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters minus (b) the aggregate Incentive Fees based on income that were paid in respect of the first eleven calendar quarters (or the portion thereof) included in the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters.

“Cumulative Net Return” means (x) the Ordinary Income in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters minus (y) any Net Capital Loss, as defined below, if any, in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value, we will pay no Incentive Fee based on income to our Investment Adviser for such quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is a positive value but is less than the Incentive Fee based on income that is payable to our Investment Adviser for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap) calculated as described above, we will pay an Incentive Fee based on income to our Investment Adviser equal to the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is equal to or greater than the Incentive Fee based on income that is payable to our Investment Adviser for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap) calculated as described above, we will pay an Incentive Fee based on income to our Investment Adviser equal to the Incentive Fee calculated as described above for such quarter without regard to the Incentive Fee Cap.

“Net Capital Loss” in respect of a particular period means the difference, if positive, between (i) aggregate capital losses, whether realized or unrealized, in such period and (ii) aggregate capital gains, whether realized or unrealized, in such period.

 

10


The portion of the Incentive Fee based on capital gains is calculated on an annual basis. For each period beginning on January 1 of each calendar year and ending on December 31 of the calendar year or, in the case of our first and last year, the appropriate portion thereof (each, an “Annual Period”), we pay our Investment Adviser an Incentive Fee equal to (A) 20% of the difference, if positive, of the sum of our aggregate realized capital gains, if any, computed net of our aggregate realized capital losses, if any, and our aggregate unrealized capital depreciation, if any, in each case from April 1, 2013 until the end of such Annual Period minus (B) the cumulative amount of Incentive Fees based on capital gains previously paid to our Investment Adviser from April 1, 2013. For the avoidance of doubt, unrealized capital gains are excluded from the calculation in clause (A), above.

We accrue, but not pay, a portion of the Incentive Fee based on capital gains with respect to net unrealized appreciation. For more detailed information about the Incentive Fee, see “Management—Investment Management Agreement.”

 

(6) Interest payments on borrowed funds represents an estimate of our annualized interest expense based on borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and the $115 million of Convertible Notes issued in October 2016. The weighted average interest rate on our total debt outstanding was 2.99% on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the sale of the Convertible Notes and the use of proceeds therefrom. For the three months ended September 30, 2016, the Revolving Credit Facility bore a weighted average interest rate of 2.55%, and the $115 million of Convertible Notes issued in October 2016, bear interest at an annual rate of 4.50%. We may borrow additional funds from time to time to make investments to the extent we determine that the economic situation is conducive to doing so. We may also issue additional debt securities or preferred stock, subject to our compliance with applicable requirements under the Investment Company Act. We do not currently anticipate issuing additional debt securities or preferred stock in the next 12 months.

 

(7) “Other Expenses” includes overhead expenses, including payments under the administration agreement with our administrator (the “Administration Agreement”), and is estimated for the current fiscal year. See “Management—Administration Agreement.”

 

(8) Our stockholders indirectly bear the expenses of underlying funds or other investment vehicles in which we invest that (1) are investment companies or (2) would be investment companies under section 3(a) of the Investment Company Act but for the exceptions to that definition provided for in sections 3(c)(1) and 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act (“Acquired Funds”). This amount includes the estimated annual fees and expenses of the Senior Credit Fund and a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc., which are our only Acquired Funds as of September 30, 2016.

Although not reflected above, the Investment Adviser expects to continue to waive a portion of its management fee payable by the Company in an amount equal to any management fees it earns as an investment adviser for any affiliated money market funds in which the Company invests.

Example

The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in our common stock. In calculating the following expense amounts, we have assumed that our annual operating expenses remain at the

 

11


levels set forth in the table above, except for the Incentive Fee based on income. Transaction expenses are not included in the following example.

 

    

1 year

    

3 years

    

5 years

    

10 years

 

You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 common stock investment, assuming a 5% annual return (none of which is subject to the Incentive Fee based on capital gains) (1)

   $ 67       $ 197       $ 323       $ 619   

You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 common stock investment, assuming a 5% annual return resulting entirely from net realized capital gains (all of which is subject to the Incentive Fee based on capital gains) (2)

   $ 77       $ 226       $ 370       $ 707   

 

(1) Assumes that we will not realize any capital gains computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation.
(2) Assumes no unrealized capital depreciation and a 5% annual return resulting entirely from net realized capital gains and not otherwise deferrable under the terms of the Investment Management Agreement and therefore subject to the Incentive Fee based on capital gains. Because our investment strategy involves investments that generate primarily current income, we believe that a 5% annual return resulting entirely from net realized capital gains is unlikely.

The foregoing table is to assist you in understanding the various costs and expenses that an investor in our common stock will bear directly or indirectly. 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 our Investment Management Agreement, which, assuming a 5% annual return, would either not be payable or would have an insignificant impact on the expense amounts shown above, is not included in the example. The example assumes reinvestment of all distributions at NAV. In addition, while the example assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at NAV, under certain circumstances, reinvestment of dividends and other distributions under our dividend reinvestment plan may occur at a price per share that differs from NAV. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” for additional information regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.

This example and the expenses in the table above 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.

 

12


RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves certain risks relating to our structure and investment objective. 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 securities. The risks set forth below are not the only risks we face, and we may face other risks that we have not yet identified, which we do not currently deem material or which are not yet predictable. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such case, our NAV and the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure

The capital markets may experience periods of disruption and instability. Such market conditions may materially and adversely affect debt and equity capital markets in the United States, which may have a negative impact on our business and operations.

From time to time, capital markets may experience periods of disruption and instability. For example, from 2008 to 2009, the global capital markets were unstable as evidenced by the lack of liquidity in the debt capital markets, significant write-offs in the financial services sector, the re-pricing of credit risk in the broadly syndicated credit market and the failure of major financial institutions. Despite actions of the U.S. federal government and various foreign governments, these events contributed to worsening general economic conditions that materially and adversely impacted the broader financial and credit markets and reduced the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole and financial services firms in particular. While market conditions have improved from the beginning of the disruption, there have been recent periods of volatility and there can be no assurance that adverse market conditions will not repeat themselves in the future. If similar adverse and volatile market conditions repeat in the future, we and other companies in the financial services sector may have to access, if available, alternative markets for debt and equity capital in order to grow. Equity capital may be particularly difficult to raise during periods of adverse or volatile market conditions because, subject to some limited exceptions, as a BDC, we are generally not able to issue additional shares of our common stock at a price less than NAV per share without first obtaining approval for such issuance from our stockholders and our Independent Directors. Volatile economic conditions may lead to strategic initiatives such as the recent increase in merger activity in the BDC space.

Moreover, the re-appearance of market conditions similar to those experienced from 2008 through 2009 for any substantial length of time could make it difficult for us to borrow money or to extend the maturity of or refinance any indebtedness we may have under similar terms and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business. The debt capital that will be available to us in the future, if any, may be at a higher cost and on less favorable terms and conditions than what we currently experience. If we are unable to raise or refinance debt, then investors in our common stock may not benefit from the potential for increased returns on equity resulting from leverage and we may be limited in our ability to make new commitments or to fund existing commitments to our portfolio companies.

Given the periods of extreme volatility and dislocation in the capital markets from time to time, many BDCs have faced, and may in the future face, a challenging environment in which to raise or access capital. In addition, significant changes in the capital markets, including the extreme volatility and disruption over the past several years, has had, and may in the future have, a negative effect on the valuations of our investments and on the potential for liquidity events involving these investments. 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 investment valuations. Further, the illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments to access capital if required. As a result, we could realize significantly less than the value at which we have recorded our investments if we were

 

13


required to sell them for liquidity purposes. In addition, a prolonged period of market illiquidity may cause us to reduce the volume of loans and debt securities we originate and/or fund and adversely affect the value of our portfolio investments, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. An inability to raise or access capital could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Our operation as a BDC imposes numerous constraints on us and significantly reduces our operating flexibility. In addition, if we fail to maintain our status as a BDC, we might be regulated as a closed-end investment company, which would subject us to additional regulatory restrictions.

The Investment Company Act imposes numerous constraints on the operations of BDCs. For example, BDCs generally are required to invest at least 70% of their total assets primarily in securities of qualifying U.S. private companies or thinly traded public companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less from the time of investment. These constraints may hinder our Investment Adviser’s ability to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and to achieve our investment objective. Furthermore, any failure to comply with the requirements imposed on BDCs by the Investment Company Act could cause the SEC to bring an enforcement action against us and/or expose us to claims of private litigants.

We may be precluded from investing in what GSAM believes are attractive investments if such investments are not qualifying assets for purposes of the Investment Company Act. If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we will be prohibited from making any additional investment that is not a qualifying asset and could be forced to forgo attractive investment opportunities. Similarly, these rules could prevent us from making follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies (which could result in the dilution of our position).

If we fail to maintain our status as a BDC, we might be regulated as a closed-end investment company that is required to register under the Investment Company Act, which would subject us to additional regulatory restrictions and significantly decrease our operating flexibility. In addition, any such failure could cause an event of default under any outstanding indebtedness we might have, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on all of our income if we are unable to maintain our status as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial performance.

Although we have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, we cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain RIC status. To maintain RIC status and be relieved of U.S. federal income taxes on income and gains distributed to our stockholders, we must meet the annual distribution, source-of-income and asset diversification requirements described below.

 

    The annual distribution requirement for a RIC will be satisfied if we distribute to our stockholders on an annual basis at least 90% of our investment company taxable income (generally, our net ordinary income plus the excess of our realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction) for each taxable year. Because we expect to use debt financing, we expect to be subject to an asset coverage ratio requirement under the Investment Company Act, and we expect to be subject to certain covenants contained in our credit agreements and other debt financing agreements. This asset coverage ratio requirement and these covenants could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions to our stockholders that are necessary for us to satisfy the distribution requirement. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, and thus are unable to make sufficient distributions to our stockholders, we could fail to maintain our RIC status and thus become subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax (and any applicable U.S. state and local taxes).

 

14


    The source-of-income requirement will be satisfied if at least 90% of our gross income for each year is derived from dividends, interest, gains from the sale of stock or securities or similar sources, or net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership.”

 

    The asset diversification requirement will be satisfied if, at the end of each quarter of our 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 acceptable securities, and 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, of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable Code rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or of certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships.” Failure to meet these requirements may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of our RIC status. Because most of our investments will be in private companies, and therefore will be relatively illiquid, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and could result in substantial losses.

If we fail to maintain our RIC status for any reason, and we do not qualify for certain relief provisions under the Code, we would be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax (and any applicable U.S. state and local taxes). In this event, the resulting taxes and any resulting penalties could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of our income available for distribution and the amount of our distributions to our stockholders, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial performance. For additional discussion regarding the tax implications of a RIC, see “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

We are dependent upon management personnel of our Investment Adviser for our future success.

We do not have any employees. We depend on the experience, diligence, skill and network of business contacts of the GSAM Credit Alternatives investment team. The GSAM Credit Alternatives investment team, together with other investment professionals that our Investment Adviser currently retains or may subsequently retain, identifies, evaluates, negotiates, structures, closes, monitors and manages our investments. Our future success will depend to a significant extent on the continued service and coordination of our Investment Adviser’s senior investment professionals. The departure of any of our Investment Adviser’s key personnel, including members of the GSAM Private Credit Group Investment Committee, or of a significant number of the investment professionals of our Investment Adviser, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, we cannot assure you that our Investment Adviser will remain our investment adviser or that we will continue to have access to our Investment Adviser or its investment professionals. See “—Our Investment Adviser can resign on 60 days’ notice. We may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.”

Our Investment Adviser, its principals, investment professionals and employees and the members of its Investment Committee have certain conflicts of interest.

Our Investment Adviser, its principals, affiliates, investment professionals and employees, the members of its Investment Committee and our officers and directors serve or may serve now or in the future as investment advisers, officers, directors, principals of, or in other capacities with respect to, public or private entities (including other BDCs and other investment funds) that operate in the same or a related line of business as us. For example, we have the same management and investment committee team as GS PMMC and GS MMLC. Therefore, we expect these individuals may have obligations to investors in GS PMMC, GS MMLC and such other BDCs, the fulfillment of which might not be in our best interests or the best interests of our stockholders and we expect that investment opportunities will satisfy the investment criteria for both us, GS PMMC, GS MMLC and such other BDCs. In addition, GSAM and its affiliates also manage other investment funds (including vehicles in which Goldman Sachs and its personnel have an interest), and is expected to manage other vehicles in the future, that have investment mandates that are similar, in whole or in part, to ours and,

 

15


accordingly, may invest in asset classes similar to those targeted by us. As a result, the Investment Adviser and/or its affiliates may face conflicts in allocating investment opportunities between us and such other entities. The fact that our investment advisory fees may be lower than those of certain other funds advised by GSAM could result in this conflict of interest affecting us adversely relative to such other funds.

Subject to applicable law, we may invest alongside Goldman Sachs and its Accounts. In certain circumstances, negotiated co-investments by us and other funds managed by our Investment Adviser may be made only pursuant to an order from the SEC permitting us to do so. On January 4, 2017, the SEC granted GS PMMC, GS MMLC and us, as well as certain other funds that may be managed by GSAM in the future, exemptive relief (“Exemptive Relief”) to make negotiated co-investments, subject to certain terms and conditions in the Exemptive Relief.

As a result of the Exemptive Relief, there could be significant overlap in our investment portfolio and the investment portfolios of GS PMMC, GS MMLC and/or other funds managed by our Investment Adviser that are able to rely on the order. In the event the Exemptive Relief may not be relied upon to make certain co-investments, when the Investment Adviser identifies certain negotiated investments, it will be required to determine which Accounts should make the investment at the potential exclusion of other Accounts. In such circumstances, the Investment Adviser will adhere to its investment allocation policy in order to determine the Account to which to allocate the opportunity. The policy provides that our Investment Adviser allocate opportunities through a rotation system or in such other manner as our Investment Adviser determines to be equitable. Accordingly, it is possible that we may not be given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by other Accounts. See “—Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted.”

The downgrade of the U.S. credit rating and the economic crisis in Europe could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Beginning in August 2011, S&P lowered its long-term sovereign credit rating for the United States and certain European countries, which negatively impacted global markets and economic conditions. The financial markets continue to reflect concern and a loss of investor confidence globally about the ability of certain countries to finance their deficits and service growing debt burdens amid difficult economic conditions. The potential for insolvency has led to financial rescue measures for Greece, Portugal and Ireland by Euro-zone countries, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The actions required to be taken by those countries as a condition to rescue packages, and by other countries to mitigate similar developments in their economies, have resulted in increased political and economic discord within and among Euro-zone countries. The interdependencies among European economies and financial institutions (in particular the European Central Bank, which has played a growing role during the crisis) have also exacerbated concern regarding the stability of European financial markets generally and certain institutions in particular.

Recent U.S. “fiscal cliff” and budget deficit concerns and difficulties in approving annual budgets and increases in the federal debt ceiling, together with signs of deteriorating sovereign debt conditions in Europe, have increased the possibility of additional credit-rating downgrades and economic slowdowns. In addition, the economic downturn and the significant government interventions into the financial markets and fiscal stimulus spending over the last several years have contributed to significantly increased U.S. budget deficits. There can be no assurance that future fiscal or monetary measures to aid economic recovery will be effective. In December 2016, the Federal Reserve raised its federal funds target rate. If key economic indicators, such as the unemployment rate or inflation, do not progress at a rate consistent with the Federal Reserve’s objectives, the Federal Reserve could revise the target federal funds rate. Any change in the federal funds target rate could have an adverse impact on our ability to borrow money on terms we determine to be commercially acceptable or at all, or impact returns on our investments. These and any future developments and reactions of the credit markets toward these developments could cause interest rates and borrowing costs to rise, which may negatively impact our ability to obtain debt financing on favorable terms. The impact of the downgrades of the sovereign credit

 

16


ratings of the United States and certain European countries, any further downgrades of such sovereign credit ratings or the economic crisis in Europe on the U.S. and global financial markets and economic conditions is unpredictable and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our financial condition and results of operations depend on our Investment Adviser’s ability to manage our future growth effectively.

Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends on our Investment Adviser’s ability to identify, invest in and monitor companies that meet our investment criteria.

Accomplishing this result on a cost-effective basis is largely a function of the structuring of our investment process and the ability of our Investment Adviser to provide competent, attentive and efficient services to us. Our executive officers and the members of our Investment Adviser’s Investment Committee have substantial responsibilities in connection with their roles at our Investment Adviser, with respect to GS PMMC and other clients of our Investment Adviser, as well as responsibilities under the Investment Management Agreement. We may also be called upon to provide significant managerial assistance to certain of our portfolio companies. These demands on their time, which will increase as the number of investments grow, may distract them or slow the rate of investment. In order to grow, our Investment Adviser may need to hire, train, supervise, manage and retain new employees. However, we cannot assure you that they will be able to do so effectively. Any failure to manage our future growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our ability to grow depends on our ability to raise additional capital.

We will need to periodically access the capital markets to raise cash to fund new investments. If we do not have adequate capital available for investment, our performance could be adversely affected. In addition, we have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. To maintain our status as a RIC, among other requirements, we are required to distribute to our stockholders on a timely basis an amount equal to at least 90% of our investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction), which is generally our net ordinary income plus the excess of realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses, if any, for each taxable year. Consequently, such distributions will not be available to fund new investments. We expect to use debt financing and issue additional securities to fund our growth, if any. Unfavorable economic or capital market conditions may increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. An inability to successfully access the capital markets could limit our ability to grow our business and fully execute our business strategy and could decrease our earnings, if any. We may pursue growth through acquisitions or strategic investments in new businesses. Completion and timing of any such acquisitions or strategic investments may be subject to a number of contingencies and risks. There can be no assurance that the integration of an acquired business will be successful or that an acquired business will prove to be profitable or sustainable.

Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital.

Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to raise additional capital, and the ways in which we can do so. Raising additional capital may expose us to risks, including the typical risks associated with leverage, and may result in dilution to our current stockholders. The Investment Company Act limits our ability to borrow amounts or issue debt securities or preferred stock, which we refer to collectively as “senior securities,” to amounts such that our asset coverage ratio, as defined under the Investment Company Act, equals at least 2 to 1 immediately after such borrowing or issuance (except in connection with certain trading practices or investments). Consequently, if the value of our assets declines, we may be required to sell a portion of our

 

17


investments and, depending on the nature of our leverage, repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when this may be disadvantageous to us and, as a result, our stockholders. A recent legislative proposal would modify the relevant section of the Investment Company Act and increase the amount of debt that we may incur. If such legislation were to pass, we may increase our leverage to the extent then permitted by the Investment Company Act and the risks associated with an investment in us may increase.

We are generally not able to issue and sell our common stock at a price per share below NAV per share. We may, however, sell our common stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the then-current NAV per share of our common stock (i) with the consent of a majority of our common stockholders (and a majority of our common stockholders who are not affiliates of ours) and (ii) if, among other things, a majority of our Independent Directors and a majority of our directors who have no financial interest in the transaction determine that a sale is in the best interests of us and our stockholders. If our common stock trades at a discount to NAV, this restriction could adversely affect our ability to raise capital.

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

As part of our business strategy, we may borrow from and issue senior debt securities to banks, insurance companies and other lenders or investors. Holders of these senior securities will have fixed-dollar claims on our assets that are superior to the claims of our common stockholders. If the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause NAV to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have if we did not employ leverage. Similarly, any decrease in our income would cause net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to make distributions to our common stockholders. Our ability to service any debt that we incur will depend largely on our financial performance and will be subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. Moreover, leverage will increase the Management Fee payable to our Investment Adviser, which is based on our gross assets, including those assets acquired through the use of leverage but excluding cash and cash equivalents. Additionally, we will be able to incur additional leverage if we are able to obtain exemptive relief from the SEC to exclude the debt of any small business investment company (“SBIC”) subsidiary we may form in the future from the leverage requirements otherwise applicable to BDCs. We have not yet applied to the Small Business Administration (the “SBA”) for approval to form a SBIC and have not yet applied for exemptive relief from the SEC and we can offer no assurances as to whether or when we will be able to form a SBIC subsidiary or obtain such exemptive relief.

In addition to having fixed-dollar claims on our assets that are superior to the claims of our common stockholders, any obligations to the lenders will be secured by a first priority security interest in our portfolio of investments and cash. In the case of a liquidation event, those lenders would receive proceeds to the extent of their security interest before any distributions are made to our stockholders. Furthermore, our Revolving Credit Facility imposes, and any credit agreement or other debt financing agreement into which we may enter may impose, financial and operating covenants that restrict our investment activities (including restrictions on industry concentrations), remedies on default and similar matters. In connection with borrowings, our lenders may also require us to pledge assets.

Lastly, we may be unable to obtain our desired leverage, which would, in turn, affect your return on investment.

 

18


The following table illustrates the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock assuming various annual returns on our portfolio, 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)

 

Assumed Return on Our Portfolio (Net of Expenses)

     (10.00 )%     (5.00 )%      0.00     5.00      10.00

Corresponding return to common stockholder  (1)

     (19.52 )%     (10.81 )%      (2.11 )%      6.60      15.31

 

(1) Assumes (i) $1,175.55 million in total assets as of September 30, 2016, (ii) $475.35 million in outstanding indebtedness on a pro forma basis as of September 30, 2016 after giving effect to the Convertible Notes offering, (iii) $674.97 million in net assets as of September 30, 2016, and (iv) an annualized average interest rate on our indebtedness on a pro forma basis as of September 30, 2016 after giving effect to the Convertible Notes offering, excluding fees (such as fees on undrawn amounts and amortization of financing costs), of 2.99%.

Based on our outstanding indebtedness of $475.35 million on a pro forma basis as of September 30, 2016 after giving effect to the Convertible Notes offering and an annualized average interest rate on our indebtedness on a pro forma basis as of September 30, 2016 after giving effect to the Convertible Notes offering, excluding fees (such as fees on undrawn amounts and amortization of financing costs), of 2.99%, our investment portfolio at fair value would have had to produce an annual return of approximately 1.24% to cover annual interest payments on the outstanding debt.

We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.

A number of entities compete with us to make the types of investments that we make in middle-market companies. We compete with other BDCs, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies, collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), private funds, including hedge funds, and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity funds. Many of our competitors are more experienced, substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. 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, certain of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the Investment Company Act imposes on us as a BDC and that the Code imposes on us as a RIC. 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 secure attractive investment opportunities from time to time.

We do not seek to compete primarily based on the interest rates we offer and GSAM believes that some of our competitors may make loans with interest rates that are comparable to or lower than the rates we offer. Rather, we compete with our competitors based on our reputation in the market, our existing investment platform, the seasoned investment professionals of our Investment Adviser, our experience and focus on middle-market companies, our disciplined investment philosophy, our extensive industry focus and relationships and our flexible transaction structuring. For a more detailed discussion of these competitive advantages, see “Business—Competitive Advantages.”

We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. If we match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, we may experience decreased net interest income and increased risk of credit loss. As a result of operating in such a competitive environment, we may make investments that are on less favorable terms than what we may have originally anticipated, which may impact our return on these investments.

 

19


Our Investment Adviser will be paid the Management Fee even if the value of your investment declines and our Investment Adviser’s Incentive Fee may create incentives for it to make certain kinds of investments.

The Management Fee is payable even in the event the value of your investment declines. The Management Fee is calculated as a percentage of the average value of our gross assets including borrowed funds (excluding cash or cash equivalents) at the end of the prior two completed calendar quarters. Accordingly, the Management Fee is payable regardless of whether the value of our gross assets and/or your investment has decreased during the then-current quarter and creates an incentive for the Investment Adviser to incur leverage.

In addition, 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 a compensation arrangement and also to incur leverage, which will tend to enhance returns where our portfolio has positive returns. Our Investment Adviser receives the Incentive Fee based, in part, upon capital gains realized on our investments. As a result, our Investment Adviser may have an incentive to invest more in companies whose securities are likely to yield capital gains, as compared to income-producing securities. Such a practice could result in our investing in more speculative securities than would otherwise be the case, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during cyclical economic downturns.

The Incentive Fee payable by us to our Investment Adviser also may create an incentive for our Investment Adviser to invest on our behalf in instruments that have a deferred interest feature. Under these investments, we accrue the interest over the life of the investment but do not receive the cash income from the investment until the end of the term. Our net investment income used to calculate the income portion of our Incentive Fee, however, includes accrued interest. Thus, a portion of this Incentive Fee is based on income that we have not yet received in cash. This risk could be increased because our Investment Adviser is not obligated to reimburse us for any Incentive Fees received even if we subsequently incur losses or never receive in cash the accrued income (including accrued income with respect to original issue discount, payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest and zero coupon securities).

We incur significant costs as a result of being a public company.

We 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. These requirements may place a strain on our systems and resources. The Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and financial condition. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, which requires significant resources and management oversight. See “Regulation—Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.” We are implementing additional procedures, processes, policies and practices for the purpose of addressing the standards and requirements applicable to public companies. These activities may divert management’s attention from other business concerns, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We have incurred, and expect to incur in the future, significant additional annual expenses related to these steps and directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, director fees, reporting requirements of the SEC, transfer agent fees, additional administrative expenses payable to our administrator to compensate it for hiring additional accounting, legal and administrative personnel, increased auditing and legal fees and similar expenses associated with being a public company.

The systems and resources necessary to comply with public company reporting requirements will increase further once we cease to be an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act. As long as we remain an emerging growth company, we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies, including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We will remain an emerging growth company until as late as December 31, 2020, although if, before that time, among other things, the market value

 

20


of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million (measured at the end of each fiscal year) as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter and we have been an Exchange Act reporting company for at least one year (and filed at least one annual report under the Exchange Act), we would cease to be an emerging growth company as of the following December 31.

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

We have not previously been required to comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, including the internal control evaluation and certification requirements of Section 404 of that statute (“Section 404”), and we will not be required to comply with certain of those requirements until we have been subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for a specified period of time or cease to be an emerging growth company. However, under current SEC rules, we will be required to report on our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 starting with our fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. 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. Accordingly, our internal control over financial reporting does not currently meet all of the standards contemplated by Section 404 that we will eventually be required to meet. We are in the process of addressing our internal control over financial reporting and are establishing formal procedures, policies, processes and practices related to financial reporting and to the identification of key financial reporting risks, assessment of their potential impact and linkage of those risks to specific areas and activities within our organization.

We have begun the process of documenting our internal control procedures to satisfy the requirements of Section 404, which requires annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting until the later of the year following our first annual report required to be filed with the SEC, or the date we are no longer an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act. Because we do not currently have comprehensive documentation of our internal control and have not yet tested our internal control in accordance with Section 404, we cannot conclude in accordance with Section 404 that we do not have a material weakness in our internal control or a combination of significant deficiencies that could result in the conclusion that we have a material weakness in our internal control. As a public entity, we will be required to complete our initial assessment in a timely manner. If we are not able to implement the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner or with adequate compliance, our operations, financial reporting or financial results could be adversely affected. Matters impacting our internal control may cause us to be unable to report our financial information on a timely basis and thereby subject us to adverse regulatory consequences, including sanctions by the SEC or violations of applicable stock exchange listing rules, and result in a breach of the covenants under the agreements governing any of our financing arrangements. There could also be a negative reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of investor confidence in us and the reliability of our financial statements. Confidence in the reliability of our financial statements could also suffer if we or our independent registered public accounting firm were to report a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. This could materially adversely affect us and lead to a decline in the market price of our securities.

Certain investors are limited in their ability to make significant investments in us.

Private funds that are excluded from the definition of “investment company” either pursuant to Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act are restricted from acquiring directly or through a controlled entity more than 3% of our total outstanding voting stock (measured at the time of the acquisition, including through conversion of convertible securities). Investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act and BDCs are also subject to this restriction as well as other limitations under the Investment Company Act

 

21


that would restrict the amount that they are able to invest in our securities. As a result, certain investors may be precluded from acquiring additional shares, at a time that they might desire to do so.

Potential conflicts of interest with other businesses of Goldman Sachs could impact our investment returns.

There are significant potential conflicts of interest that could negatively impact our investment returns. A number of these potential conflicts of interest with affiliates of our Investment Adviser and Group Inc. are discussed in more detail under “Potential Conflicts of Interest.”

Group Inc., including its affiliates and personnel, is a bank holding company and a worldwide, full-service investment banking, broker-dealer, asset management and financial services organization, and a major participant in global financial markets that provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and high-net-worth individuals. As such, it acts as an investor, investment banker, research provider, investment manager, financer, advisor, market maker, proprietary trader, prime broker, lender, agent and principal. In those and other capacities, Goldman Sachs purchases, sells and holds a broad array of investments, actively trades securities, derivatives, loans, commodities, currencies, credit default swaps, indices, baskets and other financial instruments and products for its own accounts or for the accounts of its customers, and has other direct and indirect interests, in the global fixed income, currency, commodity, equity, bank loan and other markets in which we invest or may invest. Such additional businesses and interests will likely give rise to potential conflicts of interest and may restrict the way we operate our business. For example, (1) we may not be able to conduct transactions relating to investments in portfolio companies because our Investment Adviser is not permitted to obtain or use material nonpublic information in effecting purchases and sales in public securities transactions for us or (2) Goldman Sachs, the clients it advises, and its personnel may engage (or consider engaging) in commercial arrangements or transactions with us (subject to any limitations under the law), and/or may compete for commercial arrangements or transactions in the same types of companies, assets, securities or other assets or instruments as us. Transactions by, advice to and activities of such accounts (including potentially Goldman Sachs acting on a proprietary basis), may involve the same or related companies, securities or other assets or instruments as those in which we invest and may negatively affect us (including our ability to engage in a transaction or other activities) or the prices or terms at which our transactions or other activities may be effected. For example, Goldman Sachs may be engaged to provide advice to an account that is considering entering into a transaction with us, and Goldman Sachs may advise the account not to pursue the transaction with us, or otherwise in connection with a potential transaction provide advice to the account that would be adverse to us. See “Potential Conflicts of Interest” and “—Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted.”

Furthermore, Goldman Sachs is currently, and in the future expects to be, raising capital for new public and private investment vehicles that have, or when formed will have, the primary purpose of middle-market direct lending. These investment vehicles, as well as existing investment vehicles, will compete with the Company for investments. Although our Investment Adviser and its affiliates will endeavor to allocate investment opportunities among their clients, including the Company, in a fair and equitable manner and consistent with applicable allocation procedures, it is expected that, in the future, we may not be given the opportunity to participate in investments made by other clients or entities managed by our Investment Adviser or its affiliates or that we may participate in such investments to a lesser extent due to participation by such other clients or entities.

In addition, Goldman Sachs or another investment account or vehicle managed or controlled by Goldman Sachs may hold securities, loans or other instruments of a portfolio company in a different class or a different part of the capital structure than securities, loans or other instruments of such portfolio company held by the Company. As a result, Goldman Sachs or such other investment account or vehicle may pursue or enforce rights or activities, or refrain from pursuing or enforcing rights or activities, on behalf of its own account, that could have an adverse effect on the Company. In addition, to the extent Goldman Sachs has invested in a

 

22


portfolio company for its own account, Goldman Sachs may limit the transactions engaged in by the Company with respect to such portfolio company or issuer for reputational, legal, regulatory or other reasons.

Goldman Sachs has influence, and may continue to exert influence, over our management and affairs and over most votes requiring stockholder approval.

Group Inc. has owned a significant portion of our common stock since the inception of our operations. As of September 30, 2016, Group Inc. owned approximately 17.85% of our outstanding common stock. Goldman, Sachs & Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Group Inc., has acquired shares of our common stock pursuant to a 10b5-1 plan, and may in the future acquire additional shares of our common stock in the open market, but Goldman, Sachs & Co. will limit its collective ownership with Group Inc. to 19.9% of our outstanding common stock. Therefore, Group Inc. is able to exert, and may be able to continue to exert, influence over our management and policies and have significant voting influence on most votes requiring stockholder approval. This concentration of ownership may also have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change of control of us, could deprive our stockholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their common stock as part of a sale of us and might ultimately affect the market price of our common stock. Our Investment Adviser has the authority to vote securities held by Group Inc., including on matters that may present a conflict of interest between our Investment Adviser and other stockholders.

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

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

Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations or the operations of our portfolio companies, changes in the interpretation thereof or newly enacted laws or regulations, or any failure by us or our portfolio companies to comply with these laws or regulations, could require changes to certain of our or our portfolio companies’ business practices, negatively impact our or our portfolio companies’ operations, cash flows or financial condition, impose additional costs on us or our portfolio companies or otherwise adversely affect our business or the business of our portfolio companies.

We and our portfolio companies are subject to regulation at the local, state, federal and, in some cases, foreign levels. These laws and regulations, as well as their interpretation, are likely to change from time to time, and new laws and regulations may be enacted. Accordingly, any change in these laws or regulations, changes in their interpretation, or newly enacted laws or regulations, or any failure by us or our portfolio companies to comply with these laws or regulations, could require changes to certain of our or our portfolio companies’ business practices, negatively impact our or our portfolio companies’ operations, cash flows or financial condition, impose additional costs on us or our portfolio companies or otherwise adversely affect our business or the business of our portfolio companies. In addition to the legal, tax and regulatory changes that are expected to occur, there may be unanticipated changes. The legal, tax and regulatory environment for BDCs, investment advisers and the instruments that they utilize (including derivative instruments) is continuously evolving. In addition, there is significant uncertainty regarding recently enacted legislation (including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and the regulations that have recently been adopted and future regulations that will need to be adopted pursuant to such legislation) and, consequently, the full impact that such legislation will ultimately have on us and the markets in which we trade and invest is not fully known. Such uncertainty and any resulting confusion may itself be detrimental to the efficient functioning of the markets and the success of certain investment strategies.

 

23


On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Act, which impacts many aspects of the financial services industry. Some of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act have been enacted, while others have extended implementation periods and delayed effective dates and will require extensive rulemaking by regulatory authorities. While the full 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 current rules and regulations and 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 and our portfolio companies, impose additional costs on us and our portfolio companies, intensify the regulatory supervision of us and our portfolio companies or otherwise adversely affect our business or the business of our portfolio companies.

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

Our Investment Adviser can resign on 60 days’ notice. We may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.

Our Investment Adviser has the right, under the Investment Management Agreement, to resign at any time upon 60 days’ written notice, regardless of whether we have found a replacement. If our Investment Adviser resigns, we may not be able to find a new external 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 securities may decline.

Our Investment Adviser’s responsibilities and its liability to us are limited under the Investment Management Agreement, which may lead our Investment Adviser to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

Our Investment Adviser has not assumed any responsibility to us other than to render the services described in the Investment Management Agreement, and it will not be responsible for any action of our Board of Directors in declining to follow our Investment Adviser’s advice or recommendations. Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, our Investment Adviser and its directors, members, stockholders, partners, officers, employees or controlling persons will not be liable to us for its acts under the Investment Management Agreement, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Investment Management 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. See “ Our Investment Adviser will be paid a management fee even if the value of your investment declines and our Investment Adviser’s incentive fees may create incentives for it to make certain kinds of investments.”

Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted.

As a BDC, we are prohibited under the Investment Company Act from knowingly participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of a majority of our Independent Directors who have no financial interest in the transaction, or in some cases, the prior approval of the SEC. For example, any

 

24


person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities is deemed our affiliate for purposes of the Investment Company Act and, if this is the only reason such person is our affiliate, we are generally prohibited from buying any asset from or selling any asset (other than our capital stock) to such affiliate, absent the prior approval of such directors. The Investment Company Act also prohibits “joint” transactions with an affiliate, which could include joint investments in the same portfolio company, without approval of our Independent Directors or in some cases the prior approval of the SEC. Moreover, except in certain limited circumstances, we are prohibited from buying any asset from or selling any asset to a holder of more than 25% of our voting securities, absent prior approval of the SEC. The analysis of whether a particular transaction constitutes a joint transaction requires a review of the relevant facts and circumstances then existing.

In certain circumstances, negotiated co-investments may be made only pursuant to an order from the SEC permitting us to do so. On January 4, 2017, the SEC granted GS PMMC, GS MMLC and us, as well as certain other funds that may be managed by GSAM, including the GSAM Credit Alternatives investment team, in the future, the Exemptive Relief to make negotiated co-investments, subject to certain terms and conditions in the Exemptive Relief. As a result of the Exemptive Relief, there could be significant overlap in our investment portfolio and the investment portfolios of GS PMMC, GS MMLC and/or other funds established by the GSAM Credit Alternatives investment team that are able to rely on the order. Additionally, if our Investment Adviser forms other funds in the future, we may co-invest on a concurrent basis with certain of such other affiliates, subject to compliance with the Exemptive Relief, applicable regulations and regulatory guidance, as well as applicable allocation procedures. Additionally, except in certain circumstances, we will be unable to invest in any issuer in which another client sponsored or managed by our Investment Adviser has previously invested, including GS PMMC and GS MMLC.

We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly results.

We could experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results due to a number of factors, including interest rates payable on debt investments we make, default rates on such investments, 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 certain markets and general economic conditions. As a result of these factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods or the full fiscal year.

We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.

Our debt investments may be based on floating rates, such as LIBOR, Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”), the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate. General interest rate fluctuations may have a substantial negative impact on our investments, the value of our securities and our rate of return on invested capital. Currently, most of our floating rate investments are linked to LIBOR and it is unclear how increased regulatory oversight and changes in the method for determining LIBOR may affect the value of the financial obligations to be held or issued us that are linked to LIBOR, or how such changes could affect our results of operations or financial condition. In addition, any further changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of LIBOR may result in a sudden or prolonged increase or decrease in reported LIBOR, which could have an adverse impact on the market for or value of any LIBOR-linked securities, loans, and other financial obligations or extensions of credit held by or due to us or on our overall financial condition or results of operations.

Because we have borrowed money, and may issue preferred stock to finance investments, our net investment income depends, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds or pay distributions on preferred stock and the rate that our investments yield. 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.

A reduction in the interest rates on new investments relative to interest rates on current investments could also have an adverse impact on our net interest income. However, an increase in interest rates could decrease the value of any investments we hold which earn fixed interest rates, including subordinated loans,

 

25


senior and junior secured and unsecured debt securities and loans and high yield bonds, and also could increase our interest expense, thereby decreasing our net 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 value of our common stock. Further, rising interest rates could also adversely affect our performance if such increases cause our borrowing costs to rise at a rate in excess of the rate that our investments yield.

In periods of rising interest rates, to the extent we borrow money subject to a floating interest rate, our cost of funds would increase, which could reduce our net investment income. Further, rising interest rates could also adversely affect our performance if we hold investments with floating interest rates, subject to specified minimum interest rates (such as a LIBOR floor), while at the same time engaging in borrowings subject to floating interest rates not subject to such minimums. In such a scenario, rising interest rates may increase our interest expense, even though our interest income from investments is not increasing in a corresponding manner as a result of such minimum interest rates.

If general interest rates rise, there is a risk that the portfolio companies in which we hold floating rate securities will be unable to pay escalating interest amounts, which could result in a default under their loan documents with us. Rising interest rates could also cause portfolio companies to shift cash from other productive uses to the payment of interest, which may have a material adverse effect on their business and operations and could, over time, lead to increased defaults. In addition, rising interest rates may increase pressure on us to provide fixed rate loans to our portfolio companies, which could adversely affect our net investment income, as increases in our cost of borrowed funds would not be accompanied by increased interest income from such fixed-rate investments.

A change in the general level of interest rates can be expected to lead to a change in the interest rate we receive on many of our debt investments. Accordingly, a change in the interest rate could make it easier for us to meet or exceed the performance threshold in the Investment Management Agreement and may result in a substantial increase in the amount of incentive fees payable to our Investment Adviser with respect to the portion of the Incentive Fee based on income.

Our activities may be limited as a result of potentially being deemed to be controlled by a bank holding company.

Goldman Sachs is a bank holding company (a “BHC”) under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”), and therefore subject to supervision and regulation by the Federal Reserve. In addition, Goldman Sachs is a financial holding company (a “FHC”) under the BHCA, which is a status available to BHCs that meet certain criteria. FHCs may engage in a broader range of activities than BHCs that are not FHCs. However, the activities of FHCs and their affiliates remain subject to certain restrictions imposed by the BHCA and related regulations. Because Goldman Sachs may be deemed to “control” us within the meaning of the BHCA, these restrictions could apply to us as well. Accordingly, the BHCA and other applicable banking laws, rules, regulations and guidelines, and their interpretation and administration by the appropriate regulatory agencies, including the Federal Reserve, may restrict our investments, transactions and operations and may restrict the transactions and relationships between our Investment Adviser, Goldman Sachs and their affiliates, on the one hand, and us on the other hand. For example, the BHCA regulations applicable to Goldman Sachs and us may, among other things, restrict our ability to make certain investments or the size of certain investments, impose a maximum holding period on some or all of our investments and restrict our and our Investment Adviser’s ability to participate in the management and operations of the companies in which we invest. In addition, certain BHCA regulations may require aggregation of the positions owned, held or controlled by related entities. Thus, in certain circumstances, positions held by Goldman Sachs and its affiliates (including our Investment Adviser) for client and proprietary accounts may need to be aggregated with positions held by us. In this case, where BHCA regulations impose a cap on the amount of a position that may be held, Goldman Sachs may utilize available

 

26


capacity to make investments for its proprietary accounts or for the accounts of other clients, which may require us to limit and/or liquidate certain investments. See “Potential Conflicts of Interest” below.

These restrictions may materially adversely affect us by, among other things, affecting our Investment Adviser’s ability to pursue certain strategies within our investment program or trade in certain securities. In addition, Goldman Sachs may cease in the future to qualify as an FHC, which may subject us to additional restrictions. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the bank regulatory requirements applicable to Goldman Sachs and us, or the interpretation thereof, will not change, or that any such change will not have a material adverse effect on us.

Goldman Sachs may in the future, in its sole discretion and without notice to investors, engage in activities impacting us and/or our Investment Adviser in order to comply with the BHCA or other legal requirements applicable to, or reduce or eliminate the impact or applicability of any bank regulatory or other restrictions on, Goldman Sachs, us or other funds and accounts managed by our Investment Adviser and its affiliates. Goldman Sachs may seek to accomplish this result by causing GSAM to resign as our investment adviser, voting for changes to our Board of Directors, causing Goldman Sachs personnel to resign from our Board of Directors, reducing the amount of Goldman Sachs’ investment in us (if any), revoking our right to use the Goldman Sachs name or any combination of the foregoing, or by such other means as it determines in its sole discretion. Any replacement investment adviser appointed by us may be unaffiliated with Goldman Sachs.

Recent Commodity Futures Trading Commission rulemaking may have a negative impact on us and our Investment Adviser.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) and the SEC have issued final rules establishing that certain swap transactions are subject to CFTC regulation. Engaging in such swap transactions may cause us to fall within the definition of “commodity pool” under the Commodity Exchange Act and related CFTC regulations. Our Investment Adviser has claimed no-action relief from CFTC registration and regulation as a commodity pool operator pursuant to a CFTC staff no-action letter with respect to our operations, with the result that we will be limited in our ability to use futures contracts or options on futures contracts or engage in swap transactions. Specifically, the CFTC staff no action letter (the “BDC CFTC No-Action Letter”) imposes strict limitations on using such derivatives other than for hedging purposes, whereby the use of derivatives not used solely for hedging purposes is generally limited to situations where (i) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish such positions does not exceed five percent of the liquidation value of the Company’s portfolio, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such contracts it has entered into; or (ii) the aggregate net notional value of such derivatives does not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of the Company’s portfolio. Moreover, the Company anticipates entering into transactions involving such derivatives to a very limited extent solely for hedging purposes or otherwise within the limitations of the BDC CFTC No-Action Letter.

We are dependent on information systems, and systems failures, as well as operating failures, could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect our liquidity, financial condition or results of operations.

Our business is dependent on our and third parties’ communications and information systems. Any failure or interruption of those systems, including as a result of the termination of an agreement with any third-party service providers, could cause delays or other problems in our activities. Our financial, accounting, data processing, backup or other operating systems and facilities may fail to operate properly or become disabled or damaged as a result of a number of factors including events that are wholly or partially beyond our control and adversely affect our business. There could be:

 

    sudden electrical or telecommunications outages;

 

    natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes;

 

27


    disease pandemics;

 

    events arising from local or larger scale political or social matters, including terrorist acts; and

 

    cyber-attacks.

In addition to our dependence on information systems, poor operating performance by our service providers could adversely impact us.

These events, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and negatively affect the market price of our securities and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.

Cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents may adversely affect our business by causing a disruption to our operations, a compromise or corruption of our confidential information and/or damage to our business relationships, all of which could negatively impact our business, financial condition and operating results.

A cyber incident is considered to be any adverse event that threatens the confidentiality, integrity or availability of our information resources. These incidents may be an intentional attack or an unintentional event and could involve gaining unauthorized access to our information systems for purposes of misappropriating assets, stealing confidential information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption. The result of these incidents may include disrupted operations, misstated or unreliable financial data, liability for stolen assets or information, increased cybersecurity protection and insurance costs, litigation and damage to our business relationships. As our reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to our information systems, both internal and those provided by Goldman Sachs and third-party service providers. Goldman Sachs and these third-party service providers have implemented processes, procedures and internal controls to help mitigate cybersecurity risks and cyber intrusions, but these measures, as well as our increased awareness of the nature and extent of a risk of a cyber incident, do not guarantee that a cyber incident will not occur and/or that our financial results, operations or confidential information will not be negatively impacted by such an incident.

There are risks associated with any potential merger with or purchase of assets of another BDC.

Our Investment Adviser may in the future recommend to the Board of Directors that we merge with or acquire all or substantially all of the assets of one or more funds including a fund that could be managed by our Investment Adviser (including another BDC). We do not expect that our Investment Adviser would recommend any such merger or asset purchase unless it determines that it would be in our best interests, with such determination dependent on factors it deems relevant, which may include historical and projected financial performance of us and any proposed merger partner, portfolio composition, potential synergies from the merger or asset sale, available alternative options and market conditions. In addition, no such merger or asset purchase would be consummated absent the meeting of various conditions required by applicable law or contract, at such time, which may include approval of the board of directors and common equity holders of both funds. If our Investment Adviser is the investment adviser of both funds, various conflicts of interest would exist with respect to any such transaction. Such conflicts of interest may potentially arise from, among other things, differences between the compensation payable to the Investment Adviser by us and by the entity resulting from such a merger or asset purchase or efficiencies or other benefits to our Investment Adviser as a result of managing a single, larger fund instead of two separate funds.

Our ability to enter into transactions involving derivatives and financial commitment transactions may be limited.

The SEC has proposed a new rule under the Investment Company Act that would govern the use of derivatives (defined to include any swap, security-based swap, futures contract, forward contract, option or any similar instrument) as well as financial commitment transactions (defined to include reverse repurchase

 

28


agreements, short sale borrowings and any firm or standby commitment agreement or similar agreement) by BDCs. Under the proposed rule, a BDC would be required to comply with one of two alternative portfolio limitations and manage the risks associated with derivatives transactions and financial commitment transactions by segregating certain assets. Furthermore, a BDC that engages in more than a limited amount of derivatives transactions or that uses complex derivatives would be required to establish a formalized derivatives risk management program. If the SEC adopts this rule in the form proposed, our ability to enter into transactions involving such instruments may be hindered, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The United Kingdom referendum decision to leave the European Union may create significant risks and uncertainty for global markets and our investments.

The recent decision made in the United Kingdom referendum to leave the European Union has led to volatility in global financial markets, and in particular in the markets of the United Kingdom and across Europe, and may also lead to weakening in consumer, corporate and financial confidence in the United Kingdom and Europe. The extent and process by which the United Kingdom will exit the European Union, and the longer term economic, legal, political and social framework to be put in place between the United Kingdom and the European Union are unclear at this stage and are likely to lead to ongoing political and economic uncertainty and periods of exacerbated volatility in both the United Kingdom and in wider European markets for some time. In particular, the decision made in the United Kingdom referendum may lead to a call for similar referenda in other European jurisdictions which may cause increased economic volatility and uncertainty in the European and global markets. This volatility and uncertainty may have an adverse effect on the economy generally and on the ability of us and our portfolio companies to execute our respective strategies and to receive attractive returns.

In particular, currency volatility may mean that the returns of us and our portfolio companies are adversely affected by market movements and may make it more difficult, or more expensive, for us to implement appropriate currency hedging. Potential decline in the value of the British Pound and/or the euro against other currencies, along with the potential downgrading of the United Kingdom’s sovereign credit rating, may also have an impact on the performance of our portfolio companies located in the United Kingdom or Europe.

Risks Relating to Our Portfolio Company Investments

Our investments are very risky and highly speculative.

We invest primarily through direct originations of secured debt, including first lien, unitranche, including last out portions of such loans, and second lien debt, and unsecured debt, including mezzanine debt, as well as select equity investments. The securities in which we invest typically are not rated by any rating agency, and if they were rated, they would be below investment grade (rated lower than “Baa3” by Moody’s Investors Service and lower than “BBB-” by Fitch Ratings or S&P), which is an indication of having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Investments that are rated below investment grade are sometimes referred to as “junk bonds,” “high yield bonds” or “leveraged loans.” Therefore, our investments may result in an above average amount of risk and volatility or loss of principal. We also may invest in other assets, including U.S. government securities and structured securities. These investments entail additional risks that could adversely affect our investment returns.

Secured Debt. When we make a secured debt investment, we generally take a security interest in the available assets of the portfolio company, including the equity interests of any subsidiaries, which we expect to help mitigate the risk that we will not be repaid. However, there is a risk that the collateral securing our debt investment 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. In some circumstances, our lien could be subordinated to claims of other creditors, such as trade creditors. In addition, deterioration in a portfolio company’s financial condition and

 

29


prospects, including its inability to raise additional capital, may be accompanied by deterioration in the value of the collateral for the debt investment. Consequently, the fact that our debt is secured does not guarantee that we will receive principal and interest payments according to the debt investment’s terms, or at all, or that we will be able to collect on the loan, in full or at all, should we enforce our remedies.

Unsecured Debt, including Mezzanine Debt. Our unsecured debt investments, including mezzanine debt investments, generally will be subordinated to senior debt in the event of an insolvency. This may result in an above average amount of risk and loss of principal.

Equity Investments. When we invest in secured debt or unsecured debt, including mezzanine debt, we may acquire equity securities from the company in which we make the investment. In addition, we may invest in the equity securities of portfolio companies independent of any debt investment. Our goal is ultimately to dispose of such equity interests and realize gains upon our disposition of such interests. However, the equity interests we hold 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.

Investing in middle-market companies involves a number of significant risks.

Investing in middle-market companies involves a number of significant risks, including:

 

    such 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;

 

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

 

    such companies are more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons; therefore, the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on our portfolio company and, in turn, on us;

 

    such companies 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;

 

    there is generally little public information about these companies, they and their financial information are not subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and other regulations that govern public companies and we may be unable to uncover all material information about these companies, which may prevent us from making a fully informed investment decision and cause us to lose money on our investments;

 

    our executive officers, directors and Investment Adviser may, in the ordinary course of business, be named as defendants in litigation arising from our investments in the portfolio companies; and

 

    such companies 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, including any debt securities held by us, upon maturity.

 

30


Many of our portfolio securities do not have a readily available market price and we value these securities at fair value as determined in good faith under procedures adopted by our Board of Directors. Valuation is inherently subjective and may not reflect what we may actually realize for the sale of the investment.

The majority of our investments are, and are expected to continue to be, in debt instruments that do not have readily ascertainable market prices. The fair value of assets that are not publicly traded or whose market prices are not readily available are determined in good faith under procedures adopted by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors utilizes the services of independent third-party valuation firms in determining the fair value of a portion of the securities in our portfolio as of each quarter end. Investment professionals from our Investment Adviser also prepare portfolio company valuations using sources and/or proprietary models depending on the availability of information on our assets and the type of asset being valued, all in accordance with our valuation policy. The participation of our Investment Adviser in our valuation process could result in a conflict of interest, since the Management Fee is based in part on our gross assets and also because our Investment Adviser is receiving a performance-based Incentive Fee.

Because fair valuations, and particularly fair valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and are often based to a large extent on estimates, comparisons and qualitative evaluations of private information, it may be more difficult for investors to value accurately our investments and could lead to undervaluation or overvaluation of our common stock. In addition, the valuation of these types of securities may result in substantial write-downs and earnings volatility.

Our NAV as of a particular date may be materially greater than or less than the value that would be realized if our assets were to be liquidated as of such date. For example, if we were required to sell a certain asset or all or a substantial portion of our assets on a particular date, the actual price that we would realize upon the disposition of such asset or assets could be materially less than the value of such asset or assets as reflected in our NAV. Volatile market conditions could also cause reduced liquidity in the market for certain assets, which could result in liquidation values that are materially less than the values of such assets as reflected in our NAV.

We may be subject to risks associated with investments in real estate loans.

Our Investment Adviser, on our behalf, may periodically invest in loans related to real estate and real estate-related assets, and such investments will be subject to the risks inherent to investment in real estate-related assets generally. These risks include, but are not limited to, regional, national and international economic conditions, the supply and demand for properties, the financial resources of tenants, buyers and sellers of properties, changes in building, environmental, zoning and other laws and regulations, changes in real property tax rates, changes in interest rates and the availability of financing, which may render the sale or refinancing of properties difficult or impracticable, environmental liabilities, uninsured losses, acts of God, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, acts of war (declared and undeclared), strikes and other factors which are beyond the control of our Investment Adviser and us.

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

The energy industry has been in a period of disruption and volatility that has been characterized by decreases in oil and gas prices and production levels. This disruption and volatility has led to, and future disruptions and volatility may lead to, decreases in the credit quality and performance of our potential debt and equity investments in energy companies, which could, in turn, negatively impact the fair value of our investments in energy companies. Any prolonged decline in oil and gas prices or production levels could adversely impact the ability of our potential portfolio companies in the energy industry to satisfy financial or operating covenants that may be imposed by us and other lenders or to make payments to us as and when due, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, energy companies are subject to supply and demand fluctuations in the markets in which they operate, which are impacted by a numerous factors, including weather, use of renewable fuel sources, natural disasters, governmental regulation

 

31


and general economic conditions, in addition to the effects of increasing regulation and general operational risks, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the performance and value of our energy-related investments as well as our cash flows from such investments.

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

Various restrictions render our investments relatively illiquid, which may adversely affect our business. As we generally make investments in private companies, substantially all of these investments are subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or are otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities. Our Investment Adviser is not permitted to obtain or use material non-public information in effecting purchases and sales in public securities transactions for us, which could create an additional limitation on the liquidity of our investments. The illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments if the need arises. Therefore, if we are required to or desire to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we could realize significantly less than the value at which we have recorded our investments or could be unable to dispose of our investments in a timely manner or at such times as we deem advisable.

Our portfolio may be focused in a limited number of portfolio companies, which will subject us to a risk of significant loss if any of these companies default on their obligations under any of their debt instruments or if there is a downturn in a particular industry.

We are classified as a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act, which means that we are not limited by the Investment Company Act with respect to the proportion of our assets that we may invest in securities of a single issuer, excluding limitations on investments in other investment companies. To the extent that we assume large positions in the securities of a small number of issuers or industries, our NAV 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. In addition, 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, a downturn in any particular industry in which we are invested could significantly affect our aggregate returns. Further, any industry in which we are meaningfully concentrated at any given time could be subject to significant risks that could adversely impact our aggregate returns. For example, as of September 30, 2016, Software and Internet Software & Services represented 10.0% and 8.6%, respectively, of our portfolio at fair value. Our investments in Software and Internet Software & Services are subject to substantial risks, including, but not limited to, intense competition, changing technology, shifting user needs, frequent introductions of new products and services, competitors in different industries and ranging from large established companies to emerging startups, decreasing average selling prices of products and services resulting from rapid technological changes, and various legal and regulatory risks.

We may not be in a position to exercise control over our portfolio companies or to prevent decisions by management of our portfolio companies that could decrease the value of our investments.

We do not generally hold controlling equity positions in our portfolio companies. To the extent that we do not hold a controlling equity interest in a portfolio company, we are subject to the risk that such portfolio company may make business decisions with which we disagree, and the stockholders and management of such 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 typically hold in our portfolio companies, we may not be able to dispose of our investments in the event we disagree with the actions of a portfolio company, and may therefore suffer a decrease in the value of our investments.

In addition, we may not be in a position to control any portfolio company by investing in its debt securities. As a result, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company in which we invest may make business

 

32


decisions with which we disagree and the management of such company, as representatives of the holders of their common equity, may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve our interests as debt investors.

We may form one or more CLOs, which may subject us to certain structured financing risks.

To finance investments, we may securitize certain of our investments, including through the formation of one or more CLOs, while retaining all or most of the exposure to the performance of these investments. This would involve contributing a pool of assets to a special purpose entity, and selling debt interests in such entity on a non-recourse or limited-recourse basis to purchasers. Any interest in any such CLO held by us may be considered a “non-qualifying asset” for purposes of Section 55 of the Investment Company Act.

If we create a CLO, we will depend on distributions from the CLO’s assets out of its earnings and cash flows to enable us to make distributions to our stockholders. The ability of a CLO to make distributions will be subject to various limitations, including the terms and covenants of the debt it issues. For example, tests (based on interest coverage or other financial ratios or other criteria) may restrict our ability, as holder of a CLO’s equity interests, to receive cash flow from these investments. There is no assurance any such performance tests will be satisfied. Also, a CLO may take actions that delay distributions in order to preserve ratings and to keep the cost of present and future financings lower or the CLO may be obligated to retain cash or other assets to satisfy over-collateralization requirements commonly provided for holders of the CLO’s debt. As a result, there may be a lag, which could be significant, between the repayment or other realization on a loan or other assets in, and the distribution of cash out of, a CLO, or cash flow may be completely restricted for the life of the CLO. If we do not receive cash flow from any such CLO that is necessary to satisfy the annual distribution requirement for maintaining our RIC status, and we are unable to obtain cash from other sources necessary to satisfy this requirement, we could fail to maintain our status as a RIC, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial performance.

In addition, a decline in the credit quality of loans in a CLO due to poor operating results of the relevant borrower, declines in the value of loan collateral or increases in defaults, among other things, may force a CLO to sell certain assets at a loss, reducing their earnings and, in turn, cash potentially available for distribution to us for distribution to our stockholders.

To the extent that any losses are incurred by the CLO in respect of any collateral, such losses will be borne first by us as owner of equity interests. Finally, any equity interests that we retain in a CLO will not be secured by the assets of the CLO and we will rank behind all creditors of the CLO.

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

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

 

    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 may elect not to make follow-on investments or may lack sufficient funds to make those investments.

We will have the discretion to make any follow-on investments, subject to the availability of capital resources. The failure to make follow-on investments may, in some circumstances, jeopardize the continued viability of a portfolio company and our initial investment, or may result in a missed opportunity for us to

 

33


increase our participation in a successful operation. Even if we have sufficient capital to make a desired follow-on investment, we may elect not to make a follow-on investment because we may not want to increase our concentration of risk, because we prefer other opportunities or because we are inhibited by compliance with BDC requirements, compliance with covenants contained in our Revolving Credit Facility or compliance with the requirements for maintenance of our RIC status.

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

Certain of the loans we make are prepayable at any time, with some prepayable at no premium to par. We cannot predict when such loans 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 permit such company to replace existing financing with less expensive capital. In periods of rising interest rates, the risk of prepayment of floating rate loans may increase if other financing sources are available. As market conditions change frequently, it is unknown when, and if, this may be possible for each portfolio company. In the case of some of these loans, having the loan prepaid early may reduce the achievable yield for us in the future below the current yield disclosed for our portfolio if the capital returned cannot be invested in transactions with equal or greater expected yields.

Investments in common and preferred equity securities, many of which are illiquid with no readily available market, involve a substantial degree of risk.

Although common stock has historically generated higher average total returns than fixed income securities over the long term, common stock also has experienced significantly more volatility in those returns. Our equity investments may fail to appreciate and may decline in value or become worthless, and our ability to recover our investment will depend on our portfolio company’s success. Investments in equity securities involve a number of significant risks, including:

 

    any equity investment we make in a portfolio company could be subject to further dilution as a result of the issuance of additional equity interests and to serious risks as a junior security that will be subordinate to all indebtedness (including trade creditors) or senior securities in the event that the issuer is unable to meet its obligations or becomes subject to a bankruptcy process;

 

    to the extent that the portfolio company requires additional capital and is unable to obtain it, we may not recover our investment; and

 

    in some cases, equity securities in which we invest will not pay current dividends, and our ability to realize a return on our investment, as well as to recover our investment, will be dependent on the success of the portfolio company.

Even if the portfolio company is successful, our ability to realize the value of our investment may be dependent on the occurrence of a liquidity event, such as a public offering or the sale of the portfolio company. It is likely to take a significant amount of time before a liquidity event occurs or we can otherwise sell our investment. In addition, the equity securities we receive or invest in may be subject to restrictions on resale during periods in which it could be advantageous to sell them.

There are special risks associated with investing in preferred securities, including:

 

    preferred securities may include provisions that permit the issuer, at its discretion, to defer distributions for a stated period without any adverse consequences to the issuer. If we own a preferred security that is deferring its distributions, we may be required to report income for tax purposes before we receive such distributions;

 

34


    preferred securities are subordinated to debt in terms of priority to income and liquidation payments, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than debt;

 

    preferred securities may be substantially less liquid than many other securities, such as common stock or U.S. government securities; and

 

    generally, preferred security holders have no voting rights with respect to the issuing company, subject to limited exceptions.

Additionally, when we invest in debt securities, we may acquire warrants or other equity securities as well. Our goal is ultimately to dispose of such 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 may invest, to the extent permitted by law, in the equity securities of investment funds that are operating pursuant to certain exceptions to the Investment Company Act and, to the extent we so invest, will bear our ratable share of any such company’s expenses, including management and performance fees. We will also remain obligated to pay the Management Fee and Incentive Fee to our Investment Adviser with respect to the assets invested in the securities and instruments of such companies. With respect to each of these investments, each of our common stockholders will bear his or her share of the Management Fee and Incentive Fee due to our Investment Adviser as well as indirectly bearing the management and performance fees and other expenses of any such investment funds or advisers.

By originating loans to companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, we may be exposed to distressed lending risks.

As part of our lending activities, we may originate loans to companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, including companies involved in bankruptcy or other reorganization and liquidation proceedings. Although the terms of such financing may result in significant financial returns to us, they involve a substantial degree of risk. The level of analytical sophistication, both financial and legal, necessary for successful financing to companies experiencing significant business and financial difficulties is unusually high. There is no assurance that we will correctly evaluate the value of the assets collateralizing our loans or the prospects for a successful reorganization or similar action. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a company that we fund, we may lose all or part of the amounts advanced to the borrower or may be required to accept collateral with a value less than the amount of the loan advanced by us to the borrower.

We may be exposed to special risks associated with bankruptcy cases.

Many of the events within a bankruptcy case are adversarial and often beyond the control of the creditors. While creditors generally are afforded an opportunity to object to significant actions, there can be no assurance that a bankruptcy court would not approve actions that may be contrary to our interests. Furthermore, there are instances where creditors can lose their ranking and priority if they are considered to have taken over management of a borrower.

The reorganization of a company can involve substantial legal, professional and administrative costs to a lender and the borrower; it is subject to unpredictable and lengthy delays; and during the process a company’s competitive position may erode, key management may depart and a company may not be able to invest its capital adequately. In some cases, the debtor company may not be able to reorganize and may be required to liquidate assets. The debt of companies in financial reorganization will, in most cases, not pay current interest, may not accrue interest during reorganization and may be adversely affected by an erosion of the issuer’s fundamental value.

 

35


In addition, lenders can be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by them where they become too involved in the borrower’s business or exercise control over the borrower. For example, we could become subject to a lender’s liability claim, if, among other things, the borrower requests significant managerial assistance from us and we provide such assistance as contemplated by the Investment Company Act.

Declines in market prices and liquidity in the corporate debt markets can result in significant net unrealized depreciation of our portfolio, which in turn would reduce our NAV.

As a BDC, 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 under procedures adopted by our Board of Directors. We may take into account the following types of factors, if relevant, in determining the fair value of our investments: the enterprise value of a portfolio company (the entire value of the portfolio company to a market participant, including the sum of the values of debt and equity securities used to capitalize the enterprise at a point in time), the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow (taking into consideration current market interest rates and credit spreads), the markets in which the portfolio company does business, a comparison of the portfolio company’s securities to similar publicly traded securities 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. 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 also adversely affect our investment valuations. Decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments are recorded as unrealized depreciation. The effect of all of these factors on our portfolio can reduce our NAV by increasing net unrealized depreciation in our portfolio. Depending on market conditions, we could incur substantial realized losses and may suffer unrealized losses, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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

Our portfolio companies may be susceptible to economic downturns or recessions and may be unable to repay our loans during these periods. Therefore, during these periods our non-performing assets may increase and the value of our portfolio may decrease if we are required to write down the values of our investments. Adverse economic conditions may also 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 increasing investments and harm our operating results.

A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, acceleration of the time when the loans are due and foreclosure on the portfolio company’s assets representing collateral for its obligations. This could trigger cross defaults under other agreements and jeopardize our portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt that we hold and the value of any equity securities we own. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting portfolio company.

Our portfolio companies may have incurred or issued, or may in the future incur or issue, debt or equity securities that rank equally with, or senior to, our investments in such companies, which could have an adverse effect on us in any liquidation of the portfolio company.

Our portfolio companies may have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt, or issue other equity securities that rank equally with, or senior to, our investments. By their terms, such instruments may provide that the holders are entitled to receive payment of dividends, interest or principal on or before the dates on which we

 

36


are entitled to receive payments in respect of our investments. These debt instruments would usually prohibit the portfolio companies from paying interest on or repaying our investments in the event and during the continuance of a default under such debt. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of securities ranking senior to our investment in that portfolio company typically are entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any distribution in respect of our investment. After repaying such holders, the portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of securities ranking equally with our investments, we would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with other security holders in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.

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

The rights we may have with respect to the collateral securing any junior priority loans we make to our portfolio companies may also be limited pursuant to the terms of one or more intercreditor agreements that we enter into with the holders of senior debt. Under such an intercreditor agreement, at any time that senior obligations are outstanding, we may forfeit certain rights with respect to the collateral to the holders of the senior obligations. These rights may include the right to commence enforcement proceedings against the collateral, the right to control the conduct of such enforcement proceedings, the right to approve amendments to collateral documents, the right to release liens on the collateral and the right to waive past defaults under collateral documents. We may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if our rights as junior lenders are adversely affected. In addition, a bankruptcy court may choose not to enforce an intercreditor agreement or other arrangement with creditors. Similar risks to the foregoing may apply where we hold the last out piece of a unitranche loan.

We may also make unsecured loans to portfolio companies, meaning that such loans will not benefit from any interest in collateral of such companies. Liens on such portfolio companies’ collateral, if any, will secure the portfolio company’s obligations under its outstanding secured debt and may secure certain future debt that is permitted to be incurred by the portfolio company under its secured loan agreements. The holders of obligations secured by such liens will generally control the liquidation of, and be entitled to receive proceeds from, any realization of such collateral to repay their obligations in full before us. In addition, the value of such collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from sales of such collateral would be sufficient to satisfy our unsecured loan 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.

 

37


Our portfolio companies may be highly leveraged.

Some of our portfolio companies may be highly leveraged, which may have adverse consequences to these companies and to us as an investor. These companies may be subject to restrictive financial and operating covenants and the leverage may impair these companies’ ability to finance their future operations and capital needs. As a result, these companies’ flexibility to respond to changing business and economic conditions and to take advantage of business opportunities may be limited. Further, a leveraged company’s income and net assets will tend to increase or decrease at a greater rate than if borrowed money were not used.

Our investments in non-U.S. companies may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.

Our investment strategy contemplates potential investments in securities of non-U.S. companies to the extent permissible under the Investment Company Act. Investing in non-U.S. 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 non-U.S. taxes (potentially at confiscatory levels), less liquid markets, less available information than is generally the case in the United States, higher transaction costs, less government supervision of exchanges, brokers and issuers, less developed bankruptcy laws, difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and greater price volatility. These risks are likely to be more pronounced for investments in companies located in emerging markets and particularly for middle-market companies in these economies.

Although most of our investments are denominated in U.S. dollars, our investments that are denominated in a non-U.S. currency will be subject to the risk that the value of a particular currency will change in relation to the U.S. dollar. 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 cannot assure you that such strategies will be effective or without risk to us.

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

Subject to applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act and applicable CFTC regulations, we may enter into hedging transactions in a manner consistent with SEC guidance, which may expose us to risks associated with such transactions. Such hedging may utilize instruments such as forward contracts, currency options and interest rate swaps, caps, collars and floors to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the relative values of our portfolio positions from changes in currency exchange rates and market interest rates. Use of these hedging instruments may include counter-party credit risk.

Hedging against a decline in the values of our portfolio positions does not eliminate the possibility of fluctuations in the values of such positions or prevent losses if the values of such positions decline. However, such hedging can establish other positions designed to gain from those same developments, thereby offsetting the decline in the value of such portfolio positions. Such hedging transactions may also limit the opportunity for gain if the values of the underlying portfolio positions should increase. 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.

The success of any hedging transactions we may enter into will depend on our ability to correctly predict movements in currencies and interest rates. Therefore, 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

 

38


hedging strategy and price movements in the portfolio positions being hedged may vary. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, we may not seek to (or be able to) establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent 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. See also “—Risks Relating to Our Business—We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.”

Risks Relating to Our Securities

Investing in our securities involves an above average degree of risk.

The investments we make in accordance with our investment objective 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 securities may not be suitable for someone with lower risk tolerance.

The market price of our securities may fluctuate significantly.

The market price and liquidity of the market for our securities 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 BDCs or other companies in our sector, which are not necessarily related to the operating performance of these companies;

 

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

 

    the inclusion or exclusion of our securities from certain indices;

 

    changes in regulatory policies or tax guidelines, particularly with respect to RICs or BDCs;

 

    any loss of RIC or BDC status;

 

    changes in earnings or perceived changes or variations in operating results;

 

    changes or perceived 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;

 

    short-selling pressure with respect to shares of our common stock or BDCs generally;

 

    future sales of our securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our common stock or the conversion of such securities;

 

    uncertainty surrounding the strength of the U.S. economic recovery;

 

39


    concerns regarding European sovereign debt;

 

    operating performance of companies comparable to us;

 

    general economic trends and other external factors; and

 

    loss of a major funding source.

In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been brought against that company. If our stock price fluctuates significantly, we may be the target of securities litigation in the future. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources from our business.

Shares of closed-end investment companies, including BDCs, frequently trade at a discount to their NAV per share.

We cannot predict the prices at which our common stock will trade. Shares of closed-end investment companies, including BDCs, frequently trade at a discount from their NAV and our common stock may also be discounted in the market. This characteristic of closed-end investment companies is separate and distinct from the risk that our NAV per share of common stock may decline. We cannot predict whether our common stock will trade at, above or below NAV. In addition, if our common stock trades below its NAV, we will generally not be able to sell additional shares of our common stock to the public at its market price without first obtaining the approval of a majority of our stockholders (including a majority of our unaffiliated stockholders) and our Independent Directors for such issuance.

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

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, the availability of such common stock for sale (including as a result of the conversion of our Convertible Notes into common stock) or the perception that such sales could occur could materially adversely affect the prevailing market price for our common stock. Both the sale of a substantial amount of our securities and the perception that such sales could occur could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of equity securities should we desire to do so. Additionally, as an owner of approximately 17.85% of our common stock as of September 30, 2016, Group Inc. is a significant stockholder that may decide to sell a substantial amount of its common stock, subject to applicable securities laws, and such a sale would exacerbate the effects described above.

Our stockholders may experience dilution upon the conversion of our Convertible Notes.

Our Convertible Notes are convertible into shares of our common stock beginning on October 1, 2021 or, under certain circumstances, earlier. Upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, we have the choice to pay or deliver, as the case may be, at our election, cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock. The initial conversion price of the Convertible Notes is $24.49, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. If we elect to deliver shares of common stock upon a conversion at the time our NAV per share exceeds the conversion price in effect at such time, our stockholders may incur dilution. In addition, our stockholders will experience dilution in their ownership percentage of common stock upon our issuance of common stock in connection with the conversion of the Convertible Notes and any dividends paid on our common stock will also be paid on shares issued in connection with such conversion after such issuance.

Our stockholders will experience dilution in their ownership percentage if they opt out of our dividend reinvestment plan.

We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan pursuant to which we reinvest all cash distributions declared by the Board of Directors on behalf of investors who do not elect to receive their distributions in cash.

 

40


As a result, if the Board of Directors declares a cash distribution, then our stockholders who have not opted out of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the cash distribution. See “Price Range of Common Stock and Distributions” and “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” for a description of our distribution policy and obligations.

If, on the payment date for any distribution, the most recently computed NAV per share is equal to or less than the closing market price plus estimated per share fees (which include any applicable brokerage commissions the plan agent is required to pay), the plan agent will invest the distribution amount in newly issued shares on behalf of the participants. The number of newly issued shares to be credited to a participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the distribution by the most recently computed NAV per share provided that, if the NAV is less than or equal to 95% of the then current market price per share, the dollar amount of the distribution will be divided by 95% of the market price on the payment date. Accordingly, participants in the dividend reinvestment plan may receive a greater number shares of our common stock than the number of shares associated with the market price of our common stock, resulting in dilution for other stockholders. Stockholders that opt out of our dividend reinvestment plan will experience dilution in their ownership percentage of our common stock over time. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”

Our stockholders that do not opt out of our dividend reinvestment plan should generally expect to have current tax liabilities without receiving cash to pay such liabilities.

Under our dividend reinvestment plan, if we declare a cash distribution, our stockholders who have not elected to “opt out” will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the cash distributions. Stockholders who receive distributions in the form of shares of our common stock generally are subject to the same U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences as stockholders who elect to receive their distributions in cash; however, since their distributions will be reinvested, those stockholders will not receive cash with which to pay any applicable taxes on such reinvested distributions. As a result, stockholders that have not opted out of our dividend reinvestment plan may have to use funds from other sources to pay any tax liabilities imposed upon them based on the value of the common stock received.

We may in the future determine to issue preferred stock, which could adversely affect the market value of our common stock.

The issuance of shares of preferred stock with dividend or conversion rights, liquidation preferences or other economic terms favorable to the holders of preferred stock could adversely affect the market price for our common stock by making an investment in the common stock less attractive. In addition, the dividends on any preferred stock we issue must be cumulative. Payment of dividends and repayment of the liquidation preference of preferred stock must take preference over any distributions or other payments to our common stockholders, and holders of preferred stock are not subject to any of our expenses or losses and are not entitled to participate in any income or appreciation in excess of their stated preference (other than convertible preferred stock that converts into common stock). In addition, under the Investment Company Act, participating preferred stock and preferred stock constitutes a “senior security” for purposes of the 2 to 1 asset coverage test.

Certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”), as well as other aspects of our structure, including the substantial ownership interest of Group Inc., could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as the DGCL, contain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging a third party from making an acquisition proposal for us. Among other things, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws:

 

    provide that our Board of Directors is classified, which may delay the ability of our stockholders to change the membership of a majority of our Board of Directors;

 

41


    do not provide for cumulative voting;

 

    provide that vacancies on our Board of Directors, including newly created directorships, may be filled only by a majority vote of directors then in office;

 

    provide that our directors may be removed only for cause, and only by a supermajority vote of the stockholders entitled to elect such directors;

 

    provide that stockholders may only take action at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and may not act by written consent;

 

    restrict stockholders’ ability to call special meetings;

 

    require a supermajority vote of stockholders to effect certain amendments to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws; and

 

    require stockholders to provide advance notice of new business proposals and director nominations under specific procedures.

We have provisions comparable to those of Section 203 of the DGCL (other than with respect to Group Inc. and its affiliates and certain of its or their direct or indirect transferees and any group as to which such persons are a party). These provisions generally prohibit us from engaging in mergers, business combinations and certain other types of transactions with “interested stockholders” (generally defined as persons or entities that beneficially own 15% or more of our voting stock), other than the exempt parties as described above, for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder unless, prior to such stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, our Board of Directors has approved the “business combination” that would otherwise be restricted or the transaction that resulted in the interested stockholder becoming an interested stockholder or the subsequent transaction with the interested stockholder has been approved by our Board of Directors and 66 2 / 3 % of our outstanding voting stock (other than voting stock owned by the interested stockholder). Such provisions may discourage third parties from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating such an offer.

These anti-takeover provisions may inhibit a change of control in circumstances that could give the holders of our common stock the opportunity to realize a premium over the market price for the common stock. In addition, certain aspects of our structure, including the substantial ownership interest of Group Inc., may have the effect of discouraging a third party from making an acquisition proposal for us.

We may not be able to pay you distributions on our common stock or preferred stock, our distributions to you may not grow over time and a portion of our distributions to you may be a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

We intend to pay quarterly distributions 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. If we are unable to satisfy the asset coverage test applicable to us as a BDC, or if we violate certain covenants under our Revolving Credit Facility and other debt financing agreements, our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders could be limited. All distributions will be paid at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our earnings, financial condition, maintenance of our RIC status, compliance with applicable BDC regulations, compliance with covenants under our Revolving Credit Facility and other debt financing agreements and such other factors as our Board of Directors may deem relevant from time to time.

 

42


The distributions we pay to our stockholders in a year may exceed our taxable income for that year and, accordingly, a portion of such distributions may constitute a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes that would reduce a stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares of our common stock or preferred stock and correspondingly increase such stockholder’s gain, or reduce such stockholder’s loss, on disposition of such shares. Distributions in excess of a stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares of our common stock or preferred stock will constitute capital gains to such stockholder.

Stockholders who periodically receive the payment of a distribution from a RIC consisting of a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be under the impression that they are receiving a distribution of RIC’s net ordinary income or capital gains when they are not. Accordingly, stockholders should read carefully any written disclosure accompanying a distribution from us and the information about the specific tax characteristics of our distributions provided to stockholders after the end of each calendar year, and should not assume that the source of any distribution is our net ordinary income or capital gains.

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

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will include in our taxable income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as original issue discount (“OID”) or accruals on a contingent payment debt instrument, which may occur if we receive warrants in connection with the origination of a loan, or possibly in other circumstances, or contracted PIK interest, which generally represents contractual interest added to the loan balance and due at the end of the loan term. Such OID and PIK interest will be included in our taxable income before we receive any corresponding cash payments. We also may be required to include in our taxable income certain other amounts that we will not receive in cash. The credit risk associated with the collectability of deferred payments may be increased as and when a portfolio company increases the amount of interest on which it is deferring cash payment through deferred interest features. Our investments with a deferred interest feature may represent a higher credit risk than loans for which interest must be paid in full in cash on a regular basis. For example, even if the accounting conditions for income accrual are met, the borrower could still default when our actual collection is scheduled to occur upon maturity of the obligation.

Because in certain cases we may recognize taxable income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we may have difficulty making distributions to our stockholders that will be sufficient to enable us to meet the annual distribution requirement necessary for us to maintain our status as a RIC. Accordingly, we may need to sell some of our assets at times and/or at prices that we would not consider advantageous, we may need to raise additional equity or debt capital or we may need to forego new investment opportunities or otherwise take actions that are disadvantageous to our business (or be unable to take actions that are advantageous to our business) to enable us to make distributions to our stockholders that will be sufficient to enable us to meet the annual distribution requirement. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources to meet the annual distribution requirement, we may fail to qualify for the U.S. federal income tax benefits allowable to RICs and, thus, become subject to a corporate-level U.S. federal income tax (and any applicable U.S. state and local taxes). For additional discussion regarding the tax implications of a RIC, see “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

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

In order to satisfy the annual distribution requirement applicable to RICs, we will have the ability to declare a large portion of a dividend in shares of our common stock or preferred stock instead of in cash. We are not subject to restrictions on the circumstances in which we may declare a portion of a dividend in shares of our stock but would generally anticipate doing so only in unusual situations, such as, for example, if we do not have sufficient cash to meet our RIC distribution requirements under the Code. Generally, were we to declare such a dividend, it would allow stockholders to elect payment in cash and/or shares of our stock of equivalent value,

 

43


with a percentage cap on the portion of the total dividend to be issued in cash (such that, if the aggregate stockholder elections exceeded such percentage cap, each stockholder’s cash portion would be reduced pro rata). The number of shares of our stock declared would thus depend on the applicable percentage cap, the stockholders’ individual elections to receive cash or stock, and the value of the shares of our stock. As long as a portion of such dividend is paid in cash and certain requirements are met, the entire distribution will generally be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a stockholder generally would be taxed on 100% of the fair market value of the dividend on the date the dividend is received by the stockholder in the same manner as a cash dividend, even though most of the dividend was paid in shares of our common stock or preferred stock. We currently do not intend to pay dividends in shares of our common stock or preferred stock.

If we are not treated as a “publicly offered regulated investment company,” as defined in the Code, U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates will be taxed as though they received a distribution of some of our expenses.

We expect to be treated as a “publicly offered regulated investment company” as a result of either (i) shares of our common stock being held by at least 500 persons at all times during a taxable year or (ii) shares of our common stock being treated as regularly traded on an established securities market. However, we cannot assure you that we will be treated as a publicly offered regulated investment company for all years. If we are not treated as a publicly offered regulated investment company for any calendar year, each U.S. stockholder that is an individual, trust or estate will be treated as having received a dividend from us in the amount of such U.S. stockholder’s allocable share of the management and incentive fees paid to our Investment Adviser and certain of our other expenses for the calendar year, and these fees and expenses will be treated as miscellaneous itemized deductions of such U.S. stockholder. Miscellaneous itemized deductions generally are deductible by a U.S. stockholder that is an individual, trust or estate only to the extent that the aggregate of such U.S. stockholder’s miscellaneous itemized deductions exceeds 2% of such U.S. stockholder’s adjusted gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are not deductible for purposes of the alternative minimum tax and are subject to the overall limitation on itemized deductions under the Code. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of U.S. Stockholders.”

Non-U.S. stockholders may be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax on dividends we pay.

Distributions of our “investment company taxable income” to a non-U.S. stockholder that are not effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States will generally be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided by an applicable income tax treaty) to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits.

Certain properly reported dividends are generally exempt from withholding of U.S. federal income tax where they are paid in respect of our (i) “qualified net interest income” (generally, our U.S.-source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which we or the non-U.S. stockholder are at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income) or (ii) “qualified short-term capital gains” (generally, the excess of our net short-term capital gain over our net long-term capital loss for such taxable year), and certain other requirements are satisfied.

NO ASSURANCE CAN BE GIVEN AS TO WHETHER ANY OF OUR DISTRIBUTIONS WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS EXEMPTION FROM WITHHOLDING OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX OR, IF ELIGIBLE, WILL BE REPORTED AS SUCH BY US. IN PARTICULAR, THIS EXEMPTION WILL NOT APPLY TO OUR DISTRIBUTIONS PAID IN RESPECT OF OUR NON-U.S. SOURCE INTEREST INCOME OR OUR DIVIDEND INCOME (OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF INCOME OTHER THAN GENERALLY OUR NON-CONTINGENT U.S. SOURCE INTEREST INCOME RECEIVED FROM UNRELATED OBLIGORS AND OUR QUALIFIED SHORT-TERM CAPITAL GAINS). IN THE CASE OF OUR COMMON STOCK HELD THROUGH AN INTERMEDIARY, THE INTERMEDIARY MAY WITHHOLD U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX EVEN IF WE REPORT THE PAYMENT AS

 

44


QUALIFIED NET INTEREST INCOME OR QUALIFIED SHORT-TERM CAPITAL GAIN. SEE “CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS—TAXATION OF NON-U.S. STOCKHOLDERS.”

Purchases of our common stock pursuant to the Company’s 10b5-1 Plan (the “Company 10b5-1 Plan”) or otherwise may result in the price of our common stock being higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market.

We are authorized to purchase up to $25.00 million of shares of our common stock if the stock trades below the most recently announced NAV per share (including any updates, corrections or adjustments publicly announced by us to any previously announced NAV per share), subject to certain limitations, until March 18, 2017. Any such purchases will be conducted in accordance with applicable securities laws. Whether purchases will be made under the Company 10b5-1 Plan or otherwise and how much will be purchased at any time is uncertain, dependent on prevailing market prices and trading volumes, all of which we cannot predict. These activities may have the effect of maintaining the market price of our common stock or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock, and, as a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market.

Purchases of our common stock by us under the Company 10b5-1 Plan or otherwise may result in dilution to our NAV per share.

We are authorized to repurchase shares of common stock when the market price per share is below the most recently reported NAV per share (including any updates, corrections or adjustments publicly announced by us to any previously announced NAV per share), including under the Company 10b5-1 Plan. Because purchases may be made beginning at any price below our most recently reported NAV per share, if our NAV per share decreases after the date as of which NAV per share was last reported, such purchases may result in dilution to our NAV per share. This dilution would occur because we would repurchase shares at a price above the then-current NAV per share, which would cause a proportionately smaller increase in our stockholders’ interest in our earnings and assets and their voting interest in us than the decrease in our assets resulting from such repurchase. As a result of any such dilution, our market price per share may decline. The actual dilutive effect will depend on the number of shares of common stock that could be so repurchased, the price and the timing of any repurchases.

The continued uncertainty related to the sustainability and pace of economic recovery in the U.S. and globally could have a negative impact on our business.

Our business is directly influenced by the economic cycle, and could be negatively impacted by a downturn in economic activity in the US as well as globally. Fiscal and monetary actions taken by U.S. and non-U.S. government and regulatory authorities could have a material adverse impact on our business. To the extent uncertainty regarding the U.S. or global economy negatively impacts consumer confidence and consumer credit factors, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. Moreover, Federal Reserve policy, including with respect to certain interest rates and the decision to end its quantitative easing policy, may also adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend- and interest-paying securities. Market volatility, rising interest rates and/or a return to unfavorable economic conditions could adversely affect our business.

To the extent OID and PIK interest constitute a portion of our income, we will be exposed to typical risks associated with such income being required to be included in taxable and accounting income prior to receipt of cash representing such income.

Our investments may include original issue discount, or OID, instruments and payment in kind, or PIK, interest arrangements, which represents contractual interest added to a loan balance and due at the end of such loan’s term. To the extent OID or PIK interest constitute a portion of our income, we are exposed to typical risks

 

45


associated with such income being required to be included in taxable and accounting income prior to receipt of cash, including the following:

 

    The higher interest rates of OID and PIK instruments reflect the payment deferral and increased credit risk associated with these instruments, and OID and PIK instruments generally represent a significantly higher credit risk than coupon loans.

 

    Even if the accounting conditions for income accrual are met, the borrower could still default when our actual collection is supposed to occur at the maturity of the obligation.

 

    OID and PIK instruments may have unreliable valuations because their continuing accruals require continuing judgments about the collectability of the deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral. OID and PIK income may also create uncertainty about the source of our cash distributions.

 

    For accounting purposes, any cash distributions to shareholders representing OID and PIK income are not treated as coming from paid-in capital, even if the cash to pay them comes from offering proceeds. As a result, despite the fact that a distribution representing OID and PIK income could be paid out of amounts invested by our stockholders, the Investment Company Act does not require that stockholders be given notice of this fact by reporting it as a return of capital.

Terms relating to redemption may materially adversely affect your return on any debt securities that we may issue.

If our noteholders’ debt securities are redeemable at our option, we may choose to redeem your debt securities at times when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate paid on your debt securities. In addition, if our noteholders’ debt securities are subject to mandatory redemption, we may be required to redeem such debt securities also at times when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate paid on such debt securities. In this circumstance, a noteholder may not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as the debt securities being redeemed.

Our credit ratings may not reflect all risks of an investment in our debt securities.

Our credit ratings are an assessment by third parties of our ability to pay our obligations. Consequently, real or anticipated changes in our credit ratings will generally affect the market value of our debt securities. Our credit ratings, however, may not reflect the potential impact of risks related to market conditions generally or other factors discussed above on the market value of or trading market for the publicly issued debt securities.

Holders of any preferred stock we might issue would have the right to elect members of the board of directors and class voting rights on certain matters.

Holders of any preferred stock we might issue, voting separately as a single class, would have the right to elect two members of the board of directors at all times and in the event dividends become two full years in arrears would have the right to elect a majority of the directors until such arrearage is completely eliminated. In addition, preferred stockholders have class voting rights on certain matters, including changes in fundamental investment restrictions and conversion to open-end status, and accordingly can veto any such changes. Restrictions imposed on the declarations and payment of dividends or other distributions to the holders of our common stock and preferred stock, both by the Investment Company Act and by requirements imposed by rating agencies or the terms of our credit facilities, might impair our ability to maintain our qualification as a RIC for federal income tax purposes. While we would intend to redeem our preferred stock to the extent necessary to enable us to distribute our income as required to maintain our qualification as a RIC, there can be no assurance that such actions could be effected in time to meet the tax requirements.

 

46


There is a risk that investors in our equity securities may not receive distributions or that our distributions may not grow over time and that investors in our debt securities may not receive all of the interest income to which they are entitled.

We intend to make distributions on a quarterly basis to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. In addition, due to the asset coverage test applicable to us as a business development company, we may in the future be limited in our ability to make distributions. Also, our revolving credit facility may limit our ability to declare dividends if we default under certain provisions or fail to satisfy certain other conditions. If we do not distribute a certain percentage of our income annually, we will suffer adverse tax consequences, including possible loss of the tax benefits available to us as a RIC. In addition, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and tax regulations, we include in income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as contractual payment-in-kind interest, which represents contractual interest added to the loan balance that becomes due at the end of the loan term, or the accrual of original issue or market discount. Since we may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we may have difficulty meeting the requirement to distribute at least 90% of our investment company taxable income to obtain tax benefits as a RIC.

We will be subject to a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax on certain undistributed income unless we distribute in a timely manner an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of our ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for each calendar year, (2) 98.2% of our capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year and (3) any income recognized, but not distributed, in preceding years. We will not be subject to excise taxes on amounts on which we are required to pay corporate income taxes (such as retained net capital gains).

Finally, if more stockholders opt to receive cash 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 cash distribution payments.

If you do not fully exercise your subscription rights in any rights offering of our common stock, your interest in us may be diluted and, if the subscription price is less than our NAV per share, you may experience an immediate dilution of the aggregate NAV of your shares.

In the event we issue subscription rights to acquire shares of our common stock, stockholders who do not fully exercise their subscription rights should expect that they will, at the completion of the rights offering, own a smaller proportional interest in us than would be the case if they fully exercised their rights.

In addition, if the subscription price is less than the NAV per share of our common stock, a stockholder who does not fully exercise its subscription rights may experience an immediate dilution of the aggregate NAV of its shares as a result of the offering.

We would not be able to state the amount of any such dilution prior to knowing the results of the offering. Such dilution could be substantial.

 

47


POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

General Categories of Conflicts Associated with the Company

Goldman Sachs (which, for purposes of this “Potential Conflicts of Interest” section, shall mean, collectively, Group Inc., the Investment Adviser and their affiliates, directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees) is a worldwide, full-service investment banking, broker-dealer, asset management and financial services organization and a major participant in global financial markets. As such, Goldman Sachs provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base. In those and other capacities, Goldman Sachs advises clients in all markets and transactions and purchases, sells, holds and recommends a broad array of investments for its own accounts and for the accounts of clients and of its personnel, through client accounts and the relationships and products it sponsors, manages and advises. Goldman Sachs has direct and indirect interests in the global fixed income, currency, commodity, equities, bank loan and other markets, and the securities and issuers, in which the Company may directly and indirectly invest. As a result, Goldman Sachs’ activities and dealings, including on behalf of the Company, may affect the Company in ways that may disadvantage or restrict the Company and/or benefit Goldman Sachs or other Accounts.

The following are descriptions of certain conflicts and potential conflicts that may be associated with the financial or other interests that the Investment Adviser and Goldman Sachs may have in transactions effected by, with or on behalf of the Company. They are not, and are not intended to be, a complete enumeration or explanation of all of the potential conflicts of interest that may arise. Additional information about potential conflicts of interest regarding the Investment Adviser and Goldman Sachs is set forth in the Investment Adviser’s Form ADV, which prospective investors should review prior to purchasing the Company’s securities. A copy of Part 1 and Part 2A of the Investment Adviser’s Form ADV is available on the SEC’s website ( www.adviserinfo.sec.gov ). A copy of Part 2 of the Investment Adviser’s Form ADV will be provided to investors or prospective investors upon request.

Other Activities of Goldman Sachs, the Sale of the Company’s Stock and the Allocation of Investment Opportunities

Sales Incentives and Related Conflicts Arising from Goldman Sachs’ Financial and Other Relationships with Intermediaries

Goldman Sachs and its personnel, including employees of the Investment Adviser, may have relationships (both involving and not involving the Company, and including without limitation placement, brokerage, advisory and board relationships) with distributors, consultants and others who recommend, or engage in transactions with or for, the Company. Such distributors, consultants and other parties may receive compensation from Goldman Sachs or the Company in connection with such relationships. As a result of these relationships, distributors, consultants and other parties may have conflicts that create incentives for them to promote the Company.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Company and Goldman Sachs may make payments to authorized dealers and other financial intermediaries and to salespersons (collectively, “Intermediaries”) from time to time to promote the Company. These payments may be made out of Goldman Sachs’ assets, or amounts payable to Goldman Sachs. These payments may create an incentive for a particular Intermediary to highlight, feature or recommend the Company.

Allocation of Investment Opportunities Among the Company and Other Accounts

The Company’s investment objectives and investment strategies are similar to those of other Accounts managed by the Investment Adviser (including GS PMMC and GS MMLC) and the Senior Credit Fund, and an investment appropriate for the Company may also be appropriate for those Accounts (including GS PMMC and

 

48


GS MMLC) or the Senior Credit Fund. This creates potential conflicts in allocating investment opportunities among the Company and such other Accounts, particularly in circumstances where the availability of such investment opportunities is limited, where the liquidity of such investment opportunities is limited or where co-investments by the Company and other Accounts are not permitted under applicable law.

The Company is prohibited under the Investment Company Act from participating in certain transactions with its affiliates without the prior approval of the Independent Directors and, in some cases, of the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, five percent or more of the Company’s outstanding voting securities will be an affiliate of the Company for purposes of the Investment Company Act, and the Company is generally prohibited from buying or selling any assets 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 the Independent Directors. The Investment Adviser and its affiliates, including persons that control, or are under common control with, the Company or the Investment Adviser, are also considered to be affiliates of the Company under the Investment Company Act, and the Company is generally prohibited from buying or selling any assets from or to, or entering into “joint” transactions with, such affiliates without exemptive relief from the SEC.

Subject to applicable law, Goldman Sachs or Accounts may invest alongside the Company. In certain circumstances, negotiated co-investments by us and other funds managed by our Investment Adviser may be made only pursuant to an order from the SEC permitting us to do so. On January 4, 2017, the SEC granted GS PMMC, GS MMLC and us, as well as certain other funds that may be managed by GSAM, including the GSAM Credit Alternatives investment team, in the future, the Exemptive Relief to make negotiated co-investments, subject to certain terms and conditions in the Exemptive Relief. As a result of the Exemptive Relief, there could be significant overlap in our investment portfolio and the investment portfolios of GS PMMC, GS MMLC and/or other funds established by the GSAM Credit Alternatives investment team that are able to rely on the order. In the event the Exemptive Relief may not be relied upon to make certain co-investments, when the Investment Adviser identifies certain negotiated investments, it will be required to determine which Accounts should make the investment at the potential exclusion of other Accounts. In such circumstances, the Investment Adviser will adhere to its investment allocation policy in order to determine the Account to which to allocate the opportunity. The policy provides that the Investment Adviser allocate opportunities through a rotation system or in such other manner as the Investment Adviser determines to be equitable. Accordingly, it is possible that the Company may not be given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by other Accounts.

The Company may also invest alongside other Accounts advised by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates in certain circumstances where doing so is consistent with applicable law and SEC staff guidance and interpretations. For example, the Company may invest alongside such Accounts consistent with guidance promulgated by the staff of the SEC permitting the Company and such other Accounts to purchase interests in a single class of privately placed securities so long as certain conditions are met, including that the Investment Adviser, acting on behalf of the Company and on behalf of its other clients, negotiates no term other than price. The Company may also invest alongside the Investment Adviser’s other clients as otherwise permissible under SEC staff guidance and interpretations, applicable regulations and the allocation policy of the Investment Adviser.

To address these potential conflicts, the Investment Adviser has developed allocation policies and procedures that provide that personnel of the Investment Adviser making portfolio decisions for Accounts will make purchase and sale decisions and allocate investment opportunities among Accounts consistent with its fiduciary obligations. To the extent permitted by applicable law, these policies and procedures may result in the pro rata allocation of limited opportunities across eligible Accounts managed by a particular portfolio management team, but in many other cases the allocations reflect numerous other factors as described below. Accounts managed outside the GSAM Private Credit Group are generally viewed separately for allocation purposes. There will be cases where certain Accounts receive an allocation of an investment opportunity when the Company does not and vice versa. In some cases, due to information barriers that are in place, other Accounts

 

49


may compete with the Company for specific investment opportunities without being aware that they are competing against each other. Goldman Sachs has a conflicts system in place above these information barriers to identify potential conflicts early in the process and determine if an allocation decision needs to be made. If the conflicts system detects a potential conflict, the legal and compliance departments of Goldman Sachs assess investment opportunities to determine whether a particular investment opportunity is required to be allocated to a particular Account (including the Company) or is prohibited from being allocated to a particular Account. Subject to a determination by the legal and compliance departments (if applicable), portfolio management teams are then charged with ensuring that investment opportunities are allocated to the appropriate Account.

Personnel of the Investment Adviser involved in decision-making for Accounts may make allocation related decisions for the Company and other Accounts by reference to one or more factors, including: the Account’s portfolio and its investment horizons, objectives, guidelines and restrictions (including legal and regulatory restrictions); strategic fit and other portfolio management considerations, including different desired levels of investment for different strategies; the expected future capacity of the applicable Accounts; cash and liquidity considerations; and the availability of other appropriate investment opportunities. Suitability considerations, reputational matters and other considerations may also be considered. The application of these considerations may cause differences in the performance of different Accounts that have similar strategies. In addition, in some cases the Investment Adviser may make investment recommendations to Accounts where the Accounts make the investment independently of the Investment Adviser, which may result in a reduction in the availability of the investment opportunity for other Accounts (including the Company) irrespective of the Investment Adviser’s policies regarding allocation of investments. With respect to the Company, the Investment Adviser may make allocation-related decisions by reference to Senior Credit Fund, consistent with the nature of the relationship between the Company and Senior Credit Fund, even though there is no formal investment advisory relationship between the Investment Adviser and Senior Credit Fund. Additional information about the Investment Adviser’s allocation policies is set forth in Item 6 (“Performance-based Fees and Side-by-Side Management—Side-by-Side Management of Advisory Accounts; Allocation of Opportunities”) of the Investment Adviser’s Form ADV.

The Investment Adviser, including the GSAM Credit Alternatives investment team, may, from time to time, develop and implement new trading strategies or seek to participate in new investment opportunities and trading strategies. These opportunities and strategies may not be employed in all Accounts or pro rata among Accounts where they are employed, even if the opportunity or strategy is consistent with the objectives of such Accounts.

During periods of unusual market conditions, the Investment Adviser may deviate from its normal trade allocation practices. For example, this may occur with respect to the management of unlevered and/or long-only Accounts that are typically managed on a side-by-side basis with levered and/or long-short Accounts.

The Company may receive opportunities referred by Goldman Sachs businesses and affiliates, but in no event does the Company have any rights with respect to such opportunities. Subject to applicable law, including the Investment Company Act, such opportunities or any portion thereof may be offered to other Accounts, Goldman Sachs, all or certain investors in the Company, or such other persons or entities as determined by Goldman Sachs in its sole discretion. The Company will have no rights and will not receive any compensation related to such opportunities.

Goldman Sachs’ Financial and Other Interests May Incentivize Goldman Sachs to Promote the Sale of Our Common Stock or Favor Other Accounts.

Goldman Sachs and its personnel have interests in promoting sales of our common stock, and the compensation from such sales may be greater than the compensation relating to sales of interests in other Accounts (including other BDCs and other investment funds managed by our Investment Adviser (including GS PMMC and GS MMLC)). Therefore, Goldman Sachs and its personnel may have a financial interest in promoting our common stock over interests in other Accounts.

 

50


The Investment Adviser receives performance-based compensation in respect of its investment management activities on the Company’s behalf, which rewards the Investment Adviser for positive performance of the Company’s investment portfolio. As a result, the Investment Adviser may make investments for the Company that present a greater potential for return but also a greater risk of loss or that are more speculative than would be the case in the absence of performance-based compensation. In addition, the Investment Adviser may simultaneously manage other Accounts (including other BDCs (including GS PMMC and GS MMLC)) for which the Investment Adviser may be entitled to receive greater fees or other compensation (as a percentage of performance or otherwise) than it receives in respect of us. In addition, subject to applicable law, Goldman Sachs may invest in other Accounts (including other BDCs (including GS PMMC and GS MMLC)), and such investments may constitute substantial percentages of such other Accounts’ outstanding equity interests. Therefore, the Investment Adviser may have an incentive to favor such other Accounts over us. To address these types of conflicts, the Investment Adviser has adopted policies and procedures under which investment opportunities will be allocated in a manner that it believes is consistent with its obligations as an investment adviser. However, the amount, timing, structuring or terms of an investment by the Company may differ from, and performance may be different than, the investments and performance of other Accounts.

Management of the Company by the Investment Adviser

Considerations Relating to Information Held by Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs has established certain information barriers and other policies to address the sharing of information between different businesses within Goldman Sachs. As a result of information barriers, the Investment Adviser generally will not have access, or will have limited access, to information and personnel in other areas of Goldman Sachs, and generally will not be able to manage the Company with the benefit of information held by such other areas. Such other areas, including without limitation, Goldman Sachs’ prime brokerage and administration businesses, will have broad access to detailed information that is not available to the Investment Adviser, including information in respect of markets and investments, which, if known to the Investment Adviser, might cause the Investment Adviser to seek to dispose of, retain or increase interests in investments held by the Company or acquire certain positions on the Company’s behalf, or take other actions. Goldman Sachs will be under no obligation or fiduciary or other duty to make any such information available to the Investment Adviser or personnel of the Investment Adviser involved in decision-making for the Company. There may be circumstances in which, as a result of information held by certain of the Investment Adviser’s portfolio management teams, the Investment Adviser limits an activity or a transaction for the Company, including if the team holding such information is not managing the Company. In addition, regardless of the existence of information barriers, Goldman Sachs will not have any obligation to make available any information regarding its trading activities, strategies or views, or the activities, strategies or views used for other Accounts, for the benefit of the Company.

Valuation of the Company’s Investments

The Investment Adviser performs certain valuation services related to securities and assets held in the Company. The Investment Adviser, pursuant to delegated authority, and subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors, values the Company’s securities and assets according to the Company’s valuation policies, and may value an identical asset differently than another division or unit within Goldman Sachs or another Account values the asset, including because such other division or unit or Account has information or uses valuation techniques and models that it does not share with the Investment Adviser or the Company. This is particularly the case in respect of difficult-to-value assets. The Investment Adviser may face a conflict with respect to valuations generally because of their effect on the Investment Adviser’s fees and other compensation.

Goldman Sachs’ and the Investment Adviser’s Activities on Behalf of Other Accounts

The Investment Adviser’s decisions and actions on behalf of the Company may differ from those on behalf of other Accounts. Advice given to, or investment or voting decisions made for, one or more Accounts,

 

51


may compete with, affect, differ from, conflict with, or involve timing different from, advice given to or investment or voting decisions made for the Company.

Goldman Sachs engages in a variety of activities in the global financial markets. The extent of Goldman Sachs’ activities in the global financial markets, including without limitation in its capacity as an investment banker, market maker, lender, investor, broker, advisor and research provider, may have potential adverse effects on the Company. Goldman Sachs, the clients it advises, and its personnel have interests in and advise Accounts which have investment objectives or portfolios similar to, related to or opposed to those of the Company.

Goldman Sachs (including GSAM), the clients it advises, and its personnel have interests in and advise Accounts that have investment objectives or portfolios similar to, related to or opposed to those of the Company. Goldman Sachs may receive greater fees or other compensation (including performance-based fees) from such Accounts than it does from the Company. In addition, Goldman Sachs (including GSAM), the clients it advises, and its personnel may engage (or consider engaging) in commercial arrangements or transactions with Accounts, and/or may compete for commercial arrangements or transactions in the same types of companies, assets, securities and other instruments, as the Company. Transactions by, advice to and activities of such Accounts may involve the same or related companies, securities or other assets or instruments as those in which the Company invests, and such Accounts may engage in a strategy while the Company is undertaking the same or a differing strategy, any of which could directly or indirectly disadvantage the Company (including its ability to engage in a transaction or other activities) or the prices or terms at which the Company’s transactions or other activities may be effected. For example, Goldman Sachs may be engaged to provide advice to an Account that is considering entering into a transaction with the Company, and Goldman Sachs may advise the Account not to pursue the transaction with the Company, or otherwise in connection with a potential transaction provide advice to the Account that would be adverse to the Company. Additionally, the Company may buy a security and Goldman Sachs may establish a short position in that same security or in similar securities. This short position may result in the impairment of the price of the security that the Company holds or may be designed to profit from a decline in the price of the security. The Company could similarly be adversely impacted if it establishes a short position, following which Goldman Sachs takes a long position in the same security or in similar securities. To the extent the Company engages in transactions in the same or similar types of securities as other Accounts, the Company and other Accounts may compete for such transactions, and transactions by such other Accounts may negatively affect the investments of the Company (including the ability of the Company to engage in such a transaction or other activities), or the price or terms at which the Company’s transactions or other activities may be effected. Moreover, Goldman Sachs or Accounts, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, may vote differently on or take or refrain from taking different actions with respect to the same security, which may be disadvantageous to the Company.

Goldman Sachs and its personnel may make investment decisions or recommendations, provide differing investment views or have views with respect to research or valuations that are inconsistent with, or adverse to, the Company’s interests and activities. Members may be offered access to advisory services through several different Goldman Sachs advisory businesses (including Goldman, Sachs & Co. and GSAM). Different advisory businesses within Goldman Sachs manage Accounts according to different strategies and may also apply different criteria to the same or similar strategies and may have differing investment views in respect of an issuer or a security. Similarly, within the Investment Adviser, certain portfolio management teams may have differing or opposite investment views in respect of an issuer or a security, and the actions the Company’s portfolio management team takes in respect of the Company’s investments may be inconsistent with, or adversely affected by, the interests and activities of the Accounts advised by other portfolio management teams of the Investment Adviser. Research analyses or viewpoints may be available to clients or potential clients at different times. Goldman Sachs will not have any obligation to make available to the Company any research or analysis prior to its public dissemination. The Investment Adviser is responsible for making investment decisions on the Company’s behalf and such investment decisions can differ from investment decisions or recommendations by Goldman Sachs on behalf of other Accounts. Goldman Sachs may, on behalf of other Accounts and in accordance with its management of such Accounts, implement an investment decision or

 

52


strategy ahead of, or contemporaneously with, or behind similar investment decisions or strategies made for the Company. The relative timing for the implementation of investment decisions or strategies among Accounts and the Company may disadvantage the Company. Certain factors, for example, market impact, liquidity constraints, or other circumstances, could result in the Company receiving less favorable trading results or incurring increased costs associated with implementing such investment decisions or strategies, or being otherwise disadvantaged.

Subject to applicable law, the Investment Adviser may cause the Company to invest in securities, loans or other obligations of companies affiliated with Goldman Sachs or in which Goldman Sachs or Accounts have an equity, debt or other interest, or to engage in investment transactions that may result in other Accounts being relieved of obligations or otherwise divesting of investments, which may enhance the profitability of Goldman Sachs’ or other Accounts’ investments in and activities with respect to such companies.

When the Investment Adviser wishes to place an order for different types of Accounts (including the Company) for which aggregation is not practicable, the Investment Adviser may use a trade sequencing and rotation policy to determine which type of Account is to be traded first. Under this policy, each portfolio management team may determine the length of its trade rotation period and the sequencing schedule for different categories of clients within this period provided that the trading periods and these sequencing schedules are designed to be fair and equitable over time. The portfolio management teams currently base their trading periods and rotation schedules on the relative amounts of assets managed for different client categories (e.g., unconstrained client accounts, “wrap program” accounts, etc.) and, as a result, the Company may trade behind other Accounts. Within a given trading period, the sequencing schedule establishes when and how frequently a given client category will trade first in the order of rotation. The Investment Adviser may deviate from the predetermined sequencing schedule under certain circumstances, and the Investment Adviser’s trade sequencing and rotation policy may be amended, modified or supplemented at any time without prior notice to clients.

Potential Conflicts Relating to Follow-On Investments

To the extent permitted by law, from time to time, the Investment Adviser will provide opportunities to Accounts (including potentially the Company) to make investments in companies in which certain Accounts have already invested. Such follow-on investments can create conflicts of interest, such as the determination of the terms of the new investment and the allocation of such opportunities among Accounts (including the Company). Follow-on investment opportunities may be available to the Company notwithstanding that the Company has no existing investment in the issuer, resulting in the assets of the Company potentially providing value to, or otherwise supporting the investments of, other Accounts. Accounts (including the Company) may also participate in releveraging and recapitalization transactions involving companies in which other Accounts have invested or will invest. Conflicts of interest in recapitalization transactions arise between Accounts with existing investments in a company and Accounts (including the Company) making an initial investment in the company, which have opposing interests regarding pricing and other terms.

Diverse Interests

The various types of investors in and beneficiaries of the Company, including to the extent applicable the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, may have conflicting investment, tax and other interests with respect to their interest in the Company. When considering a potential investment for the Company, the Investment Adviser will generally consider the investment objectives of the Company, not the investment objectives of any particular investor or beneficiary. The Investment Adviser may make decisions, including with respect to tax matters, from time to time that may be more beneficial to one type of investor or beneficiary than another, or to the Investment Adviser and its affiliates than to investors or beneficiaries unaffiliated with the Investment Adviser. In addition, Goldman Sachs may face certain tax risks based on positions taken by the Company, including as a withholding agent. Goldman Sachs reserves the right on behalf of itself and its affiliates to take actions adverse to the Company or other Accounts in these circumstances, including withholding amounts to cover actual or potential tax liabilities.

 

53


Selection of Service Providers

The Company expects to engage service providers (including attorneys and consultants) that may also provide services to other Goldman Sachs affiliates. The Investment Adviser intends to select these service providers based on a number of factors, including expertise and experience, knowledge of related or similar products, quality of service, reputation in the marketplace, and price. These service providers may have business, financial, or other relationships with Goldman Sachs, which may or may not influence the Investment Adviser’s selection of these service providers for the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the selection of service providers for the Company will be conducted in accordance with the Investment Adviser’s fiduciary obligations to the Company. The service providers selected by the Investment Adviser may charge different rates to different recipients based on the specific services provided, the personnel providing the services, or other factors. As a result, the rates paid with respect to these service providers by the Company, on the one hand, may be more or less favorable than the rates paid by Goldman Sachs, on the other hand.

Investments in Goldman Sachs Funds

To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Company may invest in money market and other funds sponsored, managed or advised by Goldman Sachs. In connection with any such investments, the Company, to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act, will generally pay all advisory, administrative or Rule 12b-1 fees applicable to the investment, and fees to the Investment Adviser in its capacity as manager will not be reduced thereby (i.e., there could be “double fees” involved in making any such investment because Goldman Sachs could receive fees with respect to both the Company’s management and such money market fund), other than in certain cases. In such circumstances, as well as in all other circumstances in which Goldman Sachs receives any fees or other compensation in any form relating to the provision of services, no accounting or repayment to the Company will be required.

Goldman Sachs May In-Source or Outsource

Subject to applicable law, Goldman Sachs, including the Investment Adviser, may from time to time and without notice to investors in-source or outsource certain processes or functions in connection with a variety of services that it provides to the Company in its administrative or other capacities. Such in-sourcing or outsourcing may give rise to additional conflicts of interest.

Potential Merger with or Asset Sale to Another Fund Managed by GSAM

Our Investment Adviser may in the future recommend to the Board of Directors that we merge with or acquire all or substantially all of the assets of one or more funds including a fund that could be managed by our Investment Adviser (including another BDC). We do not expect that our Investment Adviser would recommend any such merger or asset purchase unless it determines that it would be in our best interests, with such determination dependent on factors it deems relevant, which may include historical and projected financial performance of us and any proposed merger partner, portfolio composition, potential synergies from the merger or asset sale, available alternative options and market conditions. In addition, no such merger or asset purchase would be consummated absent the meeting of various conditions required by applicable law or contract, at such time, which may include approval of the board of directors and common equity holders of both funds. If our Investment Adviser is the investment adviser of both funds, various conflicts of interest would exist with respect to any such transaction. Such conflicts of interest may potentially arise from, among other things, differences between the compensation payable to the Investment Adviser by us and by the entity resulting from such a merger or asset purchase or efficiencies or other benefits to our Investment Adviser as a result of managing a single, larger fund instead of two separate funds.

 

54


Goldman Sachs May Act in a Capacity Other Than Investment Adviser to the Company

Investments in Different Parts of an Issuer’s Capital Structure

When permitted by applicable law, Goldman Sachs or Accounts, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, may invest in or extend credit to different classes of securities or different parts of the capital structure of a single issuer. As a result, Goldman Sachs (including GSAM) or Accounts may take actions that adversely affect the Company. In addition, when permitted by applicable law, Goldman Sachs (including GSAM) may advise Accounts with respect to different parts of the capital structure of the same issuer, or classes of securities that are subordinate or senior to securities, in which the Company invests. Goldman Sachs (including GSAM) may pursue rights, provide advice or engage in other activities, or refrain from pursuing rights, providing advice or engaging in other activities, on behalf of itself or other Accounts with respect to an issuer in which the Company has invested, and such actions may have a material adverse effect on the Company.

For example, in the event that Goldman Sachs (including GSAM) or an Account holds loans, securities or other positions in the capital structure of an issuer that ranks senior in preference to the holdings of the Company in the same issuer, and the issuer were to experience financial or operational difficulties, Goldman Sachs (including GSAM), acting on behalf of itself or the Account, may seek a liquidation, reorganization or restructuring of the issuer, or terms in connection with the foregoing, that may have an adverse effect on or otherwise conflict with the interests of the Company’s holdings in the issuer. Alternatively, in situations in which the Company holds a more senior position in the capital structure of an issuer experiencing financial or other difficulties as compared to positions held by other Accounts (which may include those of Goldman Sachs, including GSAM), the Investment Adviser may determine not to pursue actions and remedies that may be available to the Company or particular terms that might be unfavorable to the Accounts holding the less senior position. In addition, in the event that Goldman Sachs (including GSAM) or the Accounts hold voting securities of an issuer in which the Company holds loans, bonds or other credit-related assets or securities, Goldman Sachs (including GSAM) or the Accounts may vote on certain matters in a manner that has an adverse effect on the positions held by the Company. Conversely, Accounts may hold voting securities of an issuer in which Goldman Sachs (including GSAM) or Accounts hold credit-related assets or securities, and the Investment Adviser may determine on behalf of the Accounts not to vote in a manner adverse to Goldman Sachs (including GSAM) or the Accounts.

Also in connection with a conflicted situation regarding the Company, or an Account other than the Company or its own account, Goldman Sachs may determine to rely on the actions of similarly situated holders of loans or securities rather than taking such actions itself on behalf of the Account. As a result of the various conflicts and related issues described in this paragraph, the Company could sustain losses during periods in which Goldman Sachs and other Accounts achieve profits generally or with respect to particular holdings, or could achieve lower profits or higher losses than would have been the case had the conflicts described above not existed. The negative effects described above may be more pronounced in connection with transactions in, or the Company’s use of, small capitalization, emerging market, distressed or less liquid strategies.

Cross Transactions

When permitted by applicable law and the Investment Adviser’s and the Company’s policies, the Investment Adviser, acting on behalf of the Company, may enter into transactions in securities and other instruments with or through Goldman Sachs, and may cause the Company to engage in transactions in which the Investment Adviser, advises both sides of a transaction (cross transactions) and acts as broker for, and receives a commission from, the Company on one side of a transaction and a brokerage account on the other side of the transaction (agency cross transactions). There may be potential conflicts of interest or regulatory restrictions relating to these transactions which could limit the Investment Adviser’s ability to engage in these transactions for the Company. Goldman Sachs will have potentially conflicting division of loyalties and responsibilities to the parties in such transactions, including with respect to a decision to enter into such transactions as well as with

 

55


respect to valuation, pricing and other terms. The Investment Adviser has developed policies and procedures in relation to such transactions and conflicts. However, there can be no assurance that such transactions will be effected in the manner that is most favorable to the Company as a party to any such transaction. Cross transactions may disproportionately benefit some Accounts relative to other Accounts, including the Company, due to the relative amount of market savings obtained by the Accounts. Cross or agency cross transactions will be effected in accordance with fiduciary requirements and applicable law, which will generally require disclosure to and consent of the Independent Directors.

Goldman Sachs May Act in Multiple Commercial Capacities

To the extent permitted by applicable law, Goldman Sachs may act as broker, dealer, agent, lender or advisor or in other commercial capacities for the Company or issuers of securities held by the Company. Goldman Sachs may be entitled to compensation in connection with the provision of such services, and the Company will not be entitled to any such compensation. Goldman Sachs will have an interest in obtaining fees and other compensation in connection with such services that are favorable to Goldman Sachs, and may take commercial steps in its own interests in connection with providing such services that negatively affect the Company. For example, Goldman Sachs may require repayment of all or part of a loan at any time and from time to time or declare a default under an agreement with the Company or a portfolio company of the Company, liquidate the Company’s assets or redeem positions more rapidly (and at significantly lower prices) than might otherwise be desirable. In addition, due to its access to and knowledge of funds, markets and securities based on its other businesses, Goldman Sachs may make decisions based on information or take (or refrain from taking) actions with respect to interests in investments of the kind held directly or indirectly by the Company in a manner that may be adverse to the Company. Goldman Sachs may also derive benefits from providing services to the Company, which may enhance Goldman Sachs’ relationships with various parties, facilitate additional business development and enable Goldman Sachs to obtain additional business and generate additional revenue.

Goldman Sachs’ activities on behalf of its clients may also restrict investment opportunities that may be available to the Company. For example, Goldman Sachs is often engaged by companies as a financial advisor, or to provide financing or other services, in connection with commercial transactions that may be potential investment opportunities for the Company. There may be circumstances in which the Company is precluded from participating in such transactions as a result of Goldman Sachs’ engagement by such companies. Goldman Sachs reserves the right to act for these companies in such circumstances, notwithstanding the potential adverse effect on the Company. Please also refer to “—Management of the Company by the Investment Adviser— Considerations Relating to Information Held by Goldman Sachs” above and “—Potential Limitations and Restrictions on Investment Opportunities and Activities of the Investment Adviser and the Company” below.

Subject to applicable law, Goldman Sachs or Accounts may invest in the Company and such investments may constitute substantial percentages of the Company’s outstanding equity interests.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, Goldman Sachs may create, write, sell, issue, invest in or act as placement agent or distributor of derivative instruments related to the Company, or with respect to the Company’s underlying securities or assets, or which may be otherwise based on or seek to replicate or hedge the Company’s performance. Such derivative transactions, and any associated hedging activity, may differ from and be adverse to the interests of the Company.

Goldman Sachs may make loans or enter into asset-based or other credit facilities or similar transactions that are secured by a client’s assets or interests, including the Company’s equity, interests in an Account or assets in which the Company or an Account has an interest. In connection with its rights as lender, Goldman Sachs may take actions that adversely affect the Account and which may in turn adversely affect the Company (e.g., if the Company holds the same type of security that is providing the credit support to the borrower Account, such holding may be disadvantaged when the borrower Account liquidates assets in response to an action taken by Goldman Sachs).

 

56


Code of Ethics and Personal Trading

Each of the Company, GSAM, as the Company’s investment adviser, and Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Goldman Sachs International, as principal underwriters (if applicable), has adopted a Code of Ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) in compliance with Section 17(j) of the Investment Company Act designed to provide that the Company’s directors, personnel of the Investment Adviser, and certain additional Goldman Sachs personnel who support the Investment Adviser, comply with applicable federal securities laws and place the interests of clients first in conducting personal securities transactions. The Code of Ethics imposes certain restrictions on securities transactions in the personal accounts of covered persons to help avoid conflicts of interest. Subject to the limitations of the Code of Ethics, covered persons may buy and sell securities or other investments for their personal accounts, including investments in the Company, and may also take positions that are the same as, different from, or made at different times than, positions taken by the Company. Additionally, Goldman Sachs personnel, including personnel of the Investment Adviser, are subject to firm-wide policies and procedures regarding confidential and proprietary information, information barriers, private investments, outside business activities and personal trading.

Related Party Transaction Review Policy

The Audit Committee will conduct quarterly reviews of any potential related party transactions brought to its attention and, during these reviews, will consider any conflicts of interest brought to its attention pursuant to the Company’s Code of Ethics. Each of the Company’s directors and executive officers is instructed and periodically reminded to inform GSAM compliance of any potential related party transactions. In addition, each such director and executive officer completes a questionnaire on an annual basis designed to elicit information about any potential related party transactions.

Proxy Voting by the Investment Adviser

The Investment Adviser has implemented processes designed to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing proxy voting decisions that it makes on behalf of advisory clients, including the Company, and to help ensure that such decisions are made in accordance with its fiduciary obligations to its clients. Notwithstanding such proxy voting processes, proxy voting decisions made by the Investment Adviser with respect to securities held by the Company may benefit the interests of Goldman Sachs and Accounts other than the Company.

Potential Limitations and Restrictions on Investment Opportunities and Activities of the Investment Adviser and the Company

The Investment Adviser may restrict its investment decisions and activities on behalf of the Company in various circumstances, including as a result of applicable regulatory requirements, information held by Goldman Sachs, Goldman Sachs’ roles in connection with other clients and in the capital markets (including in connection with advice it may give to such clients or commercial arrangements or transactions that may be undertaken by such clients or by Goldman Sachs) and Goldman Sachs’ internal policies and/or potential reputational risk or disadvantage to Accounts, including the Company, and Goldman Sachs. The Investment Adviser might not engage in transactions or other activities for, or enforce certain rights in favor of, the Company due to Goldman Sachs’ activities outside services provided to the Company and regulatory requirements, policies and reputational risk assessments.

In addition, the Investment Adviser may restrict or limit the amount of the Company’s investment, or restrict the type of governance or voting rights it acquires or exercises, where the Company (potentially together with Goldman Sachs and other Accounts) exceeds a certain ownership interest, or possesses certain degrees of voting or control, if the foregoing could require a filing or license or other regulatory or corporate consent, which could, among other things, result in additional costs and disclosure obligations for, or impose regulatory

 

57


restrictions on, Goldman Sachs, including GSAM, or on other Accounts, or where exceeding the aggregate amount is prohibited or may result in regulatory or other restrictions. In certain cases, restrictions and limitations will be applied to avoid approaching such aggregate amount. Circumstances in which such restrictions or limitations may arise include: (i) a strict prohibition against owning more than a certain percentage of an issuer’s securities; (ii) a “poison pill” that would have a material dilutive impact on the holdings of the Company in the issuer should a threshold be exceeded; (iii) provisions that would cause Goldman Sachs to be considered an “interested stockholder” of an issuer should a threshold be exceeded; and (iv) provisions that may cause Goldman Sachs to be considered an “affiliate” or “control person” of the issuer.

When faced with the foregoing limitations, Goldman Sachs will generally avoid exceeding the threshold because exceeding the threshold could have an adverse impact on the ability of Goldman Sachs to conduct its business activities. The Investment Adviser may also reduce the Company’s interest in an investment opportunity that has limited availability or where Goldman Sachs has determined to cap its aggregate investment in consideration of certain regulatory or other requirements so that other Accounts that pursue similar investment strategies may be able to acquire an interest in the investment opportunity. In circumstances in which the Company and one or more registered investment funds are permitted under applicable law to make side-by-side investments, Goldman Sachs, acting on behalf of the Company, may be limited in the terms of the transactions that it may negotiate under applicable law. This may have the effect of limiting the ability of the Company from participating in certain transactions or result in terms to the Company that are less favorable than would have otherwise been the case.

The Investment Adviser is not permitted to use material non-public information in effecting purchases and sales in public securities transactions for the Company. The Investment Adviser may limit an activity or transaction (such as a purchase or sale transaction) which might otherwise be engaged in by the Company, including as a result of information held by Goldman Sachs (including information held by a portfolio management team in GSAM other than the team managing the Company). For example, directors, officers and employees of Goldman Sachs may take seats on the boards of directors of, or have board of directors observer rights with respect to, companies in which Goldman Sachs invests on behalf of the Company. Generally, Goldman Sachs takes such seats or acquires such observer rights only with respect to private (not publicly traded) companies. However, to the extent a director, officer or employee of Goldman Sachs were to take a seat on the board of directors of, or have board of directors observer rights with respect to, a public company, the Investment Adviser (or certain of its investment teams) would be limited and/or restricted in its or their ability to trade in the securities of the company to the extent the Investment Adviser (or certain of its investment teams) possessed or were deemed to possess material non-public information regarding the company.

The Investment Adviser may also limit the activities and transactions engaged in by the Company, and may limit its exercise of rights on the Company’s behalf or in respect of the Company, for reputational or other reasons, including where Goldman Sachs is providing (or may provide) advice or services to an entity involved in such activity or transaction, where Goldman Sachs or an Account is or may be engaged in the same or a related activity or transaction to that being considered on behalf of the Company, where Goldman Sachs or an Account has an interest in an entity involved in such activity or transaction, or where such activity or transaction or the exercise of such rights on behalf of the Company or in respect of the Company could affect Goldman Sachs, the Investment Adviser or their activities.

Furthermore, GSAM operates a program reasonably designed to ensure compliance generally with economic and trade sanctions-related obligations applicable directly to its activities (although such obligations are not necessarily the same obligations that the Company may be subject to). Such economic and trade sanctions prohibit, among other things, transactions with and the provision of services to, directly or indirectly, certain countries, territories, entities and individuals. These economic and trade sanctions, and the application by GSAM of its compliance program in respect thereof, may significantly restrict or limit the Company’s intended investment activities.

 

58


In light of the BHCA and the Volcker Rule, the Investment Adviser may be required to, or may choose to, dispose of certain investments on behalf of the Company earlier or at a different time than the Investment Adviser would otherwise have determined to do so (or earlier or at a different time than may be the case for Accounts that are not pooled investment vehicles).

In order to engage in certain transactions on behalf of the Company, the Investment Adviser will be subject to (or cause the Company to become subject to) the rules, terms and/or conditions of any venues through which it trades securities, derivatives or other instruments. This includes, but is not limited to, where the Investment Adviser and/or the Company may be required to comply with the rules of certain exchanges, execution platforms, trading facilities, clearinghouses and other venues, or may be required to consent to the jurisdiction of any such venues. The rules, terms and/or conditions of any such venue may result in the Investment Adviser and/ or the Company being subject to, among other things, margin requirements, additional fees and other charges, disciplinary procedures, reporting and recordkeeping, position limits and other restrictions on trading, settlement risks and other related conditions on trading set out by such venues.

From time to time, the Company, the Investment Adviser or its affiliates and/or their service providers or agents may be required, or may determine that it is advisable, to disclose certain information about the Company, including, but not limited to, investments held by the Company, and the names and percentage interest of beneficial owners thereof, to third parties, including local governmental authorities, regulatory organizations, taxing authorities, markets, exchanges, clearing facilities, custodians, brokers and trading counterparties of, or service providers to, the Investment Adviser or the Company. The Investment Adviser generally expects to comply with requests to disclose such information, including through electronic delivery platforms; however, the Investment Adviser may determine to cause the sale of certain assets for the Company rather than make certain required disclosures, and such sale may be at a time that is inopportune from a pricing or other standpoint.

Pursuant to the BHCA, for so long as GSAM acts as Investment Adviser of the Company or in certain other capacities, the periods during which certain investments may be held are limited. As a result, the Company may be required to dispose of investments at an earlier date than would otherwise have been the case had the BHCA not been applicable. In addition, under the Volcker Rule, the size of Goldman Sachs’ ownership interest in certain types of funds is limited, and as a result, Goldman Sachs may be required to dispose of all or a portion of its investment in the Company, if applicable, including at times that other investors in the Company may not have the opportunity to dispose of their investments in the Company. Any such sale of Company interests by Goldman Sachs could reduce the alignment of interest of Goldman Sachs with other investors in the Company.

Goldman Sachs may become subject to additional restrictions on its business activities that could have an impact on the Company’s activities. In addition, to the extent permitted by law, the Investment Adviser may restrict its investment decisions and activities on behalf of the Company and not other Accounts.

Brokerage Transactions

The Investment Adviser may select broker-dealers (including affiliates of the Investment Adviser) that furnish the Investment Adviser, the Company, their affiliates and other Goldman Sachs personnel with proprietary or third-party brokerage and research services (collectively, “brokerage and research services”) that provide, in the Investment Adviser’s view, appropriate assistance to the Investment Adviser in the investment decision-making process. The Investment Adviser may pay for such brokerage and research services with “soft” or commission dollars.

Brokerage and research services may be used to service the Company and any or all other Accounts, including in connection with Accounts other than those that pay commissions to the broker-dealer relating to the brokerage and research service arrangements. As a result, the brokerage and research services (including soft dollar benefits) may disproportionately benefit other Accounts relative to the Company based on the amount of commissions paid by the Company in comparison to such other Accounts. The Investment Adviser does not

 

59


attempt to allocate soft dollar benefits proportionately among clients or to track the benefits of brokerage and research services to the commissions associated with a particular Account or group of Accounts.

Since the Company will generally acquire and dispose of investments in privately negotiated transactions, it will infrequently use brokers in the normal course of its business. Subject to policies established by the Company’s Board of Directors, the Investment Adviser will be primarily responsible for the execution of the publicly traded securities portion of its portfolio transactions and the allocation of brokerage commissions. The Investment Adviser does not expect to execute transactions through any particular broker or dealer, but will seek to obtain the best net results for the Company, 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 the Investment Adviser generally will seek reasonably competitive trade execution costs, the Company will not necessarily pay the lowest spread or commission available. Subject to applicable legal requirements, the Investment Adviser may select a broker based partly upon brokerage or research services provided to the Investment Adviser and the Company and any other Accounts. In return for such services, the Company may pay a higher commission than other brokers would charge if the Investment Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the services provided.

Aggregation of Trades by the Investment Adviser

The Investment Adviser follows policies and procedures pursuant to which, subject to applicable law, it may combine or aggregate purchase or sale orders for the same security or other instrument for multiple clients (sometimes referred to as “bunching”) (including Accounts that are proprietary to Goldman Sachs), so that the orders can be executed at the same time and block trade treatment of any such orders can be elected when available. The Investment Adviser aggregates orders, when subject to applicable law, the Investment Adviser considers doing so appropriate and in the interests of its clients generally and may elect block trade treatment when available. In addition, under certain circumstances and subject to applicable law, trades for the Company may be aggregated with Accounts that contain Goldman Sachs assets.

When a bunched order or block trade is completely filled, the Investment Adviser generally will allocate the securities or other instruments purchased or the proceeds of any sale pro rata among the participating Accounts, based on the Company’s relative size order. If an order is filled at several different prices, through multiple trades (whether at a particular broker-dealer or among multiple broker-dealers), generally all participating Accounts will receive the average price and pay the average commission, however, this may not always be the case (due to, e.g., odd lots, rounding, market practice or constraints applicable to particular Accounts).

The Investment Adviser does not bunch or aggregate orders for different Accounts, elect block trade treatment or net buy and sell orders for the same Account, if portfolio management decisions relating to the orders are made separately, or if bunching, aggregating, electing block trade treatment or netting is not appropriate or practicable from the Investment Adviser’s operational or other perspective. The Investment Adviser may be able to negotiate a better price and lower commission rate on aggregated trades than on trades that are not aggregated, and incur lower transaction costs on netted trades than trades that are not netted. Where transactions for an Account are not aggregated with other orders, or not netted against orders for the Company or other Accounts, the Company may not benefit from a better price and lower commission rate or lower transaction cost. Aggregation and netting of trades may disproportionately benefit some Accounts relative to other Accounts, including the Company, due to the relative amount of market savings obtained by the Accounts.

Other present and future activities of Goldman Sachs may give rise to additional conflicts of interest.

Certain Business Relationships

Certain of our current directors and officers are directors or officers of affiliated Goldman Sachs entities.

 

60


USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities pursuant to this prospectus to invest in portfolio companies in accordance with our investment objective and strategies and for general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds from any sale of our securities to repay amounts outstanding under our Revolving Credit Facility, which bore a weighted average annual interest rate of 2.55% as of September 30, 2016 and matures on December 16, 2021.

We anticipate that substantially all of the net proceeds of an offering of securities pursuant to this prospectus will be used for the above purposes within six months after the completion of any offering of our securities, depending on the availability of appropriate investment opportunities consistent with our investment objective and market conditions. We cannot assure you that we will achieve our targeted investment pace.

Until appropriate investment opportunities can be found, we may also invest the net proceeds of any offering of our securities primarily 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. These temporary investments may have lower yields than our other investments and, accordingly, may result in lower distributions, if any, during such period. Our ability to achieve our investment objective may be limited to the extent that the net proceeds from an offering, pending full investment, are held in lower yielding interest-bearing deposits or other short-term instruments.

The supplement to this prospectus relating to an offering will more fully identify the use of the proceeds from such offering.

 

61


PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “GSBD”. Our common stock has historically traded at prices both above and below our NAV per share. It is not possible to predict whether our common stock will trade at, above or below NAV in the future. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Securities.”

The following table sets forth, for each fiscal quarter since our IPO, the NAV per share of our common stock, the range of high and low closing sales prices of our common stock reported on the NYSE, the closing sales price as a premium (discount) to NAV and distributions declared by us. On January 17, 2017, the last reported closing sales price of our common stock on the NYSE was $23.85 per share, which represented a premium of approximately 28.4% to the NAV per share reported by us as of September 30, 2016.

 

     NAV  (1)      Closing Sales
Price
     Premium or
Discount of
High Sales
Price to
NAV  (2)
    Premium or
Discount of
Low Sales
Price to
NAV  (2)
    Declared
Distribution  (3)
 
        High      Low         

Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2017

               

First Fiscal Quarter (through January 17, 2017)

     *       $ 23.85       $ 22.99         *        *     

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2016

               

Fourth Fiscal Quarter

     *       $ 23.65       $ 20.77         *        *      $ 0.45   

Third Fiscal Quarter

   $ 18.58       $ 22.26       $ 19.98         19.8     7.5   $ 0.45   

Second Fiscal Quarter

   $ 18.41       $ 20.02       $ 19.34         8.7     5.1   $ 0.45   

First Fiscal Quarter

   $ 18.67       $ 20.00       $ 17.41         7.1     (6.7 )%    $ 0.45   

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2015

               

Fourth Fiscal Quarter

   $ 18.97       $ 20.37       $ 18.40         7.4     (3.0 )%    $ 0.45   

Third Fiscal Quarter

   $ 19.38       $ 25.19       $ 17.91         30.0     (7.6 )%    $ 0.45   

Second Fiscal Quarter

   $ 19.46       $ 23.65       $ 20.33         21.5     4.5   $ 0.45   

First Fiscal Quarter (from March 18, 2015 through March 31, 2015)

   $ 19.43       $ 21.31       $ 20.05         9.7     3.2   $ 0.45   

 

(1) NAV per share is determined as of the last day in the relevant quarter and therefore may not reflect the NAV per share on the date of the high and low closing sales prices. The NAVs shown are based on outstanding shares at the end of the relevant quarter.
(2) Calculated as the respective high or low closing sales price less NAV divided by NAV as of the last day in the relevant quarter.
(3) Represents the dividend or distribution declared in the relevant quarter.
* NAV has not yet been calculated for this period.

We intend to continue to pay quarterly distributions to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. Future quarterly distributions, if any, will be determined by our Board of Directors. All future distributions will be subject to lawfully available funds therefor, and no assurance can be given that we will be able to declare such distributions in future periods.

We have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. To maintain our RIC status, we must, among other things, timely distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our investment company taxable income for each taxable year. We intend to timely distribute to our stockholders substantially all of our annual taxable income for each year, except that we may retain certain net capital gains (i.e., realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) for reinvestment and, depending upon the level of taxable income earned in a year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income for distribution in the following year and pay any applicable U.S. federal excise tax. We generally will be required to pay such U.S. federal excise tax if our

 

62


distributions during a calendar year do not exceed the sum of (1) 98.0% of our net ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) 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 net ordinary income and capital gains in excess of capital losses for preceding years that were not distributed during such years. If we retain net capital gains, we may treat such amounts as deemed distributions to our stockholders. In that case, you will be treated as if you had received an actual distribution of the capital gains we retained and then you reinvested the net after-tax proceeds in our common stock. In general, you also will be eligible to claim a tax credit (or, in certain circumstances, obtain a tax refund) equal to your allocable share of the tax we paid on the capital gains deemed distributed to you. Stockholders should read carefully any written disclosure accompanying a distribution from us and should not assume that the source of any distribution is our net ordinary income or capital gains. The distributions we pay to our stockholders in a year may exceed our net ordinary income and capital gains for that year and, accordingly, a portion of such distributions may constitute a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The specific tax characteristics of our distributions will be reported to stockholders after the end of the calendar year. Please refer to “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” for further information regarding the tax treatment of our distributions and the tax consequences of our retention of net capital gains. See also “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Securities—We may not be able to pay you distributions on our common stock or preferred stock, our distributions to you may not grow over time and a portion of our distributions to you may be a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes.”

Unless our stockholders elect to receive their distributions in cash, we intend to make such distributions in additional shares of our common stock under our dividend reinvestment plan. Distributions paid in the form of additional shares of our common stock will generally be subject to U.S. federal, state and local taxes in the same manner as cash distributions; however, investors participating in our dividend reinvestment plan will not receive any corresponding cash with which to pay any such applicable taxes. If you hold shares of our common stock through a broker or financial intermediary, you may elect to receive distributions in cash by notifying your broker or financial intermediary of your election to receive distributions in cash in lieu of shares of our common stock. Any distributions reinvested through the issuance of shares through our dividend reinvestment plan will increase our assets on which the Management Fee and the Incentive Fee are determined and paid to the Investment Adviser. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”

The following table lists the quarterly distributions that we have declared per share of our common stock since January 1, 2014.

 

Period

  

Payment Date

  

Declared
Distributions

 

First Quarter 2014

   April 30, 2014    $ 0.33   

Second Quarter 2014

   July 31, 2014    $ 0.41   

Third Quarter 2014

   October 31, 2014    $ 0.42   

Fourth Quarter 2014

   January 30, 2015    $ 0.53   
     

 

 

 

Total Declared for 2014

      $ 1.69   
     

 

 

 

First Quarter 2015

   April 30, 2015    $ 0.45   

Second Quarter 2015

   July 15, 2015    $ 0.45   

Third Quarter 2015

   October 15, 2015    $ 0.45   

Fourth Quarter 2015

   January 28, 2016    $ 0.45   
     

 

 

 

Total Declared for 2015

      $ 1.80   
     

 

 

 

First Quarter 2016

   April 15, 2016    $ 0.45   

Second Quarter 2016

   July 15, 2016    $ 0.45   

Third Quarter 2016

   October 17, 2016    $ 0.45   

Fourth Quarter 2016

   January 17, 2017    $ 0.45   
     

 

 

 

Total Declared for 2016

      $ 1.80   
     

 

 

 

 

63


SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA AND OTHER INFORMATION

The selected financial and other information below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and the related notes thereto. Financial information as of and for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 and as of and for the period from November 15, 2012 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited financial statements of Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. (formerly, Goldman Sachs Liberty Harbor Capital, LLC). The audited financial statements included in this prospectus were audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. Interim financial information for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 has been derived from the unaudited interim financial statements of Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc., which are included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our unaudited interim financial statements were prepared on a basis consistent with our audited financial statements and, in our opinion, include all adjustments necessary for the fair statement of the results for the periods presented. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of future results, and our results for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full 2016 fiscal year.

The selected financial data in this section is not intended to replace the financial statements and is qualified in its entirety by the financial statements and related notes included in this prospectus.

 

   

For the Nine
Months
Ended
September 30,

2016

   

For the Nine
Months
Ended
September 30,
2015

   

For the Year

Ended
December 31,

2015

   

For the Year
Ended
December 31,
2014

   

For the Year

Ended
December 31,

2013

   

For the period
from November 15,
2012
(commencement of
operations)
through
December 31,
2012

 

Consolidated statements of operations data (in thousands):

           

Total investment income

  $ 94,615      $ 86,584      $ 118,436      $ 73,279      $ 22,835      $ 162   

Net expenses

    35,800        34,163        43,338        20,422        6,899        346   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) before taxes

    58,815        52,421        75,098        52,857        15,936        (184

Excise tax expense

    728        264        518        119        —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) after taxes

    58,087        52,157        74,580        52,738        15,936        (184

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

    (23,023     (6,716     (27,952     (15,816     3,118        1,046   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations before tax

  $ 35,064      $ 45,441      $ 46,628      $ 36,922      $ 19,054      $ 862   

Income tax expense

    —          —          —          —          (1,070     (351
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations after tax

  $ 35,064      $ 45,441      $ 46,628      $ 36,922      $ 17,984      $ 511   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per share data

           

Net Asset Value

  $ 18.58      $ 19.38      $ 18.97      $ 19.56      $ 20.00      $ 19.37   

Net investment income (loss) (basic and diluted)

  $ 1.60      $ 1.52      $ 2.14      $ 1.77      $ 0.67      $ (0.09

Earnings (basic and diluted)

  $ 0.97      $ 1.33      $ 1.34      $ 1.24      $ 0.76      $ 0.26   

Distributions declared

  $ 1.35      $ 1.35      $ 1.80      $ 1.69      $ 0.50      $ —     

 

64


    

As of
September 30,

2016

    

As of
September 30,

2015

    

As of

December 31,

2015

    

As of

December 31,

2014

    

As of

December 31,

2013

    

As of

December 31,

2012

 

Consolidated statements of asset and liabilities data (at period end) (in thousands):

                 

Total assets

   $ 1,175,546       $ 1,178,758       $ 1,132,759       $ 967,492       $ 630,222       $ 51,769   

Total investments, at fair value

     1,142,971         1,150,345         1,091,181         943,515         613,935         49,965   

Total liabilities

     500,576         475,219         444,109         392,910         22,437         346   

Total debt

     471,250         447,000         419,000         350,000         —           —     

Total net assets

   $ 674,970       $ 703,539       $ 688,650       $ 574,582       $ 607,785       $ 51,423   

 

   

For the
Quarter
Ended
September 30,
2016

   

For the
Quarter
Ended
June 30,
2016

   

For the
Quarter
Ended

March 31,
2016

   

For the
Quarter
Ended

December 31,
2015

   

For the
Quarter
Ended
September 30,
2015

   

For the
Quarter
Ended
June 30,
2015

   

For the
Quarter
Ended
March 31,
2015

   

For the
Quarter
Ended
December 31,
2014

   

For the
Quarter
Ended
September 30,
2014

   

For the
Quarter
Ended
June 30,
2014

   

For the
Quarter
Ended
March 31,
2014

 

Statement of operations data (unaudited) (in thousands):

                     

Investment income

  $ 33,950      $ 29,321      $ 31,344      $ 31,852      $ 32,896      $ 27,316      $ 26,372      $ 24,359      $ 19,076      $ 16,106      $ 13,738   

Net expenses

    15,273        11,123        10,132        9,429        12,294        11,507        10,626        6,964        6,660        3,581        3,336   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    18,677        18,198        21,212        22,423        20,602        15,809        15,746        17,395        12,416        12,525        10,402   

Net realized and unrealized gain (losses)

    3,986        (11,198     (15,811     (21,236     (7,119     2,116        (1,713     (13,619     (1,161     (96     (940

Income tax expense

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations after tax

  $ 22,663      $ 7,000      $ 5,401      $ 1,187      $ 13,483      $ 17,925      $ 14,033      $ 3,776      $ 11,255      $ 12,429      $ 9,462   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per share data

                     

Net investment income per share (basic and diluted)

  $ 0.51      $ 0.50      $ 0.58      $ 0.62      $ 0.57      $ 0.44      $ 0.52      $ 0.59      $ 0.42      $ 0.42      $ 0.34   

Earnings per share (basic and diluted)

  $ 0.62      $ 0.19      $ 0.15      $ 0.03      $ 0.37      $ 0.50      $ 0.46      $ 0.13      $ 0.38      $ 0.42      $ 0.31   

 

65


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “target,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue” or “believe” or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our plans, strategies, prospects and expectations concerning our business, operating results, financial condition and other similar matters. We believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations to our investors. Our forward-looking statements include information in this prospectus regarding general domestic and global economic conditions, our future financing plans, our ability to operate as a BDC and the expected performance of, and the yield on, our portfolio companies. In particular, there are forward-looking statements under “Prospectus Summary—Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.,” “Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” There may be events in the future, however, that we are not able to predict accurately or control. The factors listed under “Risk Factors,” as well as any cautionary language in this prospectus, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our forward-looking statements. The occurrence of the events described in these risk factors and elsewhere in this prospectus could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this prospectus speaks only as of the date on which we make it. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. 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, registration statements on Form N-2, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Under Section 27A(b)(2)(B) of the Securities Act and Section 21E(b)(2)(B) of the Exchange Act, the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 do not apply to statements made in connection with any offering of securities pursuant to this prospectus or in the periodic reports we file under the Exchange Act.

The following factors are among those that may cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements:

 

    our future operating results;

 

    changes in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment or conditions affecting the financial and capital markets;

 

    uncertainty surrounding the financial stability of the U.S., the EU and China;

 

    our business prospects and the prospects of our 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;

 

66


    the relative and absolute performance of our Investment Adviser;

 

    our expected financings and investments;

 

    the use of borrowed money to finance a portion of our investments;

 

    our ability to make distributions;

 

    the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital;

 

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

 

    the impact of future acquisitions and divestitures;

 

    the effect of changes in tax laws and regulations and interpretations thereof;

 

    our ability to maintain our status as a BDC and a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code;

 

    actual and potential conflicts of interest with GSAM and its affiliates;

 

    general price and volume fluctuations in the stock market;

 

    the ability of GSAM to attract and retain highly talented professionals;

 

    the impact on our business from new or amended legislation or regulations; and

 

    the availability of credit and/or our ability to access the equity markets.

 

67


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 our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. Please see “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 “Forward-Looking Statements” appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

OVERVIEW

We are a specialty finance company focused on lending to middle-market companies. We are a closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act. In addition, we have elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. From our formation in 2012 through September 30, 2016, we have originated more than $1.60 billion in aggregate principal amount of debt and equity investments prior to any subsequent exits and repayments. We seek to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation primarily through direct originations of secured debt, including first lien, unitranche, including last out portions of such loans, and second lien debt, and unsecured debt, including mezzanine debt, as well as through select equity investments.

We invest primarily in U.S. middle-market companies, which we believe are underserved by traditional providers of capital such as banks and the public debt markets. In describing our business, we generally use the term “middle market companies” to refer to companies with EBITDA of between $5 million and $75 million annually. However, we may from time to time invest in larger or smaller companies. We generate revenues primarily through receipt of interest income from the investments we hold. In addition, we generate income from various loan origination and other fees, dividends on direct equity investments and capital gains on the sales of investments. Fees received from portfolio companies (directors’ fees, consulting fees, administrative fees, tax advisory fees and other similar compensation) are paid to us, unless, to the extent required by applicable law or exemptive relief therefrom, we only receive our allocable portion of such fees when invested in the same portfolio company as another account managed by Goldman Sachs. The companies in which we invest use our capital for a variety of purposes, including to support organic growth, fund acquisitions, make capital investments or refinance indebtedness.

Our origination strategy focuses on leading the negotiation and structuring of the loans or securities in which we invest and holding the investments in our portfolio to maturity. In many cases, we are the sole investor in the loan or security in our portfolio. Where there are multiple investors, we generally seek to control or obtain significant influence over the rights of investors in the loan or security. We generally seek to make investments that have maturities between three and ten years and range in size between $10 million and $75 million, although we may make larger or smaller investments on occasion. In addition, part of our strategy involves a joint venture with Cal Regents through the Senior Credit Fund. The Senior Credit Fund’s principal purpose is to make investments, either directly or indirectly through its wholly owned subsidiary, SPV I, primarily in senior secured loans to middle-market companies.

For a discussion of the competitive landscape we face, please see “Risk Factors—We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities” and “Business—Competitive Advantages.”

 

68


KEY COMPONENTS OF OPERATIONS

Investments

Our level of investment activity can and does vary substantially from period to period depending on many factors, including the amount of debt and equity capital available to middle-market companies, the level of merger and acquisition activity for such companies, the general economic environment, the amount of capital we have available to us and the competitive environment for the type of investments we make.

As a BDC, we may not acquire any assets other than “qualifying assets” specified in the Investment Company Act, unless, at the time the acquisition is made, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets (with certain limited exceptions). Qualifying assets include investments in “eligible portfolio companies.” Pursuant to rules adopted by the SEC, “eligible portfolio companies” include certain companies that do not have any securities listed on a national securities exchange and public companies whose securities are listed on a national securities exchange but whose market capitalization is less than $250 million.

Revenues

We generate revenue in the form of interest income on debt investments and, to a lesser extent, capital gains and distributions, if any, on equity securities that we may acquire in portfolio companies. Some of our investments may provide for deferred interest payments or PIK interest. The principal amount of the debt investments and any accrued but unpaid interest generally becomes due at the maturity date.

We generate revenues primarily through receipt of interest income from the investments we hold. In addition, we may generate revenue in the form of commitment, origination, structuring or diligence fees, fees for providing managerial assistance and consulting fees. Portfolio company fees (directors’ fees, consulting fees, administrative fees, tax advisory fees and other similar compensation) will be paid to us, unless, to the extent required by applicable law or exemptive relief, if any, therefrom, we receive our allocable portion of such fees when invested in the same portfolio company as other Accounts, which other Accounts could receive their allocable portion of such fee. We do not expect to receive material fees as it is not our principal investment strategy. We record contractual prepayment premiums on loans and debt securities as interest income.

Dividend income on preferred equity investments is recorded on an accrual basis to the extent that such amounts are payable by the portfolio company and are expected to be collected. Dividend income on common equity investments is recorded on the record date for private portfolio companies and on the ex-dividend date for publicly traded portfolio companies. Interest and dividend income are presented net of withholding tax, if any.

Expenses

Our primary operating expenses include the payment of the Management Fee and the Incentive Fee to our Investment Adviser, legal and professional fees, interest and credit facility expenses and other operating and overhead related expenses. The Management Fee and Incentive Fee compensate our Investment Adviser for its work in identifying, evaluating, negotiating, closing and monitoring our investments. We bear all other costs and expenses of our operations and transactions in accordance with our Investment Management Agreement and Administration Agreement, including those relating to:

 

    our operational and organizational expenses;

 

    fees and expenses, including travel expenses, incurred by our Investment Adviser or payable to third parties related to our investments, including, among others, professional fees (including the fees and expenses of consultants and experts) and fees and expenses from evaluating, monitoring, researching and performing due diligence on investments and prospective investments;

 

69


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

 

    fees and expenses incurred by us in connection with membership in investment company organizations;

 

    brokers’ commissions;

 

    fees and expenses associated with calculating our NAV (including the costs and expenses of any independent valuation firm);

 

    legal, auditing or accounting expenses;

 

    taxes or governmental fees;

 

    the fees and expenses of our administrator, transfer agent or sub-transfer agent;

 

    the cost of preparing stock certificates or any other expenses, including clerical expenses of issue, redemption or repurchase of our shares;

 

    the fees and expenses of our directors who are not affiliated with our Investment Adviser;

 

    the cost of preparing and distributing reports, proxy statements and notices to our stockholders, the SEC and other regulatory authorities;

 

    costs of holding stockholder meetings;

 

    listing fees;

 

    the fees or disbursements of custodians of our assets, including expenses incurred in the performance of any obligations enumerated by our certificate of incorporation or bylaws insofar as they govern agreements with any such custodian;

 

    insurance premiums; and

 

    costs incurred in connection with any claim, litigation, arbitration, mediation, government investigation or dispute in connection with our business and the amount of any judgment or settlement paid in connection therewith, or the enforcement of our rights against any person and indemnification or contribution expenses payable by us to any person and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of our business.

We expect our general and administrative expenses to be relatively stable or decline as a percentage of total assets during periods of asset growth and to increase during periods of asset declines. Costs relating to future offerings of securities would be incremental.

We also incur interest and credit facility expenses in connection with our Revolving Credit Facility. Interest and credit facility expenses under our Revolving Credit Facility consist of interest expenses, amortization of financing costs and commitment fees on the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility.

Leverage

Our Revolving Credit Facility allows us to borrow money and lever our investment portfolio, subject to the limitations of the Investment Company Act, with the objective of increasing our yield. This is known as

 

70


“leverage” and could increase or decrease returns to our stockholders. The use of leverage involves significant risks. As a BDC, with certain limited exceptions, we are only permitted to borrow amounts such that our asset coverage ratio, as defined in the Investment Company Act, equals at least 2 to 1 after such borrowing. Certain trading practices and investments, such as reverse repurchase agreements, may be considered borrowings or involve leverage and thus may be subject to Investment Company Act restrictions. In accordance with applicable SEC staff guidance and interpretations, when we engage in such transactions, instead of maintaining an asset coverage ratio of at least 2 to 1, we may segregate or earmark liquid assets, or enter into an offsetting position, in an amount at least equal to our exposure, on a mark-to-market basis, to such transactions (as calculated pursuant to requirements of the SEC). Short-term credits necessary for the settlement of securities transactions and arrangements with respect to securities lending will not be considered borrowings for these purposes. Practices and investments that may involve leverage but are not considered borrowings are not subject to the Investment Company Act’s asset coverage requirement and we will not otherwise segregate or earmark liquid assets or enter into offsetting positions for such transactions. The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on our Investment Adviser’s and our Board of Directors’ assessment of market conditions and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing.

Portfolio and Investment Activity

As of September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our portfolio (excluding our investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc. of $0.00 million, $10.12 million, and $29.57 million, respectively) consisted of the following:

 

   

September 30, 2016

   

December 31, 2015

   

December 31, 2014

 
   

Amortized
Cost

   

Fair
Value

   

Percentage
of Total
Portfolio at
Fair Value

   

Amortized
Cost

   

Fair
Value

   

Percentage
of Total
Portfolio at
Fair Value

   

Amortized
Cost

   

Fair
Value

   

Percentage
of Total
Portfolio at
Fair Value

 
    ($ in millions)           ($ in millions)           ($ in millions)        

First Lien/Senior Secured Debt

  $ 446.31      $ 436.98        38.3   $ 425.53      $ 420.10        38.9   $ 244.59      $ 235.20        25.7

First Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

    328.20        314.45        27.5        308.10        305.72        28.3        276.32        275.57        30.2   

Second Lien/Senior Secured Debt

    298.90        284.56        24.9        312.83        285.47        26.4        352.14        351.56        38.4   

Unsecured

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Preferred Stock

    31.51        32.22        2.8        25.62        24.87        2.3        25.20        26.36        2.9   

Common Stock

    11.63        5.01        0.4        4.45        —          —          4.45        0.63        0.1   

Investment Funds & Vehicles

    69.09        69.75        6.1        46.17        44.90        4.1        25.00        24.63        2.7   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments

  $ 1,185.64      $ 1,142.97        100.0   $ 1,122.70      $ 1,081.06        100.0   $ 927.70      $ 913.95        100.0
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

71


As of September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the weighted average yield on our portfolio (excluding our investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc.), at cost and fair value, were as follows:

 

    

As of

 
    

September 30, 2016

   

December 31, 2015

   

December 31, 2014

 
    

Amortized
Cost

   

Fair
Value

   

Amortized
Cost

   

Fair
Value

   

Amortized
Cost

   

Fair
Value

 

Weighted Average Yield

            

First Lien/Senior Secured Debt (1)

     10.8     12.0     10.6     11.2     11.2     12.3

First Lien/Last-Out Unitranche (1)

     9.3     10.8     10.9     11.2     10.9     11.0

Second Lien/Senior Secured Debt (1)

     10.8     12.3     11.1     13.0     11.2     11.2

Preferred Stock (1)

     8.0     7.9     9.8     10.0     9.7     9.3

Common Stock (1)

                        

Investment Funds & Vehicles (2)

     14.5     14.7     13.0     13.0     5.0     5.0

Total Portfolio (1)

     10.4     11.8     10.9     11.7     10.9     11.2

 

(1) Computed based on the (a) annual stated interest rate or yield earned plus amortization of fees and discounts on the performing debt and other income producing investments, divided by (b) the total investments (including investments on non-accrual status and non-income producing investments) at amortized cost or fair value, respectively.
(2) Computed based on the net investment income earned from the Senior Credit Fund for the respective trailing twelve months ended on the measurement date, which may include dividend income and loan origination and structuring fees divided by our average member’s equity at cost and fair value, adjusted for equity contributions.

The following table presents certain selected information regarding our investment portfolio (excluding our investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc.) as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

   

As of

 
   

September 30, 2016

   

December 31, 2015

 

Number of portfolio companies (1)

    39        39   

Percentage of performing debt bearing a floating rate (2)

    89.6     87.0

Percentage of performing debt bearing a fixed rate (2)(3)

    10.4     13.0

Weighted average leverage (net debt/EBITDA) (4)

    4.6x        4.3x   

Weighted average interest coverage (4)

    2.9x        3.1x   

Median EBITDA (4)

  $ 24.19 million      $ 28.02 million   

 

(1) Includes the Senior Credit Fund as a single portfolio company. For details on the portfolio companies held within the Senior Credit Fund, refer to the Senior Credit Fund, LLC Selected Financial Data.
(2) Measured on a fair value basis. Excludes investments, if any, placed on non-accrual status.
(3) Includes income producing preferred stock investments.
(4)

For a particular portfolio company, EBITDA typically represents net income before net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization. The weighted average net debt to EBITDA represents the weighted average ratio of our portfolio companies’ debt (net of cash), including all of our investment and the amount of debt senior to us, to our portfolio companies as a multiple of EBITDA. Weighted average net debt to EBITDA and median EBITDA have been calculated as a percentage of debt investments and income producing preferred investments, including the Company’s exposure to underlying debt investments in the Senior Credit Fund and excluding collateral loans where net debt to EBITDA may not be the appropriate measure of credit risk. The weighted average interest coverage ratio (EBITDA to total interest expense) of our portfolio companies reflects our performing portfolio companies’ EBITDA as a multiple of interest expense and has been calculated as a percentage of performing debt investments and income producing preferred investments, including the Company’s exposure to underlying debt investments in the Senior Credit

 

72


  Fund and excluding collateral loans. Portfolio company statistics are derived from the most recently available financial statements of each portfolio company as of the respective reported end date. Portfolio company statistics have not been independently verified by us and may reflect a normalized or adjusted amount.

Our Investment Adviser monitors our portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. It monitors the financial trends of each portfolio company to determine if they are meeting their respective business plans and to assess the appropriate course of action for each company. Our Investment Adviser has several methods of evaluating and monitoring the performance and fair value of our investments, which may include the following:

 

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

 

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

 

    comparisons to our other portfolio companies in the industry, if any;

 

    attendance at and participation in board meetings or presentations by portfolio companies; and

 

    review of monthly and quarterly financial statements and financial projections of portfolio companies.

The Investment Adviser also employs an investment rating system to categorize our investments. In addition to various risk management and monitoring tools, our Investment Adviser grades the credit risk of all investments on a scale of 1 to 4 no less frequently than quarterly. This system is intended primarily to reflect the underlying risk of a portfolio investment relative to our initial cost basis in respect of such portfolio investment (e.g., at the time of origination or acquisition), although it may also take into account under certain circumstances the performance of the portfolio company’s business, the collateral coverage of the investment and other relevant factors. Under this system, investments with a grade of 1 involve the least amount of risk to our initial cost basis. The trends and risk factors for this investment since origination or acquisition are generally favorable, which may include the performance of the portfolio company or a potential exit. Investments graded 2 involve a level of risk to our initial cost basis that is similar to the risk to our initial cost basis at the time of origination or acquisition. This portfolio company is generally performing as expected and the risk factors to our ability to ultimately recoup the cost of our investment are neutral to favorable. All investments or acquired investments in new portfolio companies are initially assessed a grade of 2. Investments graded 3 indicate that the risk to our ability to recoup the initial cost basis of such investment has increased materially since origination or acquisition, including as a result of factors such as declining performance and non-compliance with debt covenants; however, payments are generally not more than 120 days past due. An investment grade of 4 indicates that the risk to our ability to recoup the initial cost basis of such investment has substantially increased since origination or acquisition, and the portfolio company likely has materially declining performance. For debt investments with an investment grade of 4, most or all of the debt covenants are out of compliance and payments are substantially delinquent. For investments graded 4, it is anticipated that we will not recoup our initial cost basis and may realize a substantial loss of our initial cost basis upon exit. For investments graded 3 or 4, the Investment Adviser enhances its level of scrutiny over the monitoring of such portfolio company. The Investment Adviser grades the investments in our portfolio at least each quarter and it is possible that the grade of a portfolio investment may be reduced or increased over time.

Our Investment Adviser grades the investments in our portfolio at least quarterly and it is possible that the grade of a portfolio investment may be reduced or increased over time. The following table shows the

 

73


composition of our portfolio (excluding our investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc.) on the 1 to 4 grading scale as of September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

    

September 30, 2016

   

As of December 31, 2015

   

As of December 31, 2014

 

Investment

Performance Rating

  

Fair Value

    

Percentage
of Total
Portfolio
at Fair
Value

   

Fair Value

    

Percentage
of Total
Portfolio
at Fair
Value

   

Fair Value

    

Percentage
of Total
Portfolio
at Fair
Value

 
     ($ in
millions)
           ($ in
millions)
                     

Grade 1

   $ 201.27         17.6   $ 108.80         10.1   $ 11.44         1.2

Grade 2

     770.07         67.4        797.09         73.7        843.44         92.3   

Grade 3

     171.63         15.0        175.17         16.2        59.07         6.5   

Grade 4

     —           —          —           —          —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $ 1,142.97         100.0   $ 1,081.06         100.0   $ 913.95         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table shows the amortized cost of our performing and non-accrual investments as of September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

    

September 30, 2016

   

December 31, 2015

   

December 31, 2014

 
    

Amortized
Cost

    

Percentage at
Amortized
Cost

   

Amortized
Cost

    

Percentage at
Amortized
Cost

   

Amortized
Cost

    

Percentage at
Amortized
Cost

 
     ($ in
millions)
           ($ in
millions)
           ($ in
millions)
        

Performing

   $ 1,138.57         96.0   $ 1,122.70         100.0   $ 927.70         100.0

Non-accrual

     47.07         4.0        —           —          —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $ 1,185.64         100.0   $ 1,122.70         100.0   $ 927.70         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loans or debt securities are placed on non-accrual status when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest will be collected. Accrued interest generally is reversed when a loan or debt security is placed on non-accrual status. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans or debt securities may be recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon management’s judgment. Non-accrual loans and debt securities are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest is paid and, in management’s judgment, are likely to remain current. We may make exceptions to this treatment if the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection.

 

74


The following table shows our investment activity for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 and the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 by investment type:

 

    

For the Three Months Ended

   

For the Years ended December 31,

 
    

September 30,
2016

   

September 30,
2015

   

2015

   

2014

   

2013

 
     ($ in millions)     ($ in millions)  

Amount of investments committed at cost (1):

          

First Lien/Senior Secured Debt

   $ 77.99      $ 114.17      $ 206.87      $ 284.17      $ 198.24   

First Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

     5.72        29.69        29.69        254.07        32.24   

Second Lien/Senior Secured Debt

     40.44        44.10        67.52        155.63        235.73   

Unsecured Debt

     —          —          —          —          5.19   

Preferred Stock

     8.04        —          —          4.79        20.00   

Common Stock

     —          10.00        10.00        —          —     

Investment Funds & Vehicles

     6.14        5.50        21.17        25.00        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 138.33      $ 203.46      $ 335.25      $ 723.66      $ 491.40   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Proceeds from investments sold or repaid:

          

First Lien/Senior Secured Debt

   $ 34.76      $ 17.46      $ 22.60      $ 192.97      $ 29.69   

First Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

     30.41        0.43        8.60        1.66        —     

Second Lien/Senior Secured Debt

     43.41        40.00        89.07        66.47        4.05   

Unsecured Debt

     —          —          —          2.63        2.84   

Preferred Stock

     —          —          —          —          —     

Common Stock

     —          —          10.00        —          —     

Investment Funds & Vehicles

     —          —          —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 108.58      $ 57.89      $ 130.27      $ 263.73      $ 36.58   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in portfolio

   $ 29.75      $ 145.57      $ 204.98      $ 459.93      $ 454.82   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Number of new investment commitments in new portfolio companies (2)

     1        4        9        22        22   

Total new investment commitment amount in new portfolio companies (2)

   $ 77.99      $ 160.72      $ 276.50      $ 625.61      $ 457.36   

Average new investment commitment amount in new portfolio companies (2)

   $ 77.99      $ 40.18      $ 30.72      $ 28.44      $ 20.79   

Weighted average remaining term for new investment commitments in new portfolio companies (in years) (2)(3)

     4.8        5.2        4.4        4.8        5.5   

Number of new investment commitments in existing portfolio companies (2)

     4        3        4        10        4   

Total new investment commitment amount in existing portfolio companies (2)

   $ 60.33      $ 42.74      $ 58.75      $ 98.05      $ 34.04   

Percentage of new debt investment commitments in new portfolio companies at floating interest rates (2)

     100.0     100.0     100.0     88.9     78.3

Percentage of new debt investment commitments in new portfolio companies at fixed interest rates (2)(4)

     —       —       0.0     11.1     21.7

Weighted average stated interest rate of new investment commitments in new portfolio companies (2)

     9.0     9.1     9.2     9.2     10.4

Weighted average spread over base rate of new floating rate investment commitments in new portfolio companies (2)

     8.0     8.1     8.3     8.0     9.2

Weighted average stated interest rate on investments sold or paid down

     9.3     10.9     10.4     8.7     9.5

 

(1) Net of capitalized fees, expenses and original issue discounts.
(2) May include positions originated during the period but not held at the reporting date.
(3) Calculated as of the end of the relevant period and the maturity date of the individual investments.
(4) May include preferred stock investments.

 

75


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Our operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 and the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

 

   

For the Three
Months Ended

   

For the Nine
Months Ended

   

For the Years Ended
December 31,

 
    September 30,
2016
    September 30,
2015
    September 30,
2016
    September 30,
2015
    2015     2014     2013  
    ($ in millions)  

Total investment income

  $ 33.95      $ 32.90      $ 94.61      $ 86.58      $ 118.44      $ 73.28      $ 22.84   

Net expenses

    (14.98     (12.12     (35.80     (34.16     (43.34     (20.42     (6.90

Net investment income (loss) before taxes

    18.97        20.78      $ 58.81        52.42        75.10        52.86        15.94   

Excise tax expense

    (0.29     (0.18     (0.73     (0.26     (0.52     (0.12     —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) after taxes

    18.68        20.60      $ 58.08        52.16        74.58        52.74        15.94   

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

    (21.99     (0.10     (21.99     (0.10     (0.07     (1.19     3.29   

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

    25.97        (7.02     (1.03     (6.62     (27.88     (14.63     (0.18

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations before taxes

    22.66        13.48      $ 35.06        45.44        46.63        36.92        19.05   

Income tax expense

    —         —         —         —         —         —         (1.07
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 22.66      $ 13.48      $ 35.06      $ 45.44      $ 46.63      $ 36.92      $ 17.98   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations after tax can vary from period to period as a result of various factors, including acquisitions, the level of new investment commitments, the recognition of realized gains and losses and changes in unrealized appreciation and depreciation on the investment portfolio. As a result, comparisons may not be meaningful.

Investment Income

 

   

For the Three
Months Ended

   

For the Nine
Months Ended

   

For the Years Ended
December 31,

 
    September 30,
2016
    September 30,
2015
    September 30,
2016
    September 30,
2015
    2015     2014     2013  
    (in millions)     (in millions)     (in millions)  

Interest

  $ 29.65      $ 30.28      $ 85.27      $ 80.48      $ 109.70      $ 69.46      $ 22.82   

Dividend income

    2.47        1.98        6.57        4.49        6.47        3.19        0.02   

Other income

    1.83        0.64        2.78        1.61        2.27        0.63        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

  $ 33.95      $ 32.90      $ 94.62      $ 86.58      $ 118.44      $ 73.28      $ 22.84   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest

Interest from investments, which includes prepayment premiums and accelerated accretion of upfront loan origination fees an unamortized discounts, decreased from $30.28 million for the three months ended

 

76


September 30, 2015 to $29.65 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016, primarily due to a decrease in non-recurring prepayment premiums and accelerated accretion of upfront loan origination fees and unamortized discounts. Included in interest for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 is $0.43 million and $0.80 million, respectively, in prepayment premiums and $0.55 million and $0.90 million, respectively, in accelerated accretion of upfront loan origination fees and unamortized discounts.

Interest from investments, which includes prepayment premiums and accelerated accretion of upfront loan origination fees and unamortized discounts, increased from $80.48 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to $85.27 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, primarily due to an increase in the average size of our portfolio year over year. The amortized cost of the portfolio increased from $1,167.22 million as of September 30, 2015 to $1,185.64 million as of September 30, 2016. Included in interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 is $0.70 million and $1.38 million, respectively, in prepayment premiums and $1.11 million and $1.28 million, respectively, in accelerated accretion of upfront loan origination fees and unamortized discounts.

Interest from investments, which includes prepayment premiums and accelerated accretion of upfront loan origination fees and unamortized discounts, increased from $69.46 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 to $109.70 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily due to an increase in the size of our portfolio. The amortized cost of the portfolio increased from $927.70 million as of December 31, 2014 to $1,122.70 million as of December 31, 2015. Included in interest, for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, is $1.38 million and $0.84 million, respectively, in prepayment premium, and $1.23 million and $1.25 million, respectively, in accelerated accretion of upfront loan origination fees and unamortized discounts.

Interest from investments, which includes prepayment premiums and accelerated accretion of upfront loan origination fees and unamortized discounts, increased from $22.82 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $69.46 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to an increase in the size of our portfolio. The amortized cost of the portfolio increased from $492.55 million as of December 31, 2013 to $927.70 million as of December 31, 2014. Included in interest, for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, is $0.84 million and $0.04 million, respectively, in prepayment premium, and $1.25 million and $0.02 million, respectively, in accelerated accretion of upfront loan origination fees and unamortized discounts.

Dividend income

Dividend income increased from $1.98 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $2.47 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 primarily as a result of increased distributions from the Senior Credit Fund during the three months ended September 30, 2016. The dividend income from Senior Credit Fund increased from $1.36 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $1.83 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

Dividend income increased from $4.49 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to $6.57 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 primarily as a result of increased distributions from the Senior Credit Fund during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The dividend income from Senior Credit Fund increased from $2.64 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to $4.65 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. See “Senior Credit Fund, LLC” below for further detail.

Dividend income increased from $3.19 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 to $6.47 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 primarily as a result of distributions by the Senior Credit Fund during the year ended December 31, 2015. The dividend income from the Senior Credit Fund increased from $0.31 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 to $3.99 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. See “Senior Credit Fund, LLC” below for further detail.

 

77


Dividend income increased from $0.02 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $3.19 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Other income

Other income increased from $0.64 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $1.83 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 primarily as a result of excess loan origination fee income accrued from the Senior Credit Fund.

Other income increased from $1.61 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to $2.78 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 primarily as a result of excess loan origination fee income accrued from the Senior Credit Fund.

Other income increased from $0.63 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 to $2.27 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 primarily as a result of excess loan origination fee income earned from the Senior Credit Fund during the year ended December 31, 2015. In addition, we earned higher commitment and administrative agent fees during the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014.

There was no other income for the year ended December 31, 2013. Other income for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $0.63 million primarily as a result of administrative agent fees.

Expenses

 

   

For the Three
Months Ended

   

For the Nine
Months Ended

   

For the Years Ended
December 31,

 
    September 30,
2016
    September 30,
2015
    September 30,
2016
    September 30,
2015
    2015      2014      2013  
    (in millions)     (in millions)     (in millions)  

Interest and credit facility expense

  $ 3.63      $ 3.05      $ 9.91      $ 7.66      $ 10.71      $ 4.68       $ 0.66   

Management fees

    4.29        4.09        12.61        11.20        15.44        10.07         3.59   

Incentive fees

    5.46        3.52        8.95        11.43        11.79        1.50         0.34   

Professional fees

    0.64        0.94        1.82        2.06        2.75        2.01         1.05   

Administration and custodian fees

    0.21        0.21        0.65        0.64        0.97        0.84         0.47   

Directors’ fees

    0.26        0.17        0.74        0.44        0.62        0.40         0.44   

Organization expense

    —          —          —          —          —           —           0.58   

Other expenses

    0.49        0.14        1.12        0.73        1.06        0.92         0.34   

Total Expenses

  $ 14.98      $ 12.12      $ 35.80      $ 34.16      $ 43.34      $ 20.42       $ 7.47   

Expense reimbursement from investment adviser

    —          —          —          —          —           —           (0.57
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Expense

  $ 14.98      $ 12.12      $ 35.80      $ 34.16      $ 43.34       $ 20.42       $ 6.90   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest and credit facility expense

Interest and credit facility expense increased from $3.05 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $3.63 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 primarily due to an increase in the average daily borrowings from $412.30 million to $500.07 million.

Interest and credit facility expense increased from $7.66 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to $9.91 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 primarily due to an increase in the average daily borrowings from $331.61 million to $460.47 million.

 

78


Interest and credit facility expense increased from $4.68 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 to $10.71 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 primarily due to an increase in the average daily borrowings from $102.29 million to $358.44 million.

Interest and credit facility expense increased from $0.66 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $4.68 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 primarily due to the fact that we entered into the Revolving Credit Facility on September 19, 2013 and did not draw down capital until the first quarter of 2014.

Management Fees and Incentive Fees

Management Fees increased from $4.09 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $4.29 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as a result of an increase in gross assets, excluding cash and investments in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc. Incentive Fees increased from $3.52 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $5.46 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as a result of an increase in the cap on Incentive Fees for the period which is due to an increase in unrealized appreciation on portfolio companies.

Management Fees increased from $11.20 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to $12.61 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as a result of an increase in gross assets, excluding cash and investments in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc. Incentive Fees decreased from $11.43 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to $8.95 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as a result of a decrease in the cap on Incentive Fees for the period which is due to an increase in unrealized depreciation on portfolio companies.

Management Fees increased from $10.07 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 to $15.44 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 as the result of an increase in gross assets, excluding cash and investments in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc. Incentive Fees increased from $1.50 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 to $11.79 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Management Fees increased from $3.59 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $10.07 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 as the result of an increase in gross assets, excluding cash and investments in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc. Incentive Fees increased from $0.34 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $1.50 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Professional fees and other general and administrative expenses

Professional fees decreased from $0.94 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $0.64 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 due to a decrease in legal expenses; and other general and administrative expenses increased from $0.52 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $0.96 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 due to an increase in costs associated with servicing our investment portfolio.

Professional fees decreased from $2.06 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to $1.82 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 due to a decrease in legal expenses; and other general and administrative expenses increased from $1.81 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to $2.52 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 due to an increase in Directors’ fees and in costs associated with servicing our investment portfolio.

Professional fees increased from $2.01 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 to $2.75 million for the year ended December 31, 2015; and other general and administrative expenses increased from $2.16 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 to $2.65 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Both increases are due to the increase in costs associated with servicing a larger investment portfolio.

 

 

79


Professional fees increased from $1.05 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $2.01 million for the year ended December 31, 2014; and other general and administrative expenses increased from $1.83 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $2.16 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Both increases are due to the increase in costs associated with servicing a larger investment portfolio.

Net Realized Gains (Losses)

The realized gains and losses on fully exited and partially exited portfolio companies during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 consisted of the following:

 

     For the Three Months Ended     For the Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,
2016
    September 30,
2015
    September 30,
2016
    September 30,
2015
 
     (in millions)  

Hunter Defense Technologies, Inc. (1)

   $ (22.12   $ —        $ (22.12   $ —     

Liquidnet Holdings, Inc.

     —          (0.10     —          (0.10

Other, net

     0.13        —          0.13        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

   $ (21.99   $ (0.10   $ (21.99     (0.10
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Effective July 1, 2016, Hunter Defense Technologies, Inc. completed a restructuring whereby the second lien debt held by us was converted into noninterest bearing preferred and common equity. As a result, we realized a loss during the period.

The realized gains and losses on fully exited and partially exited portfolio companies during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:

 

    

For the Years Ended December 31,

 
    

    2015    

   

    2014    

   

    2013  (1)     

 
     (in millions)  

Ace Cash Express, Inc.

   $ —        $ —        $ 0.02   

Bolttech Mannings, Inc.

     —          0.01        —     

Community Choice Financial Inc.

     —          —          0.09   

Compass Automotive Group, LLC

     —          (0.01     —     

Convergeone Holdings Corp.

     —          0.05        —     

Crowne Group, LLC

     —          0.08        —     

EZE Software Group LLC

     —          (0.01     —     

Fairpoint Communications, Inc.

     —          0.72        0.19   

Goodrich Petroleum Corp.

     —          0.01        0.09   

Highwinds Capital, Inc.

     —          0.25        —     

Infinity Sales Group

     —          (0.01     —     

JG Wentworth, LLC

     —          —          0.02   

Learfield Communications, Inc.

     —          0.02        —     

Liquidnet Holdings, Inc.

     (0.10     (0.14     —     

Lone Pine Resources CDA, Ltd.

     —          (2.48     —     

Molycorp, Inc

     —          0.29        0.21   

MPI Products LLC

     0.03        —          —     

PGX Holdings, Inc.

     —          0.04        —     

SkinnyPop Popcorn LLC

     —          (0.01     —     

W3 Co.

     —          —          (0.02
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

   $ (0.07 )     $ (1.19 )     $ 0.60   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Realized gains and losses for the year ended December 31, 2013 consisted primarily of gains realized from investments held at the time of the Conversion. These gains were recorded for financial reporting and tax purposes as a result of the Conversion and did not result from the sale of any investments. In addition, gains were realized from the sale of investments during the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

80


Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments

Any changes in fair value are recorded in change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments. For further details on the valuation process, refer to “—Critical Accounting Policies—Valuation of Portfolio Investments.” Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on our portfolio companies for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:

 

    

For the Three
Months Ended

   

For the Nine
Months Ended

 
     September 30,
2016
    September 30,
2015
    September 30,
2016
    September 30,
2015
 
     (in millions)  

Change in unrealized appreciation

   $ 39.43      $ 3.15      $ 31.73      $ 6.95   

Change in unrealized depreciation

     (13.45     (10.17     (32.76     (13.57
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

   $ 25.98      $ (7.02 )     $ (1.03 )       (6.62 )  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on portfolio companies for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 consisted of the following:

 

    

For the Three
Months Ended

   

For the Nine
Months Ended

 
     September 30,
2016
    September 30,
2015
    September 30,
2016
    September 30,
2015
 
     (in millions)  

Portfolio Company:

        

Artesyn Embedded Technologies, Inc.

   $ 0.55      $ 0.10      $ (0.55   $ 1.00   

Associations, Inc.

     (0.20     (0.05     0.33        0.03   

Avenue Stores, LLC

     (0.03     0.80        (0.40     0.96   

Bolttech Mannings, Inc

     (2.86     (0.16     (6.02     (0.11

CB-HDT Holdings, Inc.

     0.90        —           0.90        —      

Data Driven Delivery Systems, LLC

     (0.08     (0.03     (0.21     (0.03

DiscoverOrg, LLC

     (0.03     —          (0.06     —      

Dispensing Dynamics International

     0.39        (1.47     0.05        (1.37

DiversiTech Corporation

     0.40        —           0.42        (0.01

Elemica, Inc.

     0.08        —           0.08        —      

Extraction Oil & Gas Holdings, LLC

     (0.35     (0.13     (0.32     (0.15

Global Tel*Link Corporation

     3.39        (0.30     9.42        (1.05

Heligear Acquisition Co.

     (0.19     0.42        (0.66     0.48   

Highwinds Capital, Inc.

     0.55        (0.04     0.47        (0.10

Hunter Defense Technologies, Inc. (1)

     22.12        (0.04     0.55        —      

Hutchinson Technology, Inc

     (0.55     (0.12     (1.17     (0.32

iFly Holdings LLC

     —           0.17        (0.41     0.15   

IHS Intermediate, Inc.

     (0.01     —           (0.32     —      

Infinity Sales Group

     (0.52     0.65        (0.84     0.95   

Integrated Practice Solutions, Inc.

     (0.04     (0.02     0.63        (0.02

IPC Systems, Inc

     —           —           —           (0.65

Iracore International Holdings, Inc

     (0.06     (1.33     (3.99     1.87   

Kawa Solar Holdings Limited

     (0.01     —          0.05        —      

Legacy Buyer Corp.

     (0.25     (0.03     (0.31     0.09   

Liquidnet Holdings, Inc.

     —           0.08        —           0.13   

Madison-Kipp Corporation

     (0.03     (0.02     0.28        (0.04

Mervin Manufacturing, Inc.

     (0.23     (0.08     (0.55     (0.30

 

81


    

For the Three
Months Ended

   

For the Nine
Months Ended

 
     September 30,
2016
    September 30,
2015
    September 30,
2016
    September 30,
2015
 
     (in millions)  

NTS Communications, Inc.

   $ 1.40      $ (0.04   $ (3.14   $ (0.59

Oasis Outsourcing Holdings, Inc.

     0.14        0.19        (0.27     0.28   

Orchard Brands Corporation

     —           (0.78     —           (0.86

P2 Upstream Acquisition Co.

     0.10        (0.49     0.39        (0.71

Perfect Commerce, LLC

     0.33        (0.07     0.73        0.13   

Prairie Provident Resources, Inc.

     (0.94     (0.81     (1.43     (2.41

Pro-Pet, LLC

     (0.03     (0.09     (0.34     (0.85

Reddy Ice Corporation

     0.96        (2.24     1.61        (2.21

Securus Technologies Holdings, Inc.

     1.33        (0.98     8.36        (1.72

Senior Credit Fund, LLC

     0.74        (0.74     1.93        0.08   

The Merit Distribution Group, LLC

     0.35        —           0.32        —      

United Road Services, Inc.

     (0.05     0.07        (0.60     0.09   

US Med Acquisition, Inc.

     (0.02     0.65        (0.07     0.65   

Vexos, Inc.

     (0.27     (0.04     (0.23     0.02   

Washington Inventory Service

     (0.98     0.01        (5.67     (0.07

Other, net (2)

     (0.02     (0.06     0.01        0.04   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 25.98      $ (7.02 )     $ (1.03 )     $ (6.62 )  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Unrealized appreciation on Hunter Defense Technologies, Inc. is the result of the reversal of previously recognized depreciation upon the restructuring whereby the second lien debt held by us was converted into non-interest bearing preferred and common equity.
(2) For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, other, net includes gross unrealized appreciation of $5.70 million and $5.21 million, respectively, and gross unrealized depreciation of $(5.72) million and $(5.20) million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, other, net includes gross unrealized appreciation of $0.01 million and $0.04 million, respectively, and gross unrealized depreciation of $(0.07) million and $(0.00) million, respectively.

SENIOR CREDIT FUND, LLC

Overview

The Senior Credit Fund, an unconsolidated Delaware limited liability company, was formed on May 7, 2014 and commenced operations on October 1, 2014. Effective July 18, 2014, we agreed to a joint venture with Cal Regents through the Senior Credit Fund. The Senior Credit Fund’s principal purpose is to make investments, either directly or indirectly through its wholly owned subsidiary, SPV I, primarily in senior secured loans to middle-market companies. Each of us and Cal Regents has a 50% economic ownership in the Senior Credit Fund and each has subscribed to fund $100.00 million. Except under certain circumstances, contributions to the Senior Credit Fund cannot be redeemed. The Senior Credit Fund is managed by a six member board of managers, on which we and Cal Regents have equal representation. Investment decisions generally must be unanimously approved by a quorum of the board of managers. Establishing a quorum for the Senior Credit Fund’s board of managers requires at least four members to be present at a meeting, including at least two of our representatives and two of Cal Regents’ representatives. If there are five members present at a meeting, all three representatives of Cal Regents must be present to constitute a quorum.

 

82


Selected Financial Data

As of September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we and Cal Regents had subscribed to fund and contributed the following in the Senior Credit Fund:

 

    

September 30, 2016

    

December 31, 2015

    

December 31, 2014

 
    

Subscribed
to fund

    

Contributed

    

Subscribed
to fund

    

Contributed

    

Subscribed
to fund

    

Contributed

 
     ($ in millions)      ($ in millions)      ($ in millions)  

Company

   $ 100.00       $ 69.09       $ 100.00       $ 46.17       $ 100.00       $ 25.00   

Cal Regents

     100.00         69.09         100.00         46.17         100.00         25.00   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 200.00       $ 138.18       $ 200.00       $ 92.34       $ 200.00       $ 50.00   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Senior Credit Fund had total investments in senior secured debt at fair value of $392.26 million, $285.59 million and $111.17 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Senior Credit Fund had no investments on non-accrual status. In addition, as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Senior Credit Fund had an investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc. with a total fair value of $4.61 million and $21.83 million, respectively. Additionally, as of September 30, 2016, the Senior Credit Fund had one unfunded commitment totaling $3.36 million.

Below is a summary of the Senior Credit Fund’s portfolio (excluding an investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc.), followed by a listing of the individual loans in the Senior Credit Fund’s portfolio as of September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

    

As of

 
     September 30, 2016     December 31, 2015     December 31, 2014  

Number of portfolio companies

     32        22        8   

Total senior secured debt (1)

   $ 399.29 million      $ 291.51 million      $ 113.16 million  

Largest loan to a single borrower  (1)

   $ 23.69 million      $ 23.82 million      $ 23.70 million  

Weighted average current interest rate on senior secured debt (2)

     6.6     6.3     6.8 %

Percentage of performing debt bearing a floating rate (3)

     100.0     100.0     100.0 %

Percentage of performing debt bearing a fixed rate (3)

     —       —       —   %

Weighted average leverage (net debt/EBITDA)  (4)

     3.8     3.5     2.4 x

Weighted average interest coverage  (4)

     3.3     3.7     4.3 x

Median EBITDA (4)

   $ 69.20 million      $ 71.89 million      $ 54.94 million  

 

(1) At par amount.
(2) Computed as the (a) annual stated interest rate on accruing senior secured debt divided by (b) total senior secured debt at par amount.
(3) Measured on a fair value basis. Excludes investments, if any, placed on a non-accrual status.
(4)

For a particular portfolio company of the Senior Credit Fund, EBITDA typically represents net income before net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization. The weighted average net debt to EBITDA represents the weighted average ratio of the Senior Credit Fund’s portfolio companies’ debt (net of cash), including all of its investment and the amount of debt senior to it, to its portfolio companies as a multiple of EBITDA. Weighted average net debt to EBITDA and median EBITDA have

 

83


  been calculated as a percentage of the Senior Credit Fund’s debt investments and income producing preferred investments, excluding collateral loans where net debt to EBITDA may not be the appropriate measure of credit risk. The weighted average interest coverage ratio (EBITDA to total interest expense) of the Senior Credit Fund’s portfolio companies reflects its performing portfolio companies’ EBITDA as a multiple of interest expense and has been calculated as a percentage of performing debt investments and income producing preferred investments, excluding collateral loans. Portfolio company statistics are derived from the most recently available financial statements of each portfolio company of the Senior Credit Fund as of the respective reported end date. Statistics of the Senior Credit Fund’s portfolio companies have not been independently verified by us and may reflect a normalized or adjusted amount.

 

Senior Credit Fund Portfolio as of September 30, 2016

 

Portfolio Company

 

Industry

 

Interest

 

Maturity

   

Par
Amount

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 
                  ($ in thousands)  

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

           

Acrisure, LLC (+)

  Insurance   L + 5.50% (1.00% Floor)     5/19/2022      $ 6.63      $ 6.53      $ 6.64   

Acrisure, LLC (1)(2)

  Insurance   L + 5.50% (1.00% Floor)     5/19/2022        3.36        (0.05     0.01   

Affordable Care Holding Corp.  (++)

  Health Care
Providers & Services
  L + 4.75% (1.00% Floor)     10/22/2022        4.96        4.87        4.96   

ATX Networks Corp. (++) (3)

  Communications
Equipment
  L + 6.00% (1.00% Floor)     06/11/2021        15.81        15.67        15.41   

ATX Networks Corp. (++)

  Communications
Equipment
  L + 6.00% (1.00% Floor)     06/11/2021        1.00        0.97        0.97   

Badger Sportswear, Inc. (3)

  Textiles, Apparel &
Luxury Goods
  L + 4.50% (1.00% Floor)     09/09/2023        15.00        14.85        14.85   

ConvergeOne Holdings Corporation  (+)(4)

  Communications
Equipment
  L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)     06/17/2020        15.85        15.76        15.73   

Crowne Group, LLC (++)

  Auto Components   L + 9.25% (1.00% Floor)     05/26/2021        17.00        16.84        16.83   

DBRS Limited (++)

  Capital Markets   L + 5.25% (1.00% Floor)     03/04/2022        11.82        11.73        11.59   

DiscoverOrg, LLC (+++) (5)

  Software   L + 4.50% (1.00% Floor)     06/02/2020        7.25        7.22        7.17   

Edgewood Partners Insurance Center  (+)

  Insurance   L + 6.00% (1.00% Floor)     03/16/2023        15.92        15.62        15.96   

Explorer Holdings, Inc. (++)

  Health Care
Technology
  L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)     05/02/2023        9.97        9.88        10.04   

GK Holdings, Inc. (++)

  IT Services   L + 5.50% (1.00% Floor)     01/20/2021        17.68        17.60        17.46   

HC Group Holdings III, Inc. (++)

  Health Care
Providers & Services
  L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)     04/07/2022        8.91        8.87        8.99   

Help/Systems, LLC (++)

  Software   L + 5.25% (1.00% Floor)     10/08/2021        15.88        15.33        15.75   

Imagine! Print Solutions, Inc.  (++)

  Commercial
Services & Supplies
  L + 6.00% (1.00% Floor)     03/30/2022        4.98        4.92        5.02   

Jill Acquisition LLC (++)

  Textiles, Apparel &
Luxury Goods
  L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)     05/08/2022        15.84        15.74        15.57   

Lattice Semiconductor Corporation  (+++)

  Semiconductors &
Semiconductor
Equipment
  L + 4.25% (1.00% Floor)     03/10/2021        12.02        11.82        11.96   

Liquidnet Holdings, Inc. (++) (4)

  Capital Markets   L + 6.75% (1.00% Floor)     05/22/2019        23.01        22.70        22.66   

Loar Group, Inc. (++)

  Aerospace &
Defense
  L + 4.75% (1.00% Floor)     01/12/2022        9.95        9.70        9.90   

MB Aerospace Holdings Inc.  (++)

  Aerospace &
Defense
  L + 5.50% (1.00% Floor)     12/15/2022        15.89        15.74        15.73   

Netsmart Technologies, Inc. (+)

  Health Care
Technology
  L + 4.75% (1.00% Floor)     04/19/2023        5.98        5.93        6.01   

Oasis Outsourcing Holdings, Inc.  (+)

  Diversified Financial
Services
  L + 4.75% (1.00% Floor)     12/24/2021        3.99        3.98        4.00   

PGX Holdings, Inc. (++)(4)

  Professional
Services
  L + 4.75% (1.00% Floor)     09/29/2020        13.67        13.60        13.64   

 

84


Senior Credit Fund Portfolio as of September 30, 2016

 

Portfolio Company

 

Industry

   

Interest

 

Maturity

   

Par
Amount

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 
                    ($ in thousands)  

Pomeroy Group LLC (+++)

    IT Services      L + 6.00% (1.00% Floor)     11/30/2021      $ 15.96      $ 15.49      $ 15.54   

Precyse Acquisition Corp. (+)

   
 
Health Care
Technology
  
  
  L + 5.50% (1.00% Floor)     10/20/2022        4.99        4.92        5.02   

RealD, Inc. (+++)

    Media      L + 7.50% (1.00% Floor)     03/22/2021        16.91        16.75        16.75   

Research Now Group, Inc. (++)

   
 
Professional
Services
  
  
  L + 4.50% (1.00% Floor)     03/18/2021        9.62        9.50        9.33   

SciQuest, Inc. (++)

   
 
 
Internet
Software &
Services
  
  
  
  L + 4.75% (1.00% Floor)     07/28/2023        14.00        13.93        13.93   

Smarte Carte, Inc. (++)

   
 
Air Freight &
Logistics
  
  
  L + 5.50% (1.00% Floor)     08/30/2021        11.36        11.25        11.24   

Tronair Parent Inc. (3)

   
 
Air Freight &
Logistics
  
  
  L + 4.75% (1.00% Floor)     09/08/2023        14.00        13.86        13.86   

Veresen Midstream Limited Partnership  (++)

   
 
 
Energy
Equipment &
Services
  
  
  
  L + 4.25% (1.00% Floor)     03/31/2022        10.83        10.63        10.74   

Zep Inc. (++)

    Chemicals      L + 4.50% (1.00% Floor)     06/27/2022        5.43        5.41        5.44   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

            367.56        368.70   

1st Lien/First-Out Unitranche

           

Infogix, Inc. (++)

    Software      L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)     12/31/2021        9.82        9.73        9.72   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 1st Lien/First-Out Unitranche

            9.73        9.72   

2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

           

DiscoverOrg, LLC (+++) (5)

    Software      L + 9.00% (1.00% Floor)     02/10/2022        8.00        7.85        7.84   

GK Holdings, Inc. (++)

    IT Services      L + 9.50% (1.00% Floor)     01/20/2022        6.00        5.90        6.00   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

            13.75        13.84   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Corporate Debt

          $ 391.04      $ 392.26   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(+) The interest rate on these loans is subject to the greater of a LIBOR floor or a base rate plus 1 month LIBOR, which as of September 30, 2016 was 0.53%.
(++) The interest rate on these loans is subject to the greater of a LIBOR floor or a base rate plus 3 month LIBOR, which as of September 30, 2016 was 0.85%.
(+++)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to the greater of a LIBOR floor or a base rate plus 6 month LIBOR, which as of September 30, 2016 was 1.24%.
(1) Position or portion thereof is an unfunded loan commitment, and no interest is being earned on the unfunded portion. The unfunded loan commitment may be subject to a commitment termination date, that may expire prior to the maturity date stated.
(2) The negative cost is the result of the capitalized discount being greater than the principal amount outstanding on the loan.
(3) Position or portion thereof unsettled as of September 30, 2016.
(4) Initial investment was purchased at fair value from the Company in October 2014.
(5) The Company also holds a portion of the 2nd lien/senior secured debt in this portfolio company.
L – LIBOR

 

85


Senior Credit Fund Portfolio as of December 31, 2015

 

Portfolio Company

 

Industry

   

Interest

 

Maturity

   

Par
Amount

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 
                          ($ in thousands)        

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

           

Affordable Care Holding Corp.  (++)

 

 
 
 

Health Care
Providers
& Services

  
  
  

 

L + 4.75% (1.00% Floor)

    10/22/2022      $ 5.00      $ 4.90      $ 4.90   

Aperture Group, LLC  (++)(1)

 

 
 
 

Diversified
Financial
Services

  
  
  

 

L + 6.25% (1.00% Floor)

    08/29/2019        17.86        17.66        17.62   

ATX Networks Corp.  (++)

   
 
Communications
Equipment
  
  
 

L + 6.00% (1.00% Floor)

    06/12/2021        14.93        14.78        14.63   

Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc.  (+)(1)

 

 
 
 

Diversified
Consumer
Services

  
  
  

 

L + 6.00% (1.00% Floor)

    03/31/2020        15.00        14.74        14.59   

ConvergeOne Holdings Corporation  (++)(2)

 

 
 

Communications
Equipment

  
  

 

L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)

    06/17/2020        14.82        14.75        14.63   

Crowne Group, LLC  (++)(2)

 

 

Auto Components

  

 

L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)

    09/30/2020        14.81        14.69        14.29   

DBRS Limited  (++)

    Capital Markets     

L + 5.25% (1.00% Floor)

    03/04/2022        11.91        11.80        11.82   

DiscoverOrg, LLC  (+)

    Software     

L + 4.50% (1.00% Floor)

    06/02/2020        7.56        7.53        7.52   

Epicor RSG US Inc.  (++)

   
 
Internet Software
& Services
  
  
 

L + 5.25% (0.75% Floor)

    06/23/2022        14.93        14.78        14.78   

eResearchTechnology, Inc.  (++)

 

 
 

Health Care
Technology

  
  

 

L + 4.50% (1.00% Floor)

    05/08/2022        14.93        14.86        14.60   

GK Holdings, Inc.  (++)

    IT Services     

L + 5.50% (1.00% Floor)

    01/20/2021        17.82        17.72        17.46   

HC Group Holdings III, Inc.  (++)

 

 
 
 

Healthcare
Providers &
Services

  
  
  

 

L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)

    04/07/2022        8.98        8.94        8.91   

Help/Systems, LLC  (++)

    Software     

L + 5.25% (1.00% Floor)

    10/08/2021        15.00        14.41        14.68   

Jill Acquisition LLC  (++)

   
 
 
Textiles, Apparel
& Luxury
Goods
  
  
  
 

L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)

    05/08/2022        14.96        14.89        14.59   

Lattice Semiconductor Corporation (+++)

 

 
 
 

Semiconductors &
Semiconductor
Equipment

  
  
  

 

L + 4.25% (1.00% Floor)

    03/10/2021        12.16        11.94        11.32   

Liquidnet Holdings, Inc.  (++)(2)

    Capital Markets     

L + 6.75% (1.00% Floor)

    05/22/2019        22.48        22.13        21.69   

MB Aerospace Holdings Inc. (1)

 

 
 

Aerospace &
Defense

  
  

 

L + 5.50% (1.00% Floor)

    12/15/2022        12.50        12.38        12.38   

 

86


Senior Credit Fund Portfolio as of December 31, 2015

 

Portfolio Company

 

Industry

   

Interest

 

Maturity

   

Par
Amount

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 
                          ($ in thousands)        

PGX Holdings, Inc.  (+++)(2)

 

 
 

Professional
Services

  
  

 

L + 4.75% (1.00% Floor)

    09/29/2020      $ 14.26      $ 14.16      $ 14.11   

Research Now Group, Inc.  (++)

 

 
 

Professional
Services

  
  

 

L + 4.50% (1.00% Floor)

    03/18/2021        4.96        4.94        4.89   

SkinnyPop Popcorn LLC  (++)(2)

   
 
Food
Products
  
  
 

L + 4.50% (1.00% Floor)

    07/17/2019        14.25        14.15        14.22   

Veresen Midstream Limited Partnership (++)

 

 
 
 

Energy
Equipment
& Services

  
  
  

 

L + 4.25% (1.00% Floor)

    03/31/2022        10.92        10.70        10.70   

Zep Inc.  (++)

    Chemicals     

L + 4.75% (1.00% Floor)

    06/27/2022        5.47        5.45        5.44   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

            282.30        279.77   

2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

           

GK Holdings, Inc.  (++)

    IT Services     

L + 9.50% (1.00% Floor)

    01.20.2022        6.00        5.89        5.82   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

            5.89        5.82   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Corporate Debt

          $ 288.19      $ 285.59   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(+)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 1 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2015 was 0.43%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 1 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2015, the prevailing rate in effect as of December 31, 2015 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
(++)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 3 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2015 was 0.61%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 3 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2015, the prevailing rate in effect as of December 31, 2015 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
(+++)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 6 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2015 was 0.85%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 6 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2015, the prevailing rate in effect as of December 31, 2015 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
(1) Position or portion thereof unsettled as of December 31, 2015.
(2) Initial investment was purchased at fair value from the Company in October 2014.
L — LIBOR
PIK — Payment-In-Kind

 

Senior Credit Fund Portfolio as of December 31, 2014

 

Portfolio Company

  

Industry

    

Interest

    

Maturity

    

Par
Amount

    

Cost

    

Fair
Value

 
                                 ($ in thousands)         

1 st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

                 

Compass Automotive Group, LLC (+)(1)

     Auto Components         L + 6.75% (0.75% Floor)         03/28/2019       $ 9.67       $ 9.57       $ 9.62   

ConvergeOne Holdings Corporation (++)(1)

  

 
 

Communications
Equipment

  
  

     L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)         06/17/2020         9.95         9.90         9.90   

Crowne Group, LLC (++)(1)

     Auto Components         L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)         09/30/2020         14.96         14.82         14.66   

Liquidnet Holdings, Inc. (++)(1)(2)

     Capital Markets         L + 6.75% (1.00% Floor)         05/22/2019         23.70         23.24         22.51   

 

87


Senior Credit Fund Portfolio as of December 31, 2014

 

Portfolio Company

  

Industry

    

Interest

    

Maturity

    

Par
Amount

    

Cost

    

Fair
Value

 
                                 ($ in thousands)         

Motor Coach Industries Inc. (+)

     Automobiles         L + 7.50% (0.50% Floor)         09/26/2019       $ 15.00       $ 14.78       $ 14.78   

OH Acquisition, LLC (+++)(1)

    
 
 
Diversified
Financial
Services
  
  
  
     L + 6.25% (1.00% Floor)         08/29/2019         9.98         9.93         9.92   

PGX Holdings, Inc. (+++)(1)

    
 
Professional
Services
  
  
     L + 5.25% (1.00% Floor)         09/29/2020         14.90         14.80         14.89   

SkinnyPop Popcorn LLC (++)(1)

    
 
Food
Products
  
  
     L + 4.50% (1.00% Floor)         07/17/2019         15.00         14.86         14.89   
              

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 111.90       $ 111.17   
              

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(+) The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 1 month LIBOR, which at December 31, 2014 was 0.17%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 1 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2014, the prevailing rate in effect at December 31, 2014 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
(++) The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 3 month LIBOR, which at December 31, 2014 was 0.26%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 3 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2014, the prevailing rate in effect at December 31, 2014 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
(+++) The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 6 month LIBOR, which at December 31, 2014 was 0.36%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 6 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2014, the prevailing rate in effect at December 31, 2014 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
(1) Investment was purchased from us.
(2) We also held a portion of the first lien senior secured debt in this portfolio company.
L — LIBOR

Below is certain summarized balance sheet information for the Senior Credit Fund as of September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

    

As of

 
    

September 30,
2016

    

December 31,
2015

    

December 31,
2014

 
     (in millions)  

Selected Balance Sheet Information

        

Total investments, at fair value

   $ 396.87       $ 307.42       $ 111.17   

Cash and other assets

     8.91         7.58         6.72   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 405.78       $ 315.00       $ 117.89   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Debt (1)

   $ 229.06       $ 184.98       $ 67.00   

Other liabilities

     37.22         40.22         1.64   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 266.28       $ 225.20       $ 68.64   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Members’ equity

   $ 139.50       $ 89.80       $ 49.25   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and members’ equity

   $ 405.78       $ 315.00       $ 117.89   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Net of deferred financing costs for the SPV I Term Loan Facility as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, which were in the amount of $0.91 million and $0.57 million, respectively.

 

88


Below is certain summarized Statement of Operations information for the Senior Credit Fund for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 and for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the period ended December 31, 2014:

 

   

For the Three
Months Ended

   

For the Nine
Months Ended

    For the
Year Ended
    For the
period
October 1,
2014
(commencement
of operations)
through
Year-End
 
   

September 30,
2016

   

September 30,
2015

   

September 30,
2016

   

September 30,
2015

   

December 31,
2015

   

December 31,
2014

 
    (in millions)  

Selected Statement of Operations Information

           

Total investment income

  $ 6.91      $ 4.36      $ 18.22      $ 10.03      $ 14.68     $ 1.70   

Expenses

           

Interest and credit facility expense

    2.31        1.46        6.58        3.74        5.28       0.57   

Excess loan origination and structuring fees

    1.11        —          1.71        0.47        0.75       —     

Organization expense

    —          —          —          —          —          0.23   

Professional fees

  $ 0.09      $ 0.10      $ 0.30      $ 0.25      $ 0.32     $ 0.20   

Administration and custodian fees

    0.08        0.07        0.24        0.21        0.30       0.07   

Other expenses

    0.03        —          0.05        0.07        0.04       0.03   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    3.62        1.63        8.88        4.74        6.69       1.10   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) after taxes

    3.29        2.73        9.34        5.29        7.99       0.60   

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

    —          —          —          0.05        0.05       —     

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

    1.83        (1.47     3.82        0.09        (1.87 )     (0.73
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in members’ equity

  $ 5.12      $ 1.26      $ 13.16      $ 5.43      $ 6.17     $ (0.13
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Debt

The Senior Credit Fund has entered into a revolving credit facility (the “Subscription Facility”) with Versailles Assets LLC as lender, and with Natixis, New York Branch (“Natixis”) as the facility agent. The Subscription Facility provides for borrowings in an aggregate amount up to $50.00 million on a committed basis. The Senior Credit Fund’s obligations to Natixis and the lenders are secured by the unfunded subscriptions of us and Cal Regents, proceeds of such subscriptions and certain other assets. On September 30, 2016, the Senior Credit Fund paid in full all loans outstanding and the Subscription Facility was terminated. In connection thereof, the related documents governing the Subscription Facility were also terminated. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Senior Credit Fund’s outstanding borrowings under the Subscription Facility were $0.00 million and $45.70 million, respectively. The summary information of the Subscription Facility for the three and

 

89


nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 and for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the period ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:

 

   

For the Three
Months Ended

   

For the Nine
Months Ended

   

Year Ended
December 31,
2015

   

Period from
October 3,
2014
(commencement
of Subscription
Facility)
through
December 31,
2014

 
   

September 30,
2016

   

September 30,
2015

   

September 30,
2016

   

September 30,
2015

     
    (in millions)  

Borrowing interest expense

  $ 0.07      $ 0.27      $ 0.50      $ 0.79      $ 1.05     $ 0.24   

Facility fees

    0.02        —         0.04        —         —         —     

Amortization of financing costs

    0.03        0.09        0.09        0.27        0.31       0.09   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 0.12      $ 0.36      $ 0.63      $ 1.06      $ 1.36       0.33   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average interest rate

    2.7     2.1     2.5     2.1     2.1 %     2.0

Average outstanding balance

  $ 10.72      $ 50.00      $ 26.87      $ 50.00      $ 49.73     $ 47.78   

SPV I has entered into an amended and restated credit facility (as amended, the “Asset Based Facility”), which, as of December 19, 2016, consisted of a revolving credit facility (the “SPV I Revolving Credit Facility”), a term loan facility (the “SPV I Term Loan Facility”) and a Class B loan facility (the “SPV I Class B Facility”), with various lenders. For the Asset Based Facility, Natixis serves as the facility agent, and State Street Bank and Trust Company serves as the collateral agent. The Asset Based Facility includes a maximum borrowing capacity of $400.00 million. The SPV I Revolving Credit Facility provides for borrowings in an aggregate amount up to $97.50 million on a committed basis to be automatically increased to $120.00 million upon the sale of a $15 million term loan held by Natixis as of December 19, 2016. As of December 19, 2016, the SPV I Term Loan Facility consisted of $240.00 million fully drawn term loans and the SPV I Class B Facility consists of $40.00 million fully drawn Class B loans.

As of September 30, 2016, the SPV I Term Loan Facility consisted of a $115.00 million fully drawn term loan. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the SPV I’s outstanding borrowings under the Asset Based Facility were $229.97 million and $139.85 million, respectively. The summary information of the Asset Based Facility for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 and for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the period ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:

 

    

For the Three
Months Ended

   

For the Nine
Months Ended

   

Year Ended
December 31,
2015

   

Period from
November 19,
2014
(commencement
of Asset Based
Facility)
through
December 31,
2014

 
    

September 30,
2016

   

September 30,
2015

   

September 30,
2016

   

September 30,
2015

     
     (in millions)  

Borrowing interest expense

   $ 1.92      $ 0.83      $ 4.78      $ 1.67      $ 2.59      $ 0.03   

Facility fees

     0.15        0.16        0.60        0.70        0.92        0.17   

Amortization of financing costs

     0.12        0.11        0.57        0.31        0.41        0.04   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2.19      $ 1.10      $ 5.95      $ 2.68      $ 3.92      $ 0.24   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average interest rate

     3.2     2.7     3.1     2.7     2.8     2.2

Average outstanding balance

   $ 237.33      $ 120.86      $ 202.46      $ 81.66      $ 93.71      $ 11.86   

 

90


Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-03, “ Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs .” ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs be presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, consistent with the presentation of debt discounts. Upon adoption, the standard requires prior period financial statements to be retrospectively adjusted. Prior to the issuance of ASU 2015-03, debt issuance costs were required to be presented as deferred assets, separate from the related debt liability. ASU 2015-03 does not change the recognition and measurement requirements for debt issuance costs. ASU 2015-03 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We have adopted this standard effective January 1, 2016 and determined there to be no impact on our consolidated financial statements.

FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The primary use of existing funds and any funds raised in the future is expected to be for our investments in portfolio companies, cash distributions to our stockholders or for other general corporate purposes, including paying for operating expenses or debt service to the extent we borrow or issue senior securities.

We expect to generate cash primarily from the net proceeds of any future offerings of securities, future borrowings and cash flows from operations. 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 of Directors otherwise determines that leveraging our portfolio would be in our best interest and the best interests of our stockholders, we may enter into credit facilities in addition to our Revolving Credit Facility as discussed below, or issue other senior securities. We would expect any such credit facilities may be secured by certain of our assets and may contain advance rates based upon pledged collateral. The pricing and other terms of any such facilities would depend upon market conditions when we enter into any such facilities as well as the performance of our business, among other factors. In accordance with applicable SEC staff guidance and interpretations, as a BDC, with certain limited exceptions, we are only permitted to borrow amounts such that our asset coverage ratio, as defined in the Investment Company Act, is at least 2 to 1 after such borrowing. As of September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our asset coverage ratio was 2.43 to 1, 2.64 to 1 and 2.64 to 1, respectively. We may also refinance or repay any of our indebtedness at any time based on our financial condition and market conditions.

As of September 30, 2016, we had cash of approximately $14.67 million, a decrease of $8.04 million from December 31, 2015. Cash used by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was approximately $11.47 million, primarily driven by purchases of investments of $219.90 million, partially offset by an increase in net assets resulting operations of $35.06 million, proceeds from sales and principal repayments of $139.50 million, net purchase of investments in the affiliated money market fund of $10.11 million, and proceeds from other operating activities of $23.76 million. Cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was approximately $3.43 million, primarily driven by proceeds from the borrowings on debt of $195.50 million, partially offset by repayments on debt of $143.25 million, distributions paid of $48.74 million, and other financing activities of $0.08 million.

As of December 31, 2015, we had cash of approximately $22.71 million, an increase of $14.10 million from December 31, 2014. In addition, as of December 31, 2015, we had an investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc. of $10.12 million, a decrease of $19.45 million from December 31, 2014. Cash used by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2015 was approximately $121.41 million, primarily driven by purchases of investments of $320.74 million, partially offset by an increase in net assets resulting from operations of $46.63 million, proceeds from sales and principal repayments of $131.09 million, proceeds from the net sale of investments in the affiliated money market fund of $19.45 million and other operating activities of $2.16 million. Cash provided by financing activities was approximately $135.51 million, which was the result of proceeds from the issuance of common stock (net of underwriting costs) of

 

91


$135.11 million and borrowings on debt of $288.00 million, partially offset by repayments on debt of $219.00 million, distributions paid of $63.57 million, and other financing activities of $5.03 million.

We may raise capital by securitizing certain of our investments, including through the formation of one or more collateralized loan obligations or asset based facilities, while retaining all or most of the exposure to the performance of these investments. This would involve contributing a pool of assets to a special purpose entity, and selling debt interests in such entity on a non-recourse or limited-recourse basis to purchasers. We may also pursue other forms of debt financing, including potentially from the SBA through a future SBIC.

Prior to our IPO, each quarter, beginning with the calendar quarter ended December 31, 2013, the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, determined the number of shares, if any, that we would offer to repurchase (the “Tender Offer Amount”). The quarterly Tender Offer Amount could be up to 5% of the total number of shares outstanding on the date by which a stockholder could tender its shares in response to our offer to repurchase shares (“Tender Offer”). We repurchased our shares at NAV per share at the end of the quarter. For the year ended December 31, 2014, investors tendered an aggregate of 1,008,987 shares for which they received approximately $20.15 million. For this period, to maintain its ownership percentage, Group Inc. tendered an aggregate of 200,254 shares of common stock for which it received approximately $4.00 million. Investors other than Group Inc. tendered an aggregate of 808,733 shares of common stock for which they received approximately $16.15 million. For the year ended December 31, 2013, all investors tendered 249,710 shares for which they received approximately $4.99 million. For such year, to maintain its ownership percentage, Group Inc. tendered 49,560 shares of common stock for which it received approximately $0.99 million and all other investors tendered 200,150 shares of common stock for which they received approximately $4.00 million. We did not conduct a Tender Offer for the year ended December 31, 2015. We do not expect to conduct Tender Offers in the future.

Equity Issuances

On March 23, 2015, we completed our IPO, issuing 6,000,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $20.00 per share. Net of offering and underwriting costs, we received cash proceeds of $114.57 million. In connection with the IPO, our Investment Adviser paid 70%, or approximately $5.04 million, of the sales load.

In April 2015, we issued a total of 900,000 shares of our common stock pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option in connection with the IPO. Net of underwriting costs, we received additional total cash proceeds of $17.27 million. In addition, our Investment Adviser paid 70%, or approximately $0.76 million, of the sales load.

There were no sales of our common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 or the year ended December 31, 2014.

10b5-1 Plan

Goldman, Sachs & Co. adopted a 10b5-1 plan (the “GS 10b5-1 Plan”) in accordance with Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, which provided for the purchase by Goldman, Sachs & Co. in the open market of up to the lesser of (i) $25.00 million in the aggregate of our common stock and (ii) such amount that would not bring its collective ownership (with Group Inc.) of our common stock over 19.9%. The GS 10b5-1 Plan expired on March 18, 2016. The GS 10b5-1 Plan required Goldman, Sachs & Co. to purchase shares of our common stock when the market price per share was below our most recently reported NAV per share (including any updates, corrections or adjustments publicly announced by us to any previously announced NAV per share). The purchase of shares by Goldman, Sachs & Co. pursuant to the GS 10b5-1 Plan was intended to satisfy the conditions of Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, and was otherwise subject to applicable law. Under the GS 10b5-1 Plan, Goldman, Sachs & Co. increased the volume of purchases made anytime the market price per share of our common stock declined below the most recently reported NAV per share, subject to volume restrictions. Purchases of our common stock by Goldman, Sachs & Co. under the GS 10b5-1 Plan may have resulted in the price of our common stock being higher than the price that otherwise might have existed in

 

92


the open market. For the period January 1, 2016 through March 18, 2016, Goldman, Sachs & Co. purchased 432,638 shares of our common stock pursuant to the GS 10b5-1 Plan.

Common Stock Repurchase Plans

In February 2015, our Board of Directors approved a common stock repurchase plan (the “Company Repurchase Plan”), which authorized our purchase of up to $35.00 million of our common stock in the open market during open trading periods. No repurchases were made pursuant to the Company Repurchase Plan which expired on March 18, 2016.

In February 2016, our Board of Directors authorized us to repurchase up to $25.00 million of our common stock if the stock trades below the most recently announced NAV per share (including any updates, corrections or adjustments publicly announced by us to any previously announced NAV per share), from March 18, 2016 to March 18, 2017, subject to certain limitations. In connection with this authorization, we entered into the Company 10b5-1 Plan. The Company 10b5-1 Plan provides that purchases will be conducted on the open market on a programmatic basis in accordance with Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Exchange Act and will otherwise be subject to applicable law, including Regulation M, which may prohibit purchases under certain circumstances. No purchases will be effected pursuant to the Company 10b5-1 Plan if such purchase would (i) cause the aggregate ownership of our outstanding stock by Group Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co. to equal or exceed 25.0% (due to the reduction in outstanding shares of stock as a result of purchase) or (ii) cause our debt/equity ratio to exceed 0.75. The Company 10b5-1 Plan took effect on March 18, 2016 (with any purchases to commence after the opening of NYSE trading on March 21, 2016) and expires on March 18, 2017.

Repurchases of our common stock under the Company 10b5-1 Plan or otherwise may result in the price of our common stock being higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, we did not repurchase any of our common stock pursuant to the Company 10b5-1 Plan or otherwise.

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

Concurrent with the IPO, we adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of all cash distributions declared by the Board of Directors unless a stockholder elects to “opt out” of the plan. As a result, if the Board of Directors declares a cash distribution, then the stockholders who have not “opted out” of the dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of common stock, rather than receiving the cash distribution. Due to regulatory considerations, Group Inc. has opted out of the dividend reinvestment plan, and Goldman, Sachs & Co. has opted out of the dividend reinvestment plan in respect of any shares of our common stock acquired through the GS 10b5-1 Plan. The following table summarizes shares distributed pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to stockholders who had not opted out of the dividend reinvestment plan.

 

Date Declared

   Record Date      Payment Date      Shares  

November 3, 2015

     December 31, 2015         January 28, 2016         8,206   

February 25, 2016

     March 31, 2016         April 15, 2016         5,555   

May 3, 2016

     June 30, 2016         July 15, 2016         8,937   

The following table summarizes shares issued pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan to stockholders who have not opted out of the plan during the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

Date Declared

   Record Date      Date Shares Issued      Shares Issued  

February 25, 2015

     March 31, 2015         April 30, 2015         6,982   

May 13, 2015

     June 30, 2015         July 15, 2015         5,336   

August 4, 2015

     September 30, 2015         October 15, 2015         13,437   

 

93


Contractual Obligations

We have entered into certain contracts under which we have future commitments. Payments under the Investment Management Agreement, pursuant to which GSAM has agreed to serve as our investment adviser, are equal to (1) a percentage of value of our average gross assets and (2) a two-part Incentive Fee. Under the Administration Agreement, pursuant to which State Street Bank and Trust Company has agreed to furnish us with the administrative services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations, we pay our administrator such fees as may be agreed between us and our administrator that we determine are commercially reasonable in our sole discretion. Either party or the stockholders, by a vote of a majority of our outstanding voting securities, may terminate the Investment Management Agreement without penalty on least 60 days’ written notice to the other party. Either party may terminate the Administration Agreement without penalty upon at least 30 days’ written notice to the other party.

The following table shows our contractual obligations as of September 30, 2016:

 

    

Payments Due by Period (Millions)

 
    

Total

    

Less Than
1 Year

    

1 – 3 Years

    

3 – 5 Years

    

More Than
5 Years

 

Revolving Credit Facility

   $ 471.25       $ —         $ —         $ 471.25       $ —     

Revolving Credit Facility

On September 19, 2013, we entered into the Revolving Credit Facility with various lenders. SunTrust Bank serves as administrative agent and Bank of America N.A. serves as syndication agent under the Revolving Credit Facility.

On October 3, 2014, we amended and restated the Revolving Credit Facility to, among other things:

 

    increase the aggregate borrowing amount of $340.00 million to $485.00 million on a committed basis;

 

    increase the total borrowing capacity from a maximum of $500.00 million to $900.00 million;

 

    extend the maturity date from September 19, 2017 to October 3, 2019; and

 

    reduce the applicable margin of borrowings with respect to (i) any loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the alternate base rate from 1.50% to 1.25% and (ii) any loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the adjusted LIBOR rate from 2.50% to 2.25%.

On January 16, 2015, we exercised the right under the accordion feature and increased the size of the Revolving Credit Facility to $535.00 million, on a committed basis.

On March 27, 2015, we exercised the right under the accordion feature and increased the size of the Revolving Credit Facility to $560.00 million, on a committed basis.

On November 3, 2015, we amended the Revolving Credit Facility to, among other things:

 

    increase the aggregate borrowing amount to $570.00 million on a committed basis;

 

    increase the total borrowing capacity to a maximum of $1,000.00 million;

 

    extend the final maturity date to November 4, 2020; and

 

94


    reduce the applicable margin of borrowings with respect to (i) any loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the alternate base rate from 1.25% to 0.75% or 1.00%, subject to borrowing base conditions and (ii) any loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the adjusted LIBOR rate from 2.25% to 1.75% or 2.00%, subject to borrowing base conditions.

On December 16, 2016, we further amended the Revolving Credit Facility to, among other things:

 

    increase the aggregate borrowing amount to $605.00 million on a committed basis; and

 

    extend the final maturity date to December 16, 2021.

Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, including amounts drawn in respect of letters of credit, bear interest (at the Company’s election) of either LIBOR plus an applicable margin or applicable margin plus the higher of the Prime Rate, Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% or overnight LIBOR plus 1.0%. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears. We pay a fee of 0.375% per annum on committed but undrawn amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility, payable quarterly in arrears. Any amounts borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility will mature, and all accrued and unpaid interest will be due and payable, on December 16, 2021.

The Revolving Credit Facility may be guaranteed by certain of our domestic subsidiaries that are formed or acquired by us in the future (collectively, the “Guarantors”). The Senior Credit Fund is not a Guarantor of the Revolving Credit Facility. Proceeds from borrowings may be used for general corporate purposes, including the funding of portfolio investments.

Our obligations to the lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility are secured by a first priority security interest in substantially the entire portfolio of investments and cash held by us and each Guarantor, if any. The Revolving Credit Facility contains certain customary covenants, including: (i) maintaining a minimum shareholder’s equity of $458.16 million, subject to increase from certain equity sales, (ii) maintaining an asset coverage ratio of at least 2 to 1, (iii) maintaining a minimum liquidity test of at least 10% of the “covered debt amount” during any period when the “adjusted covered debt balance” is greater than 90% of the “adjusted borrowing base,” as such quoted terms are defined in the Revolving Credit Facility and (iv) restrictions on industry concentrations in our investment portfolio. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we were in compliance with these covenants.

The Revolving Credit Facility also includes customary representations and warranties, conditions precedent to funding of draws and events of default.

Convertible Notes Offering

On October 3, 2016, in connection with an offering pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act, we issued $115.00 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes, including $15.00 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes issued pursuant to the initial purchasers’ exercise in full of their over-allotment option. The Convertible Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated October 3, 2016, between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee. The sale of the Convertible Notes generated net proceeds of approximately $110.90 million.

The Convertible Notes will mature on April 1, 2022, unless previously converted or repurchased in accordance with their terms. The Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.50% per year payable semiannually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing on April 1, 2017.

The Convertible Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company and rank senior in right of payment to our future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Convertible Notes; equal in right of payment to our existing and future indebtedness that is not so subordinated; effectively junior in right of

 

95


payment to any of our secured indebtedness (including unsecured indebtedness that we later secure) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all existing and future indebtedness (including trade payables) incurred by our subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities.

Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding October 1, 2021, holders may convert their Convertible Notes only under certain circumstances set forth in the Indenture. On or after October 1, 2021 until the close of business on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, holders may convert their Convertible Notes at any time. Upon conversion, we will pay or deliver, as the case may be, at our election, cash, shares of its common stock or a combination of cash and shares of its common stock. The conversion rate is initially 40.8397 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $24.49 per share of common stock). The conversion rate will be subject to adjustment in some events but will not be adjusted for any accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, if certain corporate events occur prior to the Maturity Date, we will increase the conversion rate for a holder who elects to convert its Convertible Notes in connection with such a corporate event in certain circumstances.

We may not redeem the Convertible Notes at our option prior to maturity. No sinking fund is provided for the Convertible Notes. In addition, if certain corporate events occur in respect of the Company, holders of the Convertible Notes may require us to repurchase for cash all or part of their Convertible Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest through, but excluding, the required repurchase date.

The Indenture contains certain covenants, including covenants requiring us to comply with Section 18(a)(1)(A) as modified by Section 61(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act, and to provide financial information to the holders of the Convertible Notes and the Trustee if we cease to be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the Indenture.

Under the Indenture, the Trustee is required to take certain actions if requested by the holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes then outstanding.

HEDGING

Subject to applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act and applicable CFTC regulations, we may enter into hedging transactions in a manner consistent with SEC guidance. To the extent that any of our loans is 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 Investment Adviser has claimed no-action relief from CFTC registration and regulation as a commodity pool operator pursuant to a CFTC staff no-action letter with respect to our operations, with the result that we will be limited in our ability to use futures contracts or options on futures contracts or engage in swap transactions. Specifically, the BDC CFTC No-Action Letter imposes strict limitations on using such derivatives other than for hedging purposes, whereby the use of derivatives not used solely for hedging purposes is generally limited to situations where (i) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish such positions does not exceed five percent of the liquidation value of our portfolio, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such contracts it has entered into; or (ii) the aggregate net notional value of such derivatives does not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of our portfolio. Moreover, we anticipate entering into transactions involving such derivatives to a very limited extent solely for hedging purposes or otherwise within the limitations of the BDC CFTC No-Action Letter. As of September 30, 2016, no hedging arrangements were used.

 

96


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 fund investments and 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. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, our off-balance sheet arrangements consisted of the following:

 

    

As of

 
   September 30,
2016
     December 31,
2015
 
     (in millions)  

Unfunded Commitments

     

First Lien/Senior Secured Debt

   $ 6.80       $ 2.50   

First Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

     —           3.51   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 6.80       $ 6.01   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

On November 1, 2016, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly distribution of $0.45 per share of our common stock paid on January 17, 2017 to holders of record as of December 31, 2016.

Convertible Notes Offering

For a description of the Convertible Notes offering, see “—Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources—Convertible Notes Offering,” above.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of these consolidated financial statements 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 materially. In addition to the discussion below, our critical accounting policies are further described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Valuation of Portfolio Investments

As a BDC, we conduct the valuation of our assets, pursuant to which our NAV is determined, at all times consistent with GAAP and the Investment Company Act. Our Board of Directors, with the assistance of our Audit Committee, determines the fair value of our assets on at least a quarterly basis, in accordance with the terms of FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures (“ASC 820”). Our valuation procedures are described in more detail below.

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. Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. For some assets and liabilities, observable market transactions or market information might be available. For other assets and liabilities, observable market transactions and market information might not be available. However, the objective of a fair value measurement in both cases is the same—to estimate the price when an orderly transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability would take place between

 

97


market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions (that is, an exit price at the measurement date from the perspective of a market participant that holds the asset or owes the liability).

ASC 820 establishes a hierarchal disclosure framework which ranks the observability of inputs used in measuring financial instruments at fair value. The observability of inputs is impacted by a number of factors, including the type of financial instruments and their specific characteristics. Financial instruments with readily available quoted prices, or for which fair value can be measured from quoted prices in active markets, generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment applied in determining fair value. The levels used for classifying investments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these securities.

The three-level hierarchy for fair value measurement is defined as follows:

Level 1 —inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices available in active markets for identical instruments as of the reporting date. The types of financial instruments included in Level 1 include unrestricted securities, including equities and derivatives, listed in active markets.

Level 2 —inputs to the valuation methodology are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. The type of financial instruments in this category includes less liquid and restricted securities listed in active markets, securities traded in other than active markets, government and agency securities, and certain over-the-counter derivatives where the fair value is based on observable inputs.

Level 3 —inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to overall fair value measurement. The inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation. Financial instruments that are included in this category include investments in privately held entities and certain over-the-counter derivatives where the fair value is based on unobservable inputs.

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

Currently, the majority of our investments fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. We do not expect that there will be readily available market values for most of the investments which are in our portfolio, and we value such investments at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of our Board of Directors using a documented valuation policy, described below, and a consistently applied valuation process. The factors that may be taken into account in pricing our investments at fair value include, as relevant, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow, and the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to publicly traded securities and other relevant factors. Available current market data are considered such as applicable market yields and multiples of publicly traded securities, comparison of financial ratios of peer companies, and changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets that may affect the price at which similar investments would trade in their principal market, and other relevant factors. When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, we consider the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate or revise our valuation.

 

98


With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, or for which market quotations are deemed not reflective of the fair value, the valuation procedures adopted by our Board of Directors contemplates a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

 

  (1) Our quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by the investment professionals of our Investment Adviser responsible for the portfolio investment;

 

  (2) Our Board of Directors also engages independent valuation firms (the “Independent Valuation Advisors”) to provide independent valuations of the investments for which market quotations are not readily available, or are readily available but deemed not reflective of the fair value of an investment. The Independent Valuation Advisors independently value such investments using quantitative and qualitative information provided by the investment professionals of the Investment Adviser as well as any market quotations obtained from independent pricing services, brokers, dealers or market dealers. The Independent Valuation Advisors also provide analyses to support their valuation methodology and calculations. The Independent Valuation Advisors provide an opinion on a final range of values on such investments to our Board of Directors or the Audit Committee. The Independent Valuation Advisors define fair value in accordance with ASC 820 and utilize valuation techniques including the market approach, the income approach or both. A portion of the portfolio is reviewed on a quarterly basis, and all investments in the portfolio for which market quotations are not readily available, or are readily available, but deemed not reflective of the fair value of an investment, are reviewed at least annually by an Independent Valuation Advisor;

 

  (3) The Independent Valuation Advisors’ preliminary valuations are reviewed by our Investment Adviser and VOG, a team that is part of the Controllers Department within the Finance Division of Goldman Sachs. The Independent Valuation Advisors’ ranges are compared to our Investment Adviser’s valuations to ensure our Investment Adviser’s valuations are reasonable. VOG presents the valuations to the Private Investment Sub-Committee of the Investment Management Division Valuation Committee, which is comprised of representatives from GSAM who are independent of the investment making decision process;

 

  (4) The Investment Management Division Valuation Committee ratifies fair valuations and makes recommendations to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors;

 

  (5) The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors reviews valuation information provided by the Investment Management Division Valuation Committee, our Investment Adviser and the Independent Valuation Advisors. The Audit Committee then assesses such valuation recommendations; and

 

  (6) Our Board of Directors discusses the valuations and, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act, determines the fair value of our investments in good faith, based on the input of our Investment Adviser, the Independent Valuation Advisors and the Audit Committee.

Investment Transactions and Related Investment Income

We record our investment transactions on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses are based on the specific identification method. Dividend income on common equity investments are recorded on the record date for private portfolio companies or on the ex-dividend date for publicly traded portfolio companies. Interest income and dividend income are presented net of withholding tax, if any. Accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums, which are included in interest income and expense, are recorded over the life of the underlying instrument using the effective interest method.

 

99


Fair value generally is based on quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative price sources. In the absence of quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative price sources, investments in securities are measured at fair value as determined by our Investment Adviser and/or by one or more independent third parties.

Due to the inherent uncertainties of valuation, certain estimated fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been realized had a ready market for these investments existed, and these differences could be material. For additional information, see Note 2 “Significant Accounting Policies” to our unaudited financial statements included in this prospectus and in our audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015 also included in this prospectus.

Non-Accrual Status

Loans or debt securities are placed on non-accrual status when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest will be collected. Accrued interest generally is reversed when a loan or debt security is placed on non-accrual status. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans or debt securities may be recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon management’s judgment. Non-accrual loans and debt securities are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest is paid and, in management’s judgment, are likely to remain current. We may make exceptions to this treatment if the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection.

Distribution Policy

We intend to pay quarterly distributions to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. Future quarterly distributions, if any, will be determined by our Board of Directors. All distributions will be subject to lawfully available funds therefor, and no assurance can be given that we will be able to declare distributions in future periods.

We have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. To obtain and maintain RIC status, we must, among other things, timely distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our investment company taxable income for each taxable year. We intend to timely distribute to our stockholders substantially all of our annual taxable income for each year, except that we may retain certain net capital gains for reinvestment and, depending upon the level of taxable income earned in a year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income for distribution in the following year and pay any applicable U.S. federal excise tax. The distributions we pay to our stockholders in a year may exceed our net ordinary income and capital gains for that year and, accordingly, a portion of such distributions may constitute a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The specific tax characteristics of our distributions will be reported to stockholders after the end of the calendar year. Stockholders should read carefully any written disclosure regarding a distribution from us and should not assume that the source of any distribution is our net ordinary income or capital gains.

We have adopted an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for our common stockholders. As a result, if our Board of Directors declares a cash distribution, each stockholder that has not “opted out” of our dividend reinvestment plan will have its distribution automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock rather than receiving the cash distribution. Stockholders who receive distributions in the form of shares of common stock will generally be subject to the same U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences as if they received cash distributions; however, since their cash distributions will be reinvested, those stockholders will not receive cash with which to pay any applicable taxes. Due to regulatory considerations, Group Inc. has opted out of the dividend reinvestment plan, and Goldman, Sachs & Co. has opted out of the dividend reinvestment plan in respect of any shares of our common stock acquired through the GS 10b5-1 Plan.

 

100


Federal Income Taxes

As a RIC, we generally will not 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 maintain our RIC status, we must meet specified source-of-income and asset diversification requirements and timely distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our investment company taxable income for each year. Depending upon the level of taxable income earned in a year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income for distribution in the following year and pay any applicable U.S. federal excise tax. We generally will be required to pay such U.S. federal excise tax if our distributions during a calendar year do not exceed the sum of (1) 98% of our net ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) 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 net ordinary income and capital gains in excess of capital losses for preceding years that were not distributed during such years.

Because federal income tax regulations differ from GAAP, distributions in accordance with tax regulations may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts in the consolidated financial statements to reflect their tax character. Temporary differences arise when certain items of income, expense, gain or loss are recognized at some time in the future. Differences in classification may also result from the treatment of short-term gains as ordinary income for tax purposes.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are subject to financial market risks, most significantly changes in interest rates. Interest rate sensitivity refers to the change in our earnings that may result from changes in the level of interest rates. Because we expect to fund a portion of our investments with borrowings, our net investment income is expected to be affected by the difference between the rate at which we invest and the rate at which we borrow. 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.

As of September 30, 2016, on a fair value basis, approximately 10.4% of our performing debt investments bore interest at a fixed rate (including income producing preferred stock investments), and approximately 89.6% of our performing debt investments bore interest at a floating rate.

We regularly measure our exposure to interest rate risk. We assess interest rate risk and manage our interest rate exposure on an ongoing basis by comparing our interest rate sensitive assets to our interest rate sensitive liabilities.

Based on our September 30, 2016 balance sheet, the following table shows the annual impact on net income of base rate changes in interest rates (considering interest rate floors for variable rate instruments) assuming no changes in our investment and borrowing structure:

 

As of September 30, 2016

Basis Point Change

   Interest
Income
     Interest
Expense
     Net
Income
 

($ in millions)

        

Up 300 basis points

   $ 22.54       $ (13.98    $ 8.56   

Up 200 basis points

     14.27         (9.32      4.95   

Up 100 basis points

     6.01         (4.66      1.35   

Up 75 basis points

     3.94         (3.49      0.45   

Up 50 basis points

     2.00         (2.33      (0.33

Up 25 basis points

     0.61         (1.16      (0.55

Down 25 basis points

     (0.17      1.16         0.99   

Down 50 basis points

     (0.22      2.33         2.11   

 

101


As of September 30, 2016

Basis Point Change

   Interest
Income
     Interest
Expense
     Net
Income
 

Down 75 basis points

   $ (0.26    $ 2.47       $ 2.21   

Down 100 basis points

     (0.32      2.47         2.15   

Down 200 basis points

     (0.31      2.47         2.16   

Down 300 basis points

     (0.20      2.47         2.27   

Based on our December 31, 2015 balance sheet, the following table shows the annual impact on net income of base rate changes in interest rates (considering interest rate floors for variable rate instruments) assuming no changes in our investment and borrowing structure:

 

As of December 31, 2015

Basis Point Change

   Interest
Income
     Interest
Expense
     Net
Income
 

($ in millions)

        

Up 300 basis points

   $ 20.77       $ (11.87    $ 8.90   

Up 200 basis points

     12.47         (7.91      4.56   

Up 100 basis points

     4.19         (3.96      0.23   

Down 100 basis points

     0.05         1.70         1.75   

Down 200 basis points

     0.05         1.70         1.75   

Down 300 basis points

     0.05         1.70         1.75   

We may, in the future, hedge against interest rate fluctuations by using standard hedging instruments such as futures, options and forward contracts subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act, applicable CFTC regulations and in a manner consistent with SEC guidance. While hedging activities may insulate us against adverse changes in interest rates, they may also limit our ability to participate in benefits of lower interest rates with respect to our portfolio of investments with fixed interest rates.

 

102


SENIOR SECURITIES

Information about our senior securities is shown in the following table as of September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The report of our independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, on the senior securities table as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is attached as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. There were no senior securities outstanding as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

 

Class and Period Ended

  

Total Amount
Outstanding
Exclusive of
Treasury
Securities  (1)
($ in Millions)

    

Asset
Coverage
per Unit  (2)

    

Involuntary
Liquidating
Preference
per Unit  (3)

    

Average
Market Value
per Unit (4)

 

Revolving Credit Facility

           

December 31, 2016 (as of September 30, 2016) (Unaudited)

   $ 471.25       $ 2,432.30         —           N/A   

December 31, 2015

   $ 419.00       $ 2,643.56         —           N/A   

December 31, 2014

   $ 350.00       $ 2,641.66         —           N/A   

December 31, 2013

   $ 0.00       $ N/A         —           N/A   

December 31, 2012 (5)

   $ 0.00       $ N/A         —           N/A   

Convertible Notes due 2022

           

December 31, 2016 (as of September 30, 2016) (Unaudited)  (6)

   $ 0.00       $ N/A         —           N/A   

 

(1) Total amount of each class of senior securities outstanding at the end of the period presented.
(2) Asset coverage per unit is the ratio of the carrying value of our total assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness. Asset coverage per unit is expressed in terms of dollar amounts per $1,000 of indebtedness.
(3) The amount to which such class of senior security would be entitled upon the voluntary liquidation of the issuer in preference to any security junior to it. The “—” in this column indicates that the SEC expressly does not require this information to be disclosed for certain types of senior securities.
(4) Not applicable because senior securities are not registered for public trading.
(5) The Revolving Credit Facility was entered into on September 19, 2013.
(6) $115 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes were issued on October 3, 2016.

 

103


BUSINESS

Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

We are a specialty finance company focused on lending to middle-market companies. We are a closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act. In addition, we have elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. From our formation in 2012 through September 30, 2016, we have originated more than $1.60 billion in aggregate principal amount of debt and equity investments prior to any subsequent exits and repayments. We seek to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation primarily through direct originations of secured debt, including first lien, unitranche, including last out portions of such loans, and second lien debt, and unsecured debt, including mezzanine debt, as well as through select equity investments. Unitranche loans are first lien loans that may extend deeper in a company’s capital structure than traditional first lien debt and may provide for a waterfall of cash flow priority between different lenders in the unitranche loan. In a number of instances, we may find another lender to provide the “first out” portion of such loan and retain the “last out” portion of such loan, in which case, the “first out” portion of the loan would generally receive priority with respect to payment of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder over the “last out” portion that we would continue to hold. In exchange for the greater risk of loss, the “last out” portion earns a higher interest rate. We use the term “mezzanine” to refer to debt that ranks senior only to a borrower’s equity securities and ranks junior in right of payment to all of such borrower’s other indebtedness. We may make multiple investments in the same portfolio company.

We invest primarily in U.S. middle-market companies, which we believe are underserved by traditional providers of capital such as banks and the public debt markets. In describing our business, we generally use the term “middle market companies” to refer to companies with EBITDA of between $5 million and $75 million annually. However, we may from time to time invest in larger or smaller companies. We generate revenues primarily through receipt of interest income from the investments we hold. In addition, we generate income from various loan origination and other fees, dividends on direct equity investments and capital gains on the sales of investments. Fees received from portfolio companies (directors’ fees, consulting fees, administrative fees, tax advisory fees and other similar compensation) are paid to us, unless, to the extent required by applicable law or exemptive relief therefrom, we only receive our allocable portion of such fees when invested in the same portfolio company as another account managed by Goldman Sachs. The companies in which we invest use our capital for a variety of purposes, including to support organic growth, fund acquisitions, make capital investments or refinance indebtedness.

Investment Strategy

Our origination strategy focuses on leading the negotiation and structuring of the loans or securities in which we invest and holding the investments in our portfolio to maturity. In many cases, we are the sole investor in the loan or security in our portfolio. Where there are multiple investors, we generally seek to control or obtain significant influence over the rights of investors in the loan or security. Our investments typically have maturities between three and ten years and generally range in size between $10 million and $75 million, although we may make larger or smaller investments on occasion. In addition, part of our strategy involves an investment in a joint venture, the Senior Credit Fund, with the Cal Regents. The Senior Credit Fund’s principal purpose is to make investments, either directly or indirectly through its wholly owned subsidiary, SPV I, primarily in senior secured loans to middle-market companies.

 

104


Investment Portfolio

As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, our portfolio (excluding our investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc. of $0.00 million and $10.12 million, respectively) consisted of the following:

 

    

As of

 
    

September 30, 2016

   

December 31, 2015

 
    

Amortized
Cost

    

Fair Value

    

Percentage
of Total
Portfolio at
Fair Value

   

Amortized
Cost

    

Fair Value

    

Percentage
of Total
Portfolio at
Fair Value

 
     ($ in millions)            ($ in millions)         

First Lien/Senior Secured Debt

   $ 446.31       $ 436.98         38.3   $ 425.53       $ 420.10         38.9

First Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

     328.20         314.45         27.5        308.10         305.72         28.3   

Second Lien/Senior Secured Debt

     298.90         284.56         24.9        312.83         285.47         26.4   

Preferred Stock

     31.51         32.22         2.8        25.62         24.87         2.3   

Common Stock

     11.63         5.01         0.4        4.45         —           —     

Investment Funds & Vehicles

     69.09         69.75         6.1        46.17         44.90         4.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $ 1,185.64       $ 1,142.97         100.0   $ 1,122.70       $ 1,081.06         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2016, our portfolio consisted of 46 investments in 39 portfolio companies across 27 different industries. The largest industries in our portfolio, based on fair value as of September 30, 2016, were Software, Internet Software & Services, Diversified Telecommunication Services and Building Products, which represented 10.0%, 8.6%, 7.7% and 6.5%, respectively, of our portfolio at fair value.

As of September 30, 2016, on a fair value basis, approximately 10.4% of our performing debt investments bore interest at a fixed rate (including income producing preferred stock investments), and approximately 89.6% of our performing debt investments bore interest at a floating rate, which was primarily LIBOR plus a spread.

The geographic composition of our portfolio at fair value at September 30, 2016 was United States 98.5%, Germany 1.3% and Canada 0.2%.

As of September 30, 2016, the weighted average yield of our total portfolio (excluding our investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc.) at amortized cost and fair value (both of which include interest income and amortization of fees and discounts) was 10.4% and 11.8%, respectively. The weighted average yield of our portfolio investments does not represent the total return to the Company’s stockholders because it does not reflect our expenses and the sales load, if any, paid by investors. As of September 30, 2016, the weighted average net debt to EBITDA and the weighted average interest coverage ratio of our portfolio companies was 4.6 times and 2.9 times, respectively. The weighted average net debt to EBITDA represents the weighted average ratio of our portfolio companies’ debt (net of cash), including all of our investment and the amount of debt senior to us, to our portfolio companies’ EBITDA. The weighted average interest coverage ratio (EBITDA to total interest expense) of our portfolio companies reflects our portfolio companies’ EBITDA as a multiple of their interest expense. Portfolio company statistics have been calculated as a percentage of debt investments and income producing preferred investments, including the underlying debt investments in the Senior Credit Fund and excluding collateral loans where net debt to EBITDA may not be the appropriate measure of credit risk. Portfolio company statistics are derived from the most recently available financial statements of each portfolio company as of the reported year ended date.

 

105


As of September 30, 2016, we and Cal Regents had subscribed to fund and contributed the following in the Senior Credit Fund:

 

    

September 30, 2016

 
    

Subscribed to
fund

    

Contributed

 
    

($ in millions)

 

Company

   $ 100.00       $ 69.09   

Cal Regents

     100.00         69.09   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 200.00       $ 138.18   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2016, the Senior Credit Fund had total investments in senior secured debt at fair value of $392.26 million. As of September 30, 2016, the Senior Credit Fund had no investments on non-accrual status. In addition, as of September 30, 2016, the Senior Credit Fund had an investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc. with a total fair value of $4.61 million. Additionally, as of September 30, 2016, the Senior Credit Fund had one unfunded commitment totaling $3.36 million.

Below is a summary of the Senior Credit Fund’s portfolio (excluding an investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc.) as of September 30, 2016:

 

     September 30, 2016  

Number of portfolio companies

     32   

Total senior secured debt (1)

   $ 399.29 million   

Largest loan to a single borrower (1)

   $ 23.69 million   

Weighted average current interest rate on senior secured debt (2)

     6.6

Percentage of performing debt bearing a floating rate (3)

     100.0

Percentage of performing debt bearing a fixed rate (3)

     —  

Weighted average leverage (net debt/EBITDA) (4)

     3.8x   

Weighted average interest coverage (4)

     3.3x   

Median EBITDA (4)

   $ 69.20 million   

 

(1) At par amount.
(2) Computed as the (a) annual stated interest rate on accruing senior secured debt divided by (b) total senior secured debt at par amount.
(3) Measured on a fair value basis.
(4) For a particular portfolio company of the Senior Credit Fund, EBITDA typically represents net income before net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization. The weighted average net debt to EBITDA represents the weighted average ratio of the Senior Credit Fund’s portfolio companies’ debt (net of cash), including all of its investment and the amount of debt senior to it, to its portfolio companies as a multiple of EBITDA. Weighted average net debt to EBITDA and median EBITDA have been calculated as a percentage of the Senior Credit Fund’s debt investments and income producing preferred investments, excluding collateral loans where net debt to EBITDA may not be the appropriate measure of credit risk. The weighted average interest coverage ratio (EBITDA to total interest expense) of the Senior Credit Fund’s portfolio companies reflects its performing portfolio companies’ EBITDA as a multiple of interest expense and has been calculated as a percentage of performing debt investments and income producing preferred investments, excluding collateral loans. Portfolio company statistics are derived from the most recently available financial statements of each portfolio company of the Senior Credit Fund as of the respective reported end date. Statistics of the Senior Credit Fund’s portfolio companies have not been independently verified by us and may reflect a normalized or adjusted amount.

As of September 30, 2016, the Senior Credit Fund was invested across 20 different industries. The largest industries in the Senior Credit Fund’s portfolio, based on fair value as of September 30, 2016, were Software, IT Services, Capital Markets and Communications Equipment, which represented 10.3%, 9.9%, 8.7% and 8.2%, respectively, of the Senior Credit Fund’s portfolio at fair value.

 

106


Corporate Structure

We were formed as a private fund in September 2012 and commenced operations in November 2012, using seed capital contributions we received from Group Inc. In March 2013, we elected to be treated as a BDC. We have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. On March 18, 2015, our common stock began trading on the NYSE under the symbol “GSBD”. On March 23, 2015, we closed our IPO, issuing 6,000,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $20.00 per share. Net of offering and underwriting costs, we received cash proceeds of $114.57 million. On April 21, 2015, we issued an additional 900,000 shares of our common stock pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option in connection with the IPO. Net of underwriting costs, we received additional cash proceeds of $17.27 million. As a result of the Conversion, subsequent share repurchases and the IPO, as of September 30, 2016, Group Inc. owned approximately 17.85% of our common stock.

Our Investment Adviser

GSAM serves as our investment adviser and has been registered as an investment adviser with the SEC since 1990. Subject to the supervision of our Board of Directors, a majority of which is made up of independent directors (including an independent Chairman), GSAM manages our day-to-day operations and provides us with investment advisory and management services and certain administrative services. GSAM is a subsidiary of Group Inc., a public company that is a bank holding company, financial holding company and a world-wide, full-service financial services organization. Group Inc. is the general partner and owner of GSAM. GSAM has been providing financial solutions for investors since 1988 and had over $1 trillion of assets under supervision as of September 30, 2016.

The GSAM Private Credit Group is responsible for identifying investment opportunities, conducting research and due diligence on prospective investments, negotiating and structuring our investments and monitoring and servicing our investments. The GSAM Private Credit Group was comprised of 18 investment professionals, as of September 30, 2016, all of whom are dedicated to the Company’s investment strategy and other funds that share a similar investment strategy with the Company. These professionals are supported by the GSAM Credit Alternatives investment team. These individuals may have additional responsibilities other than those relating to us, but generally allocate a portion of their time in support of our business and our investment objective as a whole. In addition, GSAM has risk management, legal, accounting, tax, information technology and compliance personnel, among others, who provide services to us. We benefit from the expertise provided by these personnel in our operations.

The GSAM Private Credit Group is dedicated primarily to private corporate credit investment opportunities in North America, and utilizes a bottom-up, fundamental research approach to lending. The senior members of the GSAM Private Credit Group have been working together since 2006 and have an average of over 16 years of experience in leveraged finance and private transactions.

All investment decisions are made by the Investment Committee, which currently consists of five voting members: Brendan McGovern, Salvatore Lentini, Jon Yoder, David Yu and Scott Turco, as well as three non-voting members with operational and/or legal expertise. For biographical information about the voting members of the Investment Committee, see “Management—Biographical Information”. The Investment Committee is responsible for approving all of our investments. The Investment Committee also monitors investments in our portfolio and approves all asset dispositions. We expect to benefit from the extensive and varied relevant experience of the investment professionals serving on the Investment Committee, which includes expertise in privately originated and publicly traded leveraged credit, stressed and distressed debt, bankruptcy, mergers and acquisitions and private equity. The voting members of the Investment Committee collectively have over 50 years of experience in middle-market investment and activities related to middle-market investing. The membership of the Investment Committee may change from time to time.

 

107


Allocation of Opportunities

Our investment objectives and investment strategies are similar to those of other Accounts, and an investment appropriate for us may also be appropriate for those Accounts. This creates potential conflicts in allocating investment opportunities among us and such other Accounts, particularly in circumstances where the availability of such investment opportunities is limited, where the liquidity of such investment opportunities is limited or where co-investments by us and other Accounts are not permitted under applicable law.

We are prohibited under the Investment Company 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 Investment Company Act, and we are generally prohibited from buying or selling any assets 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 the 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 our affiliates under the Investment Company Act, and we are generally prohibited from buying or selling any assets from or to, or entering into “joint” transactions with, such affiliates without exemptive relief from the SEC.

Subject to applicable law, Goldman Sachs or Accounts may invest alongside us. In certain circumstances, negotiated co-investments by us and other funds managed by our Investment Adviser may be made only pursuant to an order from the SEC permitting us to do so. On January 4, 2017, the SEC granted GS PMMC, GS MMLC and us, as well as certain other funds that may be managed by GSAM, including the GSAM Credit Alternatives investment team, in the future, the Exemptive Relief to make negotiated co-investments, subject to certain terms and conditions in the Exemptive Relief. As a result of the Exemptive Relief, there could be significant overlap in our investment portfolio and the investment portfolios of GS PMMC, GS MMLC and other funds managed by our Investment Adviser that are able to rely on the order. In the event the Exemptive Relief may not be relied upon to make certain co-investments, when our Investment Adviser identifies certain negotiated investments, it will be required to determine which Accounts should make the investment at the potential exclusion of other Accounts. In such circumstances, our Investment Adviser will adhere to its investment allocation policy in order to determine the Account to which to allocate the opportunity. The policy provides that our Investment Adviser allocate opportunities through a rotation system or in such other manner as our Investment Adviser determines to be equitable. Accordingly, it is possible that we may not be given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by other Accounts.

We may also invest alongside other Accounts advised by our Investment Adviser and its affiliates in certain circumstances where doing so is consistent with applicable law and SEC staff guidance and 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 its other clients, negotiates no term other than price. We may also invest alongside our Investment Adviser’s other clients as otherwise permissible under SEC staff guidance and interpretations, applicable regulations and the allocation policy of our Investment Adviser.

To address these potential conflicts, our Investment Adviser has developed allocation policies and procedures that provide that personnel of our Investment Adviser making portfolio decisions for Accounts will make purchase and sale decisions and allocate investment opportunities among Accounts consistent with its fiduciary obligations. To the extent permitted by applicable law, these policies and procedures may result in the pro rata allocation of limited opportunities across eligible Accounts managed by a particular portfolio management team, but in many other cases the allocations reflect numerous other factors as described below. Accounts managed outside of the GSAM Private Credit Group are generally viewed separately for allocation purposes. There will be cases where certain Accounts receive an allocation of an investment opportunity when we do not and vice versa.

 

108


In some cases, due to information barriers that are in place, other Accounts may compete with us for specific investment opportunities without being aware that they are competing against each other. Goldman Sachs has a conflicts system in place above these information barriers to identify potential conflicts early in the process and determine if an allocation decision needs to be made. If the conflicts system detects a potential conflict, the legal and compliance departments of Goldman Sachs assess investment opportunities to determine whether a particular investment opportunity is required to be allocated to a particular Account (including us) or is prohibited from being allocated to a particular Account. Subject to a determination by the legal and compliance departments (if applicable), portfolio management teams are then charged with ensuring that investment opportunities are allocated to the appropriate Account.

Personnel of our Investment Adviser involved in decision-making for Accounts may make allocation related decisions for us and other Accounts by reference to one or more factors, including: the Account’s portfolio and its investment horizons, objectives, guidelines and restrictions (including legal and regulatory restrictions); strategic fit and other portfolio management considerations, including different desired levels of investment for different strategies; the expected future capacity of the applicable Accounts; cash and liquidity considerations; and the availability of other appropriate investment opportunities. Suitability considerations, reputational matters and other considerations may also be considered. The application of these considerations may cause differences in the performance of different Accounts that have similar strategies. In addition, in some cases our Investment Adviser may make investment recommendations to Accounts where the Accounts make the investment independently of our Investment Adviser, which may result in a reduction in the availability of the investment opportunity for other Accounts (including us) irrespective of our Investment Adviser’s policies regarding allocation of investments. With respect to us, the Investment Adviser may also make allocation-related decisions by reference to Senior Credit Fund, consistent with the nature of the relationship between us and Senior Credit Fund, even though there is no formal investment advisory relationship between the Investment Adviser and Senior Credit Fund. Additional information about our Investment Adviser’s allocation policies is set forth in Item 6 (“Performance-based Fees and Side-by-Side Management—Side-by-Side Management of Advisory Accounts; Allocation of Opportunities”) of our Investment Adviser’s Form ADV.

Our Investment Adviser, including the GSAM Credit Alternatives Team, may, from time to time, develop and implement new trading strategies or seek to participate in new investment opportunities and trading strategies. These opportunities and strategies may not be employed in all Accounts or pro rata among Accounts where they are employed, even if the opportunity or strategy is consistent with the objectives of such Accounts.

During periods of unusual market conditions, our Investment Adviser may deviate from its normal trade allocation practices. For example, this may occur with respect to the management of unlevered and/or long-only Accounts that are typically managed on a side-by-side basis with levered and/or long-short Accounts.

We may receive opportunities referred by Goldman Sachs businesses and affiliates, but in no event do we have any rights with respect to such opportunities. Subject to applicable law, including the Investment Company Act, such opportunities or any portion thereof may be offered to other Accounts, Goldman Sachs, all or certain investors in us, or such other persons or entities as determined by Goldman Sachs in its sole discretion. We will have no rights and will not receive any compensation related to such opportunities. For a further explanation of the allocation of opportunities and other conflicts and the risks related thereto, please see “Potential Conflicts of Interest.”

Market Opportunity

According to the National Center for the Middle Market and the CIA World Fact Book, the U.S. middle market is comprised of approximately 200,000 companies that collectively generate revenues of approximately $5.90 trillion annually. 4 Comparing revenue to gross domestic product, this makes the U.S. middle market

 

4   Estimate for 2016 by the National Center for the Middle Market, which defined middle market as companies with annual revenue of $10 million—$1 billion. See http://www.middlemarketcenter.org (relying on data from the CIA World Factbook, available at https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/).

 

109


equivalent to the world’s third largest global economy on a stand-alone basis. The GSAM Private Credit Group believes that existing market conditions and regulatory changes have combined to create an attractive investment environment for non-bank lenders such as us to provide loans to U.S. middle market companies. Specifically:

 

    Recent changes in the regulatory capital charges imposed on the banking sector for unrated, illiquid assets have caused banks to reduce their lending activities to middle-market companies. Stakeholders in banks, including their shareholders, lenders and regulators, continue to exert pressure to contain the amount of illiquid, unrated assets held on bank balance sheets. Examples of this include moves to codify the BASEL III accords in the United States, which would increase the regulatory capital charge for lower rated and unrated assets in most instances, and continued investor focus on the amount of illiquid assets whose fair value cannot be determined by using observable measures, or “Level 3 assets,” held on bank balance sheets. As a result, the GSAM Private Credit Group believes that many banks have been forced to reduce their lending to middle-market companies, creating an opportunity for alternative lenders such as us to fill the void.

 

    Changes in business strategy by banks have further reduced the supply of capital to middle-market companies. The trend of consolidation of regional banks into money center banks has reduced the focus of these businesses on middle-market lending. Money center banks traditionally focus on lending and providing other services to large corporate clients to whom they can deploy larger amounts of capital more efficiently. The GSAM Private Credit Group believes that this has resulted in fewer bank lenders to U.S. middle-market companies and reduced the availability of debt capital to the companies we target.

 

    The capital markets have been unable to fill the void in middle-market finance left by banks. While underwritten bond and syndicated loan markets have been robust in recent years, middle-market companies are rarely able to access these markets as participants are generally highly focused on the liquidity characteristics of the bond or loan being issued. For example, mutual funds and ETFs are significant buyers of underwritten bonds. However, mutual funds and ETFs generally require the ability to liquidate their investments quickly in order to fund investor redemptions. Accordingly, the existence of an active secondary market for bonds is an important consideration in the initial investment decision. Because there is typically no active secondary market for the debt of U.S. middle-market companies, mutual funds and ETFs generally do not provide capital to U.S. middle-market companies. The GSAM Private Credit Group believes that this is likely to be a persistent problem for the capital markets and creates an advantage for investors like us who have a stable capital base and can therefore invest in illiquid assets.

 

    It is difficult for new lending platforms to enter the middle market and fill the capital void because it is very fragmented. While the middle market is a very large component of the U.S. economy, it is a highly fragmented space with thousands of companies operating in many different geographies and industries. Typically, companies that need capital find lenders and investors based on preexisting relationships, referrals and word of mouth. Developing the many relationships required and wide-spread recognition as a source of capital to the middle market is a time consuming, highly resource-intensive endeavor. As a result, the GSAM Private Credit Group believes that it is difficult for new lending platforms to successfully enter the middle market, thereby providing insulation from rapid shifts in the supply of capital to the middle market that might otherwise disrupt pricing of capital.

Competitive Advantages

The Goldman Sachs Platform : Goldman Sachs is a leading global financial institution that provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base, including companies and high net worth individuals, among others. The firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices across the

 

110


United States and in all major financial centers around the world. Group Inc.’s asset management subsidiary, GSAM, is one of the world’s leading investment managers with over 700 investment professionals and over $1 trillion of assets under supervision, in each case, as of September 30, 2016. GSAM’s investment teams, including the GSAM Private Credit Group, capitalize on the relationships, market insights, risk management expertise, technology and infrastructure of Goldman Sachs. We believe the Goldman Sachs platform delivers a meaningful competitive advantage to us in the following ways:

 

    Origination of Investment Opportunities: Goldman Sachs has a preeminent network of relationships and the ability to provide valued intellectual, as well as financial, capital to middle-market borrowers which we believe significantly enhances our origination capability. We believe that many borrowers prefer to do business with Goldman Sachs and its advised funds because of its ability to offer further services to middle-market companies as they grow in their life cycle, including financial advice, acquisition opportunities and capital markets expertise. The GSAM Private Credit Group is also able to leverage the Goldman Sachs platform to provide middle-market companies with access to Goldman Sachs’ broad client network, which can be utilized to find new customers and partners as the GSAM Private Credit Group seeks to grow and execute its strategic plans.

 

    Evaluation of Investment Opportunities: The GSAM Private Credit Group is comprised of seasoned professionals with significant private credit investing experience. The team draws on a diverse array of skill sets, spanning fundamental credit and portfolio management, as well as legal and transactional structuring expertise. The GSAM Private Credit Group is trained in, and utilizes, proprietary investment practices and procedures developed over many decades by Goldman Sachs, including those related to performing due diligence on prospective portfolio investments and reviewing the backgrounds of potential partners. Further, Goldman Sachs is an active participant in a wide array of industries, both in service to clients operating in many different industries and acting as a principal or customer in such industries. Accordingly, Goldman Sachs houses a tremendous amount of industry knowledge and experience. The GSAM Private Credit Group is able to draw upon these industry insights and expertise as it evaluates investment opportunities.

 

    Risk Monitoring of Investments: The GSAM Private Credit Group has significant processes and procedures in place, including proprietary information technology systems, to monitor and evaluate the performance of its investments at the asset level. In addition, we benefit from Goldman Sachs’ extensive risk management capabilities, which have been developed and honed over many investment cycles. Our portfolio is regularly reviewed and stressed under various scenarios by senior risk management personnel within Goldman Sachs. These scenarios are drawn from the expertise developed by Goldman Sachs for its own balance sheet. This risk monitoring is designed to minimize the risk of capital loss and maintain an investment portfolio that is expected to perform in a broad range of economic conditions.

 

    Financing of Portfolio: As one of the world’s largest asset management firms, GSAM is a significant counterparty to many providers of capital. In addition, GSAM has a world-class asset management infrastructure, including significant resources in operations, legal, compliance and other support functions. This scale, combined with the institutional infrastructure to support it, gives capital providers an incentive to do business with GSAM and confidence that their capital will be well guarded. Accordingly, we believe that we are able to obtain favorable terms from financing providers, including attractive interest rates, advance rates, durations and covenants. We believe that we will continue to benefit from GSAM’s scale and infrastructure through attractive financing terms as we seek additional sources of capital in the future.

 

   

Existing Portfolio of Performing, Predominantly Senior Loans: Since our inception, we have originated a sizable investment portfolio. As of September 30, 2016, we had 46 investments in 39

 

111


 

portfolio companies operating across 27 different industries with an aggregate fair value of $1,142.97 million (excluding our investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc.). We believe that this portfolio will generate attractive risk adjusted levels of income that will support dividend payments to our stockholders.

 

    Strategic Joint Venture: On July 18, 2014, we agreed to co-invest with Cal Regents through the Senior Credit Fund, an unconsolidated Delaware limited liability company. The objective of the Senior Credit Fund is to generate attractive rates of return by investing primarily in first lien loans to middle-market companies through a vehicle capitalized in part with debt that is non-recourse to the Company. While the loans in the Senior Credit Fund typically bear interest rates lower than the loans held directly on our balance sheet, the return on our investment in the Senior Credit Fund is targeted to be higher than our direct investments, reflecting the impact of the Senior Credit Fund’s financing strategy. The Senior Credit Fund is expected to maintain a debt-to-equity ratio of approximately 2 to 1. The Senior Credit Fund is managed by a six-member board of managers, on which we and Cal Regents each have equal representation. Investment decisions generally must be unanimously approved by a quorum of the board of managers. Establishing a quorum for the Senior Credit Fund’s board of managers requires at least four members to be present at a meeting, including at least two of our representatives and two of Cal Regents’ representatives. If there are five members present at a meeting, all three representatives of Cal Regents must be present to constitute a quorum. We and Cal Regents have a 50% economic ownership of the Senior Credit Fund and each has subscribed to fund $100.00 million. As of September 30, 2016, we and Cal Regents each had contributed $69.09 million to the Senior Credit Fund. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Senior Credit Fund, LLC.”

 

    Broad Existing Shareholder Base: We believe that the breadth of our shareholder base and our proven ability to attract investors will continue to support our future growth plans.

Operating and Regulatory Structure

We have elected to be treated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act. As a BDC, 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 investment. Under the rules of the Investment Company Act, “eligible portfolio companies” include (i) private U.S. operating companies, (ii) public U.S. operating companies whose securities are not listed on a national securities exchange (e.g., the NYSE) or registered under the Exchange Act, and (iii) 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 OTC Markets Group Inc. are not listed on a national securities exchange and therefore are eligible portfolio companies. See “Regulation.”

We have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. As a RIC, we generally will not be required 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 if we meet certain source of income, distribution and asset diversification requirements. We intend to timely distribute to our stockholders substantially all of our annual taxable income for each year, except that we may retain certain net capital gains for reinvestment and, depending upon the level of taxable income earned in a year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income for distribution in the following year and pay any applicable U.S. federal excise tax. In addition, the distributions we pay to our stockholders in a year may exceed our net ordinary income and capital gains for that year and, accordingly, a portion of such distributions may constitute a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “Price Range of Common Stock and Distributions.”

 

112


Investments

We seek to create a portfolio that includes primarily direct originations of secured debt, including first lien, unitranche, including last out portions of such loans, and second lien debt, and unsecured debt, including mezzanine debt, as well as through select equity investments. We expect to make investments through both primary originations and open-market secondary purchases. We currently do not limit our focus to any specific industry. If we are successful in achieving our investment objective, we believe that we will be able to provide our stockholders with consistent dividend distributions and attractive risk adjusted total returns.

As of September 30, 2016, our portfolio (which term does not include our investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc.) on a fair value basis, was comprised of approximately 90.7% secured debt investments (65.8% in first lien debt (including 27.5% in first lien/last out unitranche loans) and 24.9% in second lien debt), 2.8% in preferred stock, 0.4% in common stock and 6.1% in investment funds & vehicles. We expect that our portfolio will continue to include secured debt, including first lien, unitranche, including last out portions of such loans, and second lien debt, unsecured debt (including mezzanine debt) and, to a lesser extent, equities. In addition to investments in U.S. middle-market companies, we may invest a portion of our capital in opportunistic investments, such as in large U.S. companies, foreign companies, stressed or distressed debt, structured products or private equity. Such investments are intended to enhance our risk adjusted returns to stockholders, and the proportion of these types of investments will change over time given our views on, among other things, the economic and credit environment in which we are operating, although these types of investments generally will constitute less than 30% of our total assets.

In the future, we may also securitize a portion of our investments in any or all of our assets. We expect that our primary use 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 senior securities to fund our investments.

On January 4, 2017, the SEC granted GS PMMC, GS MMLC and us the Exemptive Relief to co-invest with other funds managed by the GSAM Credit Alternatives investment team in a manner consistent with our investment objectives, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors. Additionally, if our Investment Adviser forms other funds in the future, we may co-invest on a concurrent basis with such other affiliates, subject to compliance with the Exemptive Relief, applicable regulations and regulatory guidance, as well as applicable allocation procedures.

For a list of the investments in our portfolio, see “Portfolio Companies.”

Investment Criteria

We are committed to a value-oriented philosophy implemented by our Investment Adviser, which manages our portfolio and seeks to minimize the risk of capital loss without foregoing the potential for capital appreciation. We have identified several criteria, discussed below, that GSAM believes are important in identifying and investing in prospective portfolio companies.

These criteria provide general guidelines for our investment decisions. However, not all of these criteria will be met by each prospective portfolio company in which we choose to invest. Generally, we seek to use our experience and access to market information to identify investment candidates and to structure investments quickly and effectively.

 

 

Value orientation and positive cash flow. Our investment philosophy places a premium on fundamental analysis and has a distinct value orientation. We focus on companies in which we can invest at relatively low multiples of operating cash flow and that are profitable at the time of investment on an operating cash flow

 

113


 

basis. Typically, we do not expect to invest in start-up companies or companies having speculative business plans.

 

  Experienced management and established financial sponsor relationships. We generally require that our portfolio companies have an experienced management team. We also require the portfolio companies to have proper incentives in place to induce management to succeed and to act in concert with our interests as investors. In addition, we focus our investments in companies backed by strong financial sponsors that have a history of creating value and with whom members of our Investment Adviser have an established relationship.

 

  Strong and defensible competitive market position. We seek to invest in target companies that have developed leading market positions within their respective markets and are well-positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities. We also seek companies that demonstrate significant competitive advantages versus their competitors, which should help to protect their market position and profitability while enabling us to protect our principal and avoid capital losses.

 

  Viable exit strategy. We seek to invest in companies that GSAM believes will provide a steady stream of cash flow to repay our loans and reinvest in their respective businesses. We expect that such internally generated cash flow, leading to the payment of interest on, and the repayment of the principal of, our investments in portfolio companies to be a key means by which we exit from our investments over time. In addition, we also seek to invest in companies whose business models and expected future cash flows offer attractive exit possibilities. These companies include candidates for strategic acquisition by other industry participants and companies that may repay our investments through an initial public offering of common stock or other capital markets transactions.

 

  Due diligence. Our Investment Adviser takes a bottom-up, fundamental research approach to our potential investments. It believes it is critical to conduct extensive due diligence on investment targets and in evaluating new investments. Our Investment Adviser conducts a rigorous due diligence process that is applied to prospective portfolio companies and draws from its experience, industry expertise and network of contacts. In conducting due diligence, our Investment Adviser uses information provided by companies, financial sponsors and publicly available information as well as information from relationships with former and current management teams, consultants, competitors and investment bankers.

Our due diligence typically includes:

 

    review of historical and prospective financial information;

 

    review of the capital structure;

 

    analysis of the business and industry in which the company operates;

 

    on-site visits;

 

    interviews with management, employees, customers and vendors of the potential portfolio company;

 

    review of loan documents;

 

    background checks; and

 

   

research relating to the portfolio company’s management, industry, markets, products and services and competitors. Upon the completion of due diligence and a decision to proceed with an

 

114


 

investment in a company, the team leading the investment presents the investment opportunity to our Investment Committee. This committee determines whether to pursue the potential investment. All new investments are required to be reviewed by the Investment Committee. The members of the Investment Committee are employees of our Investment Adviser and they do not receive separate compensation from us or our Investment Adviser for serving on the Investment Committee.

Additional due diligence with respect to any investment may be conducted on our behalf (and at our expense) by attorneys and independent auditors prior to the closing of the investment, as well as other outside advisers, as appropriate.

Investment Committee

All investment decisions are made by the Investment Committee of GSAM Private Credit Group which consists of five voting members, Brendan McGovern, Salvatore Lentini, Jon Yoder, David Yu and Scott Turco, as well as three non-voting members with operational or legal expertise. Our Investment Committee is responsible for approving all of our investments. Our Investment Committee also monitors investments in our portfolio and approves all asset dispositions. We expect to benefit from the extensive and varied relevant experience of the investment professionals serving on our Investment Committee, which includes expertise in privately originated and publicly traded leveraged credit, stressed and distressed debt, bankruptcy, mergers and acquisitions and private equity.

The purpose of our Investment Committee is to evaluate and approve, as deemed appropriate, all investments by our Investment Adviser. Our Investment Committee process is intended to bring the diverse experience and perspectives of our Investment Committee’s members to the analysis and consideration of every investment. Our Investment Committee also serves to provide investment consistency and adherence to our Investment Adviser’s investment philosophies and policies. Our Investment Committee also determines appropriate investment sizing and suggests ongoing monitoring requirements.

In addition to reviewing investments, our Investment Committee meetings serve as a forum for discussing credit views and outlooks, as well as reviewing investments. Potential transactions and investment opportunities are also reviewed on a regular basis. Members of our Investment Adviser’s investment team are encouraged to share information and views on credits with our Investment Committee early in their analysis. This process improves the quality of the analysis and assists the deal team members to work more efficiently.

Investment Structure

Once we determine that a prospective portfolio company is suitable for investment, we work with the management of that company and its other capital providers, including senior, junior and equity capital providers, to structure an investment. We negotiate among these parties and use creative and flexible approaches to structure our investment relative to the other capital in the portfolio company’s capital structure.

We expect our secured debt to have terms of three to ten years. We generally obtain security interests in the assets of our portfolio companies that will serve as collateral in support of the repayment of this debt. This collateral may take the form of first or second priority liens on the assets of a portfolio company.

We use the term “mezzanine” to refer to debt that ranks senior only to a borrower’s equity securities and ranks junior in right of payment to all of such borrower’s other indebtedness. Mezzanine debt typically has interest-only payments in the early years, payable in cash or in-kind, with amortization of principal deferred to the later years of the mezzanine debt. In some cases, we may enter into mezzanine debt that, by its terms, converts into equity (or is issued along with warrants for equity) or additional debt securities or defers payments of interest for the first few years after our investment. Typically, our mezzanine debt investments have maturities of three to ten years.

 

115


We also invest in unitranche loans, which are loans that combine features of first-lien, second-lien and mezzanine debt, generally in a first-lien position. In a number of instances, we may find another lender to provide the “first out” portion of such loan and retain the “last out” portion of such loan, in which case, the “first out” portion of the loan would generally receive priority with respect to payment of principal, interest and other amounts due thereunder over the “last out” portion that we would continue to hold.

In the case of our secured debt and unsecured debt, including mezzanine debt investments, we seek to tailor the terms of the investments to the facts and circumstances of the transactions and the prospective portfolio companies, negotiating a structure that protects our rights and manages our risk while creating incentives for the portfolio companies to achieve their business plan and improve their profitability. For example, in addition to seeking a senior position in the capital structure of our portfolio companies, we seek to limit the downside potential of our investments by:

 

    requiring a total return on our investments (including both interest and potential equity appreciation) that compensates us for credit risk;

 

    incorporating “put” rights and call protection into the investment structure; and

 

    negotiating covenants in connection with our investments that afford our portfolio companies as much flexibility in managing their businesses as possible, consistent with preservation of our capital. Such restrictions may include affirmative and negative covenants, default penalties, lien protection, change of control provisions and board rights, including either observation or participation rights. Our investments may include equity features, such as direct investments in the equity or convertible securities of portfolio companies or warrants or options to buy a minority interest in a portfolio company. Any warrants we may receive with our debt securities generally require only a nominal cost to exercise, so as a portfolio company appreciates in value, we may achieve additional investment return from these equity investments. We may structure the warrants to provide provisions protecting our rights as a minority-interest holder, as well as puts, or rights to sell such securities back to the company, upon the occurrence of specified events. In many cases, we may also obtain registration rights in connection with these equity investments, which may include demand and “piggyback” registration rights.

We expect to hold most of our investments to maturity or repayment, but may sell certain investments earlier if a liquidity event takes place, such as the sale or refinancing of a portfolio company. We also may turn over our investments to better position the portfolio as market conditions change.

Ongoing relationships with portfolio companies

Monitoring

Our Investment Adviser monitors our portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. It monitors the financial trends of each portfolio company to determine if they are meeting their respective business plans and to assess the appropriate course of action for each company. Our Investment Adviser has several methods of evaluating and monitoring the performance and fair value of our investments, which may include the following:

 

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

 

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

 

    comparisons to our other portfolio companies in the industry, if any;

 

116


    attendance at and participation in board meetings or presentations by portfolio companies; and

 

    review of monthly and quarterly financial statements and financial projections of portfolio companies.

The Investment Adviser also employs an investment rating system to categorize our investments. In addition to various risk management and monitoring tools, the Investment Adviser grades the credit risk of all investments on a scale of 1 to 4 no less frequently than quarterly. This system is intended primarily to reflect the underlying risk of a portfolio investment relative to our initial cost basis in respect of such portfolio investment (i.e., at the time of origination or acquisition), although it may also take into account under certain circumstances the performance of the portfolio company’s business, the collateral coverage of the investment and other relevant factors. Under this system, investments with a grade of 1 involve the least amount of risk to our initial cost basis. The trends and risk factors for this investment since origination or acquisition are generally favorable, which may include the performance of the portfolio company or a potential exit. Investments graded 2 involve a level of risk to our initial cost basis that is similar to the risk to our initial cost basis at the time of origination or acquisition. This portfolio company is generally performing as expected and the risk factors to our ability to ultimately recoup the cost of our investment are neutral to favorable. All investments or acquired investments in new portfolio companies are initially assessed a grade of 2. Investments graded 3 indicate that the risk to our ability to recoup the initial cost basis of such investment has increased materially since origination or acquisition, including as a result of factors such as declining performance and non-compliance with debt covenants; however, payments are generally not more than 120 days past due. An investment grade of 4 indicates that the risk to our ability to recoup the initial cost basis of such investment has substantially increased since origination or acquisition, and the portfolio company likely has materially declining performance. For debt investments with an investment grade of 4, most or all of the debt covenants are out of compliance and payments are substantially delinquent. For investments graded 4, it is anticipated that we will not recoup our initial cost basis and may realize a substantial loss of our initial cost basis upon exit. For investments graded 3 or 4, the Investment Adviser enhances its level of scrutiny over the monitoring of such portfolio company. The Investment Adviser grades the investments in our portfolio at least each quarter and it is possible that the grade of a portfolio investment may be reduced or increased over time.

Our Investment Adviser grades the investments in our portfolio at least quarterly and it is possible that the grade of a portfolio investment may be reduced or increased over time. The following table shows the composition of our portfolio (excluding our investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc.) on the 1 to 4 grading scale as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

    

September 30, 2016

   

December 31, 2015

 

Investment
Performance Rating

  

Fair Value

    

Percentage
of Total
Portfolio
at Fair
Value

   

Fair Value

    

Percentage
of Total
Portfolio
at Fair
Value

 
     (in
millions)
           (in
millions)
        

Grade 1

   $ 201.27         17.6   $ 108.80         10.1

Grade 2

     770.07         67.4        797.09         73.7   

Grade 3

     171.63         15.0        175.17         16.2   

Grade 4

     —           —          —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $ 1,142.97         100.0   $ 1,081.06         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

117


The following table shows the amortized cost of our performing and non-accrual investments as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

    

September 30, 2016

   

December 31, 2015

 
     Amortized
Cost
     Percentage
of Total
Portfolio
at
Amortized
Cost
    Amortized
Cost
     Percentage
of Total
Portfolio
at
Amortized
Cost
 
     (in millions)            (in millions)         

Performing

   $ 1,138.57         96.0   $ 1,122.70         100.0

Non-accrual

     47.07         4.0        —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $ 1,185.64         100.0   $ 1,122.70         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Managerial Assistance

As a BDC, we must offer, and must provide upon request, significant managerial assistance to certain of our eligible portfolio companies within the meaning of Section 55 of the Investment Company Act. This assistance could involve, among other things, 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 Investment Adviser or an affiliate thereof may provide such managerial assistance on our behalf to portfolio companies that request such assistance. We may receive fees for these services. See “Regulation.”

Competition

Our primary competitors provide financing to middle-market companies and include other BDCs, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies, collateralized loan obligations, private funds, including hedge funds, and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity funds. Some of our existing and potential competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that 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 Investment Company Act imposes on us as a BDC.

While we expect to use the industry information of GSAM’s investment professionals to which we have access to assess investment risks and determine appropriate pricing for our investments in portfolio companies, we do not seek to compete primarily based on the interest rates we offer and GSAM believes that some of our competitors may make loans with interest rates that are comparable to or lower than the rates we offer. Rather, we compete with our competitors based on our reputation in the market, our existing investment platform, the seasoned investment professionals of our Investment Adviser, our experience and focus on middle-market companies, our disciplined investment philosophy, our extensive industry focus and relationships and our flexible transaction structuring.

Staffing

We do not currently have any employees. Our day-to-day operations are managed by our Investment Adviser. Our Investment Adviser has hired and expects to continue to hire professionals with skills applicable to our business plan, including experience in middle-market investing, leveraged finance and capital markets.

 

118


Properties

We do not own any real estate or other properties materially important to our operations. Our principal executive offices are located at 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282. We believe that our office facilities are suitable and adequate for our business as it is contemplated to be conducted.

Legal Proceedings

We and our Investment Adviser are not currently subject to any material legal proceedings, although we may, from time to time, be involved in litigation arising out of operations in the normal course of business or otherwise.

Our Administrator

Pursuant to our Administration Agreement, our administrator is responsible for providing various accounting and administrative services to us. Our administrator is entitled to fees as described in “Management.” To the extent that our administrator outsources any of its functions, the administrator will pay any compensation associated with such functions. See “Management—Administration.”

 

119


MANAGEMENT

Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors consists of six members, five of whom are Independent Directors. The Board of Directors elects the Company’s officers, who serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The responsibilities of the Board of Directors include quarterly valuation of the Company’s assets, corporate governance activities, oversight of our financing arrangements and oversight of our investment activities.

Under our certificate of incorporation, our Board of Directors is divided into three classes. Each class of directors holds office for a three-year term. However, the initial members of the three classes will 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 holds office for the term to which he or she is elected or appointed and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal. In addition, our Board of Directors has adopted polices which provide that (a) no director shall hold office for more than 15 years and (b) a director shall retire as of December 31st of the calendar year in which he or she reaches his or her 74th birthday, unless a waiver of such requirement has been adopted by a majority of the other directors. These policies may be changed by the directors without a stockholder vote. One director has been granted a waiver from the foregoing policies which permits him to serve until December 31, 2017.

Board of Directors’ Oversight Role in Management

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

Our Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee, Governance and Nominating Committee, Compensation Committee, Compliance Committee and Contract Review Committee. The scope of each committee’s responsibilities is discussed in greater detail below.

Ashok N. Bakhru, an Independent Director, serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors believes that it is in the best interests of the stockholders for Mr. Bakhru to lead the Board of Directors 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 the financial services industry, as described below. Mr. Bakhru will generally act as a liaison between our management, officers and attorneys between meetings of the Board of Directors and preside over all executive sessions of the Independent Directors with management. The Board of Directors 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 of Directors also believes that its size creates an efficient corporate governance structure that provides opportunity for direct communication and interaction between management and the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors had ten formal meetings in 2016. Each director that was a member of the Board of Directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of

 

120


meetings of the Board of Directors and of the respective committees on which he or she served held during such director’s tenure. To promote effectiveness of the Board of Directors, directors are strongly encouraged to attend regularly scheduled Board of Director meetings in person.

Biographical Information

Directors

Set forth below are the names of our current directors, and their addresses, ages, terms of office, principal occupations for at least the past five years and any other directorships they hold in companies which are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, or are registered as investment companies under the Investment Company Act. In addition to not being an “interested person,” as defined in the Investment Company Act, of the Company, each Independent Director (1) meets the definition of “independent directors” under the corporate governance standards of the NYSE and (2) meets the independence requirements of Section 10A(m)(3) of the Exchange Act. Ms. Uniacke is deemed to be an “interested person” of the Company and is referred to as an “Interested Director.”

 

Name, Age and

Address (1)(2)

 

Position with the
Company

 

Term of Office
and Length of
Service

 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

 

Other Directorships

Independent Directors

     
Jaime Ardila (61)   Class II Director   Director since February 2016; term expires 2019  

Mr. Ardila is retired. He is Director, Accenture plc (2013–Present); and formerly held senior management positions with General Motors Company (an automobile manufacturer) (1984–1996 and 1998–2016), most recently as Executive Vice President, and President of General Motors’ South America region (2010-2016).

 

Director—the Company and GS PMMC.

  Accenture plc (a management consulting services company); Ecopetrol (an integrated oil company)
Ashok N. Bakhru (74)   Chairman of the Board of Directors; Class I Director   Director since March 2013; term expires 2018   Mr. Bakhru is retired. He was formerly Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Goldman Sachs Trust II (2012–2016), Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund (2013–2016), Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund (2014–2016), and Goldman Sachs ETF Trust (2014–2016); Director, Apollo Investment Corporation (a BDC) (2008–2013); President, ABN Associates (a management   None

 

121


     

and financial consulting firm) (1994–1996 and 1998–2012); Trustee, Scholarship America (1998–2005); Trustee, Institute for Higher Education Policy (2003–2008); Director, Private Equity Investors–III and IV (1998–2007) and Equity-Linked Investors II (April 2002–2007).

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors—the Company; GS PMMC; Goldman Sachs Trust; and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

 
Janet F. Clark (61)   Class I Director   Director since May 2015; term expires 2018  

Ms. Clark is retired. She is Director, Texas Instruments Incorporated (2015–Present) and Director, EOG Resources, Inc. (2014–Present); and was formerly Director, Dell, Inc. (a computer technology company) (2011–2013); Director, Exterran Holdings, Inc. (an oil and gas equipment and services company) (2007–2011); Director, Universal Compression Holdings, Inc. (predecessor to Exterran Holdings, Inc.) (2003–2007); and Executive Vice President (2007–2013) and Chief Financial Officer (2004–2013), Marathon Oil Corporation (an independent international energy company).

 

Director—the Company and GS PMMC.

  EOG Resources, Inc. (an independent oil and gas company); and Texas Instruments Incorporated (a semiconductor manufacturer)

 

122


Ross J. Kari (58)   Class III Director   Director since August 2015; term expires 2017  

Mr. Kari is retired. Formerly, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) (2009–2013); and was a Member of the Board of Directors of KKR Financial Holdings, LLC (2007–2014).

 

Director—the Company and GS PMMC.

  None
Ann B. Lane (62)   Class III Director   Director since February 2016; term expires 2017  

Ms. Lane is retired. Formerly, she was Director, Dealertrack Technologies, Inc. (an automotive software solutions and services company) (2007–2015); and Managing Director, Co-Head of Syndicated & Leveraged Finance and Head of Loan Syndications Capital Markets, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (a financial services company) (2000–2005).

 

Director—the Company and GS PMMC.

  None

Interested Director*

       
Katherine (“Kaysie”) Uniacke (55)   Class II Director   Director since January 2014; term expires 2019  

Chair of the Board—Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (2013–Present); Director—Goldman Sachs Funds, plc (2013–Present); Advisory Director—Goldman Sachs (2013–Present); Global Chief Operating Officer—GSAM (2007–2012); Partner, Goldman Sachs (2002–Present); and Managing Director—Goldman Sachs (1997–2002).

 

Director—the Company and GS PMMC.

  None

 

* Ms. Uniacke is considered to be an “Interested Director” because she holds positions with Goldman, Sachs & Co. and owns securities issued by Group Inc. Ms. Uniacke holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman, Sachs & Co., GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

 

123


(1) Each director may be contacted by writing to the director, c/o Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P., 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282.
(2) The Goldman Sachs Fund Complex includes certain other companies listed above for each respective Director. As of January 10, 2017, the Company and GS PMMC each consisted of one portfolio; Goldman Sachs Trust consisted of 92 portfolios (89 of which offered shares to the public); and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 14 portfolios.

Independent Directors

Jaime Ardila. Mr. Ardila was appointed as one of the Company’s directors on February 25, 2016. Mr. Ardila is retired. He also serves on the Board of Directors of GS PMMC. Mr. Ardila is a member of the Board of Directors of Accenture plc, a management consulting services company, where he serves as a member of the Finance and Audit Committees, and as a member of the Board of Directors of Ecopetrol, an integrated oil company, where he serves as a member of the Business Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee. Previously, Mr. Ardila worked for 29 years at General Motors Company, an automobile manufacturer, where he held several senior management positions, most recently as Executive Vice President of the company and President of General Motors’ South America region. Mr. Ardila joined General Motors in 1984. From 1996 to 1998, Mr. Ardila served as the managing director, Colombian Operations, of N M Rothschild & Sons Ltd, before rejoining General Motors in 1998. Based on the foregoing, Mr. Ardila is experienced with financial and investment matters.

Ashok N. Bakhru. Mr. Bakhru was elected as one of the Company’s directors and as the Chairman of the Board in March 2013. Mr. Bakhru is retired. He also serves as director/trustee and as Chairman of the Board of GS PMMC, Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. Previously Mr. Bakhru served as a Director of Apollo Investment Corporation, a BDC, and as President of ABN Associates, a management and financial consulting firm, and was the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Coty Inc., a multinational cosmetics, fragrance and personal care company. In addition, Mr. Bakhru formerly held several senior management positions at Scott Paper Company, a major manufacturer of paper products, including Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Bakhru also serves on the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council and the Board of Governors of the Investment Company Institute, and the Board of Directors of the Mutual Fund Directors Forum. He also serves on the Advisory Board of BoardIQ, an investment publication. In addition, Mr. Bakhru has served as Director of Equity-Linked Investments II and Private Equity Investors III and IV, which are private equity partnerships based in New York City. Mr. Bakhru was also a Director of Arkwright Mutual Insurance Company. Based on the foregoing, Mr. Bakhru is experienced with financial and investment matters.

Janet F. Clark. Ms. Clark was elected as one of the Company’s directors in May 2015. Ms. Clark is retired. She also serves on the Board of Directors of GS PMMC. Ms. Clark currently serves as a Director and Chair of the Audit Committee, and member of the Compensation, and Nominating and Governance Committees at EOG Resources, Inc., an independent oil and gas company, and as a Director and member of the Audit Committee of Texas Instruments Incorporated, a semiconductor manufacturer. Ms. Clark was formerly a Director for Dell, Inc., a computer technology company, Exterran Holdings, Inc., an oil and gas equipment and services company, and Universal Compression Holdings, Inc., predecessor to Exterran Holdings, Inc. Previously, Ms. Clark served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Marathon Oil Corporation, an independent international energy company. Before joining Marathon Oil Corporation, Ms. Clark held several senior management positions with independent oil and gas exploration and production companies including Nuevo Energy Company and Santa Fe Energy Resources, among others, where she led different functional groups within each company, including finance, accounting, internal audit and investor relations. Ms. Clark also serves as a Director on the nonprofit boards of Houston Symphony Orchestra, Teach for America, Inc. – Houston Region and YES Prep Public Schools. Ms. Clark also serves on the Rice University—Jones Graduate School of Management Council of Overseers and is a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas’ Business and Community Advisory Council. Based on the foregoing, Ms. Clark is experienced with accounting, financial and investment matters.

 

124


Ross J. Kari. Mr. Kari was elected as one of the Company’s directors in August 2015. Mr. Kari is retired. He also serves on the Board of Directors of GS PMMC. Previously, Mr. Kari was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), where he worked for four years. Previously, he held senior management positions at SAFECO Corporation, a personal insurance company, Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, and Wells Fargo & Company, where he began his career and worked for 19 years. Based on the foregoing, Mr. Kari is experienced with financial and investment matters.

Ann B. Lane. Ms. Lane was appointed as one of the Company’s directors on February 25, 2016. Ms. Lane is retired. She also serves on the Board of Directors of GS PMMC. She currently serves as Treasurer and as a member of the Board of Directors of Women In Need, a not-for-profit organization, where she chairs the Finance Committee and also serves on the Executive Committee. Ms. Lane was a Director of Dealertrack Technologies, Inc., an automotive software solutions and services company, from 2007 to 2015. Previously, she worked for five years at JPMorgan Chase & Co., a financial services company, as a Managing Director and Co-Head of Syndicated & Leveraged Finance and Head of Loan Syndications Capital Markets. Prior to joining JPMorgan Chase & Co., Ms. Lane held several senior management positions at Citigroup, Inc., a financial services company, where she worked for 18 years. Based on the foregoing, Ms. Lane is experienced with financial and investment matters.

Interested Director

Kaysie Uniacke. Ms. Uniacke was elected as one of the Company’s directors in January 2014. Ms. Uniacke is the chair of the board of Goldman Sachs Asset Management International, serves on the boards of the Goldman Sachs Luxembourg and Dublin family of funds, GS PMMC and GS MMLC and is an advisory director to Group Inc. Previously, she was global chief operating officer of GSAM’s portfolio management business until 2012 and served on the Investment Management Division Client and Business Standards Committee. Prior to this, she was president of Goldman Sachs Trust, the GS mutual fund family, and was head of the Fiduciary Management business within Global Manager Strategies, responsible for business development and client service globally. Earlier in her career, Ms. Uniacke managed GSAM’s U.S. and Canadian Distribution groups. In that capacity, she was responsible for overseeing all North American institutional and third-party sales channels, marketing and client service functions, for which client assets exceeded $200 billion. Before that, Ms. Uniacke was head of GSAM’s Global Cash Services business, where she was responsible for overseeing the management of assets exceeding $100 billion. Ms. Uniacke joined Goldman Sachs in 1983 and was named managing director in 1997 and partner in 2002. Ms. Uniacke serves on the board of Person-to-Person, a not-for-profit organization that supports the working poor in lower Fairfield County, CT. Based on the foregoing, Ms. Uniacke is experienced with financial and investment matters.

Executive officers who are not directors

The following information regarding our executive officers who are not directors is as of January 10, 2017:

 

Name

  

Age

    

Position

Brendan McGovern

     45       Chief Executive Officer and President

Jon Yoder

     43       Chief Operating Officer

Jonathan Lamm

     42       Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Maya Teufel

     44       Chief Compliance Officer

Salvatore Lentini

     44       Executive Vice President

David Yu

     35       Executive Vice President and Head of Research

Scott Turco

     39       Executive Vice President

The address for each executive officer is c/o Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P., 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282.

 

125


Brendan McGovern. Mr. McGovern was appointed as our chief executive officer and president in March 2013. Mr. McGovern heads GSAM’s Private Credit Group, is chief executive officer and president of GS PMMC and GS MMLC and also serves as co-head and senior portfolio manager of the GSAM Credit Alternatives portfolio management team. He is also the Chair and a voting member of the Private Credit Group’s Investment Committee, which is responsible for evaluating and approving all of the Company’s investments. Mr. McGovern joined the firm in 2006. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. McGovern served as a managing director in the Global Investment Group at Amaranth Advisors, where he co-headed the fund’s private placement efforts for both debt and equity linked products in the United States. He is also on the board of directors for the Oxalosis and Hyperoxaluria Foundation.

Jon Yoder. Mr. Yoder was appointed as our chief operating officer in March 2013. Mr. Yoder is the chief operating officer of GS PMMC and GS MMLC and a member of GSAM’s Private Credit Group with a focus on sourcing, structuring and executing privately negotiated debt financings. He is also a voting member of the Private Credit Group’s Investment Committee, which is responsible for evaluating and approving all of the Company’s investments. Mr. Yoder joined the firm in 2005. Prior to joining the firm, he was a member of the mergers and acquisitions and private equity groups at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, LLP.

Jonathan Lamm. Mr. Lamm was appointed as our chief financial officer and treasurer in March 2013. Mr. Lamm is also chief financial officer and treasurer of GS PMMC and GS MMLC and chief operating officer of the GSAM Credit Alternatives portfolio management team, responsible for the operations of the business, including business financials, infrastructure support, and IT project management, as well as the continuous improvement of the control environment. Mr. Lamm is secretary and a non-voting member of the Private Credit Group’s Investment Committee, which is responsible for evaluating and approving all of the Company’s investments. He joined the firm in 2002. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Lamm worked in the securities audit practice at Deloitte.

Maya Teufel. Ms. Teufel was appointed as the Company’s chief compliance officer in December 2016. Ms. Teufel is also the chief compliance officer of GS PMMC, GS MMLC and Goldman Sachs Trust II. Prior to joining GSAM in September 2016, she was, from November 2013 to August 2016, the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Emerging Global Advisors, LLC (currently part of Ameriprise Financial). While at Emerging Global Advisors, Ms. Teufel also held the position of fund chief compliance officer from October 2015 to August 2016. Prior to joining Emerging Global Advisors, she was, from July 2005 to November 2013, Vice President, Corporate Counsel at Prudential Insurance Company of America, a subsidiary of Prudential Financial Inc., an insurance and financial services company. Prior to Prudential, Ms. Teufel was an associate in the mergers and acquisitions groups of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.

Salvatore Lentini. Mr. Lentini was appointed as an executive vice president of the Company in March 2013. Mr. Lentini is executive vice president of GS PMMC and GS MMLC and co-head and senior portfolio manager of the GSAM Credit Alternatives portfolio management team and also serves as its head of liquid credit and trading. Mr. Lentini is also a voting member of Private Credit Group’s Investment Committee, which is responsible for evaluating and approving all of the Company’s investments. Mr. Lentini joined the firm in 2006. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Lentini was a managing director in the Global Investments Group at Amaranth Advisors, where he was responsible for trading all credit products within the United States. Before joining Amaranth, he was responsible for trading high yield and crossover debt at the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). Earlier, Mr. Lentini traded high yield fixed income for PaineWebber.

Scott Turco. Mr. Turco was appointed as an executive vice president of the Company in February 2015. Mr. Turco is executive vice president of GS PMMC and GS MMLC and a member of the GSAM Private Credit Group with a focus on sourcing, structuring and executing privately negotiated debt financings. He is also a voting member of the Private Credit Group’s Investment Committee, which is responsible for evaluating and approving all of the Company’s investments. Mr. Turco joined the firm in 2013. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Turco was a Director at THL Credit, Inc., where he focused on sourcing and underwriting investments across the

 

126


capital structure of middle-market public and private companies. Before THL Credit, Mr. Turco was an associate at Gabelli & Company, Inc., where he was responsible for originating, researching and advising hedge fund, mutual fund and private equity clients on equity and preferred equity investments in public and private companies.

David Yu. Mr. Yu was appointed as an executive vice president of the Company in March 2013. Mr. Yu is executive vice president and Head of Research of GS PMMC and GS MMLC and a member of the GSAM Private Credit Group with a focus on sourcing, structuring and executing privately negotiated debt financings and serves as its Head of Research. Mr. Yu is a voting member of the Private Credit Group’s Investment Committee, which is responsible for evaluating and approving all of the Company’s investments. Mr. Yu joined the firm in 2006. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Yu was an associate in the Global Investments Group at Amaranth Advisors, where he similarly worked with public and private issuers to structure and execute debt and equity financings. Prior to joining Amaranth, he worked in the Leveraged Finance and Sponsor Coverage Group at CIBC World Markets.

Committees of the Board of Directors

Audit committee

The members of the Audit Committee are Mr. Ardila, Mr. Bakhru, Ms. Clark, Mr. Kari and Ms. Lane, each of whom is an Independent Director. Mr. Kari serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee. The Board and the Audit Committee have determined that Mr. Kari is an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined in Item 407 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing matters relating to the appointment and activities of our auditors, audit plans and procedures, various accounting and financial reporting issues and changes in accounting policies, and reviewing the results and scope of the audit and other services provided by our independent public accountants. The Audit Committee is also responsible for aiding the 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 Audit Committee’s charter is available on the Company’s website.

The Audit Committee held seven formal meetings in 2016.

Governance and Nominating Committee

The members of the Governance and Nominating Committee are Mr. Ardila, Mr. Bakhru, Ms. Clark, Mr. Kari and Ms. Lane, each of whom is an Independent Director. Mr. Bakhru serves as the Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committee. The Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for identifying, researching and nominating Independent Directors for election by our stockholders, selecting nominees to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors, developing and recommending to the Board of Directors a set of corporate governance principles and overseeing the evaluation of the Board of Directors and our management.

All candidates nominated for an Independent Director position must meet applicable independence requirements and have the capacity to address financial and legal issues and exercise reasonable business judgment. The Governance and Nominating Committee considers a variety of criteria in evaluating candidates (including candidates nominated by a stockholder), including (1) experience in business, financial or investment matters or in other fields of endeavor; (2) financial literacy and/or whether he or she is an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined in Item 407 of Regulation S-K; (3) reputation; (4) ability to attend scheduled Board of Directors and committee meetings; (5) general availability to attend to Board of Directors business on short notice; (6) actual or potential business, family or other conflicts bearing on either the candidate’s independence or the business of the Company; (7) length of potential service; (8) commitment to the representation of the interests of the Company and the stockholders; (9) commitment to maintaining and improving his or her skills and education; (10) experience in corporate governance and best business practices; and (11) the diversity that he or she would bring to the Board of Directors’ composition.

 

127


The Governance and Nominating Committee considers nominees properly recommended by a stockholder. Our bylaws provide that for any nomination to be properly brought by a stockholder for a meeting, such stockholder must comply with advance notice requirements and provide us with certain information. Generally, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders. Our bylaws further provide that 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 and, 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. See “Description of Capital Stock—Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Nominations and Stockholder Proposals.” The Governance and Nominating Committee’s charter is available on the Company’s website.

The Governance and Nominating Committee held four formal meetings in 2016.

Compensation Committee

The members of our Compensation Committee are Mr. Ardila, Mr. Bakhru, Ms. Clark, Mr. Kari and Ms. Lane, each of whom is an Independent Director. The Compensation Committee is responsible for determining, or recommending to the Board of Directors for determination, the compensation, if any, of our chief executive officer and all other executive officers. The Compensation Committee also assists the Board of Directors with matters related to compensation generally. As none of the Company’s executive officers currently is compensated by the Company, the Compensation Committee does not produce and/or review a report on executive compensation practices. The Compensation Committee’s charter is available on the Company’s website.

The Compensation Committee did not hold any formal meetings in 2016.

Compliance Committee

The members of the Compliance Committee are Mr. Ardila, Mr. Bakhru, Ms. Clark, Mr. Kari and Ms. Lane, each of whom is an Independent Director. Mr. Bakhru serves as Chairman of the Compliance Committee. The Compliance Committee is responsible for overseeing our compliance processes, and insofar as they relate to services provided to us, the compliance processes of our Investment Adviser, principal underwriters (if any), administrator and transfer agent, except that compliance processes relating to the accounting and financial reporting processes and certain related matters are overseen by the Audit Committee. In addition, the Compliance Committee provides assistance to the full Board of Directors with respect to compliance matters. The Compliance Committee’s charter is available on the Company’s website.

The Compliance Committee held three formal meetings in 2016.

Contract Review Committee

The members of the Contract Review Committee are Mr. Ardila, Mr. Bakhru, Ms. Clark, Mr. Kari and Ms. Lane, each of whom is an Independent Director. Mr. Bakhru serves as Chairman of the Contract Review Committee. The Contract Review Committee is responsible for overseeing the processes of the Board of Directors for reviewing and monitoring performance under our investment management, placement agent (if any), principal underwriting (if any), transfer agency and certain other agreements with our Investment Adviser and its affiliates. The Contract Review Committee also provides appropriate assistance to the Board of Directors in connection with the Board of Directors’ approval, oversight and review of our other service providers, including our custodian/accounting agent, sub-transfer agents, professional (legal and accounting) firms and printing firms. The Contract Review Committee’s charter is available on the Company’s website.

The Contract Review Committee had one formal meeting in 2016.

 

128


Compensation of Directors

From January 1, 2016 to March 31, 2016, each Independent Director was compensated with an $110,000 annual fee for his or her services as a director. The Independent Directors also earned $2,500 plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for each Board of Directors meeting attended in person ($1,250 if attending telephonically) and $1,000 plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for each committee meeting attended in person ($500 if attending telephonically). In addition, the Chairman of the Board of Directors earned an annual fee of $40,000 and the director designated as the “audit committee financial expert,” as defined in Item 407 of Regulation S-K, earned an annual fee of $10,000 for their additional services in these capacities.

Effective April 1, 2016, the annual fee that each of the Independent Director receives as compensation for his or her services as a director increased from $110,000 to $130,000. The Chairman of our Board of Directors continues to earn an additional annual fee of $40,000 and the director designated as the “audit committee financial expert,” as defined in Item 407 of Regulation S-K, continues to earn an additional annual fee of $10,000 for their additional services in these capacities. The Independent Directors no longer receive additional compensation for each meeting attended, but continue to be reimbursed for travel and other expenses incurred in connection with attending board and committee meetings. We may also pay the incidental costs of a director to attend training or other types of conferences relating to the BDC industry. In addition, we purchase directors’ and officers’ liability insurance on behalf of our directors.

It is the responsibility of the Independent Directors to review their own compensation and recommend to all of the directors the appropriate level of compensation. This level of compensation may be adjusted from time to time. In conducting their review, the Independent Directors use such information as they deem relevant, including compensation paid to directors of other BDCs of similar size and the time and effort required of the directors in fulfilling their responsibilities to the Company.

The following table shows information regarding the compensation earned by the Independent Directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. No compensation is paid by us to any Interested Director or executive officer of the Company.

 

     Total Compensation
From the Company  (1)(2)
     Total Compensation
From the Goldman Sachs
Fund Complex  (1)
 

Interested Director

     

Kaysie Uniacke (3)

     —           —     

Independent Directors

     

Jaime Ardila (4)

   $ 131,750       $ 151,750   

Ashok N. Bakhru (5)

   $ 175,500       $ 923,750   

Janet Clark

   $ 134,250       $ 154,250   

John P. Coblentz, Jr. (6) (7)

   $ 145,500       $ 393,750   

Ross Kari

   $ 134,250       $ 154,250   

Ann B. Lane (8)

   $ 131,750       $ 151,750   

Richard P. Strubel (9)

   $ 135,500       $ 353,750   

 

(1) Reflects compensation earned during the year ended December 31, 2016.
(2) The Company did not award any portion of the fees earned by its directors in stock or options during the year ended December 31, 2016. The Company does not have a profit-sharing plan, and directors do not receive any pension or retirement benefits from us.
(3) Ms. Uniacke is an Interested Director and, as such, receives no compensation from the Company or the Goldman Sachs Fund Complex for her service as director or trustee.
(4) Mr. Ardila was appointed to the Board in February 2016.
(5) Includes compensation as Chairman of the Board.

 

129


(6) Includes compensation as “audit committee financial expert.”
(7) Pursuant to our corporate governance guidelines, Mr. Coblentz retired from the Board of Directors as of December 31, 2016.
(8) Ms. Lane was appointed to the Board in February 2016.
(9) Pursuant to our corporate governance guidelines, Mr. Strubel retired from the Board of Directors as of December 31, 2016.

Portfolio Managers

The individual listed below is our portfolio manager and a voting member of our Investment Adviser’s Investment Committee. In addition, four other voting members and three non-voting members serve on the Investment Committee. The Investment Committee is responsible for approving all of our investments. The Investment Committee also monitors investments in our portfolio and approves all asset dispositions. We expect to benefit from the extensive and varied relevant experience of the investment professionals serving on the Investment Committee, which includes expertise in primary and secondary leveraged credit, private mezzanine finance, stressed and distressed debt, bankruptcy, mergers and acquisitions and private equity. As of September 30, 2016, our portfolio manager, who is primarily responsible for our day-to-day management, manages three registered investment companies with a total of approximately $1.7 billion in assets under management, five pooled investment vehicles with a total of approximately $2.0 billion in assets under management and four other accounts with a total of approximately $0.2 billion in assets under management. 5 See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure—Our Investment Adviser, its principals, investment professionals and employees and the members of its Investment Committee have certain conflicts of interest” and “Potential Conflicts of Interest.” Our portfolio manager does not receive any direct compensation from us or from the previously listed accounts for serving in such capacity and the members of the Investment Committee will receive no separate compensation from us or our Investment Adviser for serving on the Investment Committee.

The table below shows the dollar range of shares of common stock to be beneficially owned by our portfolio manager as of December 31, 2016.

 

Name

  

Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities
in Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.  (1)(2)

 

Brendan McGovern

   $ 500,001 – $1,000,000   

 

(1) Dollar ranges are as follows: none, $1-$10,000, $10,001-$50,000, $50,001-$100,000, $100,001-$500,000, $500,001-$1,000,000 or over $1,000,000.
(2) Dollar range was determined using the number of shares beneficially owned as of December 31, 2016 multiplied by $23.52 per share, the closing price of our stock on December 30, 2016.

Investment Management Agreement

Our initial investment management agreement with our Investment Adviser was entered into as of November 15, 2012 and subsequently amended and restated as of April 1, 2013 (as amended and restated as of April 1, 2013, the “Initial Investment Management Agreement”). Our Board of Directors determined at an in person meeting held in November 2014 to approve certain changes to the Initial Investment Management Agreement and to submit the Investment Management Agreement, which included such changes, for stockholder approval as required by the provisions of the Investment Company Act. At a special meeting of stockholders held in January 2015, our stockholders approved the Investment Management Agreement. The Investment Management Agreement became effective as of January 1, 2015.

 

5   Assets under management (AUM) for registered investment companies that use leverage equals the sum of the NAV for such fund and the drawn debt. With respect to the Company, does not include the AUM of the Senior Credit Fund (through which the Company co-invests with a joint venture partner).

 

130


Management Services

Pursuant to the terms of our Investment Management Agreement, GSAM, subject to the overall supervision of our Board of Directors, manages our day-to-day investment-related operations and provides investment management services to us.

Subject to compliance with applicable law and published SEC guidance, nothing contained in the Investment Management Agreement in any way precludes, restricts or limits the activities of our Investment Adviser or any of its respective subsidiaries or affiliated parties. See “Potential Conflicts of Interest.”

Management Fee

The Management Fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.50% (0.375% per quarter) of the average value of our gross assets (excluding cash or cash equivalents (such as investments in money market funds) but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) at the end of each of the two most recently completed calendar quarters (and, in the case of our first quarter, our gross assets as of such quarter-end). The Management Fee is payable quarterly in arrears. The Management Fee for any partial quarter will be appropriately prorated.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, Management Fees amounted to $4.29 million and $12.61 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2016, $4.29 million remained payable. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, Management Fees amounted to $4.09 million and $11.20 million, respectively.

Incentive Fee

The Incentive Fee consists of two components that are determined independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not. The calculation of our incentive fee pursuant to our Investment Management Agreement has been modified from the method used to calculate the Incentive Fee payable for the periods ending after January 1, 2015.

A portion of the Incentive Fee is based on our income and a portion is based on our capital gains, each as described below. Our Investment Adviser is entitled to receive the Incentive Fee based on income from us if our Ordinary Income (as defined below) exceeds a quarterly “hurdle rate” of 1.75%. For this purpose, the hurdle is computed by reference to our NAV and does not take into account changes in the market price of our common stock.

Beginning with the calendar quarter that commenced on January 1, 2015, the Incentive Fee based on income is determined and paid quarterly in arrears at the end of each calendar quarter by reference to our aggregate net investment income, as adjusted as described below, from the calendar quarter then ending and the eleven preceding calendar quarters (or if shorter, the number of quarters that have occurred since January 1, 2015). The Incentive Fee based on capital gains is determined and paid annually in arrears at the end of each calendar year by reference to an Annual Period.

The hurdle amount for the Incentive Fee based on income is determined on a quarterly basis and is equal to 1.75% multiplied by our NAV at the beginning of each applicable calendar quarter comprising the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters. The hurdle amount is calculated after making appropriate adjustments for subscriptions (which includes all issuances by us of shares of our common stock, including issuances pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan) and distributions that occurred during the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters. The Incentive Fee for any partial period will be appropriately prorated.

Quarterly Incentive Fee Based on Income . For the portion of the Incentive Fee based on income, we pay our Investment Adviser a quarterly Incentive Fee based on the amount by which (A) Ordinary Income in respect

 

131


of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters exceeds (B) the hurdle amount for such Trailing Twelve Quarters. For the avoidance of doubt, Ordinary Income is net of all fees and expenses, including the Management Fee but excluding any Incentive Fee.  

The Incentive Fee based on income for each quarter is determined as follows:

 

    No Incentive Fee based on income is payable to our Investment Adviser for any calendar quarter for which there is no Excess Income Amount;

 

    100% of the Ordinary Income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle amount, but is less than or equal to an amount, which we refer to as the “Catch-up Amount,” determined as the sum of 2.1875% multiplied by our NAV at the beginning of each applicable calendar quarter comprising the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters is included in the calculation of the Incentive Fee based on income; and

 

    20% of the Ordinary Income that exceeds the Catch-up Amount is included in the calculation of the Incentive Fee based on income.

The amount of the Incentive Fee based on income that is paid to our Investment Adviser for a particular quarter is equal to the excess of the Incentive Fee so calculated minus the aggregate Incentive Fees based on income that were paid in respect of the first eleven calendar quarters (or the portion thereof) included in the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters but not in excess of the Incentive Fee Cap (as described below).

The Incentive Fee Cap for any quarter is an amount equal to (a) 20% of the Cumulative Net Return (as defined below) during the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters minus (b) the aggregate Incentive Fees based on income that were paid in respect of the first eleven calendar quarters (or the portion thereof) included in the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters.

“Cumulative Net Return” means (x) the Ordinary Income in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters minus (y) any Net Capital Loss, if any, in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value, we will pay no Incentive Fee based on income to our Investment Adviser for such quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is a positive value but is less than the Incentive Fee based on income that is payable to our Investment Adviser for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap) calculated as described above, we will pay an Incentive Fee based on income to our Investment Adviser equal to the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is equal to or greater than the Incentive Fee based on income that is payable to our Investment Adviser for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap) calculated as described above, we will pay an Incentive Fee based on income to our Investment Adviser equal to the Incentive Fee calculated as described above for such quarter without regard to the Incentive Fee Cap.

“Net Capital Loss” in respect of a particular period means the difference, if positive, between (i) aggregate capital losses, whether realized or unrealized, in such period and (ii) aggregate capital gains, whether realized or unrealized, in such period.

 

132


The following is a graphical representation of the calculation of the Incentive Fee based on income:

Incentive Fee based on Income

Percentage of Ordinary Income comprising the Incentive Fee based on Income

(expressed as an annualized rate (1) of return on the value of net assets as of the beginning

of each of the quarters included in the Trailing Twelve Quarters)

 

LOGO

 

(1) The Incentive Fee is determined on a quarterly basis but has been annualized for purposes of the above diagram. The diagram also does not reflect the Incentive Fee Cap.

Annual Incentive Fee Based on Capital Gains. The portion of the Incentive Fee based on capital gains is calculated on an annual basis. For each Annual Period, we pay our Investment Adviser an Incentive Fee equal to (A) 20% of the difference, if positive, of the sum of our aggregate realized capital gains, if any, computed net of our aggregate realized capital losses, if any, and our aggregate unrealized capital depreciation, in each case from April 1, 2013 until the end of such Annual Period minus (B) the cumulative amount of Incentive Fees based on capital gains previously paid to our Investment Adviser from April 1, 2013. For the avoidance of doubt, unrealized capital appreciation is excluded from the calculation in clause (A), above.

We accrue, but not pay, a portion of the Incentive Fee based on capital gains with respect to net unrealized appreciation. Under GAAP, we are required to accrue an Incentive Fee based on capital gains that includes net realized capital gains and losses and net unrealized capital appreciation and depreciation on investments held at the end of each period. In calculating the accrual for the Incentive Fee based on capital gains, we consider the cumulative aggregate unrealized capital appreciation in the calculation, since an Incentive Fee based on capital gains would be payable if such unrealized capital appreciation were realized, even though such unrealized capital appreciation is not permitted to be considered in calculating the fee actually payable under the Investment Management Agreement. This accrual is calculated using the aggregate cumulative realized capital gains and losses and aggregate cumulative unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. If such amount is positive at the end of a period, then we record a capital gains incentive fee equal to 20% of such amount, minus the aggregate amount of actual Incentive Fees based on capital gains paid in all prior periods. If such amount is negative, then there is no accrual for such period. There can be no assurance that such unrealized capital appreciation will be realized in the future.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company incurred Incentive Fees based on income of $5.46 million and $8.95 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2016, $5.68 million remained payable. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company incurred Incentive Fees based on income of $3.52 million and $11.43 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company did not accrue any Incentive Fees based on capital gains.

Example of Calculation of the Incentive Fee based on Income Assumptions

Assumptions (1)

 

    Quarter 1

 

    Net Asset Value at the start of Quarter 1 = $100.0 million

 

133


    Quarter 1 Ordinary Income = $6.0 million

 

    Quarter 1 Net Capital Gain = $1.0 million

 

    Quarter 1 Hurdle Amount = $1.75 million (calculated based on an annualized 7.00% hurdle rate)

 

    Quarter 1 Catch-up Amount = $2.1875 million (calculated based on an annualized 8.75% rate)

 

    Quarter 2

 

    Net Asset Value at the start of Quarter 2 = $100.0 million

 

    Quarter 2 Ordinary Income = $1.5 million

 

    Quarter 2 Net Capital Gain = $1.0 million

 

    Quarter 2 Hurdle Amount = $1.75 million (calculated based on an annualized 7.00% hurdle rate)

 

    Quarter 2 Catch-up Amount = $2.1875 million (calculated based on an annualized 8.75% rate)

 

    Quarter 3

 

    Net Asset Value at the start of Quarter 3 = $100.0 million

 

    Quarter 3 Ordinary Income = $2.0 million

 

    Quarter 3 Net Capital Loss = ($6.0) million

 

    Quarter 3 Hurdle Amount = $1.75 million (calculated based on an annualized 7.00% hurdle rate)

 

    Quarter 3 Catch-up Amount = $2.1875 million (calculated based on an annualized 8.75% rate)

 

    Quarter 4

 

    Net Asset Value at the start of Quarter 4 = $100.0 million

 

    Quarter 4 Ordinary Income = $3.5 million

 

    Quarter 4 Net Capital Gain = $3.0 million

 

    Quarter 4 Hurdle Amount = $1.75 million (calculated based on an annualized 7.00% hurdle rate)

 

    Quarter 4 Catch-up Amount = $2.1875 million (calculated based on an annualized 8.75% rate)

 

  (1)   For illustrative purposes, Net Asset Value is assumed to be $100.0 million as of the beginning of all four quarters and does not give effect to gains or losses in the preceding quarters.

 

134


Determination of Incentive Fee based on income

In Quarter 1, the Ordinary Income of $6.0 million exceeds the Hurdle Amount of $1.75 million and the Catch-up Amount of $2.1875 million. There are no Net Capital Losses. As a result, an Incentive Fee based on income of $1.2 million ((100% of $437,500) + (20% of $3,812,500)) is payable to our Investment Adviser for Quarter 1.

In Quarter 2, the Quarter 2 Ordinary Income of $1.5 million does not exceed the Quarter 2 Hurdle Amount of $1.75 million, but the aggregate Ordinary Income for the Trailing Twelve Quarters of $7.5 million exceeds the aggregate Hurdle Amount for the Trailing Twelve Quarters of $3.5 million and the aggregate Catch-up Amount for the Trailing Twelve Quarters of $4.375 million. There are no Net Capital Losses. As a result, an Incentive Fee based on income of $300,000 ($1.5 million ((100% of $875,000) + (20% of 3,125,000)) minus $1.2 million paid in Quarter 1) is payable to our Investment Adviser for Quarter 2.

In Quarter 3, the aggregate Ordinary Income of the Trailing Twelve Quarters of $9.5 million exceeds the aggregate Hurdle Amount for the Trailing Twelve Quarters of $5.25 million and the aggregate Catch-up Amount for the Trailing Twelve Quarters of $6.5625 million. However, there is an aggregate Net Capital Loss of ($4.0) million for the Trailing Twelve Quarters. As a result, the Incentive Fee Cap would apply. The Incentive Fee Cap equals $(400,000), calculated as follows:

(20% x ($9.5 million minus $4.0 million)) minus $1.5 million paid in Quarters 1 and 2. Because the Incentive Fee Cap is a negative value, there is no Incentive Fee based on income payable to our Investment Adviser for Quarter 3.

In Quarter 4, the aggregate Ordinary Income of the Trailing Twelve Quarters of $13.0 million exceeds the aggregate Hurdle Amount for the Trailing Twelve Quarters of $7.0 million and the aggregate Catch-up Amount for the Trailing Twelve Quarters of $8.75 million. The calculation of the Incentive Fee based on income would be $1.1 million ($2.6 million (100% of $1.75 million) + (20% of $4.25 million) minus $1.5 million paid in Quarters 1 and 2). However, there is an aggregate Net Capital Loss of ($1.0) million for the Trailing Twelve Quarters. As a result, the Incentive Fee Cap would apply. The Incentive Fee Cap equals $900,000 calculated as follows:

(20% x ($13.0 million minus $1.0 million)) minus $1.5 million. Because the Incentive Fee Cap is positive but less than the Incentive Fee based on income of $1.1 million calculated prior to applying the Incentive Fee Cap, an Incentive Fee based on income of $900,000 is payable to our Investment Adviser for Quarter 4.

Examples of Calculation of Incentive Fee based on Capital Gains

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 $30 million, fair value of Investment B determined to be $25 million and fair value of Investment C determined to be $27 million

 

    Year 3: fair value of Investment B determined to be $29 million and Investment C sold for $30 million

 

    Year 4: fair value of Investment B determined to be $40 million

 

 

135


Determination of Incentive Fee based on capital gains

The Incentive Fee based on capital gains, if any, would be:

 

    Year 1: None

 

    Year 2: $1.0 million

The portion of the Incentive Fee based on capital gains equals (A) 20% of the difference, if positive, of the sum of our aggregate realized capital gains, if any, computed net of our aggregate realized capital losses, if any, and our aggregate unrealized capital depreciation, if any, in each case from April 1, 2013 until the end of the applicable Annual Period minus (B) the cumulative amount of Incentive Fees based on capital gains previously paid to our Investment Adviser from April 1, 2013.

Therefore, using the assumptions above, the Incentive Fee based on capital gains equals (A) 20% x ($10.0 million—$5.0 million) minus (B) $0.

Therefore, the Incentive Fee based on capital gains equals $1.0 million.

 

    Year 3: $1.8 million, which is calculated as follows:

The Incentive Fee based on capital gains equals (A) 20% x ($15.0 million—$1.0 million) minus (B) $1.0 million.

Therefore, the Incentive Fee based on capital gains equals $1.8 million.

 

    Year 4: $200,000, which is calculated as follows:

The Incentive Fee based on capital gains equals (x) (A) 20% x ($15.0 million—$0 million) minus (B) $2.8 million.

Therefore, the Incentive Fee based on capital gains equals $200,000.

Expenses

Our Investment Adviser pays all costs incurred by it in connection with the performance of its duties under the Investment Management Agreement. Our Investment Adviser pays the compensation and expenses of all its personnel and makes available, without expense to us, the services of such of its partners, officers and employees as may duly be elected as our officers or directors, subject to their individual consent to serve and to any limitations imposed by law. Our Investment Adviser is not required to pay any of our expenses other than those specifically allocated to it, including as set forth below. In particular, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, our Investment Adviser is not required to pay: (i) our operational and organizational expenses; (ii) fees and expenses, including travel expenses, incurred by our Investment Adviser or payable to third parties related to our investments, including, among others, professional fees (including the fees and expenses of consultants and experts) and fees and expenses from evaluating, monitoring, researching and performing due diligence on investments and prospective investments; (iii) interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance our investments; (iv) fees and expenses incurred by us in connection with membership in investment company organizations; (v) brokers’ commissions; (vi) fees and expenses associated with calculating our NAV (including the costs and expenses of any independent valuation firm); (vii) legal, auditing or accounting expenses; (viii) taxes or governmental fees; (ix) the fees and expenses of our administrator, transfer agent or sub-transfer agent; (x) the cost of preparing stock certificates or any other expenses, including clerical expenses of issue,

 

136


redemption or repurchase of our shares; (xi) the expenses of and fees for registering or qualifying our shares for sale and of maintaining our registration and registering us as a broker or a dealer; (xii) the fees and expenses of our directors who are not affiliated with our Investment Adviser; (xiii) the cost of preparing and distributing reports, proxy statements and notices to our stockholders, the SEC and other regulatory authorities; (xiv) costs of holding stockholder meetings; (xv) listing fees; (xvi) the fees or disbursements of custodians of our assets, including expenses incurred in the performance of any obligations enumerated by our certificate of incorporation or bylaws insofar as they govern agreements with any such custodian; (xvii) insurance premiums; or (xviii) costs incurred in connection with any claim, litigation, arbitration, mediation, government investigation or dispute in connection with our business and the amount of any judgment or settlement paid in connection therewith, or the enforcement of our rights against any person and indemnification or contribution expenses payable by us to any person and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of our business. Our Investment Adviser is not required to pay expenses of activities which are primarily intended to result in sales of our shares, including, all costs and expenses associated with the preparation and distribution of an offering memorandum, a subscription agreement, if applicable, a registration statement, a prospectus or a stockholder application form.

Our Investment Adviser may impose a voluntary cap on the amount of expenses that will be borne by us on a monthly or annual basis. Any such expense cap may be increased, decreased, waived or eliminated at any time at our Investment Adviser’s sole discretion.

To the extent that expenses to be borne by us pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement are paid by our Investment Adviser, we will reimburse our Investment Adviser for such expenses, provided, however, that our Investment Adviser may elect, from time to time and in its sole discretion, to bear certain of our expenses set forth above, including organizational and other expenses.

Board Approval of the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement

Our Board of Directors determined at an in person meeting held on August 2, 2016 to approve the continuation of the Investment Management Agreement. In its consideration of the renewal of the Investment Management Agreement, the Board of Directors focused on information it had received relating to, among other things:

 

    the nature, quality and extent of the advisory and other services provided to us by the Investment Adviser;

 

    the contractual terms of the Investment Management Agreement, including the structure of the Management Fee imposed on gross assets (excluding cash) and the Incentive Fee imposed on net investment income and capital gains;

 

    comparative data with respect to the advisory fees and other expenses paid by other externally managed BDCs with similar investment objectives and strategies;

 

    information about the services performed and the personnel performing such services under the Investment Management Agreement;

 

    comparative data with respect to our investment performance and the performance of other BDCs with comparable investment objectives and strategies;

 

    the Investment Adviser’s revenues and pre-tax profit margins with respect to its management of us;

 

    any existing and potential benefits to the Investment Adviser or its affiliates from its relationship with us;

 

137


    other potential benefits to us as a result of our relationship with the Investment Adviser; and

 

    such other matters as the Board of Directors determined were relevant to their consideration of the Investment Management Agreement.

In connection with their consideration of the renewal of the Investment Management Agreement, our Board of Directors gave weight to each of the factors described above, but did not identify any one particular factor as controlling their decision. After deliberation and consideration of all of the information provided, including the factors described above, the Board of Directors concluded, in the exercise of their business judgment, that the management fees paid by us were reasonable in light of the services provided to us by the Investment Adviser, the Investment Adviser’s costs, and our current and reasonably foreseeable asset levels. The Board of Directors unanimously concluded that the Investment Adviser’s continued management likely would benefit us and our stockholders and that the Investment Management Agreement should be approved and continued with respect to us until August 31, 2017.

For the year ended December 31, 2013, we paid our Investment Adviser a total of $1.55 million in fees (excluding fees that are accrued but not paid) pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, which consisted of $1.00 million in Management Fees and $0.55 million in Incentive Fees. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we paid our Investment Adviser a total of $10.90 million in fees (excluding fees that are accrued but not paid) pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, which consisted of $9.40 million in Management Fees and $1.50 million in Incentive Fees. For the year ended December 31, 2015, we paid our Investment Adviser a total of $25.95 million in fees (excluding fees that are accrued but not paid) pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, which consisted of $14.52 million in Management Fees and $11.43 million in Incentive Fees. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we paid our Investment Adviser a total of $16.18 million in fees (excluding fees that are accrued but not paid) pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement).

Duration and Termination

The Investment Management Agreement will remain in full force and effect for successive annual periods, but only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (a) the vote of a majority of our Independent Directors and (b) by a vote of a majority of our Board of Directors or of a majority of our outstanding voting securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act. The Investment Management Agreement may, on 60 days’ written notice to the other party, be terminated in its entirety at any time without the payment of any penalty, by our Board of Directors, by vote of a majority of our outstanding voting stock or by our Investment Adviser. The Investment Management Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.

Limitation of Liability of Our Investment Adviser and the Company

The Investment Management Agreement provides that our Investment Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by us in connection with the matters to which the Investment Management Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from our Investment Adviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by our Investment Adviser of its obligations and duties under the Investment Management Agreement. Any person, even though also employed by our Investment Adviser, who may be or become an employee of and paid by us will be deemed, when acting within the scope of such employment, to be acting in such employment solely for us and not as our Investment Adviser’s employee or agent.

 

138


Organization of our Investment Adviser

Our Investment Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). The principal executive offices of our Investment Adviser are located at 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282.

Administration Agreement

Pursuant to the Administration Agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company, our administrator, our administrator is responsible for providing various accounting and administrative services to us.

The Administration Agreement provides that the administrator is not liable to us for any damages or other losses arising out of the performance of its services thereunder except under certain circumstances, and contains provisions for the indemnification of the administrator by us against liabilities to other parties arising in connection with the performance of its services to us.

We pay the administrator fees for its services as we determine are commercially reasonable in our sole discretion. We also reimburse the administrator for all reasonable expenses. To the extent that our administrator outsources any of its functions, the administrator pays any compensation associated with such functions.

We are not obligated to retain our administrator. The Administration Agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty upon 30 days’ written notice to the other party.

The terms of any administration agreement that we may enter with any subsequent administrator may differ materially from the terms of the Administration Agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company in effect prior to such retention, including providing for a fee structure that results in us, directly or indirectly, bearing higher fees for similar services and other terms that are potentially less advantageous to us. Our stockholders will not be entitled to receive prior notice of the engagement of an alternate administrator or of the terms of any agreement that is entered into with such administrator.

License Agreement

We are party to a license agreement with an affiliate of Goldman Sachs pursuant to which we have been granted a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the “Goldman Sachs” name. Under this agreement, we do not have a right to use the Goldman Sachs name if GSAM or another affiliate of Goldman Sachs is not our investment adviser or if our continued use of such license results in a violation of applicable law, results in a regulatory burden or has adverse regulatory consequences. Other than with respect to this limited license, we have no legal right to the “Goldman Sachs” name.

 

139


RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS

We are party to various agreements with affiliates of Group Inc., which owns a significant amount of our common stock. Our Investment Adviser and other affiliates of Group Inc. also perform services for other clients, which creates various conflicts of interest. See “Potential Conflicts of Interest” and “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure—Potential conflicts of interest with other businesses of Goldman Sachs could impact our investment returns.”

Co-Investment Opportunities

We have in the past co-invested, and in the future may co-invest, on a concurrent basis with other funds managed by GSAM and its affiliates, but not if such co-investment is impermissible under existing regulatory guidance, applicable regulations or GSAM’s 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. On January 4, 2017, the SEC granted GS PMMC, GS MMLC and us, as well as certain other funds that may be managed by GSAM in the future, the Exemptive Relief to make negotiated co-investments, subject to certain terms and conditions in the Exemptive Relief. See “Regulation.”

Material Non-Public Information

Our senior management 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 securities of such company under the policies of the company or applicable law.

Transactions with Related Persons

Investment Management Agreement

The Company is party to the Investment Management Agreement, pursuant to which the Company pays GSAM, a wholly owned subsidiary of Group Inc., a fee for investment management services consisting of a management fee based on the Company’s gross assets (excluding cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) and an incentive fee based on the performance of the Company’s investments. Certain of the Company’s officers are also officers and employees of GSAM.

For the year ended December 31, 2013, we paid our Investment Adviser a total of $1.55 million in fees (excluding fees that are accrued but not paid) pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, which consisted of $1.00 million in Management Fees and $0.55 million in Incentive Fees. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we paid our Investment Adviser a total of $10.90 million in fees (excluding fees that are accrued but not paid) pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, which consisted of $9.40 million in Management Fees and $1.50 million in Incentive Fees.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company paid GSAM a total of $25.95 million in fees (excluding fees that are accrued but not paid) pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, which consisted of $14.52 million in Management Fees and $11.43 million in Incentive Fees.

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 also “Management—Investment Management Agreement.”

 

 

140


License Agreement

The Company is party to a license agreement with an affiliate of Goldman Sachs pursuant to which the Company has been granted a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the “Goldman Sachs” name. Under this agreement, the Company does not have a right to use the Goldman Sachs name if GSAM or another affiliate of Goldman Sachs is not the Company’s investment adviser or if the Company’s continued use of such license results in a violation of applicable law, results in a regulatory burden or has adverse regulatory consequences. Other than with respect to this limited license, the Company has no legal right to the “Goldman Sachs” name.

10b5-1 Plan

Goldman, Sachs & Co. adopted the GS 10b5-1 Plan in accordance with Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, which provided for the purchase by Goldman, Sachs & Co. in the open market of up to the lesser of (i) $25.00 million in the aggregate of the Company’s common stock and (ii) such amount that would not bring its collective ownership (with Group Inc.) of our common stock over 19.9%. The GS 10b5-1 Plan expired on March 18, 2016. The GS 10b5-1 Plan required Goldman, Sachs & Co. to purchase shares of our common stock when the market price per share was below our most recently reported NAV per share (including any updates, corrections or adjustments publicly announced by us to any previously announced NAV per share). The purchase of shares by Goldman, Sachs & Co. pursuant to the GS10b5-1 Plan was intended to satisfy the conditions of Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, and was otherwise subject to applicable law. Under the GS 10b5-1 Plan, Goldman, Sachs & Co. increased the volume of purchases made anytime the market price per share of our common stock declined below the most recently reported NAV per share, subject to volume restrictions. Purchases of our common stock by Goldman, Sachs & Co. under the GS 10b5-1 Plan may have resulted in the price of our common stock being higher than the price that otherwise might have existed in the open market. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, Goldman, Sachs & Co. purchased 432,638 shares of our common stock pursuant to the GS 10b5-1 Plan. For the year ended December 31, 2015, Goldman, Sachs & Co. purchased 219,716 shares of our common stock pursuant to the GS 10b5-1 Plan. For the period January 1, 2016 through March 18, 2016, Goldman, Sachs & Co. purchased 432,638 shares of our common stock pursuant to the GS 10b5-1 Plan.

Common Stock Repurchase Plans

In February 2015, our Board of Directors approved the Company Repurchase Plan, which authorized our purchase of up to $35.00 million of our common stock in the open market during open trading periods. No repurchases were made pursuant to the Company Repurchase Plan which expired on March 18, 2016.

In February 2016, our Board of Directors authorized us to repurchase up to $25.00 million of our common stock if the stock trades below the most recently announced NAV per share (including any updates, corrections or adjustments publicly announced by the Company to any previously announced NAV per share), from March 18, 2016 to March 18, 2017, subject to certain limitations. In connection with this authorization, we entered into Company 10b5-1 Plan. The Company 10b5-1 Plan provides that purchases will be conducted on the open market on a programmatic basis in accordance with Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Exchange Act and will otherwise be subject to applicable law, including Regulation M, which may prohibit purchases under certain circumstances. No purchases will be effected pursuant to the Company 10b5-1 Plan if such purchase would (i) cause the aggregate ownership of our outstanding stock by Group Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co. to equal or exceed 25.0% (due to the reduction in outstanding shares of stock as a result of purchase) or (ii) cause our debt/ equity ratio to exceed 0.75. The Company 10b5-1 Plan took effect on March 18, 2016 (with any purchases to commence after the opening of NYSE trading on March 21, 2016) and expires on March 18, 2017.

 

141


Repurchases of our common stock under the Company 10b5-1 Plan or otherwise may result in the price of our common stock being higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we did not repurchase any stock pursuant to the Company 10b5-1 Plan or otherwise.

Related Party Transaction Review Policy

The Audit Committee conducts quarterly reviews of any potential related party transactions brought to its attention and, during these reviews, it also considers any conflicts of interest brought to its attention pursuant to the Company’s Code of Ethics. Each of the Company’s directors and executive officers is instructed and periodically reminded to inform GSAM Compliance of any potential related party transactions. In addition, each such director and executive officer completes a questionnaire on an annual basis designed to elicit information about any potential related party transactions.

 

142


CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. These rules generally provide that a person is the beneficial owner of securities if the person has or shares the power to vote or direct the voting thereof, or to dispose or direct the disposition thereof or has the right to acquire these powers within 60 days. The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2016, the beneficial ownership as indicated in our books and records of each current director, our executive officers and directors as a group, and each person known to us to beneficially own 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock. With respect to persons known to us to beneficially own 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock, we base such knowledge on beneficial ownership filings made by the holders with the SEC and other information known to us. The percentage ownership is based on 36,331,662 shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2016.

 

Name and Address

 

Type of Ownership  (3)

   

Shares Owned

   

Percentage

 

Beneficial owners of 5% or more

     

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (1)

    Beneficial        6,483,653        17.85

Interested Director

     

Kaysie Uniacke

    Beneficial        10,000        *   

Independent Directors

     

Jaime Ardila

    Beneficial        4,683        *   

Ashok N. Bakhru

    Beneficial        9,965        *   

Janet F. Clark

    Beneficial        5,000        *   

Ross J. Kari

    Beneficial        —          —     

Ann B. Lane

    Beneficial        —          —     

Executive Officers

     

Brendan McGovern

    Beneficial        35,000        *   

Jon Yoder

    Beneficial        5,000        *   

Jonathan Lamm

    Beneficial        5,000        *   

Maya Teufel

    Beneficial        —          —     

Caroline Kraus

    Beneficial        —          —     

Salvatore Lentini

    Beneficial        30,669        *   

David Yu

    Beneficial        8,000        *   

Scott Turco

    Beneficial        2,500        *   

All officers and directors as a group (14 persons) (2)

    Beneficial        126,621        *   

 

* Represents less than 1%.
(1) Based on a Form 4 filed with the SEC on March 7, 2016. The address of Group Inc. is 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282. The shares of the Company’s common stock shown in the above table as being owned by Group Inc. include 652,354 shares held directly by Goldman Sachs, a wholly owned subsidiary of Group Inc. Group Inc. disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein.
(2) The address for each of the Company’s directors and executive officers is c/o Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P., 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282.
(3) Beneficial ownership has been determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

143


The following table sets forth the dollar range of our equity securities beneficially owned by each of our directors as of December 31, 2016. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Exchange Act. We are not part of a “family of investment companies,” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act.

 

Name of Director

  

Dollar Range of

Equity Securities
in the Company  (1)(2)

 

Interested Director

  

Kaysie Uniacke

     Over $100,000   

Independent Directors

  

Jaime Ardila

     Over $100,000   

Ashok N. Bakhru

     Over $100,000   

Janet F. Clark

     Over $100,000   

Ross J. Kari

     None   

Ann B. Lane

     None   

 

(1) Dollar ranges are as follows: none, $1 – $10,000, $10,001 – $50,000, $50,001 – $100,000, or over $100,000.
(2) Dollar ranges were determined using the number of shares beneficially owned as of the December 31, 2016 multiplied by the closing sales price of the Company’s common stock as reported on the NYSE on December 30, 2016.

 

144


PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

The following table sets forth certain information as of September 30, 2016, for each portfolio company in which we had an investment. Other than these investments, our only formal relationships with our portfolio companies are the significant managerial assistance that we may provide upon request and the board observation or participation rights we may receive in connection with our investment. As defined by the Investment Company Act, other than Senior Credit Fund, we do not “control” any of the portfolio companies; however, we are considered an “affiliate” of one of our portfolio companies. In general, under the Investment Company Act, we would be presumed to “control” a portfolio company if we owned more than 25% of its voting securities and would be an “affiliate” of a portfolio company if we owned more than 5% of its outstanding voting securities.

 

Portfolio Company

 

Address

 

Industry

 

Interest

 

Maturity

   

Par
Amount

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

   

Percentage
of Class

 

Investments at Fair Value—169.34%#

           

Corporate Debt (1) —153.49%

           

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt—64.74%

           

Artesyn Embedded Technologies, Inc. (2)

  5810 Van Allen Way, Carlsbad, CA 92008   Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components   9.75%     10/15/2020      $ 20,000      $ 20,000      $ 18,150     

Data Driven Delivery Systems, LLC (++)

  111 Broadway #1005, New York, NY 10006   Health Care Technology   L + 7.00% (1.00% Floor)     05/31/2019        70,059        67,969        70,059     

Dispensing Dynamics International (2)

  1020 Bixby Drive Industry, CA 91745   Building Products   12.50%     01/01/2018        24,000        24,434        23,100     

Elemica, Inc. (++)

  550 East Swedesford Road, Suite 310, Wayne, PA 19087   Software   L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)     07/07/2021        42,394        41,371        41,440     

Elemica, Inc. (3) (4)

  550 East Swedesford Road, Suite 310, Wayne, PA 19087   Software   L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)     07/07/2021        6,000        (150     (135  

Heligear Acquisition Co. (2)

  d/b/a Northstar Aerospace, Inc. 6006 W. 73rd Street, Bedford Park, IL 60638   Aerospace & Defense   10.25%     10/15/2019        17,500        17,277        17,937     

Infinity Sales Group (+)

  5201 Congress Avenue Suite 150, Boca Raton, FL 33487   Media   L + 10.50% (1.00% Floor)     11/21/2018        31,528        31,205        29,716     

Iracore International Holdings, Inc. (2)

  3516 13th Avenue, Hibbing, MN 55746   Energy Equipment & Services   9.50%     06/01/2018        24,250        21,720        12,610     

Kawa Solar Holdings Limited (5)

  Anckelmannsplatz 1, 20537 Hamburg, Germany   Construction & Engineering   F + 8.20% and 3.50% PIK     07/02/2018        12,654        12,608        12,654     

Kawa Solar Holdings Limited (++) (5)

  Anckelmannsplatz 1, 20537 Hamburg, Germany   Construction & Engineering   L + 8.20%     07/02/2018        2,400        2,391        2,400     

Legacy Buyer Corp. (++)

  Casus Healthcare, LLC, 9205 Legacy Drive, Frisco, TX 75033   Health Care Providers & Services   L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)     10/24/2019        27,664        27,287        27,110     

Legacy Buyer Corp. (++) (3)

  Casus Healthcare, LLC, 9205 Legacy Drive, Frisco, TX 75033   Health Care Providers & Services   L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)     10/24/2019        2,500        1,666        1,650     

Madison-Kipp Corporation (+)

  201 Waubesa Street, Madison, WI 53704-8043   Machinery   L + 9.00% (1.00% Floor)     05/26/2020        36,811        36,235        36,535     

Perfect Commerce, LLC (++)

  One Compass Way, Suite 120, Newport News, VA 23606   Internet Software & Services   L + 8.50% (1.00% Floor)     06/30/2020        37,980        37,253        38,170     

The Merit Distribution Group, LLC (+)

  1310 Union Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302   Distributors   L + 11.25% (0.50% Floor)     04/08/2021        30,000        29,301        29,625     

 

145


Portfolio Company

 

Address

 

Industry

 

Interest

 

Maturity

   

Par
Amount

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

   

Percentage
of Class

 

US Med Acquisition, Inc. (+)

  8260 NW 27 Street, Suite 403, Doral, Florida 33122   Health Care Equipment & Supplies   L + 9.00% (1.00% Floor)     08/13/2021      $ 30,651      $ 30,124      $ 30,651     

Vexos, Inc. (++)

  640 Freedom Business Center Drive, Suite 201, King of Prussia, PA 19406   Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components   L + 9.50% (1.00% Floor)     10/09/2019        46,235        45,617        45,310     
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total 1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

          446,308        436,982     

1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche (6) —46.59%

         

Associations, Inc. (++)

  5401 N. Central Expy., Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75204   Real Estate Management & Development   L + 7.00% (1.00% Floor)     12/23/2019        58,284        57,425        57,702     

Avenue Stores, LLC

  365 West Passaic Street, Suite 230, Rochelle Park, NJ 07662   Specialty Retail   P + 7.00% (2.00% Floor)     09/19/2019        30,000        29,511        30,000     

Bolttech Mannings, Inc. (+)

  501 Mosside Boulevard, North Versailles, PA 15137   Commercial Services & Supplies   L + 7.75% (1.00% Floor)     12/21/2018        36,346        35,923        28,441     

Integrated Practice Solutions, Inc. (++)

  9265 Sky Park Ct., Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92123   Software   L + 9.10% (1.00% Floor)     08/03/2020        26,125        25,546        26,125     

Mervin Manufacturing, Inc. (++)

  701 N. 34th St., Suite #100, Seattle, WA 98103   Leisure Equipment & Products   L + 7.50% (1.00% Floor)     10/10/2019        11,165        11,014        9,936     

NTS Communications, Inc. (7) (8)

  1220 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401   Diversified Telecommunication Services   L + 9.00% (1.25% Floor) PIK     06/06/2019        50,205        47,071        42,675     

Pro-Pet, LLC (+)

  1601 McKinley Road, St. Marys, OH 45885   Household Products   L + 7.25% (0.75% Floor)     11/21/2019        31,600        31,069        29,704     

The Service Companies Inc. (++)

  14750 NW 77th Court, Suite 1100, Miami Lakes, FL 33016   Professional Services   L + 10.25% (1.00% Floor)     03/26/2019        46,800        46,257        46,098     

United Road Services, Inc. (+)

  10701 Middlebelt Road, Romulus, MI 48174   Air Freight & Logistics   L + 7.50% (1.00% Floor)     12/14/2017        44,658        44,386        43,765     
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total 1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

          328,202        314,446     

2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt—42.16%

         

DiscoverOrg, LLC (+++)

  805 Broadway Street, Suite 900, Vancouver, WA 98660   Software   L + 9.00% (1.00% Floor)     02/10/2022        39,500        38,774        38,710     

DiversiTech Corporation (++)

  6650 Sugarloaf Parkway #100, Duluth, GA 30097   Building Products   L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)     11/18/2022        51,350        50,299        50,708     

Global Tel*Link Corporation(++)

  12021 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 100, Reston, VA 20190   Diversified Telecommunication Services   L + 7.75% (1.25% Floor)     11/23/2020        28,000        27,638        26,273     

Highwinds Capital, Inc. (+)

  807 W. Morse Boulevard, Suite 101, Winter Park,
FL 32789
  Internet Software & Services   L + 12.25% (1.25% Floor)     01/29/2019        59,050        58,548        59,641     

Hutchinson Technology, Inc.

  40 West Highland Park Drive N.E., Hutchinson, MN 55350   Computers & Peripherals   10.88%     01/15/2017        12,200        12,132        12,261     

IHS Intermediate Inc. (++)

  1700 East Golf Road, Suite 900, Schaumburg, Illinois 60173   Health Care Providers & Services   L + 8.25% (1.00% Floor)     07/20/2022        10,000        9,825        9,500     

MPI Products LLC (++)

  2129 Austin Street, Rochester Hills, MI 48309   Auto Components   L + 9.00% (1.00% Floor)     01/30/2020        20,000        19,796        19,850     

P2 Upstream Acquisition Co. (+++)

  1670 Broadway, Suite 2800, Denver, CO 80202   Software   L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)     04/30/2021        10,000        9,930        8,600     

Reddy Ice Corporation (++)

  8750 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1800, Dallas, TX 75231   Food Products   L + 9.50% (1.25% Floor)     11/01/2019        13,500        13,146        10,485     

 

146


Portfolio Company

 

Address

 

Industry

 

Interest

 

Maturity

   

Par
Amount

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

   

Percentage
of Class

 

Securus Technologies Holdings, Inc. (++)

  14651 Dallas Parkway, Suite 600, Dallas, TX 75254   Diversified Telecommunication Services   L + 7.75% (1.25% Floor)     04/30/2021      $ 20,000      $ 19,847      $ 19,135     

SW Holdings, LLC (++)

  1900 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1550, Los Angeles, CA 90067   Media   L + 8.75% (1.00% Floor)     12/30/2021        14,265        14,020        14,015     

Washington Inventory Service (++)

  9265 Sky Park Court, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92123   Professional Services   L + 9.00% (1.25% Floor)     06/20/2019        24,800        24,938        15,376     
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total 2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

          298,893        284,554     
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total Corporate Debt

        1,073,403        1,035,982     

Portfolio Company

 

Address

 

Industry

 

Coupon

   

Shares

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

   

Percentage
of Class

 

Preferred Stock (1) —4.77%

         

CB-HDT Holdings, Inc. ^ (7)(10)

  30500 Aurora Road, Suite 100, Solon, OH 44139   Aerospace & Defense         1,108,333      $ 10,186      $ 11,084        41.0

Crowley Holdings Preferred LLC (2)

  9487 Regency Square Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32225   Marine   12.00% (Includes 2% PIK)        21,137        21,137        21,137        10.6

NTS Communications, Inc. ^ (7)

  1220 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401   Diversified Telecommunication Services         263        187               5.0
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total Preferred Stock

          31,510        32,221     

Common Stock (1) —0.74%

         

CB-HDT Holdings, Inc. ^ (7)(11)

  30500 Aurora Road, Suite 100, Solon, OH 44139   Aerospace & Defense         453,383        2,392        2,392        24.3

Kawa Solar Holdings Limited ^ (5) (7)

  Anckelmannsplatz 1, 20537 Hamburg, Germany   Construction & Engineering         1,399,556                      20.0

NTS Communications, Inc. ^ (7)

  1220 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401   Diversified Telecommunication Services         595,215        3               5.0

Prairie Provident Resources,
Inc. ^ (5) (7)

  640-5th Avenue SW, Suite 1100, Calgary, AB T2P 3G4 Canada   Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels         3,579,989        9,237        2,621        3.7
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total Common Stock

          11,632        5,013     

Portfolio Company

     

Address

           

LLC Interest

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

       

Investment Funds & Vehicles (1) —10.34%

         

Senior Credit Fund, LLC ^^ (5)

    200 West Street, New York, NY 10282       $ 69,092      $ 69,092      $ 69,752     
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total Investment Funds & Vehicles

          69,092        69,752     
           

Yield

   

Shares

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

       

Investments in Affiliated Money Market Fund (1) —0.00% #

         

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund

  200 West Street, New York, NY 10282   0.30% (9)        2,647      $ 3      $ 3     
           

 

 

   

 

 

   
Total Investments in Affiliated Money Market Fund           3        3     
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—169.34%

  

    $ 1,185,640      $ 1,142,971     
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS—(69.34%)

  

      $ (468,001  
             

 

 

   

NET ASSETS—100.00%

  

      $ 674,970     
             

 

 

   

 

# Percentages are based on net assets.
(+) The interest rate on these loans is subject to the greater of a LIBOR floor or a base rate plus 1 month LIBOR, which as of September 30, 2016 was 0.53%.
(++) The interest rate on these loans is subject to the greater of a LIBOR floor or a base rate plus 3 month LIBOR, which as of September 30, 2016 was 0.85%.
(+++) The interest rate on these loans is subject to the greater of a LIBOR floor or a base rate plus 6 month LIBOR, which as of September 30, 2016 was 1.24%.

 

147


^ As defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, the investment is deemed to be an “affiliated person” of the Company because the Company owns, either directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities. See Note 3 “Significant Agreements and Related Parties” to our unaudited financial statements as of and for the period ended September 30, 2016, included elsewhere in this prospectus.
^^ As defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, the investment is deemed to be a “controlled affiliated person” of the Company because the Company owns, either directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities or has the power to exercise control over management or policies of such portfolio company. See Note 3 “Significant Agreements and Related Parties” to our unaudited financial statements as of and for the period ended September 30, 2016, included elsewhere in this prospectus.
(1) Assets are pledged as collateral for the Revolving Credit Facility. See Note 6 “Debt” to our unaudited financial statements as of and for the period ended September 30, 2016, included elsewhere in this prospectus.
(2) Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in certain transactions (normally to qualified institutional buyers) and remain exempt from registration. As of September 30, 2016, the aggregate fair value of these securities is $92,934 or 13.77% of the Company’s net assets.
(3) Position or portion thereof is an unfunded loan commitment, and no interest is being earned on the unfunded portion. The unfunded loan commitment may be subject to a commitment termination date, that may expire prior to the maturity date stated. See Note 7 “Commitments and Contingencies” to our unaudited financial statements as of and for the period ended September 30, 2016, included elsewhere in this prospectus.
(4) The negative cost is the result of the capitalized discount being greater than the principal amount outstanding on the loan. The negative fair value is the result of the capitalized discount on the loan.
(5) The investment is not a qualifying asset under Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company may not acquire any non-qualifying asset unless, at the time of acquisition, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the Company’s total assets.
(6) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated rate of this loan, the Company may be entitled to receive additional interest as a result of its arrangement with other lenders in a syndication.
(7) Non-income producing security.
(8) The investment is on non-accrual status as of September 30, 2016. See Note 2 “Significant Accounting Policies” to our unaudited financial statements as of and for the period ended September 30, 2016, included elsewhere in this prospectus.
(9) The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of September 30, 2016.
(10) Percentage of Class represents percentage of Series L Preferred Stock owned by the Company.
(11) Percentage of Class represents percentage of Series A Common Stock owned by the Company.
F — Federal Funds Rate (which as of September 30, 2016 was 0.28%)
L — LIBOR
P — U.S. Prime Rate (which as of September 30, 2016 was 3.50%)
PIK — Payment-In-Kind

Set forth below is a brief description of each portfolio company in which we have made an investment that represents greater than 5% of our total assets as of September 30, 2016:

Highwinds Capital, Inc. (Internet Software & Services)

Highwinds Capital, Inc is a global content delivery network operator as well as a provider of internet security services. Highwinds Capital, Inc.’s content delivery network utilizes a network of servers strategically located across the globe to help content providers efficiently and expeditiously distribute their content to end users. The internet security services segment is a multi-brand platform of virtual private network service providers to retail customers. Highwinds Capital, Inc. is headquartered in Winter Park, FL.

Data Driven Delivery Systems, LLC (Health Care Technology)

Data Driven Delivery Systems, LLC is a professional service provider to health plan and healthcare providers. Data Driven Delivery Systems, LLC provides management and consulting solutions on capturing and documenting patients’ medical conditions and records to ensure accurate reimbursement. Data Driven Delivery Systems is headquartered in New York, NY.

 

148


DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

In accordance with the procedures adopted by our Board of Directors, the NAV per share of our outstanding shares of common stock is determined by dividing the value of total assets minus liabilities by the total number of shares outstanding.

As a BDC, we generally invest in illiquid securities including debt and equity investments of middle-market companies. Under procedures adopted by our Board of Directors market quotations are generally used to assess the value of our investments for which market quotations are readily available. We obtain these market values from independent pricing services or at the bid prices obtained from at least two brokers/dealers if available, otherwise by a principal market maker or a primary market dealer. If the Board of Directors or its delegate has a bona fide reason to believe any such market quotation does not reflect the fair value of an investment, it may independently value such investments by using the valuation procedure that it uses with respect to assets for which market quotations are not readily available.

Currently, the majority of our investments fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies—Valuation of Portfolio Investments.” We do not expect that there will be readily available market values for most of the investments which are in our portfolio, and we value such investments at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of our Board of Directors using a documented valuation policy, described below, and a consistently applied valuation process. The factors that may be taken into account in pricing our investments at fair value include, as relevant, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow, and the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to publicly traded securities and other relevant factors. Available current market data are considered such as applicable market yields and multiples of publicly traded securities, comparison of financial ratios of peer companies, and changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets that may affect the price at which similar investments would trade in their principal market, and other relevant factors. When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, we consider the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate or revise our valuation. Under current auditing standards, the notes to our financial statements refer to the uncertainty with respect to the possible effect of such valuations, and any change in such valuations, on our financial statements. For more information, see “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Portfolio Company Investments—Many of our portfolio securities do not have a readily available market price and we value these securities at fair value as determined in good faith under procedures adopted by our Board of Directors. Valuation is inherently subjective and may not reflect what we may actually realize for the sale of the investment.”

With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, or for which market quotations are deemed not reflective of the fair value, the valuation procedures adopted by our Board of Directors contemplates a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

 

  (1) Our quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by the investment professionals of our Investment Adviser responsible for the portfolio investment;

 

  (2)

Our Board of Directors also engages the Independent Valuation Advisors to provide independent valuations of the investments for which market quotations are not readily available, or are readily available but deemed not reflective of the fair value of an investment. The Independent Valuation Advisors independently value such investments using quantitative and qualitative information provided by the investment professionals of the Investment Adviser as well as any market quotations obtained from independent pricing services, brokers, dealers or market dealers. The Independent Valuation Advisors also provide analyses to support their valuation methodology and calculations. The Independent Valuation Advisors provide an opinion on a final range of values on

 

149


  such investments to our Board of Directors or the Audit Committee. The Independent Valuation Advisors define fair value in accordance with ASC 820 and utilize valuation techniques including the market approach, the income approach or both. A portion of the portfolio is reviewed on a quarterly basis, and all investments in the portfolio for which market quotations are not readily available, or are readily available, but deemed not reflective of the fair value of an investment, are reviewed at least annually by an Independent Valuation Advisor;

 

  (3) The Independent Valuation Advisors’ preliminary valuations are reviewed by our Investment Adviser and the VOG, a team that is part of the Controllers Department within the Finance Division of Goldman Sachs. The Independent Valuation Advisors’ ranges are compared to our Investment Adviser’s valuations to ensure our Investment Adviser’s valuations are reasonable. VOG presents the valuations to the Private Investment Sub-Committee of the Investment Management Division Valuation Committee, which is comprised of representatives from GSAM who are independent of the investment making decision process;

 

  (4) The Investment Management Division Valuation Committee ratifies fair valuations and makes recommendations to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors;

 

  (5) The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors reviews valuation information provided by the Investment Management Division Valuation Committee, our Investment Adviser and the Independent Valuation Advisors. The Audit Committee then assesses such valuation recommendations; and

 

  (6) Our Board of Directors discusses the valuations and, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act, determines the fair value of our investments in good faith, based on the input of our Investment Adviser, the Independent Valuation Advisors and the Audit Committee.

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. Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. For some assets and liabilities, observable market transactions or market information might be available. For other assets and liabilities, observable market transactions and market information might not be available. However, the objective of a fair value measurement in both cases is the same—to estimate the price when an orderly transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability would take place between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions (that is, an exit price at the measurement date from the perspective of a market participant that holds the asset or owes the liability).

ASC 820 establishes a hierarchal disclosure framework which ranks the observability of inputs used in measuring financial instruments at fair value. The observability of inputs is impacted by a number of factors, including the type of financial instruments and their specific characteristics. Financial instruments with readily available quoted prices, or for which fair value can be measured from quoted prices in active markets, generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment applied in determining fair value. The levels used for classifying investments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these securities.

 

150


DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan, pursuant to which we will reinvest all cash distributions declared by our Board of Directors on behalf of investors who do not elect to receive their cash distributions in cash as provided below. As a result, if our Board of Directors declares a cash distribution, then our stockholders who have not elected (or have not previously been deemed to have elected) to “opt out” of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock as described below. We intend to continue to pay quarterly distributions to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. Future quarterly distributions, if any, will be determined by our Board of Directors. All future distributions will be subject to lawfully available funds therefor, and no assurance can be given that we will be able to declare such distributions in future periods.

Each registered stockholder may elect to have distributions distributed in cash rather than participate in the plan. For any registered stockholder that does not so elect, distributions on such stockholder’s shares will be reinvested by State Street Bank and Trust Company, as the plan agent, in additional shares. The number of shares to be issued to the stockholder will be determined based on the total dollar amount of the cash distribution payable, net of applicable withholding taxes. The plan agent will maintain all participants’ accounts in the plan and furnish written confirmation of all transactions in the accounts. Shares in the account of each participant will be held by the plan agent on behalf of the participant in book entry form in the plan agent’s name or the plan agent’s nominee. Those stockholders whose shares are held through a broker or other nominee may receive cash distributions in cash by notifying their broker or nominee of their election.

The shares are acquired by the plan agent for the participants’ accounts either through (i) newly issued shares or (ii) by purchase of outstanding shares on the open market. If, on the payment date for any distribution, the most recently computed NAV per share as of the dividend payment date is equal to or less than the closing market price plus estimated per share fees (which include any applicable brokerage commissions the plan agent is required to pay) (such condition often referred to as a “premium”), the plan agent will invest the distribution amount in newly issued shares on behalf of the participants. The number of newly issued shares to be credited to a participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the distribution by the most recently computed NAV per share as of the dividend payment date; provided that, if the most recently computed NAV as of the dividend payment date is less than or equal to 95% of the closing market price on the dividend payment date, the dollar amount of the distribution will be divided by 95% of the closing market price per share on the dividend payment date. If on the dividend payment date, the most recently computed NAV per share as of that date is greater than the closing market price per share plus per share fees (such condition referred to as a “market discount”), the plan agent will invest the dividend amount in shares acquired on behalf of the participants by purchasing shares on the open market. Such open market purchases will continue on each successive business day until the entire dividend amount has been invested pursuant to open market purchases; provided, however, that if (a) the market discount shifts to a market premium, or (b) the open market purchases have not been completed by the last business day before the next date on which the common stock trades on an “ex-dividend” basis or 30 days after the dividend payment date, whichever is sooner, the plan agent will cease making open market purchases and will invest the entire uninvested portion of the dividend amount in newly issued common stock in the manner contemplated above.

Open-market purchases may be made on any securities exchange where shares are traded, in the over-the-counter market or in negotiated transactions, and may be on such terms as to price, delivery and otherwise as the plan agent will determine. Shares purchased in open market transactions by the plan agent will be allocated to a participant based on the average purchase price, excluding any brokerage charges or other charges, of all shares purchased in the open market with respect to any such distribution. The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after giving effect to payment of the distribution cannot be established until the value per share at which additional shares will be issued has been determined and elections of our stockholders have been tabulated.

 

151


If a participant elects by telephone, Internet, or written notice to the plan agent to have the plan agent sell all or a part of his or her shares and remit the proceeds to the participant, the plan agent will process all sale instructions received no later than five business days after the date on which the order is received. Such sale will be made through the plan agent’s broker on the relevant market and the sale price will not be determined until such time as the broker completes the sale. In each case, the price to each participant will be the weighted average sale price obtained by the plan agent’s broker net of fees for each aggregate order placed by the plan agent and executed by the broker.

The plan agent’s fees for the handling of the reinvestment of distributions will be paid by us. However, each participant will pay a per share fee incurred in connection with open market purchases. If a participant elects by telephone, Internet, or written notice to the plan agent to have the plan agent sell all or a part of his or her shares and remit the proceeds to the participant, the plan agent is authorized to deduct a per share fee from such proceeds. All per share fees include any applicable brokerage commissions the plan agent is required to pay.

Participation in the plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty. Participants may terminate their accounts under the plan by notifying the plan agent by telephone, Internet, or written notice prior to the distribution record date. Such termination will be effective immediately if received by the plan administrator prior to any distribution record date; otherwise such termination or resumption will be effective with respect to any subsequently declared dividend or other distribution. The plan agent will seek to process termination notices received after the dividend record date but before the dividend payment date prior to such dividend payment date to the extent practicable, but may in its sole discretion reinvest the participant’s dividends in common stock, as described above. If such dividends are reinvested, the plan agent will process the late termination notice as soon as practicable, but in no event later than five business days after the reinvestment is completed.

A stockholder who does not opt out of the dividend reinvestment plan will generally be subject to the same U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences as a stockholder who elects to receive its distributions in cash; however, because a stockholder that participates in the dividend reinvestment plan will not actually receive any cash, such a stockholder will not have such cash available to pay any applicable taxes on the deemed distribution. A stockholder that participates in the dividend reinvestment plan and thus is treated as having invested in additional shares of our stock will have a basis in such additional shares of stock equal to the total dollar amount treated as a distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The stockholder’s holding period for such stock will commence on the day following the day on which the shares are credited to the stockholder’s account. Stockholders that participate in the dividend reinvestment plan will receive tax information annually for their personal records and to help them prepare their federal income tax return. For further information as to tax consequences of participation in the plan, participants should consult with their own tax advisors.

We reserve the right to amend or terminate the plan upon notice in writing to each participant at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by us. There is no direct transaction fee to participants with regard to purchases in the plan; however, we reserve the right to amend the plan to include a transaction fee payable by the participants. Notice will be sent to participants of any amendments as soon as practicable after such action by us.

All correspondence concerning the plan should be directed to the plan agent at Computershare Trust Company, N.A, P.O. Box 30170, College Station, TX 77842-3170, with overnight correspondence being directed to the plan agent at Computershare Trust Company, N.A, 211 Quality Circle, Suite 210, College Station, TX 77845; by calling 855-807-2742; or through the plan agent’s website at www.computershare.com/investor. Participants who hold their shares through a broker or other nominee should direct correspondence or questions concerning the dividend reinvestment plan to their broker or nominee.

 

152


CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following discussion is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to us and an investment in shares of our common stock or preferred stock. The discussion is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the “Code,” the regulations of the U.S. Department of Treasury promulgated thereunder, which we refer to as the “Treasury regulations,” the legislative history of the Code, current administrative interpretations and practices of the Internal Revenue Service, which we refer to as the “IRS” (including administrative interpretations and practices of the IRS expressed in private letter rulings which are binding on the IRS only with respect to the particular taxpayers that requested and received those rulings) and judicial decisions, each as of the date of this prospectus and all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly retroactively, which could affect the continuing validity of this discussion. We have not sought, and will not seek, any ruling from the IRS regarding any matter discussed in this summary, and this summary is not binding on the IRS. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not assert, and a court will not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences discussed below.

You should note that this summary does not purport to be a complete description of all the tax aspects affecting us or the beneficial owners of shares of our common stock or preferred stock, which we refer to as “stockholders.” For example, this summary does not describe all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to certain types of stockholders subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, including stockholders subject to the alternative minimum tax, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, partnerships or other pass-through entities and their owners, Non-U.S. stockholders (as defined below) engaged in a trade or business in the United States or entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty, persons who have ceased to be U.S. citizens or to be taxed as residents of the United States, U.S. stockholders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, persons holding our common stock or preferred stock in connection with a hedging, straddle, conversion or other integrated transaction, dealers in securities, traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for securities holdings, pension plans and trusts and financial institutions. This summary assumes that our stockholders hold shares of our common stock or preferred stock as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes (generally, assets held for investment). This summary does not discuss any aspects of U.S. estate or gift taxation, U.S. state or local taxation or non-U.S. taxation. It does not discuss the special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws that could result if we invest in tax-exempt securities or certain other investment assets.

For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. stockholder” is a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock or preferred stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

    an individual who is a citizen or 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, including, for this purpose, the District of Columbia;

 

    a trust if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more “United States persons” (as defined in the Code) have the authority to control all substantive decisions of the trust, or (ii) the trust has in effect a valid election to be treated as a domestic trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes; or

 

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

For purposes of this discussion, a “Non-U.S. stockholder” is a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock or preferred stock that is not a U.S. stockholder or a partnership (or an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

153


If a partnership, or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds shares of our common stock or preferred stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level. A stockholder that is a partnership holding shares of our common stock or preferred stock, and each partner in such a partnership, should consult his, her or its own tax adviser with respect to the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock or preferred stock.

If we issue preferred stock that may be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for securities or other property or preferred stock with other terms that may have different U.S. federal income tax consequences than those described in this summary, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of such preferred stock will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement. This summary does not discuss the consequences of an investment in our subscription rights, debt securities or warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our preferred stock, common stock or debt securities. The U.S. federal income tax consequences of such an investment will be discussed in the relevant prospectus supplement.

Tax matters are very complicated and the tax consequences to each stockholder of the ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock or preferred stock will depend on the facts of his, her or its particular situation. You should consult your own tax adviser regarding the specific tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock or preferred stock to you, including tax reporting requirements, the applicability of U.S. federal, state and local tax laws and non-U.S. tax laws, eligibility for the benefits of any applicable income tax treaty and the effect of any possible changes in the tax laws.

We intend to pay quarterly distributions to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution, but will reinvest distributions on behalf of those investors that do not elect to receive their distributions in cash. See “Price Range of Common Stock and Distributions” and “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” for a description of our dividend policy and obligations.

Election to be Taxed as a RIC

We have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, we generally will not be required 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. Rather, dividends we distribute generally will be taxable to our stockholders, and any net operating losses, foreign tax credits and other of our tax attributes generally will not pass through to our stockholders, subject to special rules for certain items such as net capital gains and qualified dividend income we recognize. See “—Taxation of U.S. Stockholders” and “—Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders” below.

To maintain our status as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements (as described below). In addition, to maintain our status as a RIC, we must timely distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction), which is generally our net ordinary income plus the excess of realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses, if any, for each taxable year (the “Annual Distribution Requirement”).

Taxation as a RIC

If we maintain our status 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 (generally, realized net long-term capital gain in excess of realized net short-term capital loss) that we timely distribute (or are deemed to timely distribute) to our stockholders. We will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the regular corporate rates on any income or capital gain not distributed (or deemed distributed) to our stockholders.

 

154


We generally will be subject to a 4% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax on certain undistributed income unless we distribute in a timely manner an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of our net ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for each calendar year, (2) 98.2% of our capital gains in excess of capital losses for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year and (3) any net ordinary income and capital gains in excess of capital losses recognized, but not distributed, in preceding years (the “Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement”). We will not be subject to the U.S. federal excise tax on amounts on which we are required to pay U.S. federal income tax (such as retained net capital gains). Depending upon the level of taxable income and net capital gain earned in a year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income or net capital gain for distribution in the following year and pay any applicable tax.

In order to maintain our status as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must, among other things:

 

    qualify and have in effect an election to be treated as a BDC under the Investment Company 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 loans of certain securities, gains from the sale of stock or other securities or foreign currencies, net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership” (as defined in the Code), or other income derived with respect to our business of investing in such stock or securities or foreign currencies (the “90% Income Test”); and

 

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

 

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

 

  ¡     no more than 25% of the value of our assets is invested in (a) 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 Code rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or (b) the securities of one or more “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (the “Diversification Tests”).

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will include in our taxable income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash. For example, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable U.S. federal income tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with PIK interest or, in certain cases, that have increasing interest rates or are issued with warrants), we must include in our taxable income in each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether we receive cash representing such income in the same taxable year. We may also be required to include in our taxable income other amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as accruals on a contingent payment debt instrument, accruals of interest income and/or original issue discount on defaulted debt or deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan or are paid in non-cash compensation such as warrants or stock. Because such original issue discount or other amounts accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the year of accrual, we may be required to make distributions to our stockholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement and/or the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement, even though we will have not received any corresponding cash payments. Accordingly, to enable us to make distributions to our stockholders that will be sufficient to enable us to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, we may need to sell some of our assets at times and/or at prices that we would not consider advantageous, we may need to raise additional equity or debt capital or we may need to forego new investment opportunities or otherwise take actions that are disadvantageous to our business (or be unable to take actions that are advantageous to our business). If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources to enable us to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, we may

 

155


fail to qualify for the U.S. federal income tax benefits allowable to RICs and, thus, become subject to a corporate-level U.S. federal income tax (and any applicable state and local taxes).

Because we expect to use debt financing, we may be prevented by covenants contained in our debt financing agreements from making distributions to our stockholders in certain circumstances. In addition, under the Investment Company Act, we are generally 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. See “Regulation—Indebtedness and Senior Securities.” Limits on our distributions to our stockholders may prevent us from satisfying the Annual Distribution Requirement and, therefore, may jeopardize our qualification for taxation as a RIC, or subject us to the 4% U.S. federal excise tax.

Although we do not presently expect to do so, we may borrow funds and sell assets in order to make distributions to our stockholders that are sufficient for us to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement. However, our ability to dispose of assets may be limited by (1) the illiquid nature of our portfolio and/or (2) other requirements relating to our status 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 and/or values that, from an investment standpoint, are not advantageous. Alternatively, although we currently do not intend to do so, to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, we may declare a taxable dividend payable in our stock or cash at the election of each stockholder. In such case, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the amount of the dividend paid in our common stock will generally be equal to the amount of cash that could have been received instead of our stock. See “—Taxation of U.S. Stockholders” below for a discussion of the tax consequences to stockholders upon receipt of such dividends.

A RIC is limited in its ability to deduct expenses in excess of its investment company taxable income. If our expenses in a given year exceed our investment company taxable income, we would experience a net operating loss for that year. However, a RIC is not permitted to carry forward net operating losses to subsequent years and such net operating losses do not pass through to its stockholders. In addition, expenses can be used only to offset investment company taxable income, not net capital gain. A RIC may not use any net capital losses (that is, realized capital losses in excess of realized capital gains) to offset the RIC’s investment company taxable income, but may carry forward such losses, and use them to offset future capital gains, indefinitely. As a result of these limits on the deductibility of expenses and net capital losses, we may for tax purposes have aggregate taxable income for several years that we are required to distribute and that is taxable to our stockholders even if such income is greater than the aggregate net income we actually earned during those years. In addition, if future capital gains are offset by carried forward capital losses, such future capital gains are not subject to any corporate-level U.S. federal income tax, regardless of whether they are distributed to our stockholders. Accordingly, we do not expect to distribute any such offsetting capital gains.

Distributions we make to our stockholders may be made from our cash assets or by liquidation of our investments, if necessary. We may recognize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event we recognize net capital gains from such transactions, you may receive a larger capital gain distribution than you would have received in the absence of such transactions.

Failure to Qualify as a RIC

If we were to fail to satisfy the 90% Income Test for any taxable year or the Diversification Tests for any quarter of a taxable year, we might nevertheless continue to qualify as a RIC for such year if certain relief provisions of the Code applied (which might, among other things, require us to pay certain corporate-level U.S. federal taxes or to dispose of certain assets). If we were to fail to qualify for treatment as a RIC and such relief provisions did not apply to us, we would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on all of our taxable income at regular corporate U.S. federal income tax rates (and we also would be subject to any applicable state and local taxes), regardless of whether we make any distributions to our stockholders. We would not be able to deduct distributions to our stockholders, nor would distributions to our stockholders be required to be made for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Any distributions we make generally would be taxable to our U.S. stockholders as

 

156


ordinary dividend income and, subject to certain limitations under the Code, would be eligible for the 20% maximum rate applicable to individuals and other non-corporate U.S. stockholders, to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, U.S. stockholders that are corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes would be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital that would reduce the stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in its common stock or preferred stock (and correspondingly increase such stockholder’s gain, or reduce such stockholder’s loss, on disposition of such common stock or preferred stock), and any remaining distributions in excess of the stockholder’s adjusted tax basis would be treated as a capital gain.

Subject to a limited exception applicable to RICs that qualified as such under Subchapter M of the Code for at least one year prior to disqualification and that requalify as a RIC no later than the second year following the non-qualifying year, we could be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any unrealized net built-in gains in the assets held by us during the period in which we failed to qualify as a RIC that are recognized during the 5-year period after our requalification as a RIC, unless we made a special election to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on such net built-in gains at the time of our requalification as a RIC. We may decide to be taxed as a regular corporation even if we would otherwise qualify as a RIC if we determine that treatment as a corporation for a particular year would be in our best interests.

Our Investments—General

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) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (3) convert lower-taxed long-term capital gain into higher-taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income, (4) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (5) cause us to recognize income or gain without receipt of a corresponding cash payment, (6) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (7) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions and (8) 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 potential adverse effect of these provisions, but there can be no assurance that we will be eligible for any such tax elections or that any adverse effects of these provisions will be mitigated.

Gain or loss recognized by us from warrants or other securities 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 or security.

A portfolio company in which we invest may face financial difficulties that require us to work-out, modify or otherwise restructure our investment in the portfolio company. Any such transaction could, depending upon the specific terms of the transaction, result in unusable capital losses and future non-cash income. Any such transaction could also result in our receiving assets that give rise to non-qualifying income for purposes of the 90% Income Test or otherwise would not count toward satisfying the Diversification Tests.

Our investment in non-U.S. securities may be subject to non-U.S. income, withholding and other taxes. In that case, our yield on those securities would be decreased. Stockholders generally will not be entitled to claim a U.S. foreign tax credit or deduction with respect to non-U.S. taxes paid by us.

If we purchase shares in a “passive foreign investment company” (a “PFIC”), we may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” received on, or any gain from the disposition of, such shares even if we distribute such income as a taxable dividend to our stockholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest generally will be imposed on us in respect of deferred taxes arising from any such excess distribution or gain. If we invest in a PFIC and elect to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” under the Code (a “QEF”), in lieu of the foregoing requirements, we will be required to include in income each year our

 

157


proportionate share of the ordinary earnings and net capital gain of the QEF, even if such income is not distributed by the QEF. Alternatively, we may be able to elect to mark-to-market at the end of each taxable year our shares in a PFIC; in this case, we will recognize as ordinary income any increase in the value of such shares, and as ordinary loss any decrease in such value to the extent that any such decrease does not exceed prior increases included in our income. Our ability to make a QEF election will depend on factors beyond our control, and is subject to restrictions which may limit the availability of the benefit of this election. Under either election, we may be required to recognize in a year income in excess of any distributions we receive from PFICs and any proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock during that year, and such income will nevertheless be subject to the Annual Distribution Requirement and will be taken into account for purposes of determining whether we satisfy the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement. See “—Taxation as a RIC” above.

Under Section 988 of the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time we accrue income, expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time we actually collect such income or pay such expenses or liabilities are generally treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, gains or losses on foreign currency forward contracts and the disposition of debt obligations denominated in a foreign currency, to the extent attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the acquisition and disposition dates, are also treated as ordinary income or loss.

Some of the income that we might otherwise earn, such as fees for providing managerial assistance, certain fees earned with respect to our investments, income recognized in a work-out or restructuring of a portfolio investment or income recognized from an equity investment in an operating partnership, may not be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% Income Test. To manage the risk that such income might disqualify us as a RIC for failure to satisfy the 90% Income Test, one or more subsidiary entities treated as U.S. corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be employed to earn such income and (if applicable) hold the related asset. Such subsidiary entities will be required to pay U.S. federal income tax on their earnings, which ultimately will reduce the yield to our stockholders on such fees and income.

The remainder of this discussion assumes that we qualify as a RIC for each taxable year.

Taxation of U.S. Stockholders

The following discussion only applies to U.S. stockholders. Prospective stockholders that are not U.S. stockholders should refer to “-Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders” below.

Distributions

Distributions by us (including distributions where stockholders can elect to receive cash or stock) generally are taxable to U.S. stockholders as ordinary income or capital gains. Distributions of our investment company taxable income will be taxable as ordinary income to U.S. stockholders to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or stock. To the extent that such distributions paid by us to non-corporate U.S. stockholders (including individuals) are attributable to dividends from U.S. corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations, such distributions (“Qualifying Dividends”) may be eligible for a reduced maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20%. In this regard, it is anticipated that our distributions generally will not be attributable to dividends received by us and, therefore, generally will not qualify for the 20% maximum rate applicable to Qualifying Dividends. Distributions of our net capital gain (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 U.S. stockholders as long-term capital gains (currently taxable at a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% in the case of non-corporate U.S. stockholders (including individuals)), regardless of the U.S. stockholder’s holding period for his, her or its common stock or preferred stock and regardless of whether paid in cash or stock. 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 or preferred stock and, after the adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such U.S. stockholder.

 

158


We may decide to retain some or all of our net capital gain for reinvestment, but designate the retained net capital gain as a “deemed distribution.” In that case, among other consequences, (i) we will pay tax on the retained amount, (ii) each U.S. stockholder will be required to include his, her or its share of the deemed distribution in income as if it had been actually distributed to the U.S. stockholder and (iii) the U.S. stockholder will be entitled to claim a credit equal to his, her or its allocable share of the tax paid thereon by us. Because we expect to pay tax on any retained net capital gains at the regular corporate U.S. federal income tax rate, and because that rate is in excess of the maximum U.S. federal income tax rate currently payable by individuals (and other non-corporate U.S. stockholders) on long-term capital gains, the amount of tax that individuals (and other non-corporate U.S. stockholders) will be treated as having paid will exceed the tax they owe on the capital gain distribution. Such excess generally may be claimed as a credit against the U.S. stockholder’s other federal income tax obligations or may be refunded to the extent it exceeds the U.S. stockholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability; however, generally no such credit may be claimed for state tax purposes. The amount of the deemed distribution net of such tax will be added to the U.S. stockholder’s tax basis for his, her or its common stock or preferred stock. In order to utilize the deemed distribution approach, we must provide written notice to our stockholders prior to the expiration of 60 days after the close of the relevant taxable year. We cannot treat any of our investment company taxable income as a “deemed distribution.”

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, under certain circumstances, we may 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, U.S. stockholders 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.

Although we currently do not intend to do so, we have the ability to declare a large portion of a dividend in shares of our stock. We are not subject to restrictions on the circumstances in which we may declare a portion of a dividend in shares of our stock, but would generally anticipate doing so only in unusual situations, such as, for example, if we did not have sufficient cash to meet our RIC distribution requirements under the Code. Generally, were we to declare such a dividend, we would allow stockholders to elect payment in cash and/or shares of equivalent value, with a percentage cap on the portion of the total dividend to be issued in cash (such that, if the aggregate stockholder elections exceeded such percentage cap, each stockholder’s cash portion would be reduced pro rata). The number of shares of our stock declared would thus depend on the applicable percentage cap, the stockholders’ individual elections to receive cash or stock, and the value of the shares of stock. Informal IRS guidance has suggested that, as long as each stockholder has a right to receive no less than 20% of such dividend in cash and certain requirements are met, the entire distribution will generally be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, our U.S. stockholders generally will be taxed on 100% of the fair market value of the dividend on the date the dividend is received in the same manner as a cash dividend, even though most of the dividend was paid in shares of our stock. This may result in our U.S. stockholders having to pay tax on such dividends, even if no cash is received.

We expect to be treated as a “publicly offered regulated investment company” (within the meaning of Section 67 of the Code) as a result of either (i) shares of our stock being held by at least 500 persons at all times during a taxable year or (ii) shares of our stock being treated as regularly traded on an established securities market. However, we cannot assure you that we will be treated as a publicly offered regulated investment company for all years. If we are not treated as a publicly offered regulated investment company for any calendar year, for purposes of computing the taxable income of U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates, (i) our earnings will be computed without taking into account such U.S. stockholders’ allocable shares of the management and incentive fees paid to our Investment Adviser and certain of our other expenses, (ii) each such U.S. stockholder will be treated as having received or accrued a dividend from us in the amount of such U.S. stockholder’s allocable share of these fees and expenses for the calendar year, (iii) each such U.S. stockholder

 

159


will be treated as having paid or incurred such U.S. stockholder’s allocable share of these fees and expenses for the calendar year and (iv) each such U.S. stockholder’s allocable share of these fees and expenses will be treated as miscellaneous itemized deductions by such U.S. stockholder. Miscellaneous itemized deductions generally are deductible by a U.S. stockholder that is an individual, trust or estate only to the extent that the aggregate of such U.S. stockholder’s miscellaneous itemized deductions exceeds 2% of such U.S. stockholder’s adjusted gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are not deductible for purposes of the alternative minimum tax and are subject to the overall limitation on itemized deductions under Section 67 of the Code.

If an investor purchases shares of our common stock or preferred stock shortly before the record date of a distribution, the price of the shares will include the value of the distribution, and the investor will be subject to tax on the distribution, even though economically it may represent a return of his, her or its investment. We have the potential to build up large amounts of unrealized gain which, when realized and distributed, could have the effect of a taxable return of capital to U.S. stockholders.

Our U.S. stockholders will receive, as promptly as possible after the end of each calendar year, a notice reporting 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 from us generally will be reported to the IRS (including the amount of any dividends that are Qualifying Dividends eligible for the 20% maximum capital gains tax rate). Dividends paid by us generally will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction or the preferential tax rate applicable to Qualifying Dividends because our income generally will not consist of dividends. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and non-U.S. taxes depending on a U.S. stockholder’s particular situation.

We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan under which stockholders who do not “opt out” will receive distributions in the form of additional shares instead of in cash. If a U.S. stockholder reinvests distributions in additional shares, such U.S. stockholder will generally be subject to the same U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences as if it had received a distribution in cash and, for this purpose, a U.S. stockholder receiving a distribution in the form of additional shares will generally be treated as receiving a distribution in the amount of cash that the U.S. stockholder would have received if it had elected to receive the distribution in cash. If we issue additional shares with a fair market value equal to or greater than net asset value, however, stockholders will be treated as receiving a distribution in the amount of the fair market value of the distributed shares. Any such additional shares will have a tax basis equal to the amount treated as a distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The additional shares will have a new holding period commencing on the day following the day on which the shares are credited to the U.S. stockholder’s account.

We or your financial intermediary is also generally required by law to report to each U.S. stockholder and to the IRS cost basis information for shares of our stock sold by or redeemed from the U.S. stockholder. This information includes the adjusted cost basis of the shares, the gross proceeds from disposition and whether the gain or loss is long-term or short-term. The adjusted cost basis of shares will be based on the default cost basis reporting method selected by us, unless a U.S. stockholder, before the sale or redemption, informs us that it has selected a different IRS-accepted method offered by us. These requirements, however, will not apply for investments through an IRA or other tax-advantaged account. U.S. stockholders should consult their financial intermediaries and tax advisors to determine the best cost basis method for their tax situation, and to obtain more information about how these cost basis reporting requirements apply to them.

Alternative Minimum Tax

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

 

160


Dispositions

A U.S. stockholder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss if the U.S. stockholder sells or otherwise disposes of his, her or its shares of our common stock or preferred stock. The amount of gain or loss will be measured by the difference between such stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock or preferred stock sold and the amount of the proceeds received in exchange. Any gain or loss arising from such sale or disposition generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. stockholder has held his, her or its shares for more than one year; otherwise, any such gain or loss 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 or preferred 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 or preferred stock may be disallowed if other shares of our common stock or preferred stock are purchased (whether through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the disposition.

In general, non-corporate U.S. stockholders (including individuals) currently are subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% on their net capital gain (i.e., the excess of realized net long-term capital gains over realized net short-term capital losses), including any long-term capital gain derived from an investment in shares of our common stock or preferred stock. Such rate is lower than the maximum 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 U.S. stockholders (including individuals) with net capital losses for a year (i.e., capital losses in excess of 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 U.S. stockholder (including an individual) in excess of $3,000 generally may be carried forward and used in subsequent years as provided in the Code. Corporate U.S. stockholders generally may not deduct any net capital losses for a year, but may carry back such losses for three years or carry forward such losses for five years.

Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income

A U.S. stockholder that is an individual or estate, or a trust that does not fall into a special class of trusts that is exempt from such tax, will generally be subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (i) the U.S. stockholder’s “net investment income” (or undistributed “net investment income” for an estate or trust) for a taxable year and (ii) the excess of the U.S. stockholder’s modified adjusted gross income for such taxable year over $200,000 in the case of single filers ($250,000 in the case of joint filers). For these purposes, “net investment income” will generally include taxable distributions and deemed distributions paid with respect to stock, including our common stock or preferred stock, and net gain attributable to the disposition of stock, including our common stock or preferred stock (in each case, unless such stock is held in connection with certain trades or businesses), but will be reduced by any deductions properly allocable to such distributions or net gain.

Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations

Under applicable Treasury regulations, if a U.S. stockholder recognizes a loss with respect to our common stock or preferred stock of $2 million or more for a non-corporate U.S. stockholder or $10 million or more for a corporate U.S. stockholder in any single taxable year (or a greater loss over a combination of years), the U.S. stockholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct U.S. stockholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but, under current guidance, U.S. stockholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to U.S. stockholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Significant monetary penalties apply to a failure to comply with this reporting requirement. States may also have a similar reporting requirement. U.S. stockholders should consult their own tax advisers to determine the applicability of these Treasury regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

 

161


Backup Withholding

The relevant withholding agent may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax (“backup withholding”), at a current rate of 28%, from any taxable distribution to a U.S. stockholder (other than a corporation, a financial institution or a stockholder that otherwise qualifies for an exemption) (1) that fails to provide 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 the withholding agent 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. Backup withholding is not an additional tax, and any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules is allowed as a credit against the U.S. stockholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (which may entitle the U.S. stockholder to a refund), provided that proper information is timely provided to the IRS.

Withholding and Information Reporting on Foreign Financial Accounts

Under the Code and applicable Treasury regulations, the applicable withholding agent generally will be required to withhold (a) 30% of any dividends on our common stock or preferred stock and (b) after December 31, 2018, 30% of the gross proceeds from a sale of our common stock or preferred stock, in each case, paid to (i) a non-U.S. financial institution (whether such financial institution is the beneficial owner or an intermediary) unless such non-U.S. financial institution agrees to verify, report and disclose its U.S. accountholders and meets certain other specified requirements or (ii) a non-financial non-U.S. entity (whether such entity is the beneficial owner or an intermediary) unless such entity certifies that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or provides the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner and such entity meets certain other specified requirements. We will not pay any additional amounts in respect of any amounts withheld.

Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders

The following discussion applies only to Non-U.S. stockholders. Whether an investment in shares of our common stock or preferred stock is appropriate for a Non-U.S. stockholder will depend upon that stockholder’s particular circumstances. An investment in shares of our common stock or preferred stock by a Non-U.S. stockholder may have adverse tax consequences to such Non-U.S. stockholder. Non-U.S. stockholders should consult their own tax advisers before investing in our common stock or preferred stock.

Distributions; Dispositions

Subject to the discussion below, distributions of our investment company taxable income to a Non-U.S. stockholder that are not effectively connected with the Non-U.S. stockholder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided by an applicable income tax treaty) to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits.

Certain properly reported dividends are generally exempt from withholding of U.S. federal income tax where they are paid in respect of our (i) “qualified net interest income” (generally, our U.S.-source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which we or the Non-U.S. stockholder are at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income) or (ii) “qualified short-term capital gains” (generally, the excess of our net short-term capital gain over our net long-term capital loss for such taxable year), and certain other requirements are satisfied. No assurance can be given as to whether any of our distributions will be eligible for this exemption from withholding of U.S. federal income tax or, if eligible, will be reported as such by us. In particular, this exemption will not apply to our distributions paid in respect of our non-U.S. source interest income or our dividend income (or any other type of income other than generally our non-contingent U.S.-source interest income received from unrelated obligors and our qualified short-term capital gains). In the case of our common stock or preferred stock held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold U.S. federal income tax even if we report the payment as qualified net interest income or qualified short-term capital gain.

 

162


Distributions of our investment company taxable income to a Non-U.S. stockholder that are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. stockholder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. stockholder) generally will not be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax if the Non-U.S. stockholder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements, although the distributions will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis at the rates and in the manner applicable to U.S. stockholders generally.

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 or preferred stock, will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or any withholding of such tax, unless (a) the distributions or gains, as the case may be, are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. stockholder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. stockholder), in which case the distributions or gains will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis at the rates and in the manner applicable to U.S. stockholders generally, or (b) the Non-U.S. stockholder is an individual who has been present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and satisfies certain other conditions, in which case, except as otherwise provided by an applicable income tax treaty, the distributions or gains, which may be offset by certain U.S.-source capital losses, generally will be subject to a flat 30% U.S. federal income tax, even though the Non-U.S. stockholder is not considered a resident alien under the Code.

If we distribute our net capital gains in the form of deemed rather than actual distributions, a Non-U.S. stockholder will be entitled to a U.S. federal income tax credit or tax refund equal to the stockholder’s allocable share of the tax we pay on the capital gains deemed to have been distributed. In order to obtain the refund, the Non-U.S. stockholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a U.S. federal income tax return, even if the Non-U.S. stockholder would not otherwise be required to obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number or file a U.S. federal income tax return.

For a corporate Non-U.S. stockholder, both distributions (actual or deemed) and gains realized upon the sale of our common stock or preferred stock that are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. stockholder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States 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 income tax treaty).

Although we currently do not intend to do so, we have the ability to declare a large portion of a dividend in shares of our stock. We are not subject to restrictions on the circumstances in which we may declare a portion of a dividend in shares of our stock, but would generally anticipate doing so only in unusual situations, such as, for example, if we did not have sufficient cash to meet our RIC distribution requirements under the Code. Generally, were we to declare such a dividend, we would allow stockholders to elect payment in cash and/or shares of equivalent value, with a percentage cap on the portion of the total dividend to be issued in cash (such that, if the aggregate stockholder elections exceeded such percentage cap, each stockholder’s cash portion would be reduced pro rata). The number of shares of our stock declared would thus depend on the applicable percentage cap, the stockholders’ individual elections to receive cash or stock, and the value of the shares of stock. Informal IRS guidance has suggested that, as long as each stockholder has a right to receive no less than 20% of such dividend in cash and certain requirements are met, the entire distribution will generally be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, our non-U.S. stockholders will be taxed on 100% of the fair market value of the dividend on the date the dividend is received in the same manner as a cash dividend (including the application of the withholding tax rules discussed above), even though most of the dividend was paid in shares of our stock. In such a circumstance, all or substantially all of the cash that would otherwise be distributed to a Non-U.S. stockholder may be withheld or shares of our stock may be withheld and sold to fund the applicable withholding.

 

163


We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan under which stockholders who do not “opt out” receive distributions in the form of additional shares instead of in cash. If a Non-U.S. stockholder reinvests distributions in additional shares, such Non-U.S. stockholder will generally be subject to the same U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences as if it had received a distribution in cash and, for this purpose, a Non-U.S. stockholder receiving a distribution in the form of additional shares will generally be treated as receiving a distribution in the amount of cash that the Non-U.S. stockholder would have received if it had elected to receive the distribution in cash. If we issue additional shares with a fair market value equal to or greater than net asset value, however, a Non-U.S. stockholder will be treated as receiving a distribution in the amount of the fair market value of the distributed shares. If the distribution is a distribution of our investment company taxable income and is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. stockholder (or, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is not attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. stockholder), the amount distributed (to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits) will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided by an applicable income tax treaty) and only the net after-tax amount will be reinvested in additional shares. If the distribution is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. stockholder (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. stockholder), and the Non-U.S. stockholder complies with the applicable certification and disclosure requirements, the full amount of the distribution generally will be reinvested in additional shares and will nevertheless be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the ordinary income rates applicable to U.S. persons. The Non-U.S. stockholder will have an adjusted tax basis in the additional shares of our common stock purchased through the dividend reinvestment plan equal to the total dollar amount treated as a distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The additional shares will have a new holding period commencing on the day following the day on which the shares are credited to the Non-U.S. stockholder’s account.

Backup Withholding

A Non-U.S. stockholder generally will be subject to information reporting and may be subject to backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax on taxable distributions unless the Non-U.S. stockholder provides the applicable withholding agent with an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E or an acceptable substitute form or otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax, and any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules is allowed as a credit against the Non-U.S. stockholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (which may entitle the Non-U.S. stockholder to a refund), provided that proper information is timely provided to the IRS.

Withholding and Information Reporting on Foreign Financial Accounts

Under the Code and applicable Treasury regulations, the applicable withholding agent generally will be required to withhold 30% of (a) any dividends on our common stock or preferred stock and (b) after December 31, 2018, gross proceeds from a sale of our common stock or preferred stock, in each case, paid to (i) a non-U.S. financial institution (whether such financial institution is the beneficial owner or an intermediary) unless such non-U.S. financial institution agrees to verify, report and disclose its U.S. accountholders and meets certain other specified requirements or (ii) a non-financial non-U.S. entity (whether such entity is the beneficial owner or an intermediary) unless such entity certifies that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or provides the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner and such entity meets certain other specified requirements. If payment of this withholding tax is made, Non-U.S. stockholders that are otherwise eligible for an exemption from, or a reduction in, withholding of U.S. federal income taxes with respect to such dividends or proceeds will be required to seek a credit or refund from the IRS to obtain the benefit of such exemption or reduction. We will not pay any additional amounts in respect of any amounts withheld.

Non-U.S. stockholders should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the U.S. federal income and withholding tax consequences, and state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences, of an investment in shares of our common stock or preferred stock.

 

164


Change in Tax Laws

Each prospective investor should be aware that tax laws and regulations are changing on an ongoing basis, and such laws and/or regulations may be changed with retroactive effect. Moreover, the interpretation and/or application of tax laws and regulations by certain tax authorities may not be clear, consistent or transparent. Uncertainty in the tax law may require us to accrue potential tax liabilities even in situations in which we and/or our stockholders do not expect to be ultimately subject to such tax liabilities. In that regard, accounting standards and/or related tax reporting obligations may change, giving rise to additional accrual and/or other obligations.

Developments in the tax laws of the United States or other jurisdictions could have a material effect on the tax consequences to the stockholders, us, and/or our direct and indirect subsidiaries, and stockholders may be required to provide certain additional information to us (which may be provided to the IRS or other taxing authorities) and may be subject to other adverse consequences as a result of such change in tax laws. In the event of any such change in tax law, each stockholder is urged to consult its own advisors.

 

165


DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK

The following description of our capital stock 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

As of the date of this prospectus, our authorized stock consists of 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “GSBD.” There are no outstanding options or warrants to purchase our stock. Under Delaware law, our stockholders will generally not be personally liable for our debts or obligations.

Unless our Board of Directors determines otherwise, we will issue all shares of our capital stock in uncertificated form.

The following table sets forth information on our capital stock as of December 31, 2016:

 

(1) Title of Class

  

(2) Amount
Authorized

    

(3) Amount Held
by us or for Our
Account

    

(4) Amount
Outstanding
Exclusive of
Amount Shown
Under (3)

 

Common Stock

     200,000,000         —           36,331,662   

Preferred Stock

     1,000,000         —           —     

Common Stock

All shares of our common stock have equal rights as to earnings, assets, dividends and other distributions and voting and, when they are issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Distributions may be made or paid to the holders of our common stock if, as and when declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor, subject to the rights of holders of shares of any series of our preferred stock then outstanding. Shares of our common stock have no exchange, conversion or redemption rights. Shares of our common stock are subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in our certificate of incorporation, as described more fully below, as well as any restrictions on transfer arising under federal and state securities laws or by contract. Following the time at which the transfer restrictions contained in our certificate of incorporation terminate, shares of our common stock will be freely transferable, except when their transfer is restricted by federal and state securities laws or by contract. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each share of our common stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of our assets that are legally available for distribution after we pay all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of shares of any series of our preferred stock then outstanding. Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders generally, including the election of directors elected by a vote of stockholders generally. Except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, including our preferred stock, as more fully described below, the holders of our common stock possess exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of our Board of Directors, which means that holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote in the election of such directors are entitled to elect that number of nominees equal to the number of directors to be elected by such holders, and holders of less than a majority of such shares will be unable to elect one or more specific directors for any available directorship. In addition, holders of our common stock may participate in our dividend reinvestment plan.

 

166


Preferred Stock

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes our Board of Directors to create and issue one or more series of preferred stock to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act. Prior to the issuance of shares of each series of preferred stock, our Board of Directors will be required by Delaware law and by our certificate of incorporation to establish the voting powers (full or limited, or no voting powers), and the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of each series of our preferred stock. Thus, to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act, the Board of Directors could authorize the issuance of shares of a series of our preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest.

Any issuance of preferred stock must comply with the requirements of the Investment Company Act. The Investment Company Act requires, among other things, that (1) immediately after issuance and before any dividend or other distribution is made with respect to our common stock and before any purchase of common stock is made, such preferred stock together with all other senior securities must not exceed an amount equal to 50% of our total assets after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, and (2) the holder of shares of preferred stock, if any are issued, must be entitled as a class voting separately to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if dividends on such preferred stock are in arrears by two full years or more. Certain matters under the Investment Company Act require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of preferred stock (as determined in accordance with the Investment Company Act), including any outstanding perpetual preferred stock, voting together as a separate class. For example, the vote of such holders of preferred stock would be required to approve a proposal involving a plan of reorganization adversely affecting such securities.

Provisions of the DGCL and Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Limitation on Liability of Directors; Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses

The indemnification of our officers and directors is governed by Section 145 of the DGCL and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws. Section 145(a) of the DGCL empowers the Company 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 Company) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company 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 Company and (3) with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, such person had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful.

Section 145(b) of the DGCL empowers the Company 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 Company 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 Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company 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 Company, 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 Company 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

 

167


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.

Section 145(c) of the DGCL provides that to the extent that a present or former director or officer of the Company has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in 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 shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding.

Section 145(d) of the DGCL provides that 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 Company only if it is consistent with the Investment Company Act and 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 person to be indemnified has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in those subsections. 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, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (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.

Section 145(e) authorizes the Company to pay expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director of the Company in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the person to whom the advancement will be made to repay the advanced amounts if it is ultimately determined that he or she was not entitled to be indemnified by the Company as authorized by Section 145. Section 145(e) also provides that such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents of the Company, or persons serving at the request of the Company as directors, officers, employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Company deems appropriate.

Section 145(f) provides that indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of such Section are not to be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

Section 145(g) authorizes the Company to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of its current and former directors, officers, employees and agents (and on behalf of any person who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, regardless of whether the Company would have the power to indemnify such persons against such liability under Section 145.

Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL allows the Company to provide in its certificate of incorporation a provision that limits or eliminates the personal liability of a director of the Company to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision may not limit or eliminate the liability of a director (1) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Company 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 derived an improper personal benefit. Our certificate of incorporation will provide 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.

 

168


Our certificate of incorporation requires us to indemnify to the full extent permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL all persons whom we may indemnify under that section. Our certificate of incorporation also provides that expenses incurred by our officers or directors in defending any action, suit or proceeding for which they may be entitled to indemnification under our certificate of incorporation shall be paid in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit or proceeding. However, any indemnification or payment or reimbursement of expenses made pursuant to such provisions of our certificate of incorporation will be subject to the applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act. In addition, our bylaws provide that, except for certain proceedings initiated by our directors or officers, we must indemnify, and advance expenses to, our current and former directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, but provide that any indemnification or reimbursement of expenses thereunder is subject to the applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act.

Delaware Anti-Takeover Law

The DGCL contains, and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws also 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. 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 have elected in our certificate of incorporation not to be subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, an antitakeover law. However, our certificate of incorporation contains provisions that, at any point in time in which our common stock is registered under Section 12(b) or Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, have the same effect as Section 203, except that it exempts Group Inc. and its affiliates, and certain of its or their respective direct or indirect transferees and any group as to which such persons are a party, from the effect of those provisions. In general, these provisions will prohibit us 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 Company outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers of the Company; or

 

    at or subsequent the such time the business combination is approved by the Board of Directors and authorized at a meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

These provisions define “business combination” to include the following:

 

    any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Company with the interested stockholder;

 

   

any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), except proportionately as a stockholder of such corporation, to or with the interested stockholder, of 10% or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the Company or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding stock of the Company; subject to

 

169


 

certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the Company or by any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Company of any stock of the Company or of such subsidiary to the interested stockholder;

 

    any transaction involving the Company or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Company that has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series (or securities convertible into the stock of any class or series) of the Company or of any such subsidiary owned by the interested stockholder, except as to immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments or as a result of any purchase or redemption of any shares of stock not caused, directly or indirectly, by the interested stockholder; or

 

    the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder of the Company), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the Company or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary.

In general, these provisions define an “interested stockholder” as any entity or person that is the beneficial owner of 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock or is an affiliate or associate of us and was the beneficial owner of 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to the relevant date, and the affiliates or associates of any such entity or person, but Group Inc. and its affiliates and certain of its or their respective direct or indirect transferees and any group as to which such persons are a party are excluded from the definition of interested stockholder.

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

Election of Directors

Our bylaws provide that, unless otherwise provided in our certificate of incorporation (including with respect to the special rights of holders of one or more series of our preferred stock to elect directors), our directors are elected by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast by stockholders entitled to vote thereon present in person or by proxy at a meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors. Under our certificate of incorporation, our Board of Directors has the power to amend our bylaws, including the provisions specifying the vote required to elect directors. Under Section 216 of the DGCL, however, a bylaw amendment adopted by stockholders which specifies the votes that shall be necessary for the election of directors shall not be further amended or repealed by the Board of Directors.

Classified Board of Directors

Under our certificate of incorporation, subject to the special right of the holders of one or more series of preferred stock to elect additional preferred directors, our directors are divided into three classes of directors, serving staggered three-year terms, with the term of office of directors in only one of the three classes expiring each year. As a result, one-third of such directors will then be elected each year. A classified board may render a change in control of us or removal of our incumbent management more difficult. We believe, however, that, the longer time required to elect a majority of a classified Board of Directors will help to ensure the continuity and stability of our management and policies.

Number of Directors; Removal; Vacancies

Our certificate of incorporation provides that, subject to any rights of holders of one or more series of preferred stock to elect additional preferred directors, the total number of directors is fixed from time to time exclusively pursuant to a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. Under the DGCL, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise (which our certificate of incorporation does not), directors on a classified board

 

170


may be removed only for cause. Our certificate of incorporation provides that our directors are divided into classes serving staggered three-year terms and such directors may only be removed for cause, and only upon the affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. Under our certificate of incorporation, subject to the applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act and the rights of the holders of one or more series of preferred stock, any vacancy on the Board of Directors resulting from the death, resignation, retirement, removal or disqualification of a director or other cause, or any vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors, may be filled only by vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director; provided that when the holders of any class or series of our stock are entitled under the certificate of incorporation to elect directors, vacancies in directorships elected by such class, classes or series may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors so elected. Any such 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

Our certificate of incorporation provides that our stockholders are only able to take action at an annual or special meeting of stockholders and may not take action by written consent of stockholders 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 other business to be considered by stockholders may be made only (1) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or a duly authorized committee thereof), (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. For any nomination or business proposal to be properly brought by a stockholder for a meeting, such stockholder will have to comply with advance notice requirements and provide us with certain information. Generally, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders. Our bylaws specify requirements as to the form and content of any such stockholder’s notice. Our bylaws also allow the presiding officer at a meeting of the stockholders to adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of meetings which may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if the rules and regulations are not followed. Our bylaws further provide that 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, and provided that the Board of Directors has determined that directors will be elected at the meeting, by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of the bylaws.

The purpose of requiring stockholders to give us advance notice of nominations and other business is to afford our Board of Directors a meaningful opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees and the advisability of any other proposed business and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by our Board of Directors, to inform stockholders and make recommendations about such qualifications or business, as well as to provide a more orderly procedure for conducting meetings of stockholders. Although our bylaws do not give our Board of Directors any power to disapprove stockholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals recommending certain action that are made in compliance with applicable advance notice procedures, 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.

 

171


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. 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, and not by any other person.

Amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Section 242 of the DGCL generally provides any amendment to the certificate of incorporation must be approved and declared advisable by the Board of Directors and adopted by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote thereon, and by a majority of the outstanding stock of each class entitled to vote thereon as a class. Section 109 of the DGCL provides that, after a corporation has received payment for its capital stock, the power to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws shall be in the stockholders entitled to vote, but any corporation may, in its certificate of incorporation, confer the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws upon the directors. Our certificate of incorporation provides our Board of Directors with such power. The DGCL provides that the certificate of incorporation may contain provisions requiring for any corporate action the vote of a larger portion of the stock or of any class or series thereof than is required by the DGCL. Our certificate of incorporation provides that the following provisions, among others, may be amended by our stockholders only by a vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote thereon:

 

    the provisions regarding the classification of our Board of Directors;

 

    the provisions specifying the percentage of votes required to remove directors for cause;

 

    the provisions limiting stockholder action by written consent;

 

    the provisions regarding the calling of special meetings;

 

    the provisions regarding the number of directors and filling vacancies on our Board of Directors and newly created directorships;

 

    the provision requiring a supermajority vote to amend our bylaws;

 

    the limitation of directors’ personal liability to us or our stockholders for breach of fiduciary duty as a director;

 

    the provisions regarding indemnification and advancement of expenses under our certificate of incorporation;

 

    the provision regarding restrictions on business combinations with interested stockholders; and

 

172


    the amendment provision requiring that the above provisions be amended only with a two-thirds supermajority vote.

Our bylaws generally are able to be amended by approval of (i) a majority of the total number of authorized directors or (ii) the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote thereon.

Conflict with Investment Company 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 Investment Company Act, the applicable provision of the Investment Company Act will control.

 

173


DESCRIPTION OF OUR PREFERRED STOCK

In addition to shares of common stock, our certificate of incorporation authorizes our Board of Directors to create and issue one or more series of preferred stock to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act. Prior to the issuance of shares of each series of preferred stock, our Board of Directors will be required by Delaware law and by our certificate of incorporation to establish the voting powers (full or limited, or no voting powers), and the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of each series of our preferred stock. Thus, to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act, the Board of Directors could authorize the issuance of shares of a series of our preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest.

Any issuance of preferred stock must comply with the requirements of the Investment Company Act. The Investment Company Act requires, among other things, that (1) immediately after issuance and before any dividend or other distribution is made with respect to our common stock and before any purchase of common stock is made, such preferred stock together with all other senior securities must not exceed an amount equal to 50% of our total assets after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, and (2) the holder of shares of preferred stock, if any are issued, must be entitled as a class voting separately to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if dividends on such preferred stock are in arrears by two full years or more. Certain matters under the Investment Company Act require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of preferred stock (as determined in accordance with the Investment Company Act), including any outstanding perpetual preferred stock, voting together as a separate class. For example, the vote of such holders of preferred stock would be required to approve a proposal involving a plan of reorganization adversely affecting such securities.

The following is a general description of the terms of the preferred stock we may issue from time to time. Particular terms of any preferred stock we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such preferred stock.

For any series of preferred stock that we may issue, our board of directors or a committee thereof will determine and the amendment to our certificate of incorporation and prospectus supplement relating to such series will describe:

 

    the designation and number of shares of such series;

 

    the rate, whether fixed or variable, and time at which, and the preferences and conditions under which, any dividends will be paid on shares of such series, as well as whether such dividends are participating or non-participating;

 

    any provisions relating to convertibility or exchangeability of the shares of such series, including adjustments to the conversion price of such series;

 

    the rights and preferences, if any, of holders of shares of such series upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;

 

    the voting powers, if any, of the holders of shares of such series;

 

    any provisions relating to the redemption of the shares of such series;

 

    any limitations on our ability to pay dividends or make distributions on, or acquire or redeem, other securities while shares of such series are outstanding;

 

174


    any conditions or restrictions on our ability to issue additional shares of such series or other securities;

 

    if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and

 

    any other relative powers, preferences and participating, optional or special rights of shares of such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.

All shares of preferred stock that we may issue will be identical and of equal rank except as to the particular terms thereof that may be fixed by our board of directors, and all shares of each series of preferred stock will be identical and of equal rank except as to the dates from which dividends or other distributions, if any, thereon will be cumulative.

 

175


DESCRIPTION OF OUR WARRANTS

The following is a general description of the terms of the warrants we may issue from time to time. Particular terms of any warrants we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such warrants.

We may issue warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities. Such warrants may be issued independently or together with common stock, preferred stock or debt securities and may be attached or separate from such securities. We will issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

A prospectus supplement will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants we may issue, including the following:

 

    the title of such warrants;

 

    the aggregate number of such warrants;

 

    the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;

 

    the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the price of such warrants may be payable;

 

    if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;

 

    in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

    in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

    the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right will expire (subject to any extension);

 

    whether such warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer form;

 

    if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

 

    if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

 

    the terms of any rights to redeem, or call such warrants;

 

    information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

    the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

176


    if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and

 

    any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

We and the warrant agent may amend or supplement the warrant agreement for a series of warrants without the consent of the holders of the warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.

Prior to exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including, in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive principal, premium, if any, or interest payments, on the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture or, in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends or other distributions, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise any voting rights.

Under the Investment Company Act, we may generally only offer warrants provided that (1) the warrants expire by their terms within ten years; (2) the exercise or conversion price is not less than the current market value at the date of issuance; (3) our stockholders authorize the proposal to issue such warrants, and our board of directors approves such issuance on the basis that the issuance is in the best interests of us and our stockholders; and (4) if the warrants are accompanied by other securities, the warrants are not separately transferable unless no class of such warrants and the securities accompanying them has been publicly distributed. The Investment Company Act also provides that the amount of our voting securities that would result from the exercise of all outstanding warrants at the time of issuance may not exceed 25% of our outstanding voting securities.

 

177


DESCRIPTION OF OUR DEBT SECURITIES

We may issue debt securities in one or more series. The specific terms of each series of debt securities will be described in the particular prospectus supplement relating to that series. The prospectus supplement may or may not modify the general terms found in this prospectus and will be filed with the SEC. For a complete description of the terms of a particular series of debt securities, you should read both this prospectus and the prospectus supplement relating to that particular series.

As required by federal law for all bonds and notes of companies that are publicly offered, the debt securities are governed by a document called an “indenture.” An indenture is a contract between us and a financial institution acting as trustee on your behalf, and is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The trustee has two main roles. First, the trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf, described in the second paragraph under “—Events of Default—Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs.” Second, the trustee performs certain administrative duties for us.

Because this section is a summary, it does not describe every aspect of the debt securities and the indenture. We urge you to read the indenture because it, and not this description, defines your rights as a holder of debt securities. See “Available Information” for information on how to obtain a copy of the indenture.

The prospectus supplement, which will accompany this prospectus, will describe the particular series of debt securities being offered by including:

 

    the designation or title of the series of debt securities;

 

    the total principal amount of the series of debt securities;

 

    the percentage of the principal amount at which the series of debt securities will be offered;

 

    the date or dates on which principal will be payable;

 

    the rate or rates (which may be either fixed or variable) and/or the method of determining such rate or rates of interest, if any;

 

    the date or dates from which any interest will accrue, or the method of determining such date or dates, and the date or dates on which any interest will be payable;

 

    the terms for redemption, extension or early repayment, if any;

 

    the currencies in which the series of debt securities are issued and payable;

 

    whether the amount of payments of principal, premium or interest, if any, on a series of debt securities will be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which could be based on one or more currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices) and how these amounts will be determined;

 

    the place or places, if any, other than or in addition to The City of New York, of payment, transfer, conversion and/or exchange of the debt securities;

 

    the denominations in which the offered debt securities will be issued;

 

    the provision for any sinking fund;

 

    any restrictive covenants;

 

178


    any events of default;

 

    whether the series of debt securities are issuable in certificated form;

 

    any provisions for defeasance or covenant defeasance;

 

    any special federal income tax implications, including, if applicable, federal income tax considerations relating to original issue discount;

 

    whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts (and the terms of this option);

 

    any provisions for convertibility or exchangeability of the debt securities into or for any other securities;

 

    whether the debt securities are subject to subordination and the terms of such subordination;

 

    whether the debt securities are secured and the terms of any security interest;

 

    the listing, if any, on a securities exchange; and

 

    any other terms.

The debt securities may be secured or unsecured obligations. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, will be paid by us in immediately available funds.

We are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of shares senior to our common stock if our asset coverage, calculated pursuant to the Investment Company Act, is at least equal to 200% immediately after each such issuance. In addition, while any indebtedness and senior securities remain outstanding, we must make provisions to prohibit the distribution to our stockholders or the repurchase of such indebtedness or securities unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the distribution or repurchase. Specifically, we may be precluded from declaring dividends or repurchasing shares of our common stock unless our asset coverage is at least 200%. 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 BDC affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital.”

General

The indenture provides that any debt securities proposed to be sold under this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement (“offered debt securities”) and any debt securities issuable upon the exercise of warrants or upon conversion or exchange of other offered securities (“underlying debt securities”) may be issued under the indenture in one or more series.

For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to the payment of principal of or premium or interest, if any, on debt securities will include additional amounts if required by the terms of the debt securities.

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder from time to time. Debt securities issued under the indenture, when a single trustee is acting for all debt securities issued under the indenture, are called the “indenture securities”. The indenture also provides that there may be more than one trustee thereunder, each with respect to one or more different series of indenture securities. See “—Resignation

 

179


of Trustee” below. At a time when two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, each with respect to only certain series, the term “indenture securities” means the one or more series of debt securities with respect to which each respective trustee is acting. In the event that there is more than one trustee under the indenture, the powers and trust obligations of each trustee described in this prospectus will extend only to the one or more series of indenture securities for which it is trustee. If two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, then the indenture securities for which each trustee is acting would be treated as if issued under separate indentures.

The indenture does not contain any provisions that give you protection in the event we issue a large amount of debt or we are acquired by another entity.

We refer you to the prospectus supplement for information with respect to any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or our covenants that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection.

We have the ability to issue indenture securities with terms different from those of indenture securities previously issued and, without the consent of the holders thereof, to reopen a previous issue of a series of indenture securities and issue additional indenture securities of that series unless the reopening was restricted when that series was created.

We expect that we will usually issue debt securities in book-entry only form represented by global securities.

Conversion and Exchange

If any debt securities are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities, the prospectus supplement will explain the terms and conditions of the conversion or exchange, including the conversion price or exchange ratio (or the calculation method), the conversion or exchange period (or how the period will be determined), if conversion or exchange will be mandatory or at the option of the holder or us, provisions for adjusting the conversion price or the exchange ratio and provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of the redemption of the underlying debt securities. These terms may also include provisions under which the number or amount of other securities to be received by the holders of the debt securities upon conversion or exchange would be calculated according to the market price of the other securities as of a time stated in the prospectus supplement.

Issuance of Securities in Registered Form

We may issue the debt securities in registered form, in which case we may issue them either in book-entry form only or in “certificated” form. Debt securities issued in book-entry form will be represented by global securities. We expect that we will usually issue debt securities in book-entry only form represented by global securities.

Book-Entry Holders

We will issue registered debt securities in book-entry form only, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. This means debt securities will be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a depositary that will hold them on behalf of financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system. These participating institutions, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the debt securities held by the depositary or its nominee. These institutions may hold these interests on behalf of themselves or customers.

Under the indenture, only the person in whose name a debt security is registered is recognized as the holder of that debt security. Consequently, for debt securities issued in book-entry form, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the debt securities and we will make all payments on the debt securities to the

 

180


depositary. The depositary will then pass along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn will pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the debt securities.

As a result, investors will not own debt securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the debt securities are represented by one or more global securities, investors will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the debt securities.

Street Name Holders

In the future, we may issue debt securities in certificated form or terminate a global security. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their debt securities in their own names or in “street name.” Debt securities held in street name are registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution chosen by the investor, and the investor would hold a beneficial interest in those debt securities through the account he or she maintains at that institution.

For debt securities held in street name, we will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the debt securities are registered as the holders of those debt securities and we will make all payments on those debt securities to them. These institutions will pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold debt securities in street name will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the debt securities.

Legal Holders

Our obligations, as well as the obligations of the applicable trustee and those of any third parties employed by us or the applicable trustee, run only to the legal holders of the debt securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a debt security or has no choice because we are issuing the debt securities only in book-entry form.

For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly, if we want to obtain the approval of the holders for any purpose (for example, to amend an indenture or to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of an indenture), we would seek the approval only from the holders, and not the indirect holders, of the debt securities. Whether and how the holders contact the indirect holders is up to the holders.

When we refer to you, we mean those who invest in the debt securities being offered by this prospectus, whether they are the holders or only indirect holders of those debt securities. When we refer to your debt securities, we mean the debt securities in which you hold a direct or indirect interest.

Special Considerations for Indirect Holders

If you hold debt securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, we urge you to check with that institution to find out:

 

    how it handles securities payments and notices;

 

    whether it imposes fees or charges;

 

181


    how it would handle a request for the holders’ consent, if ever required;

 

    whether and how you can instruct it to send you debt securities registered in your own name so you can be a holder, if that is permitted in the future for a particular series of debt securities;

 

    how it would exercise rights under the debt securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests; and

 

    if the debt securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary’s rules and procedures will affect these matters.

Global Securities

As noted above, we usually will issue debt securities as registered securities in book-entry form only. A global security represents one or any other number of individual debt securities. Generally, all debt securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms.

Each debt security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York (“DTC”) will be the depositary for all debt securities issued in book-entry form.

A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary or its nominee, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under “—Special Situations when a Global Security Will Be Terminated”. As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of all debt securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that has an account with the depositary. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the debt security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.

Special Considerations for Global Securities

As an indirect holder, an investor’s rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. The depositary that holds the global security will be considered the holder of the debt securities represented by the global security.

If debt securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:

 

    An investor cannot cause the debt securities to be registered in his or her name, and cannot obtain certificates for his or her interest in the debt securities, except in the special situations we describe below.

 

    An investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank or broker for payments on the debt securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the debt securities, as we describe under “—Issuance of Securities in Registered Form” above.

 

    An investor may not be able to sell interests in the debt securities to some insurance companies and other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form.

 

182


    An investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in a global security in circumstances where certificates representing the debt securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective.

 

    The depositary’s policies, which may change from time to time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to an investor’s interest in a global security. We and the trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions or for its records of ownership interests in a global security. We and the trustee also do not supervise the depositary in any way.

 

    If we redeem less than all the debt securities of a particular series being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount to be redeemed from each of its participants holding that series.

 

    An investor is required to give notice of exercise of any option to elect repayment of its debt securities, through its participant, to the applicable trustee and to deliver the related debt securities by causing its participant to transfer its interest in those debt securities, on DTC’s records, to the applicable trustee.

 

    DTC requires that those who purchase and sell interests in a global security deposited in its book-entry system use immediately available funds. Your broker or bank may also require you to use immediately available funds when purchasing or selling interests in a global security.

 

    Financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest in a global security, may also have their own policies affecting payments, notices and other matters relating to the debt securities. There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible for the actions of any of those intermediaries.

Special Situations when a Global Security will be Terminated

In a few special situations described below, a global security will be terminated and interests in it will be exchanged for certificates in non-book-entry form (certificated securities). After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold the certificated debt securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in a global security transferred on termination to their own names, so that they will be holders. We have described the rights of legal holders and street name investors under “—Issuance of Securities in Registered Form” above.

The special situations for termination of a global security are as follows:

 

    if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security, and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 60 days;

 

    if we notify the trustee that we wish to terminate that global security; or

 

    if an event of default has occurred with regard to the debt securities represented by that global security and has not been cured or waived; we discuss defaults later under “—Events of Default.”

The prospectus supplement may list situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of debt securities covered by the prospectus supplement. If a global security is terminated, only the depositary, and not we or the applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions in whose names the debt securities represented by the global security will be registered and, therefore, who will be the holders of those debt securities.

 

183


Payment and Paying Agents

We will pay interest to the person listed in the applicable trustee’s records as the owner of the debt security at the close of business on a particular day in advance of each due date for interest, even if that person no longer owns the debt security on the interest due date. That day, usually about two weeks in advance of the interest due date, is called the “record date.” Because we will pay all the interest for an interest period to the holders on the record date, holders buying and selling debt securities must work out between themselves the appropriate purchase price. The most common manner is to adjust the sales price of the debt securities to prorate interest fairly between buyer and seller based on their respective ownership periods within the particular interest period. This prorated interest amount is called “accrued interest.”

Payments on Global Securities

We will make payments on a global security in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary as in effect from time to time. Under those policies, we will make payments directly to the depositary, or its nominee, and not to any indirect holders who own beneficial interests in the global security. An indirect holder’s right to those payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants, as described under “—Special Considerations for Global Securities.”

Payments on Certificated Securities

We will make payments on a certificated debt security as follows. We will pay interest that is due on an interest payment date by check mailed on the interest payment date to the holder at his or her address shown on the trustee’s records as of the close of business on the regular record date. We will make all payments of principal and premium, if any, by check at the office of the applicable trustee in New York, NY and/or at other offices that may be specified in the prospectus supplement or in a notice to holders against surrender of the debt security.

Alternatively, if the holder asks us to do so, we will pay any amount that becomes due on the debt security by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account at a bank in New York City, on the due date. To request payment by wire, the holder must give the applicable trustee or other paying agent appropriate transfer instructions at least 15 business days before the requested wire payment is due. In the case of any interest payment due on an interest payment date, the instructions must be given by the person who is the holder on the relevant regular record date. Any wire instructions, once properly given, will remain in effect unless and until new instructions are given in the manner described above.

Payment When Offices Are Closed

If any payment is due on a debt security on a day that is not a business day, we will make the payment on the next day that is a business day. Payments made on the next business day in this situation will be treated under the indenture as if they were made on the original due date, except as otherwise indicated in the attached prospectus supplement. Such payment will not result in a default under any debt security or the indenture, and no interest will accrue on the payment amount from the original due date to the next day that is a business day.

Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive payments on their debt securities.

Events of Default

You will have rights if an Event of Default occurs in respect of the debt securities of your series and is not cured, as described later in this subsection.

 

184


The term “Event of Default” in respect of the debt securities of your series means any of the following (unless the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities states otherwise):

 

    We do not pay the principal of, or any premium on, a debt security of the series on its due date, and do not cure this default within five days.

 

    We do not pay interest on a debt security of the series when due, and such default is not cured within 30 days.

 

    We do not deposit any sinking fund payment in respect of debt securities of the series on its due date, and do not cure this default within five days.

 

    We remain in breach of a covenant in respect of debt securities of the series for 90 days after we receive a written notice of default stating we are in breach. The notice must be sent by either the trustee or holders of at least 25% of the principal amount of debt securities of the series.

 

    We file for bankruptcy or certain other events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur and remain undischarged or unstayed for a period of 90 days.

 

    Any other Event of Default in respect of debt securities of the series described in the prospectus supplement occurs.

An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities issued under the same or any other indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default, except in the payment of principal, premium or interest, if it considers the withholding of notice to be in the best interests of the holders.

Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs

If an Event of Default has occurred and has not been cured, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and immediately payable. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. A declaration of acceleration of maturity may be canceled by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series.

Except in cases of default, where the trustee has some special duties, the trustee is not required to take any action under the indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability (called an “indemnity”) (Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939). If indemnity is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee. The trustee may refuse to follow those directions in certain circumstances. No delay or omission in exercising any right or remedy will be treated as a waiver of that right, remedy or Event of Default.

Before you are allowed to bypass your trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to the debt securities, the following must occur:

 

    You must give your trustee written notice that an Event of Default has occurred and remains uncured.

 

185


    The holders of at least 25% in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of the relevant series must make a written request that the trustee take action because of the default and must offer reasonable indemnity to the trustee against the cost and other liabilities of taking that action.

 

    The trustee must not have taken action for 60 days after receipt of the above notice and offer of indemnity.

 

    The holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities must not have given the trustee a direction inconsistent with the above notice during that 60-day period.

However, you are entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on your debt securities on or after the due date.

Holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series may waive any past defaults other than

 

    the payment of principal, any premium or interest; or

 

    in respect of a covenant that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each holder.

Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to give notice or direction to or make a request of the trustee and how to declare or cancel an acceleration of maturity.

Each year, we will furnish to each trustee a written statement of certain of our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the indenture and the debt securities or else specifying any default.

Merger or Consolidation

Under the terms of the indenture, we are generally permitted to consolidate or merge with another entity. We are also permitted to sell all or substantially all of our assets to another entity. However, we may not take any of these actions unless all the following conditions are met:

 

    Where we merge out of existence or sell our assets, the resulting entity or transferee must agree to be legally responsible for our obligations under the debt securities.

 

    Immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default or Event of Default shall have happened and be continuing.

 

    We must deliver certain certificates and documents to the trustee.

 

    We must satisfy any other requirements specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities.

Modification or Waiver

There are three types of changes we can make to the indenture and the debt securities issued thereunder.

Changes Requiring Your Approval

First, there are changes that we cannot make to your debt securities without your specific approval. The following is a list of those types of changes:

 

    change the stated maturity of the principal of, or interest on, a debt security;

 

 

186


    reduce any amounts due on a debt security;

 

    reduce the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the maturity of a security following a default;

 

    adversely affect any right of repayment at the holder’s option;

 

    change the place (except as otherwise described in the prospectus or prospectus supplement) or currency of payment on a debt security;

 

    impair your right to sue for payment;

 

    materially adversely affect any right to convert or exchange a debt security in accordance with its terms;

 

    modify the subordination provisions in the indenture in a manner that is materially adverse to holders of the debt securities;

 

    reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to modify or amend the indenture;

 

    reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to waive compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or to waive certain defaults;

 

    modify any other aspect of the provisions of the indenture dealing with supplemental indentures, modification and waiver of past defaults, changes to the quorum or voting requirements or the waiver of certain covenants;

 

    change the terms of any sinking fund with respect to any security; and

 

    change any obligation we have to pay additional amounts.

Changes Not Requiring Approval

The second type of change does not require any vote by the holders of the debt securities. This type is limited to clarifications and certain other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the outstanding debt securities in any material respect. We also do not need any approval to make any change that affects only debt securities to be issued under the indenture after the change takes effect.

Changes Requiring Majority Approval

Any other change to the indenture and the debt securities would require the following approval:

 

    If the change affects only one series of debt securities, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of that series.

 

    If the change affects more than one series of debt securities issued under the same indenture, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of all of the series affected by the change, with all affected series voting together as one class for this purpose.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of all of the series of debt securities issued under an indenture, voting together as one class for this purpose, may waive our compliance with some of our covenants in

 

187


that indenture. However, we cannot obtain a waiver of a payment default or of any of the matters covered by the bullet points included above under “—Changes Requiring Your Approval.”

Further Details Concerning Voting

When taking a vote, we will use the following rules to decide how much principal to attribute to a debt security:

 

    For original issue discount securities, we will use the principal amount that would be due and payable on the voting date if the maturity of these debt securities were accelerated to that date because of a default.

 

    For debt securities whose principal amount is not known (for example, because it is based on an index), we will use a special rule for that debt security described in the prospectus supplement.

 

    For debt securities denominated in one or more foreign currencies, we will use the U.S. dollar equivalent.

Debt securities will not be considered outstanding, and therefore not eligible to vote, if we have deposited or set aside in trust money for their payment or redemption. Debt securities will also not be eligible to vote if they have been fully defeased as described later under “—Defeasance—Full Defeasance.”

We will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding indenture securities that are entitled to vote or take other action under the indenture. If we set a record date for a vote or other action to be taken by holders of one or more series, that vote or action may be taken only by persons who are holders of outstanding indenture securities of those series on the record date and must be taken within eleven months following the record date.

Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how approval may be granted or denied if we seek to change the indenture or the debt securities or request a waiver.

Defeasance

The following provisions will be applicable to each series of debt securities unless we state in the applicable prospectus supplement that the provisions of covenant defeasance and full defeasance will not be applicable to that series.

Covenant Defeasance

Under current United States federal tax law, we can make the deposit described below and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the indenture under which the particular series was issued. This is called “covenant defeasance”. In that event, you would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and government securities set aside in trust to repay your debt securities. If applicable, you also would be released from the subordination provisions described under “—Indenture Provisions—Subordination” below. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:

 

    If the debt securities of the particular series are denominated in U.S. dollars, we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of such debt securities a combination of money and United States government or United States government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates.

 

 

188


    We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that, under current United States federal income tax law, we may make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid the debt securities ourselves at maturity.

 

    We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion and officers’ certificate stating that all conditions precedent to covenant defeasance have been complied with.

 

    Defeasance must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the indenture or any of our other material agreements or instruments.

 

    No default or Event of Default with respect to the applicable series shall have occurred and be continuing and no defaults or Events of Default related to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization shall occur during the next 90 days.

If we accomplish covenant defeasance, you can still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit or the trustee is prevented from making payment. In fact, if one of the remaining Events of Default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities became immediately due and payable, there might be a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.

Full Defeasance

If there is a change in United States federal tax law, as described below, we can legally release ourselves from all payment and other obligations on the debt securities of a particular series (called “full defeasance”) if we put in place the following other arrangements for you to be repaid:

 

    If the debt securities of the particular series are denominated in U.S. dollars, we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of such debt securities a combination of money and United States government or United States government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates.

 

    We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion confirming that there has been a change in current United States federal tax law or an IRS ruling that allows us to make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid the debt securities ourselves at maturity. Under current United States federal tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities would be treated as though we paid you your share of the cash and notes or bonds at the time the cash and notes or bonds were deposited in trust in exchange for your debt securities and you would recognize gain or loss on the debt securities at the time of the deposit.

 

    We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion and officers’ certificate stating that all conditions precedent to defeasance have been complied with.

 

    Defeasance must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the indenture or any of our other material agreements or instruments.

 

    No default or Event of Default with respect to the applicable series shall have occurred and be continuing and no defaults or Events of Default related to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization shall occur during the next 90 days.

 

 

189


If we ever did accomplish full defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities. You could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever became bankrupt or insolvent. If applicable, you would also be released from the subordination provisions described later under “—Indenture Provisions—Subordination”.

Form, Exchange and Transfer of Certificated Registered Securities

If registered debt securities cease to be issued in book-entry form, they will be issued:

 

    only in fully registered certificated form;

 

    without interest coupons; and

 

    unless we indicate otherwise in the prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and amounts that are multiples of $1,000.

Holders may exchange their certificated securities for debt securities of smaller denominations or combined into fewer debt securities of larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed.

Holders may exchange or transfer their certificated securities at the office of their trustee. We have appointed the trustee to act as our agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders transferring debt securities. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform them ourselves.

Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange their certificated securities, but they may be required to pay any tax or other governmental charge associated with the transfer or exchange. The transfer or exchange will be made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with the holder’s proof of legal ownership.

If we have designated additional transfer agents for your debt security, they will be named in your prospectus supplement. We may appoint additional transfer agents or cancel the appointment of any particular transfer agent. We may also approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts.

If any certificated securities of a particular series are redeemable and we redeem less than all the debt securities of that series, we may block the transfer or exchange of those debt securities during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of redemption and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers or exchanges of any certificated securities selected for redemption, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any debt security that will be partially redeemed.

If a registered debt security is issued in book-entry form, only the depositary will be entitled to transfer and exchange the debt security as described in this subsection, since it will be the sole holder of the debt security.

Resignation of Trustee

Each trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of indenture securities provided that a successor trustee is appointed to act with respect to these series. In the event that two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of indenture securities under the indenture, each of the trustees will be a trustee of a trust separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee.

 

 

190


Indenture Provisions—Subordination

Upon any distribution of our assets upon our dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any indenture securities denominated as subordinated debt securities is to be subordinated to the extent provided in the indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness (as defined below), but our obligation to you to make payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such subordinated debt securities will not otherwise be affected. In addition, no payment on account of principal (or premium, if any), sinking fund or interest, if any, may be made on such subordinated debt securities at any time unless full payment of all amounts due in respect of the principal (and premium, if any), sinking fund and interest on Senior Indebtedness has been made or duly provided for in money or money’s worth.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment by us is received by the trustee in respect of subordinated debt securities or by the holders of any of such subordinated debt securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, the payment or distribution must be paid over to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness or on their behalf for application to the payment of all the Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all the Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness. Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness upon this distribution by us, the holders of such subordinated debt securities will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness to the extent of payments made to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness out of the distributive share of such subordinated debt securities.

By reason of this subordination, in the event of a distribution of our assets upon our insolvency, certain of our senior creditors may recover more, ratably, than holders of any subordinated debt securities. The indenture provides that these subordination provisions will not apply to money and securities held in trust under the defeasance provisions of the indenture.

Senior Indebtedness is defined in the indenture as the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on:

 

    our indebtedness (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by us), whenever created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed (other than indenture securities issued under the indenture and denominated as subordinated debt securities), unless in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or under which the same is outstanding it is provided that this indebtedness is not senior or prior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities; and

 

    renewals, extensions, modifications and refinancings of any of this indebtedness.

If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with the offering of a series of indenture securities denominated as subordinated debt securities, the accompanying prospectus supplement will set forth the approximate amount of our Senior Indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date.

The Trustee under the Indenture

We intend to use a nationally recognized financial institution to serve as the trustee under the indenture.

Certain Considerations Relating to Foreign Currencies

Debt securities denominated or payable in foreign currencies may entail significant risks. These risks include the possibility of significant fluctuations in the foreign currency markets, the imposition or modification of foreign exchange controls and potential illiquidity in the secondary market. These risks will vary depending

 

191


upon the currency or currencies involved and will be more fully described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Book-Entry Debt Securities

DTC will act as securities depository for the debt securities. The debt securities will be issued as fully-registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC’s partnership nominee) or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. One fully registered certificate will be issued for each issuance of the debt securities, in the aggregate principal amount of such issue, and will be deposited with DTC.

DTC, the world’s largest securities depository, is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for over 3.5 million issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments from over 100 countries that DTC’s participants (“Direct Participants”) deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among Direct Participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between Direct Participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”).

DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly, or Indirect Participants. DTC has Standard & Poor’s rating of AA+. The DTC Rules applicable to its Participants are on file with the SEC. More information about DTC can be found at www.dtcc.com .

Purchases of debt securities under the DTC system must be made by or through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the debt securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each security (“Beneficial Owner”) is in turn to be recorded on the Direct and Indirect Participants’ records. Beneficial Owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase. Beneficial Owners are, however, expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the Direct or Indirect Participant through which the Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the debt securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of Direct and Indirect Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in debt securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the debt securities is discontinued.

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all debt securities deposited by Direct Participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co. or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of debt securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other DTC nominee do not effect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the debt securities; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts such debt securities are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial Owners. The Direct and Indirect Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

 

 

192


Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

Redemption notices shall be sent to DTC. If less than all of the debt securities within an issue are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each Direct Participant in such issue to be redeemed.

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (nor any other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the debt securities unless authorized by a Direct Participant in accordance with DTC’s Procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an Omnibus Proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants to whose accounts the debt securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy).

Redemption proceeds, distributions, and dividend payments on the debt securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit Direct Participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us or the trustee on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records. Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such Participant and not of DTC or its nominee, the trustee, or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions, and dividend payments to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC) is the responsibility of us or the trustee, but disbursement of such payments to Direct Participants will be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the Beneficial Owners will be the responsibility of Direct and Indirect Participants.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as depository with respect to the debt securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us or to the trustee. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depository is not obtained, certificates are required to be printed and delivered. We may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry-only transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depository). In that event, certificates will be printed and delivered to DTC.

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.

 

193


DESCRIPTION OF OUR SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

We may issue subscription rights to our stockholders to purchase common stock or other securities. Subscription rights may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the subscription rights. In connection with a subscription rights offering to our stockholders, we would distribute certificates evidencing the subscription rights and a prospectus supplement to our stockholders on the record date that we set for receiving subscription rights in such subscription rights offering.

We will not offer transferable subscription rights to our stockholders at a price equivalent to less than the then current NAV per share of common stock, taking into account underwriting commissions, unless we first file a post-effective amendment that is declared effective by the SEC with respect to such issuance and the common stock to be purchased in connection with the rights represents no more than one-third of our outstanding common stock at the time such rights are issued.

The applicable prospectus supplement would describe the following terms of subscription rights in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

    the title and aggregate number of such subscription rights;

 

    the exercise price for such subscription rights (or method of calculation thereof if the price is not a specific dollar amount);

 

    the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the price of such subscription rights may be payable;

 

    the ratio of the offering (which, in the case of transferable rights for common stock, will require a minimum of three shares to be held of record before a person is entitled to purchase an additional share);

 

    the number of such subscription rights issued to each stockholder;

 

    the period of time the offering would remain open (which shall be open a minimum number of days such that all record holders would be eligible to participate in the offering and shall not be open longer than 120 days);

 

    the extent to which such subscription rights are transferable and the market on which they may be traded if they are transferable;

 

    if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance or exercise of such subscription rights;

 

    the date on which the right to exercise such subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which such right shall expire (subject to any extension);

 

    the extent to which such subscription rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities and the terms of such over-subscription privilege;

 

    any termination right we may have in connection with such subscription rights offering; and

 

    any other terms of such subscription rights, including exercise, settlement and other procedures and limitations relating to the transfer and exercise of such subscription rights.

 

194


Exercise of Subscription Rights

Each subscription right would entitle the holder of the subscription right to purchase for cash such amount of shares of the security being offered at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Subscription rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for such subscription rights set forth in the prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised subscription rights would become void.

Subscription rights may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Upon receipt of payment and the subscription rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the subscription rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement we will forward, as soon as practicable, the shares of common stock purchasable upon such exercise. To the extent permissible under applicable law, we may determine to offer any unsubscribed offered securities directly to persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

195


REGULATION

We have elected to be treated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act. As with other companies regulated by the Investment Company Act, a BDC must adhere to certain substantive regulatory requirements. The Investment Company Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to transactions between BDCs 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 be persons other than “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act. In addition, the Investment Company 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 BDC unless approved by a majority of our outstanding voting securities. A majority of the outstanding voting securities of a company is defined under the Investment Company Act as the vote: (i) of 67% or more of the voting securities present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such company are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such company, whichever is less.

Any issuance of preferred stock must comply with the requirements of the Investment Company Act. Additionally, the Investment Company Act requires, among other things, that (1) immediately after issuance and before any dividend or other distribution is made with respect to our common stock and before any purchase of common stock is made, such preferred stock together with all other senior securities must not exceed an amount equal to 50% of our total assets after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, and (2) the holders of shares of preferred stock, if any are issued, must be entitled as a class to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if dividends on such preferred stock are in arrears by two full years or more. Certain other matters under the Investment Company Act require a separate class vote of the holders of any issued and outstanding preferred stock. For example, holders of preferred stock would be entitled to vote separately as a class from the holders of common stock on a proposal involving a plan of reorganization adversely affecting such securities.

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 a “principal underwriter” as that term is defined under the Securities Act. We may purchase or otherwise receive warrants, which offer an opportunity (not a requirement) to purchase common stock of a portfolio company in connection with an acquisition financing or other investments. Similarly, we may acquire rights that obligate an issuer of acquired securities or their affiliates to repurchase the securities at certain times, under certain circumstances. We do not intend to acquire securities issued by any investment company whereby our investment would exceed the limits imposed by the Investment Company Act. Under these limits, we generally cannot (1) acquire more than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any investment company, (2) invest more than 5% of the value of our total assets in the securities of one investment company or (3) invest more than 10% of the value of our total assets in the securities of investment companies in general. These limitations do not apply where we acquire interests in a money market fund as long as we do not pay a sales charge or service fee in connection with the purchase. With respect to the 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 our policies described above are fundamental and each such policy may be changed without stockholder approval, subject to any limitations imposed by the Investment Company Act.

Private funds that are excluded from the definition of “investment company” pursuant to either Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act are also subject to certain of the limits under the Investment Company Act noted above. Specifically, such private funds may not acquire directly or through a controlled entity more than 3% of our total outstanding voting stock (measured at the time of the acquisition). Investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act are also subject to the restriction as well as other limitations under the Investment Company Act that would restrict the amount that they are able to invest in our securities. As a result, certain investors would be required to hold a smaller position in our shares than if they were not subject to such restrictions.

 

196


Qualifying Assets

Under the Investment Company Act, a BDC may not acquire any asset other than assets of the type listed in Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act, which are referred to as “qualifying assets,” unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets (not including certain assets specified in the Investment Company Act) 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 exceptions) is an eligible portfolio company, or from any person who is, or has been during the preceding thirteen months, an affiliated person of an eligible portfolio company, or from any other person, subject to such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the SEC. An eligible portfolio company is defined in the Investment Company Act as any issuer that:

 

  (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 SBIC wholly owned by the BDC) or a company that would be an investment company but for certain exclusions under the Investment Company Act; and

 

  (c) satisfies any of the following:

 

    does not have any class of securities listed on a national securities exchange or has a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange but has an aggregate market value of outstanding common equity of less than $250 million;

 

    is controlled by a BDC or a group of companies including a BDC, and the BDC has an affiliated person who is a director of the eligible portfolio company; or

 

    is a small and solvent company having total assets of not more than $4 million and capital and surplus of not less than $2 million.

 

  (2) Securities of any eligible portfolio company that 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 at least 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 options, 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.

 

197


Managerial Assistance to Portfolio Companies

A BDC must be 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 under “—Qualifying Assets.” However, in order to count portfolio securities as qualifying assets for the purpose of the 70% test, the BDC must also either control the issuer of the securities or offer to make available to the issuer of the securities (other than small and solvent companies described above) significant managerial assistance; except that, where the BDC 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 (as long as the BDC does not make available significant managerial assistance solely in this fashion). Making available significant managerial assistance means, among other things, any arrangement whereby the BDC, 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

As a BDC, pending investment in other types of “qualifying assets,” as described above, our investments may consist of cash, cash items (such as money market funds), 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. We may 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 generally not meet the asset diversification requirements 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.

Indebtedness and Senior Securities

As a BDC, we are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of shares of stock senior to our common stock if our asset coverage ratio, as defined under the Investment Company Act, is at least equal to 2 to 1 immediately after each such issuance. Increasing the asset coverage ratio to allow us to incur more debt has been under recent congressional consideration. In addition, except in limited circumstances, while any indebtedness and senior securities remain outstanding, we must make provisions to prohibit any distribution to our stockholders or the repurchase of such securities or stock 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 BDC affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital.”

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act and we have also approved our Investment Adviser’s Code of Ethics that it adopted in accordance with Rule 17j-1 and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act. These Codes of Ethics establish, among other things, procedures for personal investments and restrict certain personal securities transactions, including transactions in securities that are held by us. Personnel subject to each code may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, so long as such investments are made in accordance with the code’s requirements. The Codes of Ethics can be

 

198


reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090 or (800) SEC-0330. The Codes of Ethics are also available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov . Copies may also be obtained after paying a duplicating fee by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102, or by electronic request to publicinfo@sec.gov.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

We have delegated the voting of portfolio securities to our Investment Adviser. For client accounts for which our Investment Adviser has voting discretion, our Investment Adviser has adopted policies and procedures (the “Proxy Voting Policy”) for the voting of proxies. Under the Proxy Voting Policy, our Investment Adviser’s guiding principles in performing proxy voting are to make decisions that favor proposals that tend to maximize a company’s shareholder value and are not influenced by conflicts of interest. To implement these guiding principles for investments in publicly traded equities, our Investment Adviser has developed customized proxy voting guidelines (the “Guidelines”) that it generally applies when voting on behalf of client accounts. These Guidelines address a wide variety of individual topics, including, among other matters, shareholder voting rights, anti-takeover defenses, board structures, the election of directors, executive and director compensation, reorganizations, mergers, issues of corporate social responsibility and various shareholder proposals.

The Proxy Voting Policy, including the Guidelines, is reviewed periodically to assure that it continues to be consistent with our Investment Adviser’s guiding principles. The Guidelines embody the positions and factors our Investment Adviser generally considers important in casting proxy votes.

Our Investment Adviser has retained a third-party proxy voting service (the “Proxy Service”), currently Institutional Shareholder Services, to assist in the implementation and administration of certain proxy voting-related functions including operational, recordkeeping, and reporting services. The Proxy Service also prepares a written analysis and recommendation (a “Recommendation”) of each proxy vote that reflects the Proxy Service’s application of the Guidelines to particular proxy issues. While it is our Investment Adviser’s policy generally to follow the Guidelines and Recommendations from the Proxy Service, our Investment Adviser’s portfolio management teams (the “Portfolio Management Teams”) may on certain proxy votes seek approval to diverge from the Guidelines or a Recommendation by following an “override” process. Such decisions are subject to a review and approval process, including a determination that the decision is not influenced by any conflict of interest. A Portfolio Management Team that receives approval through the override process to cast a proxy vote that diverges from the Guidelines and/or a Recommendation may vote differently than other Portfolio Management Teams that did not seek to override the vote. In forming their views on particular matters, the Portfolio Management Teams are also permitted to consider applicable regional rules and practices, including codes of conduct and other guides, regarding proxy voting, in addition to the Guidelines and Recommendations. Our Investment Adviser may hire other service providers to replace or supplement the Proxy Service with respect to any of the services our Investment Adviser currently receives from the Proxy Service.

From time to time, our Investment Adviser may face regulatory, compliance, legal or logistical limits with respect to voting securities that it may purchase or hold for client accounts, which can affect our Investment Adviser’s ability to vote such proxies, as well as the desirability of voting such proxies. Among other limits, federal, state and foreign regulatory restrictions or company specific ownership limits, as well as legal matters related to consolidated groups, may restrict the total percentage of an issuer’s voting securities that our Investment Adviser can hold for clients and the nature of our Investment Adviser’s voting in such securities. Our Investment Adviser’s ability to vote proxies may also be affected by, among other things: (i) late receipt of meeting notices; (ii) requirements to vote proxies in person; (iii) restrictions on a foreigner’s ability to exercise votes; (iv) potential difficulties in translating the proxy; (v) requirements to provide local agents with unrestricted powers of attorney to facilitate voting instructions; and (vi) requirements that investors who exercise their voting rights surrender the right to dispose of their holdings for some specified period in proximity to the shareholder meeting.

 

199


Our Investment Adviser conducts periodic due diligence meetings with the Proxy Service which include a review of the Proxy Service’s general organizational structure, new developments with respect to research and technology, work flow improvements and internal due diligence with respect to conflicts of interest.

Our Investment Adviser has adopted policies and procedures designed to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing its proxy voting decisions that our Investment Adviser makes on behalf of a client account and to help assure that such decisions are made in accordance with our Investment Adviser’s fiduciary obligations to its clients. These policies and procedures include our Investment Adviser’s use of the Guidelines and Recommendations from the Proxy Service, the override approval process previously discussed, and the establishment of information barriers between our Investment Adviser and other Goldman Sachs’ businesses. Notwithstanding such proxy voting policies and procedures, actual proxy voting decision of our Investment Adviser may have the effect of benefitting the interest of other clients or businesses of other divisions or units of Goldman Sachs and/or its affiliates, provided that our Investment Adviser believes such voting decisions to be in accordance with its fiduciary obligations. See “Potential Conflicts of Interest.”

Voting decisions with respect to fixed income securities and the securities of privately held issuers generally will be made by our Investment Adviser based on its assessment of the particular transactions or other matters at issue.

Information regarding how we vote proxies relating to portfolio securities during the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2016 is available on or through our website at https://www.GoldmanSachsBDC.com .

Privacy Principles

The following information is provided to help investors understand what personal information we collect, how we protect that information and why, in certain cases, we may share information with select other parties.

We generally will not receive any nonpublic personal information relating to stockholders who purchase our common stock. We may collect nonpublic personal information regarding our existing investors from sources such as subscription agreements, investor questionnaires and other forms; individual investors’ account histories; and correspondence between us and individual investors. We may share information that we collect regarding an investor with our affiliates and the employees of such affiliates for everyday business purposes, for example, to service the investor’s accounts and, unless an investor opts out, provide the investor with information about other products and services offered by us or our affiliates that may be of interest to the investor. In addition, we may disclose information that we collect regarding investors to third parties who are not affiliated with us (i) as authorized by our investors in investor subscription agreements or our organizational documents; (ii) as required by applicable law or in connection with a properly authorized legal or regulatory investigation, subpoena or summons, or to respond to judicial process or government regulatory authorities having property jurisdiction; (iii) as required to fulfill investor instructions; or (iv) as otherwise permitted by applicable law to perform support services for investor accounts or process investor transactions with us or our affiliates.

Any party not affiliated with us that receives nonpublic personal information relating to investors from us is required to adhere to confidentiality agreements and to maintain appropriate safeguards to protect your information. Additionally, for officers, employees and agents of ours and our affiliates, access to such information is restricted to those who need such access to provide services to us and investors. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to seek to guard investor nonpublic personal information.

Other

We may also be prohibited under the Investment Company Act from knowingly participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of the members of our Board of Directors who are not interested persons and, in some cases, prior approval by the SEC. The SEC has interpreted the prohibition on

 

200


transactions by BDCs 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 client sponsored or managed by our Investment Adviser has previously invested, including GS PMMC and GS MMLC. On January 4, 2017, the SEC granted GS PMMC, GS MMLC and us, as well as certain other funds that may be managed by GSAM, including the GSAM Credit Alternatives investment team, in the future, the Exemptive Relief to make negotiated co-investments, subject to certain terms and conditions in the Exemptive Relief. As a result of the Exemptive Relief, there could be significant overlap in our portfolio and the investment portfolios of GS PMMC, GS MMLC and/or other funds established by the GSAM Credit Alternatives investment team that are able to rely on the order.

As a BDC, the SEC will periodically examine us for compliance with the Investment Company Act.

We are required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company, to protect against larceny and embezzlement, covering each of our officers and employees, who may singly, or jointly with others, have access to our securities or funds. Furthermore, as a BDC, we are prohibited from protecting any director, officer, investment adviser or underwriter 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 our Investment Adviser are each required to adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the 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.

Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act imposes a wide variety of regulatory requirements on publicly held companies and their insiders. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires us to review our policies and procedures to determine whether we comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder. We will continue to monitor our compliance with all future regulations that are adopted under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and will take actions necessary to ensure that we are in compliance therewith.

Compliance with Listing Requirements

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “GSBD.” As a listed company on the NYSE, we are subject to various listing standards including corporate governance listing standards. We believe we are in compliance with these rules.

Compliance with the JOBS Act

We currently are, and expect to remain, an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act signed into law in April 2012 until the earliest of:

 

    the last day of our fiscal year ending December 31, 2020;

 

    the last day of the fiscal year in which our total annual gross revenues first exceed $1.0 billion;

 

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

 

 

201


    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 (measured 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).

Under the JOBS Act, we are exempt from the provisions of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which would require that our independent registered public accounting firm provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. This may increase the risk that material weaknesses or other deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting go undetected. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure—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.”

In addition, Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act and Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act, as amended by Section 102(b) of the JOBS Act, provide that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards. However, pursuant to Section 107 of the JOBS Act, we have chosen to “opt out” of such extended transition period, and as a result, we comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies. Our decision to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards is irrevocable.

Compliance with the Bank Holding Company Act

As a BHC and FHC, the activities of Group Inc. and its affiliates are subject to certain restrictions imposed by the BHCA and related regulations. BHCs and FHCs are subject to supervision and regulation by the Federal Reserve. Because Group Inc. may be deemed to “control” us within the meaning of the BHCA, restrictions under the BHCA could apply to us. Accordingly, the BHCA and other applicable banking laws, rules, regulations and guidelines, and their interpretation and administration by the appropriate regulatory agencies, including the Federal Reserve, may restrict our investments, transactions and operations and may restrict the transactions and relationships between our Investment Adviser, Group Inc. and their affiliates, on the one hand, and us on the other hand. For example, the BHCA regulations applicable to Group Inc. and us may, among other things, restrict our ability to make certain investments or the size of certain investments, impose a maximum holding period on some or all of our investments and restrict our and our Investment Adviser’s ability to participate in the management and operations of the companies in which we invest. In addition, certain BHCA regulations may require aggregation of the positions owned, held or controlled by related entities. Thus, in certain circumstances, positions held by Group Inc. and its affiliates (including our Investment Adviser) for client and proprietary accounts may need to be aggregated with positions held by us. In this case, where BHCA regulations impose a cap on the amount of a position that may be held, Goldman Sachs may utilize available capacity to make investments for its proprietary accounts or for the accounts of other clients, which may require us to limit and/or liquidate certain investments. See “Potential Conflicts of Interest.” Additionally, Goldman Sachs may in the future, in its sole discretion and without notice to investors, engage in activities impacting us and/or our Investment Adviser in order to comply with the BHCA or other legal requirements applicable to, or reduce or eliminate the impact or applicability of any bank regulatory or other restrictions on, Goldman Sachs, us or other funds and accounts managed by our Investment Adviser and its affiliates. In addition, Goldman Sachs may cease in the future to qualify as a FHC, which may subject us to additional restrictions. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the bank regulatory requirements applicable to Goldman Sachs and us, or the interpretation thereof, will not change, or that any such change will not have a material adverse effect on us. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure—Our activities may be limited as a result of potentially being deemed to be controlled by a bank holding company.”

 

202


CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

Our assets are held by State Street Bank and Trust Company pursuant to a custody agreement. State Street Bank and Trust Company also acts as our administrator. See “Management—Our Administrator.” The principal business address of State Street Bank and Trust Company is One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. Computershare Trust Company, N.A. serves as the Company’s transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent and registrar. The principal business address of Computershare Trust Company, N.A. is 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021.

 

203


PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

Since we generally acquire and dispose of investments in privately negotiated transactions, we infrequently use brokers in the normal course of our business. Subject to policies established by our Board of Directors, our Investment Adviser is 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 execute transactions through any particular broker or dealer, but seeks to obtain the best net results for us, 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 seeks reasonably competitive trade execution costs, we do 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 us, our Investment Adviser and any other Accounts. Such brokerage or research services may include research reports on companies, industries and securities; economic and financial data; financial publications; computer data bases; quotation equipment and services; and research-oriented computer hardware, software and other services. 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.

The Investment Management Agreement permits our Investment Adviser, subject to review by the Board of Directors from time to time, to purchase and sell portfolio securities to and from brokers who provide our Investment Adviser with access to supplemental investment and market research and security and economic analyses. Such brokers may execute brokerage transactions at a higher cost to us than may result when allocating brokerage to other brokers on the basis of seeking the most favorable price and efficient execution. Brokerage and research services furnished by firms through which we effect our securities transactions may be used by our Investment Adviser in servicing other clients and not all of these services may be used by our Investment Adviser in connection with the client generating the brokerage credits. The fees received under the Investment Management Agreement are not reduced by reason of an investment adviser receiving such brokerage and research services.

Our portfolio transactions are generally effected at a net price without a broker’s commission ( i.e ., a dealer is dealing with us as principal and receives compensation equal to the spread between the dealer’s cost for a given security and the resale price of such security). In certain foreign countries, debt securities are traded on exchanges at fixed commission rates. The Investment Management Agreement provides that our Investment Adviser, on occasions when it deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interests of us as well as other customers, to aggregate, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, the securities to be sold or purchased for us with those to be sold or purchased for other customers in order to obtain the best net price and the most favorable execution. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, is made by our Investment Adviser in the manner it considers to be equitable. In some instances, this procedure may adversely affect the size and price of the position obtainable for us.

Subject to the above considerations, our Investment Adviser may use Group Inc. or another affiliate as our broker. In order for Group Inc. or another affiliate, acting as agent, to effect securities or futures transactions for us, the commissions, fees or other remuneration received by Group Inc. or another affiliate must be reasonable and fair compared to the commissions, fees or other remuneration received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar services, securities or futures contracts. Furthermore, our Board of Directors, including a majority of our Independent Directors, has adopted procedures which are reasonably designed to provide that any commissions, fees or other remuneration paid to Goldman Sachs are consistent with the foregoing standard. Brokerage transactions with Goldman Sachs are also subject to such fiduciary standards as may be imposed upon Goldman Sachs by applicable law. The amount of brokerage commissions paid by us may vary substantially from year to year because of differences in portfolio turnover rates and other factors. See “Potential Conflicts of Interest—Brokerage Transactions.”

 

204


PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings or series, up to $200,000,000 of our common stock, preferred stock, warrants, debt securities or subscription rights or representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, in one or more underwritten public offerings, at-the-market offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades, best efforts or a combination of these methods.

We may sell the securities through underwriters or dealers, directly to one or more purchasers, including existing stockholders in a rights offering, through agents designated from time to time by us or through a combination of any such methods of sale. Any underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. A prospectus supplement or supplements will also describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including: the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds we will receive from the sale; any options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us; any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation; the public offering price; any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers; any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed; and, in the case of a rights offering, the number of shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of each right. Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement will be underwriters of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement.

The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices, provided, however, that the offering price per share of any common stock offered by us, less any underwriting commissions or discounts, must equal or exceed the NAV per share of our common stock at the time of the offering except (a) in connection with a rights offering to our existing stockholders, (b) with the consent of the majority of our outstanding voting securities and certain members of our Board of Directors who are not interested persons or (c) under such circumstances as the SEC may permit. The price at which securities may be distributed may represent a discount from prevailing market prices.

In connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters or agents may receive compensation from us or from purchasers of the securities, for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions they receive from us and any profit realized by them on the resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Any such underwriter or agent will be identified and any such compensation received from us will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The maximum aggregate commission or discount to be received by any member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, or independent broker-dealer will not be greater than 8% of the gross proceeds of the sale of securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. We may also reimburse the underwriter or agent for certain fees and legal expenses incurred by it.

Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum price. Syndicate-covering or other short-covering transactions involve purchases of the securities, either through exercise of the option to purchase additional shares from us or in the open market after the distribution is completed, to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.

 

205


We may sell securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities and we will describe any commissions we will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, the agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each class or series of securities will be a new issue with no trading market, other than our common stock, which is traded on the NYSE. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on any exchanges, but we are not obligated to do so. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any securities.

Under agreements that we may enter, underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of the securities may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make with respect to these liabilities. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions with which such contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others, but in all cases such institutions must be approved by us. The obligations of any purchaser under any such contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and such other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts. Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of such contracts.

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third parties in such sale transactions will be underwriters and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the securities offered hereby will be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.

We may not sell securities pursuant to this prospectus without delivering a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.

 

206


LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters regarding the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP. In addition, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has advised the Company in connection with certain matters under the Investment Company Act. Dechert LLP serves as counsel to the Company and to the Independent Directors. Certain legal matters in connection with the offering will be passed upon for the underwriters, if any, by the counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The financial statements as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015 included in this Form N-2 have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 101 Seaport Boulevard, Suite 500, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

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

We file with or submit to the SEC periodic and current 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 registration statements and related exhibits and schedules, at the Public SEC’s Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090 or (800) SEC-0330. We maintain a website at www.GoldmanSachsBDC.com and 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. You may also obtain such information by contacting us, in writing at: 200 West Street New York, New York 10282, or by telephone (collect) at (212) 902-0300. 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.

 

207


INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Audited Financial Statements

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2   

Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014

     F-3   

Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013

     F-4   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013

     F-5   

Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013

     F-6   

Schedules of Investments as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014

     F-7   

Notes to Financial Statements

     F-13   

Interim Unaudited Financial Statements

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of September 30, 2016 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2015

     F-46   

Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

     F-47   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

     F-48   

Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

     F-49   

Schedules of Investments as of September 30, 2016 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2015

     F-50   

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     F-56   

 

F-1


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.:

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, and the related consolidated statements of operations, of changes in net assets and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. and its subsidiary (the “Company”) at December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations, the changes in their net assets and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements 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 financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at December 31, 2015 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers, and the application of alternative auditing procedures where confirmations were not received, provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

March 2, 2016

 

F-2


Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

    

December 31, 2015

   

December 31, 2014

 

Assets

    

Investments, at fair value

    

Non-controlled/non-affiliated investments (cost of $1,067,299 and $893,464, respectively)

   $ 1,032,119      $ 882,742   

Non-controlled affiliated investments (cost of $9,237 and $9,237, respectively)

     4,048        6,578   

Controlled affiliated investments (cost of $46,167 and $25,000, respectively)

     44,897        24,627   

Investments in affiliated money market fund (cost of $10,117 and $29,568, respectively)

     10,117        29,568   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments, at fair value (cost of $1,132,820 and $957,269, respectively)

     1,091,181        943,515   

Cash

     22,710        8,609   

Receivable for investments sold

     313        —     

Interest and dividends receivable from non-controlled/non-affiliated investments

     10,399        8,701   

Dividend receivable from controlled affiliated investments

     1,350        309   

Other income receivable from controlled affiliated investments

     681        —     

Deferred financing costs

     5,775        4,974   

Deferred offering costs

     —          1,384   

Other assets

     350        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,132,759      $ 967,492   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

    

Debt

   $ 419,000      $ 350,000   

Interest and credit facility expense payable

     432        527   

Management fees payable

     4,238        3,326   

Incentive fees payable

     360        —     

Payable for investments purchased

     —          19,700   

Common stock repurchased

     —          732   

Distribution payable

     16,338        15,506   

Accrued offering costs

     40        474   

Directors’ fees payable

     —          115   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     3,701        2,530   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 444,109      $ 392,910   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 7)

    

Net Assets

    

Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (1,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding)

   $ —        $ —     

Common stock, par value $0.001 per share (200,000,000 shares authorized, 36,306,882 and 29,381,127 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively)

     36        29   

Paid-in capital in excess of par

     719,690        587,882   

Accumulated net realized gain (loss)

     (2,367     (2,212

Accumulated undistributed net investment income

     14,351        4,058   

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

     (41,639     (13,754

Allocated income tax expense

     (1,421     (1,421
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS

   $ 688,650      $ 574,582   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS

   $ 1,132,759      $ 967,492   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value per share

   $ 18.97      $ 19.56   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-3


Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

    

For the year ended
December 31, 2015

   

For the year ended
December 31, 2014

   

For the year ended
December 31, 2013

 

Investment Income:

      

From non-controlled/non-affiliated investments:

      

Interest income

   $ 109,700      $ 69,454      $ 22,813   

Dividend income

     2,476        2,881        —     

Other income

     1,584        632        4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income from non-controlled/non-affiliated investments

     113,760        72,967        22,817   

From non-controlled affiliated investments:

      

Dividend income

     3        3        18   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income from non-controlled affiliated investments

     3        3        18   

From controlled affiliated investments:

      

Dividend income

     3,992        309        —     

Other income

     681        —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income from controlled affiliated investments

     4,673        309        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

   $ 118,436      $ 73,279      $ 22,835   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses:

      

Interest and credit facility expense

   $ 10,705      $ 4,683      $ 658   

Management fees

     15,436        10,069        3,586   

Incentive fees

     11,786        1,495        340   

Professional fees

     2,752        2,007        1,055   

Administration and custodian fees

     971        844        468   

Directors’ fees

     623        399        444   

Organization expense

     —          —          576   

Other expenses

     1,065        925        339   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

   $ 43,338      $ 20,422      $ 7,466   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expense reimbursement from Investment Adviser

   $ —        $ —        $ (567
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net expenses

   $ 43,338      $ 20,422      $ 6,899   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES

   $ 75,098      $ 52,857      $ 15,936   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Excise tax expense

   $ 518      $ 119      $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS) AFTER TAXES

   $ 74,580      $ 52,738      $ 15,936   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investment transactions:

      

Net realized gain (loss) from:

      

Non-controlled/non-affiliated investments

   $ (67   $ (1,191   $ 3,293   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from:

      

Non-controlled/non-affiliated investments

     (24,458     (11,593     (175

Non-controlled affiliated investments

     (2,530     (2,659     —     

Controlled affiliated investments

     (897     (373     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

   $ (27,952   $ (15,816   $ 3,118   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES

   $ 46,628      $ 36,922      $ 19,054   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense

   $ —        $ —        $ (1,070
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS AFTER TAXES

   $ 46,628      $ 36,922      $ 17,984   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) per share (basic and diluted)

   $ 2.14      $ 1.77      $ 0.67   

Earnings per share (basic and diluted)

   $ 1.34      $ 1.24      $ 0.76   

Weighted average shares outstanding

     34,782,967        29,737,113        23,819,077   

The accompanying notes are part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-4


Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

     For the year ended
December 31, 2015
    For the year ended
December 31, 2014
    For the year ended
December 31, 2013
 

Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations:

      

Net investment income

   $ 74,580      $ 52,738      $ 15,936   

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

     (67     (1,191     3,293   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

     (27,885     (14,625     (175

Income tax expense

     —          —          (1,070
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 46,628      $ 36,922      $ 17,984   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to stockholders from:

      

Net investment income

   $ (63,624   $ (47,712   $ (14,919

Net realized gain

     (1,297     (2,268     (398
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to stockholders

   $ (64,921   $ (49,980   $ (15,317
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital transactions:

      

Issuance of common stock, net of offering and underwriting costs (6,900,000, 0 and 30,639,824 shares, respectively)

   $ 131,839      $ —        $ 505,428   

Private placement offering costs

     —          —          (1,250

Reinvestment of stockholder distributions (25,755, 0 and 0 shares, respectively)

     522        —          —     

Contributions (0, 0 and 2,724,337 shares, respectively)

     —          —          53,442   

Deemed contribution for income tax expense

     —          —          1,070   

Repurchase of common stock (0, 1,008,987, and 249,710 shares, respectively)

     —          (20,145     (4,995
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital transactions

   $ 132,361      $ (20,145   $  553,695   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   $  114,068      $ (33,203   $ 556,362   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net assets at beginning of period

   $ 574,582      $  607,785      $ 51,423   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net assets at end of period

   $ 688,650      $ 574,582      $ 607,785   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated undistributed net investment income (loss)

   $ 14,351      $ 4,058      $ 10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions declared per share

   $ 1.80      $ 1.69      $ 0.50   

The accompanying notes are part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5


Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

    

For the year ended
December 31, 2015

   

For the year ended
December 31, 2014

   

For the year ended
December 31, 2013

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 46,628      $ 36,922      $ 17,984   

Adjustments to reconcile net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:

      

Purchases of investments

     (320,740     (697,039     (476,384

Payment-in-kind investments

     (411     (412     —     

Investments in affiliated money market fund, net

     19,451        90,950        (120,518

Proceeds from sales of investments and principal repayments

     131,090        263,738        36,558   

Net realized (gain) loss on investments

     67        1,191        (3,293

Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments

     27,885        14,625        175   

Amortization of premium and accretion of discount, net

     (5,008     (2,633     (508

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     1,170        1,013        290   

Income tax expense

     —          —          1,070   

Increase (decrease) in operating assets and liabilities:

      

(Increase) decrease in interest and dividends receivable

     (2,739     (5,368     (3,374

(Increase) decrease in deferred financing costs

     —          24        —     

(Increase) decrease in receivable for investments sold

     (313     —          —     

(Increase) decrease in other income receivable

     (681     —          —     

(Increase) decrease in receivable from Investment Adviser

     —          780        (567

(Increase) decrease in other assets

     (350     —          —     

Increase (decrease) in interest and credit facility expense payable

     (86     110        329   

Increase (decrease) in management fees payable

     912        666        2,589   

Increase (decrease) in incentive fees payable

     360        —          (209

Increase (decrease) in payable for investments purchased

     (19,700     14,774        4,926   

Increase (decrease) in accrued organization costs

     —          (497     497   

Increase (decrease) in directors’ fees payable

     (115     1        114   

Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities

     1,171        1,633        831   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

   $ (121,409   $ (279,522   $ (539,490
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Proceeds from issuance of common stock (net of underwriting costs)

   $ 135,111      $ —        $ 505,428   

Offering costs paid

     (2,322     (1,040     (1,333

Repurchase of common stock

     (732     (24,407     —     

Contributions

     —          —          53,442   

Distributions paid

     (63,567     (41,543     (8,249

Financing costs paid

     (1,980     (2,290     (3,923

Borrowings on debt

     288,000        450,000        —     

Repayments of debt

     (219,000     (100,000     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

   $ 135,510      $ 280,720      $ 545,365   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

     14,101        1,198        5,875   

Cash, beginning of period

     8,609        7,411        1,536   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash, end of period

   $ 22,710      $ 8,609      $ 7,411   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental and non-cash financing activities

      

Interest expense paid

   $ 8,829      $ 2,118      $ —     

Deemed contribution for income tax expense

   $ —        $ —        $ 1,070   

Accrued but unpaid excise tax expense

   $ 512      $ 119      $ —     

Accrued but unpaid deferred financing costs

   $ 54      $ 63      $ 88   

Accrued but unpaid offering costs

   $ 40      $ 474      $ 862   

Accrued but unpaid distributions

   $ 16,338      $ 15,506      $ 7,069   

Accrued but unpaid common stock repurchase

   $ —        $ 732      $ 4,994   

Reinvestment of stockholders distributions

   $ 522      $ —        $ —     

The accompanying notes are part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-6


Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

Consolidated Schedule of Investments as of December 31, 2015

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

Portfolio Company

 

Industry

   

Interest

   

Maturity

   

Par
Amount

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 
Investments at Fair Value—156.98%#            
Corporate Debt (1)—146.85%            
1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt—61.00%            

Artesyn Embedded Technologies, Inc. (2)

   
 
Electronic Equipment,
Instruments & Components
  
  
    9.75%        10/15/2020      $ 20,000      $ 20,000      $ 18,700   

Data Driven Delivery Systems, LLC (++)

    Health Care Technology        L + 7.00% (1.00% Floor)        05/31/2019        70,500        68,202        70,500   
Dispensing Dynamics International (2)     Building Products        12.50%        01/01/2018        24,000        24,685        23,304   
Heligear Acquisition Co. (2)     Aerospace & Defense        10.25%        10/15/2019        17,500        17,229        18,550   
Infinity Sales Group (+)     Media        L + 10.50% (1.00% Floor)        11/21/2018        33,727        33,284        32,630   
Iracore International Holdings, Inc. (2)    
 
Energy Equipment &
Services
  
  
    9.50%        06/01/2018        24,250        20,877        15,763   
Kawa Solar Holdings Limited (3)    
 
Construction &
Engineering
  
  
    F + 8.20%        07/02/2017        15,000        15,000        15,000   
Legacy Buyer Corp. (++)    
 
Health Care Providers &
Services
  
  
    L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)        10/24/2019        30,225        29,735        29,847   
Legacy Buyer Corp. (4)(5)    
 
Health Care Providers &
Services
  
  
    L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)        10/24/2019        2,500        (40     (31
Madison-Kipp Corporation (+)     Machinery        L + 9.00% (1.00% Floor)        05/26/2020        37,000        36,330        36,352   
NTS Communications, Inc. (++)    
 
 
Diversified
Telecommunication
Services
  
  
  
    L + 9.00% (1.25% Floor)        06/06/2019        44,300        43,641        42,196   
Perfect Commerce, LLC (++)    
 
Internet Software &
Services
  
  
    L + 8.50% (1.00% Floor)        06/30/2020        39,668        38,789        38,973   
US Med Acquisition, Inc. (+)    
 
Health Care Equipment &
Supplies
  
  
    L + 9.00% (1.00% Floor)        08/13/2021        30,884        30,292        30,884   
Vexos, Inc. (++)    
 
Electronic Equipment,
Instruments & Components
  
  
    L + 9.50% (1.00% Floor)        10/09/2019        48,275        47,512        47,430   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

  

    425,536        420,098   

1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche (6)—44.40%

           
Associations, Inc. (++)    
 
Real Estate Management &
Development
  
  
    L + 7.00% (1.00% Floor)        12/23/2019        75,926        74,669        74,598   
Associations, Inc. (++)(4)    
 
Real Estate Management &
Development
  
  
    L + 7.00% (1.00% Floor)        12/23/2019        12,955        9,194        9,217   
Avenue Stores, LLC (+)     Specialty Retail        L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)        09/19/2019        30,000        29,409        30,300   
Bolttech Mannings, Inc. (+)    
 
Commercial Services &
Supplies
  
  
    L + 7.75% (1.00% Floor)        12/21/2018        33,000        32,504        31,185   
Bolttech Mannings, Inc. (+)    
 
Commercial Services &
Supplies
  
  
    L + 7.75% (1.00% Floor)        12/21/2018        3,346        3,297        3,162   
Integrated Practice Solutions, Inc. (++)     Software        L + 9.10% (1.00% Floor)        08/03/2020        27,156        26,464        26,417   
Mervin Manufacturing, Inc. (++)    
 
Leisure Equipment &
Products
  
  
    L + 7.50% (1.00% Floor)        10/10/2019        13,584        13,365        12,837   
Pro-Pet, LLC (+)     Household Products        L + 7.25% (0.75% Floor)        11/21/2019        28,600        28,196        27,170   
The Service Companies Inc. (++)     Professional Services        L + 10.25% (1.00% Floor)        03/26/2019        47,460        46,773        46,629   
United Road Services, Inc. (+)     Air Freight & Logistics        L + 7.50% (1.00% Floor)        12/14/2017        44,658        44,237        44,212   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

  

    308,108        305,727   

The accompanying notes are part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-7


Portfolio Company

 

Industry

   

Interest

 

Maturity

 

Par Amount

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 

2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt—41.45%

           

DiversiTech Corporation (++)

    Building Products      L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)   11/18/2022   $ 10,000      $ 9,859      $ 9,850   

Extraction Oil & Gas Holdings, LLC

   
 
Oil, Gas &
Consumable Fuels
  
  
  11.00%   05/29/2019     15,000        14,833        15,187   

Extraction Oil & Gas Holdings, LLC

   
 
Oil, Gas &
Consumable Fuels
  
  
  10.00%   05/29/2019     8,412        8,314        8,286   

Global Tel*Link Corporation (++)

   
 
 
Diversified
Telecommunication
Services
  
  
  
  L + 7.75% (1.25% Floor)   11/23/2020     28,000        27,588        16,800   

Highwinds Capital, Inc. (+)

   
 
Internet Software &
Services
  
  
  L + 12.25% (1.25% Floor)   01/29/2019     59,050        58,429        59,050   

Hunter Defense Technologies, Inc. (++)

   
 
Aerospace &
Defense
  
  
  L + 10.00% (1.00% Floor)   02/05/2020     28,000        26,866        26,320   

Hutchinson Technology, Inc.

   
 
Computers &
Peripherals
  
  
  10.88%   01/15/2017     12,200        12,004        13,298   

iFly Holdings LLC (++)

   
 
Leisure Equipment
& Products
  
  
  L + 9.00% (1.00% Floor)   07/08/2019     25,000        24,595        25,000   

IHS Intermediate, Inc. (++)

   
 
 
Health Care
Providers &
Services
  
  
  
  L + 8.25% (1.00% Floor)   07/20/2022     10,000        9,809        9,800   

MPI Products LLC (++)

    Auto Components      L + 9.00% (1.00% Floor)   01/30/2020     20,000        19,761        19,800   

Oasis Outsourcing Holdings, Inc. (+)

   
 
Diversified
Financial Services
  
  
  L + 8.75% (1.00% Floor)   12/26/2022     20,000        19,726        20,000   

P2 Upstream Acquisition Co. (+++)

    Software      L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)   04/30/2021     10,000        9,922        8,200   

Reddy Ice Corporation (++)

    Food Products      L + 9.50% (1.25% Floor)   11/01/2019     13,500        13,082        8,809   

Securus Technologies Holdings, Inc. (++)

   
 
 
Diversified
Telecommunication
Services
  
  
  
  L + 7.75% (1.25% Floor)   04/30/2021     20,000        19,828        10,760   

SW Holdings, LLC (+++)

    Media      L + 8.75% (1.00% Floor)   12/30/2021     13,500        13,245        13,230   

Washington Inventory Service (++)

   
 
Professional
Services
  
  
  L + 9.00% (1.25% Floor)   06/20/2019     24,800        24,970        21,080   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

  

    312,831        285,470   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Corporate Debt

  

    1,046,475        1,011,295   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio Company

 

Industry

   

Coupon

 

Shares

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 

Preferred Stock (1)—3.61%

  

 

Crowley Holdings Preferred LLC (2)

    Marine      12.00% (Includes 2% PIK)     20,823      $ 20,824      $ 20,824   

Lone Pine Resources CDA, Ltd. ^(3)(7)(8)

    Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels      10.00%     3,745,909        4,791        4,048   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stock

          25,615        24,872   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Common Stock (1)—0.00%

  

 

Lone Pine Resources CDA, Ltd. ^(3)(8)(9)

    Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels          972,919        4,446        —     
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Common Stock

          4,446        —     
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio Company

  

LLC Interest

    

Cost

    

Fair
Value

 

Investment Funds & Vehicles (1)—6.52%

  

  

Senior Credit Fund, LLC ^^(3)

   $ 46,167       $ 46,167       $ 44,897   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investment Funds & Vehicles

        46,167         44,897   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-8


    

Yield

  

Shares

    

Cost

    

Fair
Value

 

Investments in Affiliated Money Market Fund (1)—1.47%#

        

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund

   0.19%(10)      10,116,857       $ 10,117       $ 10,117   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Affiliated Money Market Fund

           10,117         10,117   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—158.45%

         $ 1,132,820       $ 1,091,181   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS—(58.45%)

            $ (402,531
           

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.00%

            $ 688,650   
           

 

 

 

 

# Percentages are based on net assets
(+)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 1 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2015 was 0.43%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 1 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2015, the prevailing rate in effect as of December 31, 2015 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
(++)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 3 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2015 was 0.61%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 3 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2015, the prevailing rate in effect as of December 31, 2015 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
(+++)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 6 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2015 was 0.85%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 6 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2015, the prevailing rate in effect as of December 31, 2015 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
^ As defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, the investment is deemed to be an “affiliated person” of the Company because the Company owns, either directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities. See Note 3 “Significant Agreements and Related Parties”.
^^ As defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, the investment is deemed to be a “controlled affiliated person” of the Company because the Company owns, either directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities or has the power to exercise control over management or policies of such portfolio company. See Note 3 “Significant Agreements and Related Parties”.
(1)   Assets are pledged as collateral for the Revolving Credit Facility. See Note 6 “Debt”.
(2)   Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in certain transactions (normally to qualified institutional buyers) and remain exempt from registration. As of December 31, 2015, the aggregate fair value of these securities is $97,141 or 14.11% of the Company’s net assets.
(3)   The investment is not a qualifying asset under Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company may not acquire any non-qualifying asset unless, at the time of acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the Company’s total assets.
(4)   Position or portion thereof is an unfunded loan commitment, and no interest is being earned on the unfunded portion. The unfunded loan commitment may be subject to a commitment termination date that may expire prior to the maturity date stated. See Note 7 “Commitments and Contingencies”.
(5)   The negative cost is the result of the capitalized discount being greater than the principal amount outstanding on the loan. The negative fair value is the result of the capitalized discount on the loan.
(6)   In addition to the interest earned based on the stated rate of this loan, the Company may be entitled to receive additional interest as a result of its arrangement with other lenders in a syndication.
(7)   In addition the Company holds 3,745,909 shares of voting securities in an affiliated entity with zero cost and zero value.
(8)   Non-income producing security.
(9)   In addition the Company holds 972,919 shares of voting securities in an affiliated entity with zero cost and zero value.
(10)   The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of December 31, 2015.
F — Federal Funds Rate (which as of December 31, 2015 was 0.25%)
L — LIBOR
PIK — Payment-In-Kind

The accompanying notes are part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-9


Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

Schedule of Investments as of December 31, 2014

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

Portfolio Company

 

Industry

   

Interest

   

Maturity

   

Par
Amount

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 
Investments at Fair Value—159.06%#     
Corporate Debt (1)—150.07%     
1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt—40.93%     

Artesyn Embedded Technologies, Inc. (2)

   
 
Electronic Equipment,
Instruments & Components
  
  
    9.75%        10/15/2020      $ 20,000      $ 20,000      $ 19,000   
Bolttech Mannings, Inc. (3) (4)    
 
Commercial Services &
Supplies
  
  
    L + 7.75% (1.00% Floor)        12/21/2018        10,640        (106     (213
CLP ST Inc. (++)    
 
Electronic Equipment,
Instruments & Components
  
  
    L + 9.50% (1.00% Floor)        10/09/2019        49,525        48,583        48,534   
CLP ST Inc. (3) (4)    
 
Electronic Equipment,
Instruments & Components
  
  
    L + 9.50% (1.00% Floor)        10/09/2019        5,000        (88     (100
Dispensing Dynamics International (2)     Building Products        12.50%        01/01/2018        24,000        25,055        24,960   
Heligear Acquisition Co. (2)     Aerospace & Defense        10.25%        10/15/2019        17,500        17,175        17,150   
Infinity Sales Group (+)     Media        L + 10.50% (1.00% Floor)        11/21/2018        37,500        36,880        34,500   
Iracore International Holdings, Inc. (2)    
 
Energy Equipment &
Services
  
  
    9.50%        06/01/2018        24,250        19,832        14,308   
Legacy Buyer Corp. (++)    
 
Health Care Providers &
Services
  
  
    L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)        10/24/2019        31,000        30,402        30,380   
Legacy Buyer Corp. (3) (4)    
 
Health Care Providers &
Services
  
  
    L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)        10/24/2019        2,500        (48     (50
Liquidnet Holdings, Inc. (++)     Capital Markets        L + 6.75% (1.00% Floor)        05/22/2019        3,604        3,555        3,424   
NTS Communications, Inc. (++)    
 
 
Diversified
Telecommunication
Services
  
  
  
    L + 9.00% (1.25% Floor)        06/06/2019        39,700        38,946        38,906   
NTS Communications, Inc. (++) (3)    
 
 
Diversified
Telecommunication
Services
  
  
  
    L + 9.00% (1.25% Floor)        06/06/2019        5,000        4,409        4,400   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

  

    244,595        235,199   

1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche (5)—47.96%

           
Associations, Inc. (++)    
 
Real Estate Management &
Development
  
  
    L + 7.00% (1.00% Floor)        12/23/2019        76,500        74,977        74,970   
Associations, Inc. (3) (4)    
 
Real Estate Management &
Development
  
  
    L + 7.00% (1.00% Floor)        12/22/2018        13,002        (259     (260
Avenue Stores, LLC (++)     Specialty Retail        L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)        09/19/2019        30,000        29,284        29,250   
Bolttech Mannings, Inc. (+)    
 
Commercial Services &
Supplies
  
  
    L + 7.75% (1.00% Floor)        12/21/2018        33,000        32,368        32,010   
Bolttech Mannings, Inc. (+)    
 
Commercial Services &
Supplies
  
  
    L + 7.75% (1.00% Floor)        12/21/2018        3,346        3,284        3,245   
Mervin Manufacturing, Inc. (++)    
 
Leisure Equipment &
Products
  
  
    L + 7.50% (1.00% Floor)        10/10/2019        20,000        19,617        19,600   
Pro-Pet, LLC (+)     Household Products        L + 7.25% (0.75% Floor)        11/21/2019        28,600        28,117        28,107   
The Service Companies Inc. (++)     Professional Services        L + 10.25% (1.00% Floor)        03/26/2019        45,340        44,540        44,320   
United Road Services, Inc. (+)     Air Freight & Logistics        L + 7.50% (1.00% Floor)        12/14/2017        45,000        44,390        44,325   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

  

    276,318        275,567   
2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt—61.18%       
Affordable Care, Inc. (+)    
 
Health Care Providers &
Services
  
  
    L + 9.25% (1.25% Floor)        12/26/2019        23,220        23,376        22,872   
Extraction Oil & Gas Holdings, LLC    
 
Oil, Gas & Consumable
Fuels
  
  
    11.00%        05/29/2019        15,000        14,796        15,300   
Extraction Oil & Gas Holdings, LLC    
 
Oil, Gas & Consumable
Fuels
  
  
    10.00%        05/29/2019        8,412        8,292        8,286   

 

The accompanying notes are part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-10


Portfolio Company

 

Industry

 

Interest

 

Maturity

 

Par
Amount

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 
Global Tel * Link Corporation (++)   Diversified
Telecommunication
Services
  L + 7.75% (1.25% Floor)   11/23/2020   $ 28,000      $ 27,526      $ 27,323   
Highwinds Capital, Inc. (+)   Internet Software &
Services
  L + 12.25% (1.25% Floor)   01/29/2019     59,050        58,287        59,050   
Hunter Defense Technologies, Inc. (++)   Aerospace &
Defense
  L + 10.00% (1.00% Floor)   02/05/2020     28,000        26,674        27,300   
Hutchinson Technology, Inc.   Electronic
Equipment,
Instruments &
Components
  10.88%   01/15/2017     12,200        11,839        12,627   
iFly Holdings LLC (++)   Leisure Equipment
& Products
  L + 9.00% (1.00% Floor)   04/08/2020     10,000        9,818        9,825   
iFly Holdings LLC (3)   Leisure Equipment
& Products
  L + 9.00% (1.00% Floor)   04/08/2020     10,000        —          25   
IPC Systems, Inc. (+)   Diversified
Telecommunication
Services
  L + 8.50% (1.00% Floor)   05/08/2021     11,000        10,795        11,440   
MPI Products LLC (++)   Auto Components   L + 9.00% (1.00% Floor)   01/30/2020     35,000        34,506        34,475   
Oasis Outsourcing Holdings, Inc. (6)   Commercial
Services &
Supplies
  L + 8.75% (1.00% Floor)   12/26/2022     20,000        19,700        19,700   
Orchard Brands Corporation (+)   Internet & Catalog
Retail
  L + 10.00% (1.50% Floor)   06/20/2019     40,000        39,141        40,000   
P2 Upstream Acquisition Co. (+++)   Software   L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)   04/30/2021     10,000        9,911        9,450   
Reddy Ice Corporation (++)   Food Products   L + 9.50% (1.25% Floor)   11/01/2019     13,500        13,007        10,260   
Securus Technologies Holdings, Inc. (++)   Diversified
Telecommunication
Services
  L + 7.75% (1.25% Floor)   04/30/2021     20,000        19,805        19,700   
Washington Inventory Service (++)   Professional
Services
  L + 9.00% (1.25% Floor)   06/20/2019     24,450        24,666        23,931   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

  

    352,139        351,564   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 
Total Corporate Debt        873,052        862,330   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

   

Portfolio Company

 

Industry

 

Interest

 

Shares

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 
Preferred Stock (1)—4.59%       
  Crowley Holdings Preferred LLC (2)   Marine   12.00% (Includes 2% PIK)     20,412      $ 20,412      $ 20,412   
 

Lone Pine Resources CDA, Ltd. (7)(9)(11)

  Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels   10.00%     3,745,909        4,791        5,946   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Total Preferred Stock

  

    25,203        26,358   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Common Stock (1)—0.11%          
 

Lone Pine Resources CDA, Ltd. (7)(8)(10)(11)

  Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels       972,919        4,446        632   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stock

  

    4,446        632   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

   

Portfolio Company

         

LLC Interest

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 
  Investment Funds & Vehicles (1)—4.29%     
  Senior Credit Fund, LLC (7)(12)   $ 25,000      $ 25,000      $ 24,627   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Total Investment Funds & Vehicles

      25,000        24,627   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-11


           

Yield

 

Shares

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 
  Investments in Affiliated Money Market Fund (1)—5.15%#     
 

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund

  0.01%(13)     29,568,233      $ 29,568      $ 29,568   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Total Investments in Affiliated Money Market Fund

        29,568        29,568   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 
  TOTAL INVESTMENTS—164.21%       $ 957,269      $ 943,515   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 
  LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS—(64.21%)         $ (368,933
           

 

 

 
  NET ASSETS—100.00%         $ 574,582   
           

 

 

 

 

# Percentages are based on net assets
(+)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 1 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2014 was 0.17%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 1 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2014, the prevailing rate in effect at December 31, 2014 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
(++)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 3 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2014 was 0.26%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 3 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2014, the prevailing rate in effect at December 31, 2014 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
(+++)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 6 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2014 was 0.36%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 6 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2014, the prevailing rate in effect at December 31, 2014 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
(1)   Assets are pledged as collateral for the Revolving Credit Facility. See Note 6 “Debt”.
(2)   Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in certain transactions (normally to qualified institutional buyers) and remain exempt from registration. As of December 31, 2014, the aggregate fair value of these securities is $95,830 or 16.68% of the Company’s net assets.
(3)   Position or portion thereof is an unfunded loan commitment, and no interest is being earned on the unfunded portion. See Note 7 “Commitment and Contingencies”.
(4)   The negative cost is the result of the capitalized discount being greater than the principal amount outstanding on the loan. The negative fair value is the result of the capitalized discount on the loan.
(5)   In addition to the interest earned based on the stated rate of this loan, the Company may be entitled to receive additional interest as a result of its arrangement with other lenders in a syndication.
(6)   Position or portion thereof unsettled as of December 31, 2014.
(7)   The investment is not a qualifying asset under Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company may not acquire any non-qualifying asset unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the Company’s total assets.
(8)   Non-income producing security.
(9)   In addition the Company holds 3,745,909 shares of voting securities in an affiliated entity with zero cost and zero value.
(10)   In addition the Company holds 972,919 shares of voting securities in an affiliated entity with zero cost and zero value.
(11)   As defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, the investment is deemed to be an “affiliated person” of the Company because the Company owns, either directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities. See Note 3 “Significant Agreements and Related Parties”.
(12)   As defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, the investment is deemed to be a “controlled affiliated person” of the Company because the Company owns, either directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities or has the power to exercise control over management or policies of such portfolio company. See Note 3 “Significant Agreements and Related Parties”.
(13)   The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of December 31, 2014.
L — LIBOR
PIK — Payment-In-Kind

The accompanying notes are part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-12


Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

1. ORGANIZATION

Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. (the “Company,” which term refers to either Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. or Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. together with its consolidated subsidiary, as the context may require) was initially established as Goldman Sachs Liberty Harbor Capital, LLC, a single member Delaware limited liability company (“SMLLC”), on September 26, 2012 and commenced operations on November 15, 2012 with Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“Group Inc.”) as its sole member. On March 29, 2013, the Company elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). Effective April 1, 2013, the Company converted from a SMLLC to a Delaware corporation (the “Conversion”). In addition, the Company has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2013.

The Company’s investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation primarily through direct originations of secured debt, including first lien, first lien/last-out unitranche and second lien debt, and unsecured debt, including mezzanine debt, as well as through select equity investments.

Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), a Delaware limited partnership and an affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co., is the investment adviser (the “Investment Adviser”) of the Company. The term “Goldman Sachs” refers to Group Inc., together with Goldman, Sachs & Co., GSAM and its other subsidiaries.

On March 23, 2015, the Company closed its initial public offering (“IPO”), issuing 6,000,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $20.00 per share. Net of offering and underwriting costs, the Company received cash proceeds of $114,568. On March 18, 2015, the Company’s common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “GSBD”.

In April 2015, the Company issued a total of 900,000 shares of its common stock pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option in connection with the IPO. Net of underwriting costs, the Company received additional cash proceeds of $17,271.

In July 2015, the Company invested through a wholly-owned subsidiary, DDDS BL, LLC, which is structured as a Delaware limited liability company.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The Company’s functional currency is U.S. dollars and these consolidated financial statements have been prepared in that currency. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to Regulation S-X. This requires the Company to make certain estimates and assumptions that may affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. These consolidated financial statements reflect adjustments that in the opinion of the Company are necessary for the fair statement of the results for the periods presented. Actual results may differ from the estimates and assumptions included in the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-13


Certain prior period information has been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. The reclassification has no effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or the consolidated results of operations as previously reported.

As an investment company, the Company applies the accounting and reporting guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946,  Financial Services—Investment Companies (“ASC 946”) .

Basis of Consolidation

As provided under ASC 946, the Company will generally not consolidate its investment in a company other than an investment company subsidiary or a controlled operating company whose business consists of providing services to the Company. Accordingly, the Company consolidated the financial position and results of operations of the Company’s investment through DDDS BL, LLC. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company does not consolidate its equity interest in Senior Credit Fund, LLC (the “Senior Credit Fund”). For further description of the Company’s investment in the Senior Credit Fund see Note 4 “Investments”.

Revenue Recognition

The Company records its investment transactions on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses are based on the specific identification method.

Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on an accrual basis. Discounts and premiums to par value on investments purchased are accreted and amortized, respectively, into interest income over the life of the respective investment using the effective interest method. Loan origination fees, original issue discount and market discounts or premiums are capitalized and amortized into interest income using the effective interest method or straight-line method, as applicable. Upon prepayment of a loan or debt security, any prepayment premiums, unamortized upfront loan origination fees and unamortized discounts are recorded as interest income. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company earned $1,375, $840, and $43 in prepayment premiums, respectively, and $1,229, $1,247 and $23 in accelerated accretion of upfront loan origination fees and unamortized discounts, respectively.

Dividend income on preferred equity investments is recorded on an accrual basis to the extent that such amounts are payable by the portfolio company and are expected to be collected. Dividend income on common equity investments is recorded on the record date for private portfolio companies and on the ex-dividend date for publicly traded portfolio companies. Interest and dividend income are presented net of withholding tax, if any.

Certain investments may have contractual payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest or dividends. PIK represents accrued interest or accumulated dividends that are added to the loan principal of the investment on the respective interest or dividend payment dates rather than being paid in cash and generally becomes due at maturity or upon being called by the issuer. PIK is recorded as interest or dividend income, as applicable. If at any point the Company believes PIK is not expected to be realized, the investment generating PIK will be placed on non-accrual status. Accrued PIK interest or dividends are generally reversed through interest or dividend income, respectively, when an investment is placed on non-accrual status.

Certain structuring fees and amendment fees are recorded as other income when earned. Administrative agent fees received by the Company are recorded as other income when the services are rendered.

 

F-14


Non-Accrual Loans

Loans or debt securities are placed on non-accrual status when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest will be collected. Accrued interest generally is reversed when a loan or debt security is placed on non-accrual status. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans or debt securities may be recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon management’s judgment. Non-accrual loans and debt securities are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest are paid and, in management’s judgment, principal and interest payments are likely to remain current. The Company may make exceptions to this treatment if a loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection.

Investments

The Company carries its investments in accordance with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”), issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is generally based on quoted market prices provided by independent pricing services, broker or dealer quotations or alternative price sources. In the absence of quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations or alternative price sources, investments are measured at fair value as determined by the Board of Directors.

Due to the inherent uncertainties of valuation, certain estimated fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been realized had a ready market for these investments existed, and these differences could be material. See Note 5 “Fair Value Measurement”.

The Company expects it will generally invest in illiquid securities, including debt and equity investments, of middle-market companies. The Board of Directors has delegated to the Investment Adviser day-to-day responsibility for implementing and maintaining internal controls and procedures related to the valuation of the Company’s portfolio investments. Under valuation procedures adopted by the Board of Directors, market quotations are generally used to assess the value of the investments for which market quotations are readily available. The Investment Adviser obtains these market quotations from independent pricing services or at the bid prices obtained from at least two brokers or dealers, if available; otherwise from a principal market maker or a primary market dealer. To assess the continuing appropriateness of pricing sources and methodologies, the Investment Adviser regularly performs price verification procedures and issues challenges as necessary to independent pricing services or brokers, and any differences are reviewed in accordance with the valuation procedures. If the Board of Directors or Investment Adviser has a bona fide reason to believe any such market quotation does not reflect the fair value of an investment, it may independently value such investment in accordance with valuation procedures for investments for which market quotations are not readily available.

With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, or for which market quotations are deemed not reflective of the fair value, the valuation procedures adopted by the Board of Directors contemplate a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

 

  (1) The quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by the investment professionals of the Investment Adviser responsible for the portfolio investment;

 

  (2)

The Board of Directors also engages independent valuation firms (the “Independent Valuation Advisors”) to provide independent valuations of the investments for which market quotations are not readily available, or are readily available but deemed not reflective of the fair value of an investment. The Independent Valuation Advisors independently value such investments using quantitative and qualitative information provided by the investment professionals of the Investment Adviser as well as any market quotations obtained from independent pricing services, brokers, dealers or market dealers. The Independent Valuation Advisors also provide analyses to support

 

F-15


  their valuation methodology and calculations. The Independent Valuation Advisors provide an opinion on a final range of values on such investments to the Board of Directors or the Audit Committee. The Independent Valuation Advisors define fair value in accordance with ASC 820 and utilize valuation techniques including the market approach, the income approach or both. A portion of the portfolio is reviewed on a quarterly basis, and all investments in the portfolio for which market quotations are not readily available, or are readily available, but deemed not reflective of the fair value of an investment, are reviewed at least annually by an Independent Valuation Advisor;

 

  (3) The Independent Valuation Advisors’ preliminary valuations are reviewed by the Investment Adviser and the Valuation Oversight Group (“VOG”), a team that is part of the Controllers Department within the Finance Division of Goldman Sachs. The Independent Valuation Advisors’ valuation ranges are compared to the Investment Adviser’s valuations to ensure the Investment Adviser’s valuations are reasonable. VOG presents the valuations to the Private Investment Sub-Committee of the Investment Management Division Valuation Committee, which is comprised of representatives from GSAM who are independent of the investment decision making process;

 

  (4) The Investment Management Division Valuation Committee ratifies fair valuations and makes recommendations to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors;

 

  (5) The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors reviews valuation information provided by the Investment Management Division Valuation Committee, the Investment Adviser and the Independent Valuation Advisors. The Audit Committee then assesses such valuation recommendations; and

 

  (6) The Board of Directors discusses the valuations and, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act, determines the fair value of the investments in good faith, based on the inputs of the Investment Adviser, the Independent Valuation Advisors and the Audit Committee.

Money Market Funds

Investments in money market funds are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. See Note 3 “Significant Agreements and Related Parties”.

Cash

Cash consists of deposits held at a custodian bank. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company held $22,710 and $8,609, respectively, in cash.

Foreign Currency Translation

Amounts denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis: (i) investments and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates effective on the date of valuation; and (ii) purchases and sales of investments and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates prevailing on the transaction dates.

The Company does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included within the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments.

 

F-16


Income Taxes

The Company recognizes tax positions in its consolidated financial statements only when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by the relevant taxing authority based on the technical merits of the position. A position that meets this standard is measured at the largest amount of benefit that will more likely than not be realized upon settlement. The Company reports any interest expense related to income tax matters in income tax expense, and any income tax penalties under expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The Company’s tax positions have been reviewed based on applicable statutes of limitation for tax assessments, which may vary by jurisdiction, and based on such review, the Company has concluded that no additional provision for income tax is required in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company is subject to potential examination by certain taxing authorities in various jurisdictions. The Company’s tax positions are subject to ongoing interpretation of laws and regulations by taxing authorities.

Prior to the Conversion, the Company was an SMLLC which was disregarded for U.S. tax purposes. As a disregarded entity, the Company was considered a branch of its member (a “C” corporation for income tax purposes) and therefore the Company accrued U.S. federal and various state and local income taxes as if it were also a “C” corporation. The Company was included with its member and subsidiaries in the consolidated corporate federal tax return as well as consolidated/combined state and local tax returns. The Company computed its tax liability on a modified separate company basis and the member funded any expense directly. The liability associated with the tax expense recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations is recorded as a deemed contribution.

Effective April 1, 2013, the Company converted from an SMLLC into a corporation for U.S. tax purposes, and has elected to be treated as a RIC commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2013. So long as the Company maintains its status as a RIC, it will generally not be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on any ordinary income or capital gains that it distributes at least annually to its stockholders as dividends. As a result, any U.S. federal income tax liability related to income earned and distributed by the Company represents obligations of the Company’s stockholders and will not be reflected in the consolidated financial statements of the Company. The Company’s conversion from an SMLLC to a RIC was considered a taxable event.

To maintain its status as a RIC, the Company must meet specified source-of-income and asset diversification requirements and timely distribute to its stockholders for each taxable year at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (generally, its net ordinary income plus the excess of its realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction). In order for the Company not to be subject to U.S. federal excise taxes, it must distribute annually an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its net ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for the calendar year, (ii) 98.2% of its capital gains in excess of capital losses for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year and (iii) any net ordinary income and capital gains in excess of capital losses for preceding years that were not distributed during such years. The Company, at its discretion, may carry forward taxable income in excess of calendar year dividends and pay a 4% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax on this income. If the Company chooses to do so, this generally would increase expenses and reduce the amount available to be distributed to stockholders. The Company will accrue excise tax on estimated undistributed taxable income as required. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company accrued excise tax of $518 and $119, respectively. There was no accrued excise tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2013. As of December 31, 2015, $512 of accrued excise taxes remained payable.

 

F-17


Distributions

Distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from those amounts determined in accordance with GAAP. The Company may pay distributions in excess of its taxable net investment income. This excess would be a tax-free return of capital in the period and reduce the stockholder’s tax basis in its shares. These book/tax differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent; they are charged or credited to paid-in capital in excess of par, accumulated undistributed net investment income or accumulated net realized gain (loss), as appropriate, in the period that the differences arise. Temporary and permanent differences are primarily attributable to differences in the tax treatment of certain loans and the tax characterization of income and non-deductible expenses. These differences are generally determined in conjunction with the preparation of the Company’s annual RIC tax return. Distributions to common stockholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount to be paid out as a distribution is determined by the Board of Directors each quarter and is generally based upon the earnings estimated by the Investment Adviser. The Company may pay distributions to its stockholders in a year in excess of its net ordinary income and capital gains for that year and, accordingly, a portion of such distributions may constitute a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Company intends to timely distribute to its stockholders substantially all of its annual taxable income for each year, except that the Company may retain certain net capital gains for reinvestment and, depending upon the level of the Company’s taxable income earned in a year, the Company may choose to carry forward taxable income for distribution in the following year and pay any applicable U.S. federal excise tax. The specific tax characteristics of the Company’s distributions will be reported to stockholders after the end of the calendar year. All distributions will be subject to available funds, and no assurance can be given that the Company will be able to declare such distributions in future periods.

The Company has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of all cash distributions declared by the Board of Directors unless a stockholder elects to “opt out” of the plan. As a result, if the Board of Directors declares a cash distribution, then the stockholders who have not “opted out” of the dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of common stock, rather than receiving the cash distribution. Stockholders who receive distributions in the form of shares of common stock will generally be subject to the same U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences as if they received cash distributions and, for this purpose, stockholders receiving distributions in the form of stock will generally be treated as receiving distributions equal to the fair market value of the stock received through the plan; however, since their cash distributions will be reinvested, those stockholders will not receive cash with which to pay any applicable taxes. Due to regulatory considerations, Group Inc. has opted out of the dividend reinvestment plan, and Goldman, Sachs & Co. has opted out of the dividend reinvestment plan in respect of shares of the Company’s common stock acquired through the 10b5-1 Plan. See Note 3 “Significant Agreements and Related Parties”.

Organization and Offering Costs

Organization costs consist primarily of legal, incorporation and accounting fees incurred in connection with the organization of the Company and the Conversion described in Note 1 “Organization”. Organization costs are expensed as incurred.

Offering costs consist primarily of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the offering of shares, including legal, underwriting, printing and other costs, as well as costs associated with the preparation and filing of applicable registration statements. Upon the issuance of shares, offering costs are offset against proceeds of the offering in paid-in capital in excess of par.

The Investment Adviser has agreed to reimburse the Company for organization and private placement offering costs in excess of $1,250, the amount of which had already been exceeded and reimbursed as of December 31, 2015. See Note 3 “Significant Agreements and Related Parties”.

 

F-18


New Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2015, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-03, “ Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs ”, which simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs. ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs be presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, consistent with the presentation of debt discounts. Upon adoption, the standard requires prior period financial statements to be retrospectively adjusted. Prior to the issuance of ASU 2015-03, debt issuance costs were required to be presented as deferred assets, separate from the related debt liability. ASU 2015-03 does not change the recognition and measurement requirements for debt issuance costs. ASU 2015-03 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015–07, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)—Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalents).” ASU No. 2015–07 requires that investments for which the fair value is measured at net asset value (“NAV”) using the practical expedient (investments in funds measured at NAV) under “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (Topic 820) be excluded from the fair value hierarchy. ASU No. 2015–07 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. ASU No. 2015–07 is required to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented beginning in the period of adoption. The Company has elected early adoption of this standard and adoption did not affect the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In accordance with this standard, previously reported amounts have been conformed to current presentation. See Note 5 “Fair Value Measurement”.

3. SIGNIFICANT AGREEMENTS AND RELATED PARTIES

Investment Management Agreement

The Company has entered into an investment management agreement (as amended and restated as of January 1, 2015, the “Investment Management Agreement”) with the Investment Adviser, pursuant to which the Investment Adviser manages the Company’s investment program and related activities.

Management Fee

The Company pays the Investment Adviser a management fee (the “Management Fee”), accrued and payable quarterly in arrears. The Management Fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.50% (0.375% per quarter) of the average value of the Company’s gross assets (excluding cash or cash equivalents (such as investments in money market funds), but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) at the end of each of the two most recently completed calendar quarters (and, in the case of our first quarter, our gross assets as of such quarter-end). The Management Fee for any partial quarter will be appropriately prorated.

For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, Management Fees charged amounted to $15,436, $10,069 and $3,586, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, $4,238 remained payable.

Incentive Fee

The incentive fee (the “Incentive Fee”) consists of two components that are determined independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not. Effective as of January 1, 2015, the Incentive Fee is calculated as follows:

A portion of the Incentive Fee is based on income and a portion is based on capital gains, each as described below. The Investment Adviser is entitled to receive the Incentive Fee based on income if Ordinary

 

F-19


Income (as defined below) exceeds a quarterly “hurdle rate” of 1.75%. For this purpose, the hurdle is computed by reference to the Company’s NAV and does not take into account changes in the market price of the Company’s common stock.

Beginning with the calendar quarter that commenced on January 1, 2015, the Incentive Fee based on income is determined and paid quarterly in arrears at the end of each calendar quarter by reference to the Company’s aggregate net investment income, as adjusted as described below, from the calendar quarter then ending and the eleven preceding calendar quarters (or if shorter, the number of quarters that have occurred since January 1, 2015) (such period the “Trailing Twelve Quarters”). The Incentive Fee based on capital gains is determined and paid annually in arrears at the end of each calendar year by reference to an “Annual Period,” which means the period beginning on January 1 of each calendar year and ending on December 31 of such calendar year or, in the case of the first and last year, the appropriate portion thereof.

The hurdle amount for the Incentive Fee based on income is determined on a quarterly basis and is equal to 1.75% multiplied by the Company’s NAV at the beginning of each applicable calendar quarter comprising the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters. The hurdle amount is calculated after making appropriate adjustments for subscriptions (which includes all of the Company’s issuances of shares of its common stock, including issuances pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan) and distributions that occurred during the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters. The Incentive Fee for any partial period is appropriately prorated.

i. Quarterly Incentive Fee Based on Income

For the portion of the Incentive Fee based on income, the Company pays the Investment Adviser a quarterly Incentive Fee based on the amount by which (A) aggregate net investment income (“Ordinary Income”) in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters exceeds (B) the hurdle amount for such Trailing Twelve Quarters. The amount of the excess of (A) over (B) described in this paragraph for such Trailing Twelve Quarters is referred to as the “Excess Income Amount”. Ordinary Income is net of all fees and expenses, including the Management Fee but excluding any Incentive Fee.

The Incentive Fee based on income for each quarter is determined as follows:

 

    No Incentive Fee based on income is payable to the Investment Adviser for any calendar quarter for which there is no Excess Income Amount;

 

    100% of the Ordinary Income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle amount, but is less than or equal to an amount, referred to as the “Catch-up Amount,” determined as the sum of 2.1875% multiplied by the Company’s NAV at the beginning of each applicable calendar quarter comprising the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters is included in the calculation of the Incentive Fee based on income; and

 

    20% of the Ordinary Income that exceeds the Catch-up Amount is included in the calculation of the Incentive Fee based on income.

The amount of the Incentive Fee based on income that is paid to the Investment Adviser for a particular quarter equals the excess of the Incentive Fee so calculated minus the aggregate Incentive Fees based on income that were paid in respect of the first eleven calendar quarters (or the portion thereof) included in the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters but not in excess of the Incentive Fee Cap (as described below).

The Incentive Fee based on income that is paid to the Investment Adviser for a particular quarter is subject to a cap (the “Incentive Fee Cap”). The Incentive Fee Cap for any quarter is an amount equal to (a) 20% of the Cumulative Net Return (as defined below) during the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters minus (b) the aggregate Incentive Fees based on income that were paid in respect of the first eleven calendar quarters (or the portion thereof) included in the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters.

 

F-20


“Cumulative Net Return” means (x) the Ordinary Income in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters minus (y) any Net Capital Loss, if any, in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value, the Company pays no Incentive Fee based on income to the Investment Adviser for such quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is a positive value but is less than the Incentive Fee based on income that is payable to the Investment Adviser for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap) calculated as described above, the Company pays an Incentive Fee based on income to the Investment Adviser equal to the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is equal to or greater than the Incentive Fee based on income that is payable to the Investment Adviser for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap) calculated as described above, the Company pays an Incentive Fee based on income to the Investment Adviser equal to the Incentive Fee calculated as described above for such quarter without regard to the Incentive Fee Cap.

“Net Capital Loss” in respect of a particular period means the difference, if positive, between (i) aggregate capital losses, whether realized or unrealized, in such period and (ii) aggregate capital gains, whether realized or unrealized, in such period.

ii. Annual Incentive Fee Based on Capital Gains.

The portion of the Incentive Fee based on capital gains is calculated on an annual basis. For each Annual Period, the Company pays the Investment Adviser an amount equal to (A) 20% of the difference, if positive, of the sum of the Company’s aggregate realized capital gains, if any, computed net of the Company’s aggregate realized capital losses, if any, and the Company’s aggregate unrealized capital depreciation, in each case from April 1, 2013 until the end of such Annual Period minus (B) the cumulative amount of Incentive Fees based on capital gains previously paid to the Investment Adviser from April 1, 2013. For the avoidance of doubt, unrealized capital appreciation is excluded from the calculation in clause (A), above.

The Company accrues, but does not pay, a portion of the Incentive Fee based on capital gains with respect to net unrealized appreciation. Under GAAP, the Company is required to accrue an Incentive Fee based on capital gains that includes net realized capital gains and losses and net unrealized capital appreciation and depreciation on investments held at the end of each period. In calculating the accrual for the Incentive Fee based on capital gains, the Company considers the cumulative aggregate unrealized capital appreciation in the calculation, since an Incentive Fee based on capital gains would be payable if such unrealized capital appreciation were realized, even though such unrealized capital appreciation is not permitted to be considered in calculating the fee payable under the Investment Management Agreement. This accrual is calculated using the aggregate cumulative realized capital gains and losses and aggregate cumulative unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. If such amount is positive at the end of a period, then the Company records a capital gains incentive fee equal to 20% of such amount, minus the aggregate amount of actual Incentive Fees based on capital gains paid in all prior periods. If such amount is negative, then there is no accrual for such period. There can be no assurance that such unrealized capital appreciation will be realized in the future.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company incurred Incentive Fees based on income of $11,786. As of December 31, 2015, $360 remained payable. For the year ended December 31, 2015 the Company did not accrue any Incentive Fees based on capital gains.

Between April 1, 2013 and January 1, 2015, the Incentive Fee was calculated in two parts as follows:

Quarterly Incentive Fees Based on Income. The Company accrued monthly and paid the Investment Adviser a quarterly Incentive Fee based on the amount by which (A) aggregate net investment income in respect of the relevant trailing four quarters (“Ordinary Income”) less the amount of any net realized and unrealized capital loss (“Adjusted Ordinary Income”) exceeded (B) the quarterly hurdle of 1.75% (7% annualized) of the Company’s net asset value at the beginning of the trailing four quarters after making appropriate adjustments for subscriptions and distributions (“Adjusted Net Asset Value”). The trailing four quarter period was the

 

F-21


Company’s current quarter and the three preceding quarters or the appropriate portion in the Company’s first and last year. The amount of the excess of (A) over (B) was referred to as the “Excess Income Amount”. Net investment income was net of all fees and expenses, including the Management Fee, but excluding any Incentive Fee expense.

The Incentive Fee for a quarter equaled 100% of the trailing four quarters’ Excess Income Amount until the Company’s Adjusted Ordinary Income exceeded an annualized hurdle rate of 8.75% of the Company’s Adjusted Net Asset Value. Thereafter, the Incentive Fee for the quarter equaled 20% of the trailing four quarters’ remaining Excess Income Amount. The Incentive Fee paid to the Investment Adviser for a quarter equaled the excess of the calculated Incentive Fee less the cumulative amount of such Incentive Fees paid in the preceding three quarters.

Annual Incentive Fees Based on Capital Gains . Annually, the Company paid the Investment Adviser an Incentive Fee equal to (A) 20% of net realized capital gains and unrealized capital depreciation, from April 1, 2013 until the end of the year less (B) the cumulative amount of such Incentive Fees paid to the Investment Adviser from April 1, 2013.

The Incentive Fee for each annual period was limited to the amount by which the Ordinary Income (reduced by the Incentive Fee based on income for the period) plus/minus net capital gain/loss for the period exceeded the annual hurdle of 7%.

Unrealized capital appreciation was excluded from the calculation in (A) above; however, the Company, in accordance with GAAP, accrued, but did not pay, that part of the Incentive Fee relating to unrealized capital appreciation. There can be no assurance that such unrealized capital appreciation will be realized in the future.

Prior to Conversion, the Company paid the Investment Adviser an Incentive Fee in two parts:

The first part of the Fee was accrued monthly and paid quarterly in arrears based on the Company’s pre-Incentive Fee net investment income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter. The Company paid the Investment Adviser with respect to the Company’s pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in each calendar quarter as follows: (1) no Fee in any calendar quarter in which the Company’s pre-Incentive Fee net investment income did not exceed 1.75% (7% annualized) of the Company’s net asset value at the beginning of the quarter after making appropriate adjustments for subscriptions and redemptions (2) 100% of the Company’s pre-Incentive Fee net investment income with respect to that portion of such pre-Incentive Fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds 1.75% (7% annualized) but did not exceed 2.1875% (8.75% annualized) of the Company’s net asset value at the beginning of the quarter after making appropriate adjustments in any calendar quarter; and (3) 20% of the amount of the Company’s pre-Incentive Fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter.

The second part of the Fee (the “Capital Gains Fee”) was payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year and was calculated at the end of each applicable year by subtracting (A) the sum of the Company’s cumulative aggregate realized capital losses and aggregate unrealized capital depreciation from (B) the Company’s cumulative aggregate realized capital gains, in each case calculated from the date of the Company’s formation. If such amount was positive at the end of such year, then the Capital Gains Fee for such year was equal to 20% of such amount attributable to the units, less the aggregate amount of Capital Gains Fees attributable to the units paid in all prior years. If such amount was negative, then there was not a Capital Gains Fee for such year.

For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company incurred Incentive Fees based on income of $1,495 and $340, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company did not accrue any Incentive Fees based on capital gains.

 

F-22


Administration and Custodian Fees

The Company has entered into an administration agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Administrator”) under which the Administrator provides various accounting and administrative services to the Company. Administrative services may include maintenance of the Company’s books and records, processing of investor transactions, calculation of the NAV and payments of the Company’s fees and expenses. To the extent that the Administrator outsources any of its functions, the Administrator pays any compensation associated with such functions. The Administrator also serves as the Company’s custodian (the “Custodian”).

For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company incurred expenses for services provided by the Administrator and the Custodian of $971, $844 and $468, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, $468 remained payable.

Transfer Agent Fees

State Street Bank and Trust Company serves as the Company’s transfer agent (“Transfer Agent”) and dividend agent. Prior to the IPO, Goldman, Sachs & Co. was the Transfer Agent. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company incurred expenses for services provided by the Transfer Agent of $3, $12 and $9, of which none remained payable as of December 31, 2015.

Reimbursement from Investment Adviser

The Investment Adviser has reimbursed the Company for organization and private placement offering costs in excess of $1,250. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company did not incur any organization or private placement offering costs. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company incurred and was reimbursed for $10 of private placement offering costs. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company incurred $2,762 of organization and private placement offering costs.

In connection with the IPO, the Investment Adviser paid 70%, or approximately $5,040, of the sales load. In addition, in April 2015, the Investment Adviser paid 70%, or approximately $756, of the sales load related to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

10b5-1 Plan

Goldman, Sachs & Co. has adopted a 10b5-1 plan (the “10b5-1 Plan”) in accordance with Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), under which Goldman, Sachs & Co. will buy in the open market up to the lesser of (i) $25,000 in the aggregate of the Company’s common stock and (ii) such amount that would not bring its collective ownership (with Group Inc.) of the Company’s common stock over 19.9%. Purchases under the 10b5-1 Plan will end on the earlier of (i) the date on which all the capital committed to the plan has been exhausted and (ii) March 18, 2016, subject to certain conditions. The 10b5-1 Plan requires Goldman, Sachs & Co. to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock when the market price per share is below the Company’s most recently reported NAV per share (including any updates, corrections or adjustments publicly announced by the Company to any previously announced NAV per share). The purchase of shares by Goldman, Sachs & Co. pursuant to the 10b5-1 Plan is intended to satisfy the conditions of Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, and will otherwise be subject to applicable law, including Regulation M, which may prohibit purchases under certain circumstances. Under the 10b5-1 Plan, Goldman, Sachs & Co. will increase the volume of purchases made anytime the market price per share of the Company’s common stock declines below the most recently reported NAV per share, subject to volume restrictions. Purchases of the Company’s common stock by Goldman, Sachs & Co. under the 10b5-1 Plan may result in the price of the Company’s common stock being higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. Stockholders subject to lock-up restrictions in connection with the IPO are not eligible to have their

 

F-23


shares repurchased pursuant to the 10b5-1 Plan for the period that they are subject to lock-up. For the year ended December 31, 2015, Goldman, Sachs & Co. purchased 219,716 shares of Company’s common stock pursuant to the 10b5-1 Plan.

Common Stock Repurchase Plan

The Company’s Board of Directors has approved the common stock repurchase plan (the “Company Repurchase Plan”), pursuant to which the Company may purchase up to $35,000 of its common stock in the open market during open trading periods. The Company Repurchase Plan will not begin until capital committed to the 10b5-1 Plan has been exhausted and will expire on March 18, 2016, subject to renewal. The Company Repurchase Plan does not obligate the Company to purchase any shares of common stock and may be discontinued at any time. Purchases of the Company’s common stock in the open market pursuant to the Company Repurchase Plan will be subject to certain conditions and conducted in accordance with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act and other applicable securities laws and regulations that set certain restrictions on the method, timing, price and volume of stock repurchases. Stockholders subject to lock-up restrictions in connection with the IPO will not be eligible to have their shares repurchased pursuant to the Company Repurchase Plan for the period that they are subject to lock-up.

Affiliates

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, Group Inc. owned 16.67% and 19.84%, respectively, of the outstanding shares of the Company.

The Company’s investments in affiliates for the year ended December 31, 2015 were as follows:

 

   

Fair Value as of
December 31, 2014

   

Purchases (3)

   

Sales (3)

   

Change in
Unrealized Gains
(Losses)

   

Fair Value as of
December 31,
2015

   

Dividend
Income

   

Other
Income

 

Controlled Affiliates

             

Senior Credit Fund, LLC (1)

  $ 24,627      $ 21,167      $ —        $ (897   $ 44,897      $ 3,992      $ 681   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Controlled Affiliates

  $ 24,627      $ 21,167      $ —        $ (897   $ 44,897      $ 3,992      $ 681   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-Controlled Affiliates

             

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund (2)

  $ 29,568      $ 397,861      $ (417,312   $ —        $ 10,117      $ 3      $ —     

Lone Pine Resources CDA, Ltd. (Preferred Stock)

    5,946        —          —          (1,898     4,048        —          —     

Lone Pine Resources CDA, Ltd. (Common Stock)

    632        —          —          (632     —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Non-Controlled Affiliates

  $ 36,146      $ 397,861      $ (417,312   $ (2,530   $ 14,165      $ 3      $ —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Affiliates

  $ 60,773      $ 419,028      $ (417,312   $ (3,427   $ 59,062      $ 3,995      $ 681   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Together with The Regents of the University of California (“Cal Regents”, and collectively with the Company, the “Members”), the Company co-invests through the Senior Credit Fund. Although the Company owns more than 25% of the voting securities of the Senior Credit Fund, the Company does not believe that it has control over the Senior Credit Fund (other than for purposes of the Investment Company Act). See Note 4 “Investments”.
(2) Fund advised by an affiliate of Goldman Sachs.
(3) Purchases may include securities received in corporate actions and PIK. Sales may include securities delivered in corporate actions.

 

F-24


The Company’s investments in affiliates for the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

   

Fair Value as of
December 31, 2013

   

Purchases (3)

   

Sales (3)

   

Change in
Unrealized Gains
(Losses)

   

Fair Value as of
December 31, 2014

   

Dividend
Income

   

Other
Income

 

Controlled Affiliates

             

Senior Credit Fund, LLC (1)

  $ —        $ 25,000      $ —        $ (373   $ 24,627      $ 309      $ —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Controlled Affiliates

  $ —        $ 25,000      $ —        $ (373   $ 24,627      $ 309      $ —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-Controlled Affiliates

             

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund (2)

  $ 120,518      $ 644,571      $ (735,521)      $ —        $ 29,568      $ 3      $ —     

Lone Pine Resources CDA, Ltd. (Preferred Stock)

    —          4,791        —          1,155        5,946        —          —     

Lone Pine Resources CDA, Ltd. (Common Stock)

    —          4,446        —          (3,814     632        —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Non-Controlled Affiliates

  $ 120,518      $ 653,808      $ (735,521)      $ (2,659   $ 36,146      $ 3      $ —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Affiliates

  $ 120,518      $ 678,808      $ (735,521)      $ (3,032   $ 60,773      $ 312      $ —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Together with Cal Regents, the Company co-invests through the Senior Credit Fund. Although the Company owns more than 25% of the voting securities of the Senior Credit Fund, the Company does not believe that it has control over the Senior Credit Fund (other than for purposes of the Investment Company Act). See Note 4 “Investments”.
(2) Fund advised by an affiliate of Goldman Sachs.
(3) Purchases may include securities received in corporate actions and PIK. Sales may include securities delivered in corporate actions.

4. INVESTMENTS

As of the dates indicated, the Company’s investments (excluding an investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc. of $10,117 and $29,568, respectively) consisted of the following:

 

    

December 31, 2015

    

December 31, 2014

 

Investment Type

  

Cost

    

Fair Value

    

Cost

    

Fair Value

 

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

   $ 425,536       $ 420,098       $ 244,595       $ 235,199   

1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

     308,108         305,727         276,318         275,567   

2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

     312,831         285,470         352,139         351,564   

Preferred Stock

     25,615         24,872         25,203         26,358   

Common Stock

     4,446         —           4,446         632   

Investment Funds & Vehicles 1

     46,167         44,897         25,000         24,627   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $ 1,122,703       $ 1,081,064       $ 927,701       $ 913,947   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1   Includes equity investments in the Senior Credit Fund.

 

F-25


As of the dates indicated, the industry composition of the Company’s portfolio at fair value was as follows:

 

Industry

  

December 31, 2015

   

December 31, 2014

 

Internet Software & Services

     9.1     6.5

Real Estate Management & Development

     7.8        8.2   

Health Care Technology

     6.5        —     

Diversified Telecommunication Services

     6.4        11.1   

Professional Services

     6.3        7.5   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

     6.1        8.7   

Investment Funds & Vehicles

     4.2        2.7   

Media

     4.2        3.8   

Aerospace & Defense

     4.1        4.9   

Air Freight & Logistics

     4.1        4.8   

Health Care Providers & Services

     3.7        5.8   

Leisure Equipment & Products

     3.5        3.2   

Machinery

     3.4        —     

Commercial Services & Supplies

     3.2        6.0   

Software

     3.2        1.0   

Building Products

     3.1        2.7   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

     2.9        —     

Specialty Retail

     2.8        3.2   

Household Products

     2.5        3.1   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     2.5        3.3   

Marine

     1.9        2.2   

Auto Components

     1.8        3.8   

Diversified Financial Services

     1.8        —     

Energy Equipment & Services

     1.5        1.6   

Construction & Engineering

     1.4        —     

Computers & Peripherals

     1.2        —     

Food Products

     0.8        1.1   

Internet & Catalog Retail

     —          4.4   

Capital Markets

     —          0.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of the dates indicated, the geographic composition of the Company’s portfolio at fair value was as follows:

 

Geographic

  

December 31, 2015

   

December 31, 2014

 

United States

     98.2     99.3

Germany

     1.4        —     

Canada

     0.4        0.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Senior Credit Fund, LLC

The Senior Credit Fund, an unconsolidated Delaware limited liability company, was formed on May 7, 2014 and commenced operations on October 1, 2014. Effective July 18, 2014, the Company agreed to co-invest with Cal Regents through the Senior Credit Fund. The Senior Credit Fund’s principal purpose is to make investments, either directly or indirectly through its wholly owned subsidiary Senior Credit Fund SPV I, LLC (“SPV I”), primarily in senior secured loans to middle-market companies. Each of the Company and Cal Regents

 

F-26


has a 50% economic ownership of the Senior Credit Fund and each has subscribed to fund $100,000. Except under certain circumstances, contributions to the Senior Credit Fund cannot be redeemed. The Senior Credit Fund is managed by a six member board of managers, on which the Company and Cal Regents have equal representation. Investment decisions generally must be unanimously approved by a quorum of the board of managers.

The Senior Credit Fund has entered into a revolving credit facility (the “Subscription Facility”) with Versailles Assets LLC, as lender, and Natixis, New York Branch (“Natixis”) as the facility agent. The Subscription Facility provides for borrowings in an aggregate amount up to $50,000 on a committed basis. The Senior Credit Fund’s obligations to Natixis and the lenders are secured by the unfunded subscriptions of the Company and Cal Regents, proceeds of such subscriptions and certain other assets. SPV I has entered into a revolving credit (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and term loan facility (the “Term Loan Facility”, and together with the Revolving Credit Facility, the “Asset Based Facility”) with Bleachers Finance 1 Limited (“Bleachers”), Natixis, as the facility agent, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as the collateral agent. The Revolving Credit Facility provides for borrowings in an aggregate amount up to $200,000 on a committed basis. The Term Loan Facility consists of a $65,000 fully-drawn term loan. The Asset Based Facility includes a maximum borrowing capacity of $400,000.

In October 2014, the Senior Credit Fund purchased seven investments at fair value, as prescribed under the valuation procedures in Note 2 “Significant Accounting Policies”, from the Company for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $97,640. In connection with the transaction, the Company recorded a realized gain of $2.

As of December 31, 2015, each of the Company and Cal Regents had contributed $46,167 to the Senior Credit Fund. As of December 31, 2015, the Senior Credit Fund had total investments in senior secured debt at fair value of $285,586 and its portfolio was comprised of 22 first lien senior secured loans and one second lien senior secured loan, none of which was on non-accrual status. In addition, as of December 31, 2015, the Senior Credit Fund had an investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc. with a total fair value of $21,830.

As of December 31, 2014, each of the Company and Cal Regents had contributed $25,000 to the Senior Credit Fund. As of December 31, 2014, the Senior Credit Fund had total investments at fair value of $111,168 and its portfolio was comprised of eight first lien senior secured loans, none of which was on non-accrual status.

Below is a summary of the Senior Credit Fund’s portfolio, excluding an investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc., followed by a listing of the individual loans in the Senior Credit Fund’s portfolio as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

    

As of

 
    

December 31, 2015

   

December 31, 2014

 

Total senior secured debt (1)

   $ 291,512      $ 113,157   

Weighted average current interest rate on senior secured debt (2)

     6.3     6.8

Number of borrowers in the Senior Credit Fund

     22        8   

Largest loan to a single borrower (1)

   $ 23,820      $ 23,696   

 

(1) At par amount.
(2) Computed as the (a) annual stated interest rate on accruing senior secured debt, divided by (b) total senior secured debt at par amount.

 

F-27


Senior Credit Fund Portfolio as of December 31, 2015

 

Portfolio Company

  

Industry

  

Interest

 

Maturity

 

Par
Amount

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

             

Affordable Care Holding Corp. (++)

   Health Care Providers & Services    L + 4.75% (1.00% Floor)   10/22/2022   $ 5,000      $ 4,901      $ 4,900   

Aperture Group, LLC (++) (1)

   Diversified Financial Services    L + 6.25% (1.00% Floor)   08/29/2019     17,855        17,657        17,623   

ATX Networks Corp. (++)

   Communications Equipment    L + 6.00% (1.00% Floor)   06/12/2021     14,925        14,785        14,626   

Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc. (+) (1)

   Diversified Consumer Services    L + 6.00% (1.00% Floor)   03/31/2020     15,000        14,741        14,588   

ConvergeOne Holdings Corporation (++) (2)

   Communications Equipment    L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)   06/17/2020     14,817        14,745        14,632   

Crowne Group, LLC (++) (2)

   Auto Components    L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)   09/30/2020     14,813        14,695        14,294   

DBRS Limited (++)

   Capital Markets    L + 5.25% (1.00% Floor)   03/04/2022     11,910        11,802        11,821   

DiscoverOrg, LLC (+)

   Software    L + 4.50% (1.00% Floor)   06/02/2020     7,560        7,526        7,522   

Epicor RSG US Inc. (++)

   Internet Software & Services    L + 5.25% (0.75% Floor)   06/23/2022     14,925        14,784        14,776   

eResearchTechnology, Inc. (++)

   Health Care Technology    L + 4.50% (1.00% Floor)   05/08/2022     14,925        14,856        14,602   

GK Holdings, Inc. (++)

   IT Services    L + 5.50% (1.00% Floor)   01/20/2021     17,820        17,719        17,464   

HC Group Holdings III, Inc. (++)

   Healthcare Providers & Services    L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)   04/07/2022     8,978        8,936        8,910   

Help/Systems, LLC (++)

   Software    L + 5.25% (1.00% Floor)   10/08/2021     15,000        14,410        14,681   

Jill Acquisition LLC (++)

   Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods    L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)   05/08/2022     14,963        14,893        14,588   

Lattice Semiconductor Corporation (+++)

   Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment    L + 4.25% (1.00% Floor)   03/10/2021     12,166        11,944        11,315   

Liquidnet Holdings, Inc. (++) (2)

   Capital Markets    L + 6.75% (1.00% Floor)   05/22/2019     22,481        22,134        21,694   

MB Aerospace Holdings Inc. (1)

   Aerospace & Defense    L + 5.50% (1.00% Floor)   12/15/2022     12,500        12,375        12,375   

PGX Holdings, Inc. (+++) (2)

   Professional Services    L + 4.75% (1.00% Floor)   09/29/2020     14,263        14,158        14,109   

Research Now Group, Inc. (++)

   Professional Services    L + 4.50% (1.00% Floor)   03/18/2021     4,963        4,940        4,888   

SkinnyPop Popcorn LLC (++) (2)

   Food Products    L + 4.50% (1.00% Floor)   07/17/2019     14,257        14,147        14,221   

Veresen Midstream Limited Partnership (++)

   Energy Equipment & Services    L + 4.25% (1.00% Floor)   03/31/2022     10,918        10,698        10,699   

Zep Inc. (++)

   Chemicals    L + 4.75% (1.00% Floor)   06/27/2022     5,473        5,447        5,438   
           

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

  

    282,293        279,766   
           

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Senior Credit Fund Portfolio as of December 31, 2015

 

Portfolio Company

  

Industry

  

Interest

 

Maturity

 

Par
Amount

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 

2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

             
GK Holdings, Inc. (++)    IT Services    L + 9.50% (1.00% Floor)   01/20/2022   $ 6,000      $ 5,891      $ 5,820   
           

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

  

    5,891        5,820   
           

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Corporate Debt

  

    288,184        285,586   
           

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

       

Yield

      

Shares

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 
 

Investments in Affiliated Money Market Fund

          
 

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund

  0.19%(3)        21,829,831      $ 21,830      $ 21,830   
          

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Total Investments in Affiliated Money Market Fund

  

    21,830        21,830   
          

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS

  

  $ 310,014      $ 307,416   
          

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-28


 

(+)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 1 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2015 was 0.43%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 1 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2015, the prevailing rate in effect as of December 31, 2015 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
(++)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 3 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2015 was 0.61%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 3 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2015, the prevailing rate in effect as of December 31, 2015 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
(+++)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 6 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2015 was 0.85%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 6 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2015, the prevailing rate in effect as of December 31, 2015 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
(1)   Position or portion thereof unsettled as of December 31, 2015.
(2)   Initial investment was purchased at fair value from the Company in October 2014.
(3)   The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of December 31, 2015.
L — LIBOR

 

Senior Credit Fund Portfolio as of December 31, 2014

 

Portfolio Company

 

Industry

   

Interest

   

Maturity

   

Par
Amount

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

           

Compass Automotive Group, LLC (+) (1)

    Auto Components        L + 6.75% (0.75% Floor)        03/28/2019      $ 9,667      $ 9,574      $ 9,618   

ConvergeOne Holdings Corporation (++) (1)

   
 
Communications
Equipment
  
  
    L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)        06/17/2020        9,950        9,902        9,900   

Crowne Group, LLC (++) (1)

    Auto Components        L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)        09/30/2020        14,963        14,818        14,663   

Liquidnet Holdings, Inc. (++) (1) (2)

    Capital Markets        L + 6.75% (1.00% Floor)        05/22/2019        23,696        23,244        22,511   

Motor Coach Industries, Inc. (+)

    Automobiles        L + 7.50% (0.50% Floor)        09/26/2019        15,000        14,775        14,775   

OH Acquisition, LLC (+++) (1)

   
 
Diversified Financial
Services
  
  
    L + 6.25% (1.00% Floor)        08/29/2019        9,975        9,928        9,925   

PGX Holdings, Inc. (+++) (1)

    Professional Services        L + 5.25% (1.00% Floor)        09/29/2020        14,906        14,799        14,888   

SkinnyPop Popcorn LLC (++) (1)

    Food Products        L + 4.50% (1.00% Floor)        07/17/2019        15,000        14,857        14,888   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

  

    111,897        111,168   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS

  

  $ 111,897      $ 111,168   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(+)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 1 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2014 was 0.17%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 1 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2014, the prevailing rate in effect at December 31, 2014 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
(++)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 3 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2014 was 0.26%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 3 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2014, the prevailing rate in effect at December 31, 2014 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
(+++)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 6 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2014 was 0.36%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 6 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2014, the prevailing rate in effect at December 31, 2014 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
(1)   Investment was purchased from the Company.
(2)   The Company also holds a portion of the 1st lien/senior secured debt in this portfolio company.
L — LIBOR

 

F-29


Below is selected balance sheet information for the Senior Credit Fund as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

    

As of
December 31, 2015

    

As of
December 31, 2014

 

Selected Balance Sheet Information, at fair value

     

Total investments, at fair value

   $ 307,416       $ 111,168   

Cash and other assets

     8,146         6,723   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 315,562       $ 117,891   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Debt

   $ 185,550       $ 67,000   

Other liabilities

     40,218         1,637   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 225,768       $ 68,637   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Members’ equity

     89,794         49,254   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and members’ equity

   $ 315,562       $ 117,891   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Below is selected statements of operations information for the Senior Credit Fund for the year ended December 31, 2015 and for the period October 1, 2014 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2014:

 

    

For the Year Ended
December 31, 2015

    

For the period
October 1, 2014
(commencement of
operations) through
Year Ended
December 31, 2014

 

Selected Statements of Operations Information:

     

Total investment income

   $ 14,684       $ 1,698   

Expenses

     

Interest and credit facility expense

     5,283         571   

Excess loan origination and structuring fees

     746         —     

Organization expense

     —           230   

Professional fees

     319         200   

Administration and custodian fees

     299         67   

Other expenses

     44         28   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

     6,691         1,096   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net income

     7,993         602   

Net realized gain(loss) on investments

     50         —     

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

     (1,869      (729
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in members’ equity

   $ 6,174       $ (127
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loan Origination and Structuring Fees

If the loan origination and structuring fees earned by the Senior Credit Fund (directly or indirectly through SPV I or another vehicle) during a period exceed the Senior Credit Fund’s expenses (excluding interest and credit facility expenses), such excess shall be paid as a fee to the Member(s) responsible for the origination of the loans pro rata in accordance with the total loan origination and structuring fees earned by the Senior Credit Fund with respect to the loans originated by such Member. The loan origination and structuring fee is accrued quarterly and payable annually. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company accrued income of $681 based on loan origination and structuring fees payable from the Senior Credit Fund to the Company, which is included in other income from controlled affiliated investments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. There was no such income for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

F-30


5. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price).

The fair value hierarchy under ASC 820 prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The levels used for classifying investments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these securities. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Basis of Fair Value Measurement

Level 1—Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices available in active markets for identical instruments as of the reporting date. The types of financial instruments included in Level 1 include unrestricted securities, including equities and derivatives, listed in active markets.

Level 2—Inputs to the valuation methodology are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. The types of financial instruments in this category include less liquid and restricted securities listed in active markets, securities traded in other than active markets, government and agency securities and certain over-the-counter derivatives where the fair value is based on observable inputs.

Level 3—Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to overall fair value measurement. The inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation. Financial instruments that are included in this category include investments in privately held entities and certain over-the-counter derivatives where the fair value is based on unobservable inputs.

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Note 2 “Significant Accounting Policies” should be read in conjunction with the information outlined below.

The table below presents the valuation techniques and the nature of significant inputs generally used in determining the fair value of Level 2 Instruments.

 

Level 2 Instruments

  

Valuation Techniques and Significant Inputs

Equity and Fixed Income

  

The types of instruments that trade in markets that are not considered to be active but are valued based on quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency include commercial paper, most government agency obligations, most corporate debt securities, certain mortgage-backed securities, certain bank loans, less liquid publicly listed equities, certain state and municipal obligations, certain money market instruments and certain loan commitments.

 

Valuations of Level 2 Equity and Fixed Income instruments can be verified to quoted prices, broker or dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. Consideration is given to the nature of the quotations (e.g. indicative or firm) and the relationship of recent market activity to the prices provided from alternative pricing sources.

 

F-31


The table below presents the valuation techniques and the nature of significant inputs generally used in determining the fair values of Level 3 Instruments.

 

Level 3 Instruments

  

Valuation Techniques and Significant Inputs

Bank Loans, Corporate Debt, and Other Debt Obligations

   Valuations are generally based on discounted cash flow techniques, for which the significant inputs are the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, market yields and recovery assumptions. The significant inputs are generally determined based on relative value analyses, which incorporate comparisons both to credit default swaps that reference the same underlying credit risk and to other debt instruments for the same issuer for which observable prices or broker quotes are available. Other valuation methodologies are used as appropriate including market comparables, transactions in similar instruments and recovery/liquidation analysis.

Equity

  

Recent third-party investments or pending transactions are considered to be the best evidence for any change in fair value. When these are not available, the following valuation methodologies are used, as appropriate and available:

 

•    Transactions in similar instruments;

 

•    Discounted cash flow techniques;

 

•    Third party appraisals; and

 

•    Industry multiples and public comparables.

 

Evidence includes recent or pending reorganizations (for example, merger proposals, tender offers and debt restructurings) and significant changes in financial metrics, including:

 

•    Current financial performance as compared to projected performance;

 

•    Capitalization rates and multiples; and

 

•    Market yields implied by transactions of similar or related assets.

 

F-32


The tables below present the ranges of significant unobservable inputs used to value the Company’s Level 3 assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. These ranges represent the significant unobservable inputs that were used in the valuation of each type of instrument, but they do not represent a range of values for any one instrument. For example, the lowest yield in 1st Lien/Senior Secured is appropriate for valuing that specific debt investment, but may not be appropriate for valuing any other debt investments in this asset class. Accordingly, the ranges of inputs presented below do not represent uncertainty in, or possible ranges of, fair value measurements of the Company’s Level 3 assets and liabilities.

 

Level 3 Instruments

  

Level 3 Assets as of

December 31,  2015 1

  

Significant Unobservable

Inputs by Valuation

Techniques 2

 

Range of Significant
Unobservable

Inputs (Weighted
Average 4 ) as of

  December 31, 2015  

Bank Loans, Corporate Debt, and Other Debt Obligations

  

 

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

   Discounted cash flows:   8.4% - 13.5% (10.9%)
   $362,331    •    Discount Rate  
   1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche    Discounted cash flows:   10.5% - 12.7% (11.8%)
   $305,727    •    Discount Rate  
   2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt    Discounted cash flows:   2.1% - 14% (11.6%)
   $199,821    •    Discount Rate  

Equity

   Preferred Stock    Discounted cash flows:   10% - 12% (11.8%)
   $24,872    •    Discount Rate  
      Comparable multiples:  
      •    EV/EBITDA 5

•    EV/Production 6

  3.8x - 7.1x (4.9x)

$13 - $40 ($27)

 

1   Included within Level 3 Assets of $950,631 is an amount of $57,880 in which the Investment Adviser did not develop the unobservable inputs (examples include but are not limited to single source broker quotations, third party pricing, and prior transactions).
2   The fair value of any one instrument may be determined using multiple valuation techniques. For example, market comparable and discounted cash flows may be used together to determine fair value. Therefore, the Level 3 balance encompasses both of these techniques.
3   The range for an asset category consisting of a single investment represents the relevant market data considered in determining the fair value of the investment.
4   Weighted average for an asset category consisting of multiple investments is calculated by weighting the significant unobservable input by the relative fair value of the investment. Weighted average for an asset category consisting of a single investment represents the significant unobservable input used in the fair value of the investment.
5   Enterprise value of portfolio company as a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
6   Enterprise value of portfolio company as a multiple of oil and gas production (barrels of oil equivalent per day).

 

 

F-33


Level 3 Instruments

  

Level 3 Assets as of

December 31,  2014 1

  

Significant Unobservable

Inputs by Valuation

Techniques 2

 

Range of Significant
Unobservable

Inputs (Weighted
Average 4 ) as of

  December 31, 2014  

Bank Loans, Corporate Debt, and Other Debt Obligations

  

 

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

   Discounted cash flows:  
   $143,177    •    Discount Rate   10.7% - 15.4% (12.8%)
   1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche    Discounted cash flows:  
   $153,150    •    Discount Rate   11.1% -13.2% (12.4%)
   2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt    Discounted cash flows:  
   $179,588    •    Discount Rate   8.9% - 14.4% (12.4%)

Equity

   Preferred Stock    Discounted cash flows:  
   $26,358    •    Discount Rate   10% -12% (11.7%)
      Comparable multiples:  
      •    EV/EBITDA 5

•    EV/Production 6

  2.8x - 5.6x (4.2x)

$24 - $63 ($40)

   Common Stock    Discounted cash flows:  
   $632    •    Discount Rate   10%
      Comparable multiples:  
      •    EV/EBITDA 5

•    EV/Production 6

  2.8x - 5.6x (4.2x)

$24 - $63 ($40)

 

1   Included within Level 3 Assets of $784,029 is an amount of $281,124 for which the Investment Adviser did not develop the unobservable inputs (examples include single source broker quotations, third party pricing, and prior transactions).
2   The fair value of any one instrument may be determined using multiple valuation techniques. For example, market comparable and discounted cash flows may be used together to determine fair value. Therefore, the Level 3 balance encompasses both of these techniques.
3   The range for an asset category consisting of a single investment represents the relevant market data considered in determining the fair value of the investment.
4   Weighted average for an asset category consisting of multiple investments is calculated by weighting the significant unobservable input by the relative fair value of the investments. Weighted average for an asset category consisting of a single investment represents the significant unobservable input used in the fair value of the investment.
5   Enterprise value of portfolio company as a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
6   Enterprise value of portfolio company as a multiple of oil and gas production (barrels of oil equivalent per day).

As noted above, the income and market approaches were used in the determination of fair value of certain Level 3 assets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. The significant unobservable inputs used in the income approach are the discount rate or market yield used to discount the estimated future cash flows expected to be received from the underlying investment, which include both future principal and interest payments. An increase in the discount rate or market yield would result in a decrease in the fair value. Included in the consideration and selection of discount rates is risk of default, rating of the investment, call provisions and comparable company investments. The significant unobservable inputs used in the market approach are based on market comparable transactions and market multiples of publicly traded comparable companies. Increases or decreases in market multiples would result in an increase or decrease, respectively, in the fair value.

 

F-34


The following is a summary of the Company’s assets categorized within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2015:

 

Assets

  

Level 1

    

Level 2

    

Level 3

    

Total

 

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

   $ —         $ 57,767       $ 362,331       $ 420,098   

1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

     —           —           305,727         305,727   

2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

     —           27,769         257,701         285,470   

Preferred Stock

     —           —           24,872         24,872   

Common Stock

     —           —           —           —     

Affiliated Money Market Fund

     10,117         —           —           10,117   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

   $ 10,117       $ 85,536       $ 950,631       $ 1,046,284   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investments measured at NAV 1

              44,897   
           

 

 

 

Total assets

            $ 1,091,181   
           

 

 

 

 

1 Includes equity investments in the Senior Credit Fund.

The following is a summary of the Company’s assets categorized within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2014:

 

Assets

  

Level 1

    

Level 2

    

Level 3

    

Total

 

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

   $ —         $ 58,268       $ 176,931       $ 235,199   

1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

     —           —           275,567         275,567   

2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

     —           47,023         304,541         351,564   

Preferred Stock

     —           —           26,358         26,358   

Common Stock

     —           —           632         632   

Affiliated Money Market Fund

     29,568         —           —           29,568   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

   $ 29,568       $ 105,291       $ 784,029       $ 918,888   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investments measured at NAV 1

              24,627   
           

 

 

 

Total assets

            $ 943,515   
           

 

 

 

 

1 Includes equity investments in the Senior Credit Fund.

The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets for the year ended December 31, 2015:

 

Level 3

 

Beginning
Balance
as of
January 1,
2015

   

Purchases (1)

   

Net
Realized
Gain
(Loss)

   

Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) (2)

   

Sales and
Settlements (1)

   

Net
Amortization
of Premium/

Discount

   

Transfers
In

   

Transfers
Out

   

Ending
Balance
as of
December 31,
2015

 

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

  $ 176,931      $ 202,467      $ (98   $ 5,133      $ (23,418   $ 1,316      $ —        $ —        $ 362,331   

1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

    275,567        39,183        —          (1,630     (8,602     1,209        —          —          305,727   

2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

    304,541        47,923        31        (15,035     (89,070     1,698        27,323        (19,710     257,701   

Preferred Stock

    26,358        411        —          (1,897     —          —          —          —          24,872   

Common Stock

    632        —          —          (632     —          —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

  $ 784,029      $ 289,984      $ (67   $ (14,061   $ (121,090   $ 4,223      $ 27,323      $ (19,710   $ 950,631   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Purchases may include securities received in corporate actions and PIK. Sales and Settlements may include securities delivered in corporate actions.
(2) Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) relating to assets still held at December 31, 2015 totaled $(13,286) consisting of the following: 1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt $4,883, 1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche $(1,630), 2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt $(14,010), Preferred Stock $(1,897), and Common Stock $(632).

 

F-35


The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

Level 3

 

Beginning
Balance
as of
January 1,
2014

   

Purchases (1)

   

Net
Realized
Gain
(Loss)

   

Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) (2)

   

Sales and
Settlements (1)

   

Net
Amortization
of Premium/

Discount

   

Transfers
In

   

Transfers
Out

   

Ending
Balance
as of
December 31,
2014

 

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

  $ 76,700      $ 167,468      $ (152   $ (2,756   $ (64,641   $ 312      $ —        $ —        $ 176,931   

1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche (3)

    32,241        245,359        9        (749     (1,673     380        —          —          275,567   

2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

    179,056        159,130        249        (381     (62,745     563        28,669        —          304,541   

Unsecured Debt-Fixed

    4,446        —          —          —          (4,446     —          —          —          —     

Preferred Stock

    20,560        5,203        —          595        —          —          —          —          26,358   

Common Stock

    —          4,446        —          (3,814     —          —          —          —          632   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

  $ 313,003      $ 581,606      $ 106      $ (7,105   $ (133,505   $ 1,255      $ 28,669      $ —        $ 784,029   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Purchases may include securities received in corporate actions and PIK. Sales and Settlements may include securities delivered in corporate actions.
(2) Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) relating to assets still held at December 31, 2014 totaled $(6,977) consisting of the following: 1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt $(2,642), 1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche $(810), 2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt $(306), Preferred Stock $595, and Common Stock $(3,814).
(3) Beginning balance included in first lien senior secured debt as of December 31, 2013.

Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are reported at the beginning of the reporting period in which they occur. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, transfers from Level 2 to Level 3 were primarily due to decreased price transparency, while for the year ended December 31, 2015 transfers from Level 3 to Level 2 were due to increased price transparency.

Debt

The fair value of the Company’s debt, which is categorized as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, approximates its carrying value.

6. DEBT

In accordance with the Investment Company Act, with certain exceptions, the Company is only allowed to borrow amounts such that its asset coverage ratio, as defined in the Investment Company Act, is at least 2 to 1 after such borrowing. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s outstanding borrowings were $419,000 and $350,000, respectively, and the Company’s asset coverage ratio was 2.64 to 1 and 2.64 to 1, respectively.

Revolving Credit Facility

On September 19, 2013, the Company entered into a revolving credit facility (as amended, the “Revolving Credit Facility”) with various lenders. SunTrust Bank serves as administrative agent and Bank of America N.A. serves as syndication agent under the Revolving Credit Facility.

On October 3, 2014, the Company amended and restated the Revolving Credit Facility to, among other things:

 

    increase the aggregate borrowing amount of $340,000 to $485,000 on a committed basis;

 

    increase the total borrowing capacity from a maximum of $500,000 to $900,000;

 

F-36


    extend the maturity date from September 19, 2017 to October 3, 2019; and

 

    reduce the applicable margin of borrowings with respect to (i) any loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the alternate base rate from 1.50% to 1.25% and (ii) any loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the adjusted LIBOR rate from 2.50% to 2.25%.

On January 16, 2015, the Company exercised the right under the accordion feature and increased the size of the Revolving Credit Facility to $535,000, on a committed basis.

On March 27, 2015, the Company exercised the right under the accordion feature and increased the size of the Revolving Credit Facility to $560,000, on a committed basis.

On November 3, 2015, the Company further amended the Revolving Credit Facility to, among other things:

 

    increase the aggregate borrowing amount to $570,000 on a committed basis;

 

    increase the total borrowing capacity to a maximum of $1,000,000;

 

    extend the final maturity date to November 4, 2020; and

 

    reduce the applicable margin of borrowings with respect to (i) any loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the alternate base rate from 1.25% to 0.75% or 1.00%, subject to borrowing base conditions, and (ii) any loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the adjusted LIBOR rate from 2.25% to 1.75% or 2.00%, subject to borrowing base conditions.

Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, including amounts drawn in respect of letters of credit, bear interest (at the Company’s election) of either LIBOR plus an applicable margin or applicable margin plus the higher of the Prime Rate, Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% or overnight LIBOR plus 1.0%. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears. The Company pays a fee of 0.375% per annum on committed but undrawn amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility, payable quarterly in arrears. Any amounts borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility will mature, and all accrued and unpaid interest will be due and payable, on November 4, 2020.

The Company’s obligations to the lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility are secured by a first priority security interest in substantially the Company’s entire portfolio of investments and cash. The Revolving Credit Facility contains certain covenants, including: (i) maintaining a minimum stockholder’s equity of $458,090, subject to increase pending certain equity sales, (ii) maintaining an asset coverage ratio of at least 2 to 1, (iii) maintaining a minimum liquidity test of at least 10% of the covered debt amount during any period when the adjusted covered debt balance is greater than 90% of the adjusted borrowing base, as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility, and (iv) complying with restrictions on industry concentrations in the Company’s investment portfolio. As of December 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

Costs of $8,247 were incurred in connection with obtaining and amending the Revolving Credit Facility, which have been recorded as deferred financing costs on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities and are being amortized over the life of the Revolving Credit Facility using the straight-line method.

 

F-37


The summary information of the Revolving Credit Facility for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

 

    

Year Ended
December 31, 2015

   

Year Ended
December 31, 2014

   

Year Ended
December 31, 2013

 

Borrowing Interest Expense

   $ 8,743      $ 2,587      $ —     

Facility fees

     792        1,083        368   

Amortization of financing costs

     1,170        1,013        290   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 10,705      $ 4,683      $ 658   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average interest rate

     2.44     2.53     —  

Average outstanding balance

     358,444        102,285        —     

7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments

The Company may enter into commitments to fund investments. The Company had the following unfunded commitments by investment types through the dates indicated:

 

   

December 31, 2015

   

December 31, 2014

 
   

Commitment
Expiration
Date (1)

   

Unfunded
Commitment (2)

   

Fair
Value (3)

   

Commitment
Expiration
Date (1)

   

Unfunded
Commitment (2)

   

Fair

Value (3)

 

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

           

Bolttech Mannings, Inc.

    —        $ —        $ —          12/31/15      $ 10,534      $ (213

Legacy Buyer Corp.

    10/24/19        2,500        (31     10/24/19        2,500        (50

NTS Communications, Inc.

    —          —          —          06/06/19        500        —     

Vexos, Inc.

    —          —          —          08/31/15        5,000        (100
   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

      2,500        (31       18,534        (363
   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

           

Associations, Inc.

    12/22/18        3,511        (61     12/22/18        13,002        (260
   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

      3,511        (61       13,002        (260
   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

           

iFly Holdings LLC

    —          —          —          04/08/15        9,800        25   
   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

      —          —            9,800        25   
   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    $ 6,011      $ (92     $ 41,336      $ (598
   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Commitments are generally subject to borrowers meeting certain criteria such as compliance with covenants and certain operational metrics. These amounts may remain outstanding until the commitment period of an applicable loan expires, which may be shorter than its maturity.
(2) Net of capitalized fees, expenses, and original issue discounts.
(3) A negative fair value was reflected as investments, at fair value in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The negative fair value is the result of the capitalized discount on the loan.

Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contracts that provide a variety of general indemnifications. Any exposure to the Company under these arrangements could involve future claims that may be made against the Company. Currently, no such claims exist or are expected to arise and, accordingly, the Company has not accrued any liability in connection with such indemnifications.

 

F-38


8. NET ASSETS

Equity Issuances

On March 23, 2015, the Company completed its IPO, issuing 6,000,000 shares at $20.00 per share. Net of offering and underwriting costs, the Company received cash proceeds of $114,568.

In April 2015, the Company issued a total of 900,000 shares of its common stock pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option in connection with the IPO. Net of underwriting costs, the Company received additional cash proceeds of $17,271.

Distributions

The following table reflects the distributions declared on shares of the Company’s common stock for the year ended December 31, 2015:

 

Date Declared

 

Record Date

 

Payment Date

 

Amount Per Share

February 25, 2015

  March 31, 2015   April 30, 2015   $0.45

May 13, 2015

  June 30, 2015   July 15, 2015   $0.45

August 4, 2015

  September 30, 2015   October 15, 2015   $0.45

November 3, 2015

  December 31, 2015   January 28, 2016   $0.45

The following table reflects the distributions declared on shares of the Company’s common stock for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

Date Declared

 

Record Date

 

Payment Date

 

Amount Per Share

March 28, 2014

  March 17, 2014   April 30, 2014   $0.33

June 27, 2014

  June 17, 2014   July 31, 2014   $0.41

September 29, 2014

  September 24, 2014   October 31, 2014   $0.42

December 30, 2014

  December 23, 2014   January 30, 2015   $0.53

The following table reflects the distributions declared on shares of the Company’s common stock for the year ended December 31, 2013:

 

Date Declared

 

Record Date

 

Payment Date

 

Amount Per Share

July 17, 2013

  June 28, 2013   July 22, 2013   $0.08

October 17, 2013

  September 27, 2013   October 21, 2013   $0.19

December 10, 2013

  December 10, 2013   January 30, 2014   $0.23

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

Concurrent with the IPO, the Company adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of all cash distributions declared by the Board of Directors, unless a stockholder elects to “opt out” of the plan. As a result, if the Board of Directors declares a cash distribution, then the stockholders who have not “opted out” of the dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of common stock, rather than receiving the cash distribution. The following table summarizes shares issued pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan to stockholders who have not opted out of the dividend reinvestment plan during the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

Date Declared

 

Record Date

 

Date Shares Issued

 

Shares Issued

February 25, 2015

  March 31, 2015   April 30, 2015   6,982

May 13, 2015

  June 30, 2015   July 15, 2015   5,336

August 4, 2015

  September 30, 2015   October 15, 2015   13,437

 

F-39


Tender Offers

Prior to the IPO, each quarter, beginning with the calendar quarter ended December 31, 2013, the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, determined the number of shares, if any, that the Company would offer to repurchase (the “Tender Offer Amount”). The quarterly Tender Offer Amount could be up to 5% of the total number of shares outstanding on the date by which a stockholder could tender its shares in response to the Company’s offer to repurchase shares (“Tender Offer”). The Company repurchased shares at NAV per share of the Company at the end of the quarter.

The Company did not conduct a Tender Offer for the year ended December 31, 2015.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company extended the following Tender Offers:

 

Repurchase
Request Deadline

  Percentage of
Outstanding Shares
the Company Offered
to be Repurchased
    Number of Shares
the Company Offered
to Repurchase
    Number of Shares
Tendered by Group
Inc.
    Number of Shares
Tendered by Other
Stockholders
    Total Number of
Shares Tendered
 

March 18, 2014

    5     1,519,506        136,498        551,250        687,748   

June 18, 2014

    5     1,485,118        47,666        192,500        240,166   

September 25, 2014

    2     589,244        8,662        34,983        43,645   

December 24, 2014

    1     294,186        7,428        30,000        37,428   

For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company extended the following Tender Offers:

 

Repurchase
Request Deadline

  Percentage of
Outstanding Shares
the Company Offered
to be Repurchased
    Number of Shares
the Company Offered
to Repurchase
    Number of Shares
Tendered by Group
Inc.
    Number of Shares
Tendered by Other
Stockholders
    Total Number of
Shares Tendered
 

December 11, 2013

    5     1,531,991        49,560        200,150        249,710   

9. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following information sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

 

    

Year Ended
December 31, 2015

    

Year Ended
December 31, 2014

    

Year Ended
December 31, 2013

 

Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share—increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 46,628       $ 36,922       $ 17,984   

Denominator for basic and diluted earnings per share—weighted average shares outstanding

     34,782,967         29,737,113         23,819,077   

Basic and diluted earnings per share

   $ 1.34       $ 1.24       $ 0.76   

Diluted earnings per share equals basic earnings per share because there were no common stock equivalents outstanding during the periods presented.

 

F-40


10. TAX INFORMATION

The tax character of distributions during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

 

    

Year Ended
December 31, 2015

    

Year Ended
December 31, 2014

    

Year Ended
December 31, 2013

 

Distributions paid from:

        

Ordinary Income

   $ 63,973       $ 48,813       $ 15,317   

Net Long-Term Capital Gains

   $ 948       $ 1,167       $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Taxable Distributions

   $ 64,921       $ 49,980       $ 15,317   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 the components of Accumulated Earnings (Losses) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

    

December 31, 2015

   

December 31, 2014

   

December 31, 2013

 

Undistributed Ordinary Income—net

   $ 15,093      $ 4,079      $ 152   

Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains

   $ —        $ 248      $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Undistributed Earnings

   $ 15,093      $ 4,327      $ 152   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Timing Differences

   $ (364   $ —        $ —     

Unrealized Earnings (Losses)—net

   $ (44,384   $ (16,235   $ 871   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Accumulated Earnings (Losses)—net

   $ (29,655   $ (11,908   $ 1,023   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 the Company’s aggregate unrealized appreciation and depreciation on investments based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

    

December 31, 2015

   

December 31, 2014

   

December 31, 2013

 

Tax cost

   $ 1,135,565      $ 959,750      $ 613,064   

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 8,439      $ 5,372      $ 5,204   

Gross unrealized depreciation

   $ (52,823   $ (21,607   $ (4,333
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net unrealized investment appreciation on investments

   $ (44,384   $ (16,235   $ 871   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The difference between GAAP-basis and tax basis unrealized gains (losses) is attributable primarily to differences in the tax treatment of underlying fund investments.

In order to present certain components of the Company’s capital accounts on a tax-basis, certain reclassifications have been recorded to the Company’s accounts. These reclassifications have no impact on the net asset value of the Company’s and result primarily from dividend redesignations, certain non-deductible expenses, and differences in the tax treatment of paydown gains and losses.

 

    

December 31, 2015

   

December 31, 2014

   

December 31, 2013

 

Paid-in capital in excess of par

   $ (546   $ (126   $ 3,576   

Accumulated undistributed net investment income

   $ (663   $ (978   $ (823

Accumulated net realized gain (loss)

   $ 1,209      $ 1,104      $ (2,753

ASC 740 Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“ASC 740”) provides guidance on the accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty in tax position. ASC 740 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Company’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions deemed to

 

F-41


meet the more-likely-than-not threshold are recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Based on its analysis of its tax position for all open tax years (the current and prior years, as applicable), the Company has concluded that it does not have any uncertain tax positions that met the recognition or measurement criteria of ASC 740. Such open tax years remain subject to examination and adjustment by tax authorities.

The March 31, 2013 effective tax rate of 39.3% differs from statutory rates due principally to state and local taxes. Net tax expense of $1,070 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 is comprised of a current tax expense of $375 resulting from net investment income and deferred tax expense of $695 resulting from unrealized and realized gains.

11. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Below is the schedule of financial highlights of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 and the period ended December 31, 2012:

 

   

Year ended
December 31,
2015

   

Year ended
December 31,
2014

   

Year ended
December 31,
2013

   

Period from
November 15,
2012
(commencement
of operations)
through
December 31,
2012

 

Per Share Data: (1)

       

Net asset value, beginning of year/period

  $ 19.56      $ 20.00      $ 19.37      $ 18.59   

Net investment income (loss)

    2.14        1.77        0.67        (0.10

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    (0.84     (0.52     0.51        0.88   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    1.30        1.25        1.18        0.78   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of issuance of common stock, net of underwriting and offering costs

    (0.09     —          —          —     

Private placement offering costs

    —          —          (0.05     —     

Distributions declared from net investment income (2)

    (1.76     (1.61     (0.49     —     

Distributions declared from net realized gains (2)

    (0.04     (0.08     (0.01     —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (0.59     (0.44     0.63        0.78   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year/period

  $ 18.97      $ 19.56      $ 20.00      $ 19.37   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Market price, end of year/period

  $ 19.00      $ N.A.      $ N.A.      $ N.A.   

Shares outstanding, end of year/period

    36,306,882        29,381,127        30,390,114        2,655,017   

Total return based on net asset value (3)

    6.07     6.36     5.86     4.20

Total return based on market value (4)

    3.90     N.A.     N.A.     N.A.

Ratio/Supplemental Data (all amounts in thousands except ratios):

       

Net assets, end of year/period

  $ 688,650      $ 574,582      $ 607,785      $ 51,423   

Ratio of expenses (without incentive fees and interest and credit facility expenses) to average net assets

    3.17     2.41     1.36     2.35 %(6) 

Ratio of interest and credit facility expenses to average net assets

    1.59     0.79     0.14     —   %(6) 

Ratio of incentive fees to average net assets

    1.75     0.25     0.07     0.66 %(5) 

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    6.51     3.45     1.57     3.01 %(6) 

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    6.51     3.45     1.45     3.01 %(6) 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    11.06     8.85     3.34     0.95 %(6) 

Portfolio turnover

    13     41     15     0

 

F-42


 

(1) The per share data was derived by using the weighted average shares outstanding during the applicable period.
(2) The per share data for distributions declared reflects the actual amount of distributions declared per share for the applicable period.
(3) Total return based on net asset value is calculated as the change in net asset value per share during the respective periods, assuming dividends and distributions, if any, are reinvested in accordance with the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan.
(4) Total return based on market value is calculated as the change in market value per share during the respective periods, assuming dividends and distributions, if any, are reinvested in accordance with the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan. The beginning market value per share is based on the initial public offering price of $20.00 per share.
(5) Not annualized.
(6) Annualized except for Incentive Fees and certain operating expenses.

12. SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)

The following are the quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. The following information reflects all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the information for the periods presented. The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.

 

    

Quarter Ended

 
    

December 31,
2015

   

September 30,
2015

   

June 30,
2015

    

March 31,
2015

 

Investment income

   $ 31,852      $ 32,896      $ 27,316       $ 26,372   

Expenses:

         

Total expenses

     9,175        12,120        11,442         10,601   

Less: Expense reimbursement from Investment Adviser

     —          —          —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net expenses

     9,175        12,120        11,442         10,601   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) before taxes

     22,677        20,776        15,874         15,771   

Excise tax expense

     254        174        65         25   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) after taxes

     22,423        20,602        15,809         15,746   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     (21,236     (7,119     2,116         (1,713

Income tax expense

     —          —          —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations after tax

   $ 1,187      $ 13,483      $ 17,925       $ 14,033   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income per share (basic and diluted)

   $ 0.62      $ 0.57      $ 0.44       $ 0.52   

Earnings per share (basic and diluted)

   $ 0.03      $ 0.37      $ 0.50       $ 0.46   

Weighted average shares outstanding

     36,304,838        36,292,619        36,137,532         30,314,460   

 

F-43


    

Quarter Ended

 
    

December 31,
2014

   

September 30,
2014

   

June 30,
2014

   

March 31,
2014

 

Investment income

   $ 24,359      $ 19,076      $ 16,106      $ 13,738   

Expenses:

        

Total expenses

     6,964        6,660        3,581        3,336   

Less: Expense reimbursement from Investment Adviser

     —          —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net expenses

     6,964        6,660        3,581        3,336   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

     17,395        12,416        12,525        10,402   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     (13,619     (1,161     (96     (940

Income tax expense

     —          —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations after tax

   $ 3,776      $ 11,255      $ 12,429      $ 9,462   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income per share (basic and diluted)

   $ 0.59      $ 0.42      $ 0.42      $ 0.34   

Earnings per share (basic and diluted)

   $ 0.13      $ 0.38      $ 0.42      $ 0.31   

Weighted average shares outstanding

     29,418,149        29,461,726        29,699,727        30,382,473   

 

    

Quarter Ended

 
    

December 31,
2013

   

September 30,
2013

   

June 30,
2013

   

March 31,
2013

 

Investment income

   $ 9,603      $ 7,047      $ 4,180      $ 2,005   

Expenses:

        

Total expenses

     3,098        1,681        1,296        1,391   

Less: Expense reimbursement from Investment Adviser

     (157     —          —          (410
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net expenses

     2,941        1,681        1,296        981   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

     6,662        5,366        2,884        1,024   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     3,158        (249     (1,490     1,699   

Income tax expense

     —          —          —          (1,070
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations after tax

   $ 9,820      $ 5,117      $ 1,394      $ 1,653   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income per share (basic and diluted)

   $ 0.22      $ 0.18      $ 0.10      $ 0.24   

Earnings per share (basic and diluted)

   $ 0.32      $ 0.17      $ 0.05      $ 0.38   

Weighted average shares outstanding

     30,555,683        30,639,824        29,373,224        4,344,591   

The sum of quarterly per share amounts may not equal per share amounts reported for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. This is due to changes in the number of weighted average shares outstanding and the effects of rounding for each period.

13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent events after the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities date have been evaluated through the date the consolidated financial statements were available to be issued. Other than the items discussed below, the Company has concluded that there is no impact requiring adjustment or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the Company and Cal Regents each contributed $2,800 to the Senior Credit Fund, a controlled affiliated investment.

 

F-44


Through February 26, 2016, Goldman, Sachs & Co. purchased 397,324 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the 10b5-1 Plan.

In February 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a new common stock repurchase plan, which provides for the Company to repurchase of up to $25,000 of shares of the Company’s common stock if the stock trades below the most recently announced net asset value per share, subject to limitations. The new stock repurchase plan takes effect on March 18, 2016, expires on March 18, 2017 and purchases thereunder will be conducted on a programmatic basis in accordance with Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Exchange Act and other applicable securities laws.

On February 25, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly distribution of $0.45 per share payable on or about April 15, 2016 to holders of record as of March 31, 2016.

Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.—Tax Information (unaudited)

During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. designates 100% of its distributions from net investment income and short-term gains as interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, respectively, pursuant to Section 871(k) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. designates $948,110 or if different, the maximum amount allowable, as capital gain dividends paid during the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

F-45


Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

    

September 30, 2016
(unaudited)

   

December 31, 2015

 

Assets

    

Investments, at fair value

    

Non-controlled/non-affiliated investments (cost of $1,032,470 and $1,067,299, respectively)

   $ 999,390      $ 1,032,119   

Non-controlled affiliated investments (cost of $84,075 and $9,237, respectively)

     73,826        4,048   

Controlled affiliated investments (cost of $69,092 and $46,167, respectively)

     69,752        44,897   

Investments in affiliated money market fund (cost of $3 and $10,117, respectively)

     3        10,117   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments, at fair value (cost of $1,185,640 and $1,132,820, respectively)

     1,142,971        1,091,181   

Cash

     14,670        22,710   

Receivable for investments sold

     —          313   

Interest and dividends receivable from non-controlled affiliated investments and non-controlled/non-affiliated investments

     9,408        10,399   

Dividend receivable from controlled affiliated investments

     1,825        1,350   

Other income receivable from controlled affiliated investments

     1,618        681   

Deferred financing costs

     4,866        5,775   

Other assets

     188        350   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,175,546      $ 1,132,759   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

    

Debt

   $ 471,250      $ 419,000   

Interest and credit facility expense payable

     286        432   

Management fees payable

     4,292        4,238   

Incentive fees payable

     5,683        360   

Distribution payable

     16,345        16,338   

Accrued offering costs

     —          40   

Directors’ fees payable

     226        —     

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     2,494        3,701   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 500,576      $ 444,109   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 7)

    

Net Assets

    

Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (1,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding)

   $ —        $ —     

Common stock, par value $0.001 per share (200,000,000 shares authorized, 36,321,374 and 36,306,882 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively)

     36        36   

Paid-in capital in excess of par

     719,969        719,690   

Accumulated net realized gain (loss)

     (24,360     (2,367

Accumulated undistributed net investment income

     23,415        14,351   

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

     (42,669     (41,639

Allocated income tax expense

     (1,421     (1,421
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS

   $ 674,970      $ 688,650   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS

   $ 1,175,546      $ 1,132,759   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value per share

   $ 18.58      $ 18.97   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

F-46


Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

    

For the three months ended
September 30,

   

For the nine months ended
September 30,

 
    

2016

   

2015

   

2016

   

2015

 

Investment Income:

    

From non-controlled/non-affiliated investments:

        

Interest income

   $ 29,259      $ 30,278      $ 84,879      $ 80,479   

Dividend income

     633        620        1,890        1,852   

Other income

     756        635        1,153        1,164   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income from non-controlled/non-affiliated investments

     30,648        31,533        87,922        83,495   

From non-controlled affiliated investments:

        

Interest income

     387        —          387        —     

Dividend income

     10        —          32        1   

Other income

     6        —          6        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income from non-controlled affiliated investments

     403        —          425        1   

From controlled affiliated investments:

        

Dividend income

     1,825        1,363        4,650        2,642   

Other income

     1,074        —          1,618        446   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income from controlled affiliated investments

     2,899        1,363        6,268        3,088   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

   $ 33,950      $ 32,896      $ 94,615      $ 86,584   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses:

        

Interest and credit facility expense

   $ 3,628      $ 3,053      $ 9,909      $ 7,656   

Management fees

     4,292        4,089        12,606        11,199   

Incentive fees

     5,459        3,515        8,948        11,426   

Professional fees

     637        936        1,818        2,062   

Administration, custodian and transfer agent fees

     213        208        654        643   

Directors’ fees

     263        172        743        440   

Other expenses

     487        147        1,122        737   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

   $ 14,979      $ 12,120      $ 35,800      $ 34,163   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES

   $ 18,971      $ 20,776      $ 58,815      $ 52,421   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Excise tax expense

   $ 294      $ 174      $ 728      $ 264   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS) AFTER TAXES

   $ 18,677      $ 20,602      $ 58,087      $ 52,157   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investment transactions:

        

Net realized gain (loss) from:

        

Non-controlled/non-affiliated investments

   $ (21,993   $ (98   $ (21,993   $ (98

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from:

        

Non-controlled/non-affiliated investments

     23,891        (5,480     (3,824     (4,290

Non-controlled affiliated investments

     1,353        (806     864        (2,407

Controlled affiliated investments

     735        (735     1,930        79   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

   $ 3,986      $ (7,119   $ (23,023   $ (6,716
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 22,663      $ 13,483      $ 35,064      $ 45,441   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) per share (basic and diluted)

   $ 0.51      $ 0.57      $ 1.60      $ 1.52   

Earnings per share (basic and diluted)

   $ 0.62      $ 0.37      $ 0.97      $ 1.33   

Weighted average shares outstanding

     36,320,014        36,292,619        36,312,852        34,270,102   

Distributions declared per share

   $ 0.45      $ 0.45      $ 1.35      $ 1.35   

The accompanying notes are part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

F-47


Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

    

For the nine

months ended
September 30, 2016

   

For the nine

months ended
September 30, 2015

 

Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations:

  

Net investment income

   $ 58,087      $ 52,157  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

     (21,993     (98 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

     (1,030     (6,618
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 35,064      $ 45,441   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to stockholders from:

    

Net investment income

   $ (49,023   $ (48,335

Net realized gain

     —          (248
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to stockholders

   $ (49,023   $ (48,583
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital transactions:

    

Issuance of common stock, net of offering and underwriting costs (0 and 6,900,000 shares, respectively)

   $ —        $ 131,839  

Reinvestment of stockholder distributions (14,492 and 12,318 shares, respectively)

     279       260  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital transactions

   $ 279     $ 132,099  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   $ (13,680   $ 128,957   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net assets at beginning of period

   $ 688,650     $ 574,582  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net assets at end of period

   $ 674,970     $ 703,539  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated undistributed net investment income

   $ 23,415     $ 7,880  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

F-48


Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

    

For the nine
months ended
September 30, 2016

   

For the nine
months ended
September 30, 2015

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations:

   $ 35,064      $ 45,441   

Adjustments to reconcile net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:

    

Purchases of investments

     (219,901     (314,348

Payment-in-kind interest

     (368     (308

Investments in affiliated money market fund, net

     10,114        26,068   

Proceeds from sales of investments and principal repayments

     139,493        78,958   

Net realized (gain) loss on investments

     21,993        98   

Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments

     1,030        6,618   

Amortization of premium and accretion of discount, net

     (4,151     (3,916

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     908        868   

Increase (decrease) in operating assets and liabilities:

    

(Increase) decrease in interest and dividends receivable

     516        (2,500

(Increase) decrease in receivable for investments sold

     313        —     

(Increase) decrease in other income receivable

     (937     (446

(Increase) decrease in other assets

     162        (114

Increase (decrease) in interest and credit facility expense payable

     (100     (24

Increase (decrease) in management fees payable

     54        763   

Increase (decrease) in incentive fees payable

     5,323        3,515   

Increase (decrease) in payable for investments purchased

     —          (19,700

Increase (decrease) in directors’ fees payable

     226        (39

Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities

     (1,207     595   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

   $ (11,468   $ (178,471
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from issuance of common stock (net of underwriting costs)

   $ —        $ 135,111   

Offering costs paid

     (40     (1,731

Repurchase of common stock

     —          (732

Distributions paid

     (48,737     (47,491

Financing costs paid

     (45     (577

Borrowings on debt

     195,500        285,000   

Repayments of debt

     (143,250     (188,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

   $ 3,428      $ 181,580   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

     (8,040     3,109   

Cash, beginning of period

     22,710        8,609   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash, end of period

   $ 14,670      $ 11,718   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental and non-cash financing activities

    

Interest expense paid

   $ 8,803      $ 6,142   

Accrued but unpaid excise tax expense

   $ 722      $ 259   

Accrued but unpaid deferred financing costs

   $ 8      $ 5   

Accrued but unpaid offering costs

   $ —        $ 631   

Accrued but unpaid distributions

   $ 16,345      $ 16,338   

Reinvestment of stockholder distributions

   $ 279      $ 260   

The accompanying notes are part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

F-49


Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

Consolidated Schedule of Investments as of September 30, 2016

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Portfolio Company

 

Industry

 

Interest

 

Maturity

   

Par
Amount

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 

Investments at Fair Value—169.34%#

  

Corporate Debt (1)—153.49%

  

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt—64.74%

  

Artesyn Embedded Technologies, Inc. (2)

  Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components   9.75%     10/15/2020      $ 20,000      $ 20,000      $ 18,150   

Data Driven Delivery Systems, LLC (++)

  Health Care Technology   L + 7.00% (1.00% Floor)     05/31/2019        70,059        67,969        70,059   

Dispensing Dynamics International (2)

  Building Products   12.50%     01/01/2018        24,000        24,434        23,100   

Elemica, Inc. (++)

  Software   L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)     07/07/2021        42,394        41,371        41,440   

Elemica, Inc. (3)(4)

  Software   L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)     07/07/2021        6,000        (150     (135

Heligear Acquisition Co. (2)

  Aerospace & Defense   10.25%     10/15/2019        17,500        17,277        17,937   

Infinity Sales Group (+)

  Media   L + 10.50% (1.00% Floor)     11/21/2018        31,528        31,205        29,716   

Iracore International Holdings, Inc. (2)

  Energy Equipment & Services   9.50%     06/01/2018        24,250        21,720        12,610   

Kawa Solar Holdings Limited ^(5)

  Construction & Engineering   F + 8.20% and 3.50% PIK     07/02/2018        12,654        12,608        12,654   

Kawa Solar Holdings Limited ^(++)(5)

  Construction & Engineering   L + 8.20%     07/02/2018        2,400        2,391        2,400   

Legacy Buyer Corp. (++)

  Health Care Providers & Services   L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)     10/24/2019        27,664        27,287        27,110   

Legacy Buyer Corp. (++)(3)

  Health Care Providers & Services   L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)     10/24/2019        2,500        1,666        1,650   

Madison-Kipp Corporation (+)

  Machinery   L + 9.00% (1.00% Floor)     05/26/2020        36,811        36,235        36,535   

Perfect Commerce, LLC (++)

  Internet Software & Services   L + 8.50% (1.00% Floor)     06/30/2020        37,980        37,253        38,170   

The Merit Distribution Group, LLC (++)

  Distributors   L + 11.25% (0.50% Floor)     04/08/2021        30,000        29,301        29,625   

US Med Acquisition, Inc. (+)

  Health Care Equipment & Supplies   L + 9.00% (1.00% Floor)     08/13/2021        30,651        30,124        30,651   

Vexos, Inc. (++)

  Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components   L + 9.50% (1.00% Floor)     10/09/2019        46,235        45,617        45,310   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

  

    446,308        436,982   

1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche (6)—46.59%

  

Associations, Inc. (++)

  Real Estate Management & Development   L + 7.00% (1.00% Floor)     12/23/2019        58,284        57,425        57,702   
Avenue Stores, LLC   Specialty Retail   P + 7.00% (2.00% Floor)     09/19/2019        30,000        29,511        30,000   

Bolttech Mannings, Inc. (+)

  Commercial Services & Supplies   L + 7.75% (1.00% Floor)     12/21/2018        36,346        35,923        28,441   

Integrated Practice Solutions, Inc. (++)

  Software   L + 9.10% (1.00% Floor)     08/03/2020        26,125        25,546        26,125   

Mervin Manufacturing, Inc. (++)

  Leisure Equipment & Products   L + 7.50% (1.00% Floor)     10/10/2019        11,165        11,014        9,936   

NTS Communications, Inc. ^(7)(8)

  Diversified Telecommunication Services   L + 9.00% (1.25% Floor) PIK     06/06/2019        50,205        47,071        42,675   

Pro-Pet, LLC (+)

  Household Products   L + 7.25% (0.75% Floor)     11/21/2019        31,600        31,069        29,704   

The Service Companies Inc. (++)

  Professional Services   L + 10.25% (1.00% Floor)     03/26/2019        46,800        46,257        46,098   

United Road Services, Inc. (+)

  Air Freight & Logistics   L + 7.50% (1.00% Floor)     12/14/2017        44,658        44,386        43,765   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

  

    328,202        314,446   

 

The accompanying notes are part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

F-50


Portfolio Company

 

Industry

 

Interest

 

Maturity

   

Par
Amount

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 

2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt—42.16%

  

DiscoverOrg, LLC (+++)

  Software   L + 9.00% (1.00% Floor)     02/10/2022      $ 39,500      $ 38,774      $ 38,710   

DiversiTech Corporation (++)

  Building Products   L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)     11/18/2022        51,350        50,299        50,708   

Global Tel*Link Corporation (++)

  Diversified Telecommunication
Services
  L + 7.75% (1.25% Floor)     11/23/2020        28,000        27,638        26,273   

Highwinds Capital, Inc. (+)

  Internet Software & Services   L + 12.25% (1.25% Floor)     01/29/2019        59,050        58,548        59,641   

Hutchinson Technology, Inc.

  Computers & Peripherals   10.88%     01/15/2017        12,200        12,132        12,261   

IHS Intermediate Inc. (++)

  Health Care Providers &
Services
  L + 8.25% (1.00% Floor)     07/20/2022        10,000        9,825        9,500   

MPI Products LLC (++)

  Auto Components   L + 9.00% (1.00% Floor)     01/30/2020        20,000        19,796        19,850   

P2 Upstream Acquisition Co. (+++)

  Software   L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)     04/30/2021        10,000        9,930        8,600   

Reddy Ice Corporation (++)

  Food Products   L + 9.50% (1.25% Floor)     11/01/2019        13,500        13,146        10,485   

Securus Technologies Holdings, Inc. (++)

  Diversified Telecommunication
Services
  L + 7.75% (1.25% Floor)     04/30/2021        20,000        19,847        19,135   

SW Holdings, LLC (++)

  Media   L + 8.75% (1.00% Floor)     12/30/2021        14,265        14,020        14,015   

Washington Inventory Service (++)

  Professional Services   L + 9.00% (1.25% Floor)     06/20/2019        24,800        24,938        15,376   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

  

    298,893        284,554   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Corporate Debt

  

    1,073,403        1,035,982   

 

Portfolio Company

 

Industry

 

Coupon

 

Shares

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 

Preferred Stock (1)—4.77%

  

CB-HDT Holdings, Inc. ^(7)

  Aerospace & Defense       1,108,333      $ 10,186      $ 11,084   

Crowley Holdings Preferred LLC (2)

  Marine   12.00% (Includes 2% PIK)     21,137        21,137        21,137   

NTS Communications, Inc. ^(7)

  Diversified Telecommunication
Services
      263        187          
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stock

  

    31,510        32,221   

Common Stock (1)—0.74%

  

CB-HDT Holdings, Inc. ^(7)

  Aerospace & Defense       453,383        2,392        2,392   

Kawa Solar Holdings Limited ^(5)(7)

  Construction & Engineering       1,399,556                 

NTS Communications, Inc. ^(7)

  Diversified Telecommunication
Services
      595,215        3          

Prairie Provident Resources, Inc. ^(5)(7)

  Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels       3,579,989        9,237        2,621   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Common Stock

  

    11,632        5,013   

 

Portfolio Company

  

LLC Interest

    

Cost

    

Fair
Value

 

Investment Funds & Vehicles (1)—10.34%

  

Senior Credit Fund, LLC ^^(5)

   $ 69,092       $ 69,092       $ 69,752   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investment Funds & Vehicles

  

     69,092         69,752   

 

    

Yield

  

Shares

    

Cost

    

Fair
Value

 

Investments in Affiliated Money Market Fund (1)—0.00%#

  

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund

   0.30%(9)      2,647       $ 3       $ 3   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Affiliated Money Market Fund

           3         3   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—169.34%

         $ 1,185,640       $ 1,142,971   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS—(69.34%)

            $ (468,001
           

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.00%

            $ 674,970   
           

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

F-51


 

# Percentages are based on net assets.
(+)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to the greater of a LIBOR floor or a base rate plus 1 month LIBOR, which as of September 30, 2016 was 0.53%.
(++)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to the greater of a LIBOR floor or a base rate plus 3 month LIBOR, which as of September 30, 2016 was 0.85%.
(+++)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to the greater of a LIBOR floor or a base rate plus 6 month LIBOR, which as of September 30, 2016 was 1.24%.
^ As defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, the investment is deemed to be an “affiliated person” of the Company because the Company owns, either directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities. See Note 3 “Significant Agreements and Related Parties”.
^^ As defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, the investment is deemed to be a “controlled affiliated person” of the Company because the Company owns, either directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities or has the power to exercise control over management or policies of such portfolio company. See Note 3 “Significant Agreements and Related Parties”.
(1)   Assets are pledged as collateral for the Revolving Credit Facility. See Note 6 “Debt”.
(2)   Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in certain transactions (normally to qualified institutional buyers) and remain exempt from registration. As of September 30, 2016, the aggregate fair value of these securities is $92,934 or 13.77% of the Company’s net assets.
(3)   Position or portion thereof is an unfunded loan commitment, and no interest is being earned on the unfunded portion. The unfunded loan commitment may be subject to a commitment termination date, that may expire prior to the maturity date stated. See Note 7 “Commitments and Contingencies”.
(4)   The negative cost is the result of the capitalized discount being greater than the principal amount outstanding on the loan. The negative fair value is the result of the capitalized discount on the loan.
(5)   The investment is not a qualifying asset under Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company may not acquire any non-qualifying asset unless, at the time of acquisition, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the Company’s total assets.
(6)   In addition to the interest earned based on the stated rate of this loan, the Company may be entitled to receive additional interest as a result of its arrangement with other lenders in a syndication.
(7)   Non-income producing security.
(8)   The investment is on non-accrual status as of September 30, 2016. See Note 2 “Significant Accounting Policies”.
(9)   The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of September 30, 2016.
F — Federal Funds Rate (which as of September 30, 2016 was 0.28%)
L — LIBOR
P — U.S. Prime Rate (which as of September 30, 2016 was 3.50%)

PIK — Payment-In-Kind

 

The accompanying notes are part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

F-52


Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

Consolidated Schedule of Investments as of December 31, 2015

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

Portfolio Company

 

Industry

 

Interest

 

Maturity

   

Par
Amount

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 

Investments at Fair Value—156.98%#

  

Corporate Debt (1)—146.85%

  

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt—61.00%

  

Artesyn Embedded Technologies, Inc. (2)

  Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components   9.75%     10/15/2020      $ 20,000      $ 20,000      $ 18,700   

Data Driven Delivery Systems, LLC (++)

  Health Care Technology   L + 7.00% (1.00% Floor)     05/31/2019        70,500        68,202        70,500   

Dispensing Dynamics International (2)

  Building Products   12.50%     01/01/2018        24,000        24,685        23,304   

Heligear Acquisition Co. (2)

  Aerospace & Defense   10.25%     10/15/2019        17,500        17,229        18,550   

Infinity Sales Group (+)

  Media   L + 10.50% (1.00% Floor)     11/21/2018        33,727        33,284        32,630   

Iracore International Holdings, Inc. (2)

  Energy Equipment & Services   9.50%     06/01/2018        24,250        20,877        15,763   

Kawa Solar Holdings Limited (3)

  Construction & Engineering   F + 8.20%     07/02/2017        15,000        15,000        15,000   

Legacy Buyer Corp. (++)

  Health Care Providers & Services   L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)     10/24/2019        30,225        29,735        29,847   

Legacy Buyer Corp. (4)(5)

  Health Care Providers & Services   L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)     10/24/2019        2,500        (40     (31

Madison-Kipp Corporation (+)

  Machinery   L + 9.00% (1.00% Floor)     05/26/2020        37,000        36,330        36,352   

NTS Communications, Inc. (++)

  Diversified Telecommunication Services   L + 9.00% (1.25% Floor)     06/06/2019        44,300        43,641        42,196   

Perfect Commerce, LLC (++)

  Internet Software & Services   L + 8.50% (1.00% Floor)     06/30/2020        39,668        38,789        38,973   

US Med Acquisition, Inc. (+)

  Health Care Equipment & Supplies   L + 9.00% (1.00% Floor)     08/13/2021        30,884        30,292        30,884   

Vexos, Inc. (++)

  Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components   L + 9.50% (1.00% Floor)     10/09/2019        48,275        47,512        47,430   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

  

    425,536        420,098   

1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche (6) —44.40%

  

   

Associations, Inc. (++)

  Real Estate Management & Development   L + 7.00% (1.00% Floor)     12/23/2019        75,926        74,669        74,598   

Associations, Inc. (++)(4)

  Real Estate Management & Development   L + 7.00% (1.00% Floor)     12/23/2019        12,955        9,194        9,217   

Avenue Stores, LLC (+)

  Specialty Retail   L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)     09/19/2019        30,000        29,409        30,300   

Bolttech Mannings, Inc. (+)

  Commercial Services & Supplies   L + 7.75% (1.00% Floor)     12/21/2018        33,000        32,504        31,185   

Bolttech Mannings, Inc. (+)

  Commercial Services & Supplies   L + 7.75% (1.00% Floor)     12/21/2018        3,346        3,297        3,162   

Integrated Practice Solutions, Inc. (++)

  Software   L + 9.10% (1.00% Floor)     08/03/2020        27,156        26,464        26,417   

Mervin Manufacturing, Inc. (++)

  Leisure Equipment & Products   L + 7.50% (1.00% Floor)     10/10/2019        13,584        13,365        12,837   

Pro-Pet, LLC (+)

  Household Products   L + 7.25% (0.75% Floor)     11/21/2019        28,600        28,196        27,170   

The Service Companies Inc. (++)

  Professional Services   L + 10.25% (1.00% Floor)     03/26/2019        47,460        46,773        46,629   

United Road Services, Inc. (+)

  Air Freight & Logistics   L + 7.50% (1.00% Floor)     12/14/2017        44,658        44,237        44,212   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

  

    308,108        305,727   

 

The accompanying notes are part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

F-53


Portfolio Company

 

Industry

 

Interest

 

Maturity

   

Par
Amount

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 

2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt—41.45%

  

   

DiversiTech Corporation (++)

  Building Products   L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)     11/18/2022      $ 10,000      $ 9,859      $ 9,850   

Extraction Oil & Gas Holdings, LLC

  Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels   11.00%     05/29/2019        15,000        14,833        15,187   

Extraction Oil & Gas Holdings, LLC

  Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels   10.00%     05/29/2019        8,412        8,314        8,286   

Global Tel*Link Corporation (++)

  Diversified Telecommunication Services   L + 7.75% (1.25% Floor)     11/23/2020        28,000        27,588        16,800   

Highwinds Capital, Inc. (+)

  Internet Software & Services   L + 12.25% (1.25% Floor)     01/29/2019        59,050        58,429        59,050   

Hunter Defense Technologies, Inc. (++)

  Aerospace & Defense   L + 10.00% (1.00% Floor)     02/05/2020        28,000        26,866        26,320   

Hutchinson Technology, Inc.

  Computers & Peripherals   10.88%     01/15/2017        12,200        12,004        13,298   

iFly Holdings LLC (++)

  Leisure Equipment & Products   L + 9.00% (1.00% Floor)     07/08/2019        25,000        24,595        25,000   

IHS Intermediate, Inc. (++)

  Health Care Providers & Services   L + 8.25% (1.00% Floor)     07/20/2022        10,000        9,809        9,800   

MPI Products LLC (++)

  Auto Components   L + 9.00% (1.00% Floor)     01/30/2020        20,000        19,761        19,800   

Oasis Outsourcing Holdings, Inc. (+)

  Diversified Financial Services   L + 8.75% (1.00% Floor)     12/26/2022        20,000        19,726        20,000   

P2 Upstream Acquisition Co. (+++)

  Software   L + 8.00% (1.00% Floor)     04/30/2021        10,000        9,922        8,200   

Reddy Ice Corporation (++)

  Food Products   L + 9.50% (1.25% Floor)     11/01/2019        13,500        13,082        8,809   

Securus Technologies Holdings,Inc. (++)

  Diversified Telecommunication Services   L + 7.75% (1.25% Floor)     04/30/2021        20,000        19,828        10,760   

SW Holdings, LLC (+++)

  Media   L + 8.75% (1.00% Floor)     12/30/2021        13,500        13,245        13,230   

Washington Inventory Service (++)

  Professional Services   L + 9.00% (1.25% Floor)     06/20/2019        24,800        24,970        21,080   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

  

    312,831        285,470   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Corporate Debt

  

    1,046,475        1,011,295   

 

Portfolio Company

  

Industry

  

Coupon

  

Shares

    

Cost

    

Fair
Value

 

Preferred Stock (1)—3.61%

  

     

Crowley Holdings Preferred LLC (2)

   Marine    12.00% (Includes 2% PIK)      20,823       $ 20,824       $ 20,824   

Lone Pine Resources CDA, Ltd. ^(3)(7)(8)

   Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels    10.00%      3,745,909         4,791         4,048   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stock

  

     25,615         24,872   
Common Stock (1)—0.00%      

Lone Pine Resources CDA, Ltd. ^(3)(8)(9)

   Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels         972,919         4,446           
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Common Stock

  

     4,446           

 

Portfolio Company

  

LLC Interest

    

Cost

    

Fair
Value

 

Investment Funds & Vehicles (1)—6.52%

  

Senior Credit Fund, LLC ^^(3)

   $ 46,167       $ 46,167       $ 44,897   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investment Funds & Vehicles

  

     46,167         44,897   

 

The accompanying notes are part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

F-54


   

Yield

 

Shares

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 

Investments in Affiliated Money Market Fund (1)—1.47%#

  

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund

  0.19%(10)     10,116,857      $ 10,117      $ 10,117   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Affiliated Money Market Fund

        10,117        10,117   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—158.45%

      $ 1,132,820      $ 1,091,181   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS—(58.45%)

        $ (402,531
       

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.00%

        $ 688,650   
       

 

 

 

 

# Percentages are based on net assets
(+) The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 1 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2015 was 0.43%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 1 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2015, the prevailing rate in effect as of December 31, 2015 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
(++) The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 3 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2015 was 0.61%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 3 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2015, the prevailing rate in effect as of December 31, 2015 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
(+++) The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 6 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2015 was 0.85%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 6 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2015, the prevailing rate in effect as of December 31, 2015 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
^ As defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, the investment is deemed to be an “affiliated person” of the Company because the Company owns, either directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities. See Note 3 “Significant Agreements and Related Parties”.
^^ As defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, the investment is deemed to be a “controlled affiliated person” of the Company because the Company owns, either directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities or has the power to exercise control over management or policies of such portfolio company. See Note 3 “Significant Agreements and Related Parties”.
(1) Assets are pledged as collateral for the Revolving Credit Facility. See Note 6 “Debt”.
(2) Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in certain transactions (normally to qualified institutional buyers) and remain exempt from registration. As of December 31, 2015, the aggregate fair value of these securities is $97,141 or 14.11% of the Company’s net assets.
(3) The investment is not a qualifying asset under Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company may not acquire any non-qualifying asset unless, at the time of acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the Company’s total assets.
(4) Position or portion thereof is an unfunded loan commitment, and no interest is being earned on the unfunded portion. The unfunded loan commitment may be subject to a commitment termination date that may expire prior to the maturity date stated. See Note 7 “Commitments and Contingencies”.
(5) The negative cost is the result of the capitalized discount being greater than the principal amount outstanding on the loan. The negative fair value is the result of the capitalized discount on the loan.
(6) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated rate of this loan, the Company may be entitled to receive additional interest as a result of its arrangement with other lenders in a syndication.
(7) In addition, the Company holds 3,745,909 shares of voting securities in an affiliated entity with zero cost and zero value.
(8) Non-income producing security.
(9) In addition, the Company holds 972,919 shares of voting securities in an affiliated entity with zero cost and zero value.
(10) The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of December 31, 2015.
F — Federal Funds Rate (which as of December 31, 2015 was 0.25%)
L — LIBOR

PIK — Payment-In-Kind

 

The accompanying notes are part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

F-55


Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

1. ORGANIZATION

Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. (the “Company,” which term refers to either Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. or Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. together with its consolidated subsidiary, as the context may require) was initially established as Goldman Sachs Liberty Harbor Capital, LLC, a single member Delaware limited liability company (“SMLLC”), on September 26, 2012 and commenced operations on November 15, 2012 with the Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“Group Inc.”) as its sole member. On March 29, 2013, the Company elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). Effective April 1, 2013, the Company converted from a SMLLC to a Delaware corporation (the “Conversion”). In addition, the Company has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2013.

The Company’s investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation primarily through direct originations of secured debt, including first lien, first lien/last-out unitranche and second lien debt, and unsecured debt, including mezzanine debt, as well as through select equity investments.

Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), a Delaware limited partnership and an affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co., is the investment adviser (the “Investment Adviser”) of the Company. The term “Goldman Sachs” refers to Group Inc., together with Goldman, Sachs & Co., GSAM and its other subsidiaries.

On March 23, 2015, the Company closed its initial public offering (“IPO”), issuing 6,000,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $20.00 per share. Net of offering and underwriting costs, the Company received cash proceeds of $114,568. On March 18, 2015, the Company’s common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “GSBD”.

In April 2015, the Company issued a total of 900,000 shares of its common stock pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option in connection with the IPO. Net of underwriting costs, the Company received additional cash proceeds of $17,271.

In July 2015, the Company formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, DDDS BL, LLC, which is structured as a Delaware limited liability company.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The Company’s functional currency is U.S. dollars and these consolidated financial statements have been prepared in that currency. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to Regulation S-X. This requires the Company to make certain estimates and assumptions that may affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. These consolidated financial statements reflect adjustments that in the opinion of the Company are necessary for the fair statement of the results for the periods presented. Actual results may differ from the estimates and assumptions included in the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-56


Certain financial information that is included in annual consolidated financial statements, including certain financial statement disclosures, prepared in accordance with GAAP, is not required for interim reporting purposes and has been condensed or omitted herein. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes related thereto for the year ended December 31, 2015, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 2, 2016. The results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year, any other interim period or any future year or period.

Certain prior period information has been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. The reclassification has no effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or the consolidated results of operations as previously reported.

As an investment company, the Company applies the accounting and reporting guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946,  Financial Services – Investment Companies (“ASC 946”) .

Basis of Consolidation

As provided under ASC 946, the Company will generally not consolidate its investment in a company other than an investment company subsidiary or a controlled operating company whose business consists of providing services to the Company. Accordingly, the Company consolidated the financial position and results of operations of the Company’s investment in DDDS BL, LLC. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company does not consolidate its equity interest in Senior Credit Fund, LLC (the “Senior Credit Fund”). For further description of the Company’s investment in the Senior Credit Fund, see Note 4 “Investments”.

Revenue Recognition

The Company records its investment transactions on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses are based on the specific identification method.

Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on an accrual basis. Discounts and premiums to par value on investments purchased are accreted and amortized, respectively, into interest income over the life of the respective investment using the effective interest method. Loan origination fees, original issue discount and market discounts or premiums are capitalized and amortized into interest income using the effective interest method or straight-line method, as applicable. Upon prepayment of a loan or debt security, any prepayment premiums, unamortized upfront loan origination fees and unamortized discounts are recorded as interest income. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company earned $434 and $704, respectively, in prepayment premiums and $551 and $1,111, respectively, in accelerated accretion of upfront loan origination fees and unamortized discounts. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company earned $800 and $1,375, respectively, in prepayment premiums and $899 and $1,276, respectively, in accelerated accretion of upfront loan origination fees and unamortized discounts.

Fees received from portfolio companies (directors’ fees, consulting fees, administrative fees, tax advisory fees and other similar compensation) are paid to the Company, unless, to the extent required by applicable law or exemptive relief, if any, therefrom, the Company only receives its allocable portion of such fees when invested in the same portfolio company as another account managed by Goldman Sachs.

 

F-57


Dividend income on preferred equity investments is recorded on an accrual basis to the extent that such amounts are payable by the portfolio company and are expected to be collected. Dividend income on common equity investments is recorded on the record date for private portfolio companies and on the ex-dividend date for publicly traded portfolio companies. Interest and dividend income are presented net of withholding tax, if any.

Certain investments may have contractual payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest or dividends. PIK represents accrued interest or accumulated dividends that are added to the principal amount of the investment on the respective interest or dividend payment dates rather than being paid in cash and generally becomes due at maturity or upon being called by the issuer. PIK is recorded as interest or dividend income, as applicable. If at any point the Company believes PIK is not expected to be realized, the investment generating PIK will be placed on non-accrual status. Accrued PIK interest or dividends are generally reversed through interest or dividend income, respectively, when an investment is placed on non-accrual status.

Certain structuring fees and amendment fees are recorded as other income when earned. Administrative agent fees received by the Company are recorded as other income when the services are rendered.

Non-Accrual Investments

Loans or debt securities are placed on non-accrual status when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest will be collected. Accrued interest generally is reversed when a loan or debt security is placed on non-accrual status. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans or debt securities may be recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon management’s judgment. Non-accrual loans and debt securities are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest are paid and, in management’s judgment, principal and interest payments are likely to remain current. The Company may make exceptions to this treatment if a loan or debt security has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had one investment on non-accrual status, which represented 4.0% and 3.7% of the total investments (excluding an investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc. of $3) at amortized cost and at fair value, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had no investments on non-accrual status.

Investments

The Company carries its investments in accordance with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”), issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is generally based on quoted market prices provided by independent pricing services, broker or dealer quotations or alternative price sources. In the absence of quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations or alternative price sources, investments are measured at fair value as determined by the board of directors (the “Board of Directors”).

Due to the inherent uncertainties of valuation, certain estimated fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been realized had a ready market for these investments existed, and these differences could be material. See Note 5 “Fair Value Measurement”.

The Company generally invests in illiquid securities, including debt and equity investments, of middle-market companies. The Board of Directors has delegated to the Investment Adviser day-to-day responsibility for implementing and maintaining internal controls and procedures related to the valuation of the Company’s portfolio investments. Under valuation procedures adopted by the Board of Directors, market quotations are generally used to assess the value of the investments for which market quotations are readily available. The Investment Adviser obtains these market quotations from independent pricing services or at the bid prices obtained from at least two brokers or dealers, if available; otherwise from a principal market maker or a primary market dealer. To assess the continuing appropriateness of pricing sources and methodologies, the Investment Adviser regularly performs price verification procedures and issues challenges as necessary to independent

 

F-58


pricing services or brokers, and any differences are reviewed in accordance with the valuation procedures. If the Board of Directors or Investment Adviser has a bona fide reason to believe any such market quotation does not reflect the fair value of an investment, it may independently value such investment in accordance with valuation procedures for investments for which market quotations are not readily available.

With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, or for which market quotations are deemed not reflective of the fair value, the valuation procedures adopted by the Board of Directors contemplate a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

 

  (1) The quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by the investment professionals of the Investment Adviser responsible for the portfolio investment;

 

  (2) The Board of Directors also engages independent valuation firms (the “Independent Valuation Advisors”) to provide independent valuations of the investments for which market quotations are not readily available, or are readily available but deemed not reflective of the fair value of an investment. The Independent Valuation Advisors independently value such investments using quantitative and qualitative information provided by the investment professionals of the Investment Adviser as well as any market quotations obtained from independent pricing services, brokers, dealers or market dealers. The Independent Valuation Advisors also provide analyses to support their valuation methodology and calculations. The Independent Valuation Advisors provide an opinion on a final range of values on such investments to the Board of Directors or the Audit Committee. The Independent Valuation Advisors define fair value in accordance with ASC 820 and utilize valuation techniques including the market approach, the income approach or both. A portion of the portfolio is reviewed on a quarterly basis, and all investments in the portfolio for which market quotations are not readily available, or are readily available, but deemed not reflective of the fair value of an investment, are reviewed at least annually by an Independent Valuation Advisor;

 

  (3) The Independent Valuation Advisors’ preliminary valuations are reviewed by the Investment Adviser and the Valuation Oversight Group (“VOG”), a team that is part of the Controllers Department within the Finance Division of Goldman Sachs. The Independent Valuation Advisors’ valuation ranges are compared to the Investment Adviser’s valuations to ensure the Investment Adviser’s valuations are reasonable. VOG presents the valuations to the Private Investment Sub-Committee of the Investment Management Division Valuation Committee, which is comprised of representatives from GSAM who are independent of the investment decision making process;

 

  (4) The Investment Management Division Valuation Committee ratifies fair valuations and makes recommendations to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors;

 

  (5) The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors reviews valuation information provided by the Investment Management Division Valuation Committee, the Investment Adviser and the Independent Valuation Advisors. The Audit Committee then assesses such valuation recommendations; and

 

  (6) The Board of Directors discusses the valuations and, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act, determines the fair value of the investments in good faith, based on the inputs of the Investment Adviser, the Independent Valuation Advisors and the Audit Committee.

 

F-59


Money Market Funds

Investments in money market funds are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. See Note 3 “Significant Agreements and Related Parties”.

Cash

Cash consists of deposits held at a custodian bank. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company held $14,670 and $22,710, respectively, in cash.

Foreign Currency Translation

Amounts denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis: (i) investments and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates effective on the date of valuation; and (ii) purchases and sales of investments and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates prevailing on the transaction dates.

The Company does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included within the net realized and unrealized gains or losses on investment transactions.

Income Taxes

The Company recognizes tax positions in its consolidated financial statements only when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by the relevant taxing authority based on the technical merits of the position. A position that meets this standard is measured at the largest amount of benefit that will more likely than not be realized upon settlement. The Company reports any interest expense related to income tax matters in income tax expense, and any income tax penalties under expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The Company’s tax positions have been reviewed based on applicable statutes of limitation for tax assessments, which may vary by jurisdiction, and based on such review, the Company has concluded that no additional provision for income tax is required in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company is subject to potential examination by certain taxing authorities in various jurisdictions. The Company’s tax positions are subject to ongoing interpretation of laws and regulations by taxing authorities.

Effective April 1, 2013, the Company converted from an SMLLC into a corporation for U.S. tax purposes and elected to be treated as a RIC commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2013. So long as the Company maintains its status as a RIC, it will generally not be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on any ordinary income or capital gains that it distributes at least annually to its stockholders as dividends. As a result, any U.S. federal income tax liability related to income earned and distributed by the Company represents obligations of the Company’s stockholders and will not be reflected in the consolidated financial statements of the Company. The Company’s conversion from an SMLLC to a RIC was considered a taxable event.

To maintain its status as a RIC, the Company must meet specified source-of-income and asset diversification requirements and timely distribute to its stockholders for each taxable year at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (generally, its net ordinary income plus the excess of its realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction). In order for the Company not to be subject to U.S. federal excise taxes, it must distribute annually an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its net ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and

 

F-60


elections) for the calendar year, (ii) 98.2% of its capital gains in excess of capital losses for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year and (iii) any net ordinary income and capital gains in excess of capital losses for preceding years that were not distributed during such years. The Company, at its discretion, may carry forward taxable income in excess of calendar year dividends and pay a 4% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax on this income. If the Company chooses to do so, this generally would increase expenses and reduce the amount available to be distributed to stockholders. The Company will accrue excise tax on estimated undistributed taxable income as required. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company accrued excise taxes of $294 and $728, respectively. As of September 30, 2016, $722 of accrued excise taxes remained payable. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company accrued excise taxes of $174 and $264, respectively.

Distributions

Distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from those amounts determined in accordance with GAAP. The Company may pay distributions in excess of its taxable net investment income. This excess would be a tax-free return of capital in the period and reduce the stockholder’s tax basis in its shares. These book/tax differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent they are charged or credited to paid-in capital in excess of par, accumulated undistributed net investment income or accumulated net realized gain (loss), as appropriate, in the period that the differences arise. Temporary and permanent differences are primarily attributable to differences in the tax treatment of certain loans and the tax characterization of income and non-deductible expenses. These differences are generally determined in conjunction with the preparation of the Company’s annual RIC tax return. Distributions to common stockholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount to be paid out as a distribution is determined by the Board of Directors each quarter and is generally based upon the earnings estimated by the Investment Adviser. The Company may pay distributions to its stockholders in a year in excess of its net ordinary income and capital gains for that year and, accordingly, a portion of such distributions may constitute a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Company intends to timely distribute to its stockholders substantially all of its annual taxable income for each year, except that the Company may retain certain net capital gains for reinvestment and, depending upon the level of the Company’s taxable income earned in a year, the Company may choose to carry forward taxable income for distribution in the following year and pay any applicable U.S. federal excise tax. The specific tax characteristics of the Company’s distributions will be reported to stockholders after the end of the calendar year. All distributions will be subject to available funds, and no assurance can be given that the Company will be able to declare such distributions in future periods.

The Company has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of all cash distributions declared by the Board of Directors unless a stockholder elects to “opt out” of the plan. As a result, if the Board of Directors declares a cash distribution, then the stockholders who have not “opted out” of the dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of common stock, rather than receiving the cash distribution. Stockholders who receive distributions in the form of shares of common stock will generally be subject to the same U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences as if they received cash distributions and, for this purpose, stockholders receiving distributions in the form of stock will generally be treated as receiving distributions equal to the fair market value of the stock received through the plan; however, since their cash distributions will be reinvested, those stockholders will not receive cash with which to pay any applicable taxes. Due to regulatory considerations, Group Inc. has opted out of the dividend reinvestment plan, and Goldman, Sachs & Co. has opted out of the dividend reinvestment plan in respect of shares of the Company’s common stock acquired through its 10b5-1 plan. See Note 3 “Significant Agreements and Related Parties”.

 

F-61


Equity Offering Costs

Equity offering costs consist primarily of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the offering of shares, including legal, underwriting, printing and other costs, as well as costs associated with the preparation and filing of applicable registration statements. Upon the issuance of shares, equity offering costs are offset against proceeds of the offering in paid-in capital in excess of par.

3. SIGNIFICANT AGREEMENTS AND RELATED PARTIES

Investment Management Agreement

The Company has entered into an investment management agreement (as amended and restated as of January 1, 2015, the “Investment Management Agreement”) with the Investment Adviser, pursuant to which the Investment Adviser manages the Company’s investment program and related activities.

Management Fee

The Company pays the Investment Adviser a management fee (the “Management Fee”), accrued and payable quarterly in arrears. The Management Fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.50% (0.375% per quarter) of the average value of the Company’s gross assets (excluding cash or cash equivalents (such as investments in money market funds), but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) at the end of each of the two most recently completed calendar quarters (and, in the case of our first quarter, our gross assets as of such quarter-end). The Management Fee for any partial quarter will be appropriately prorated.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, Management Fees amounted to $4,292 and $12,606, respectively. As of September 30, 2016, $4,292 remained payable. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, Management Fees amounted to $4,089 and $11,199, respectively.

Incentive Fee

The incentive fee (the “Incentive Fee”) consists of two components that are determined independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not. Effective as of January 1, 2015, the Incentive Fee is calculated as follows:

A portion of the Incentive Fee is based on income and a portion is based on capital gains, each as described below. The Investment Adviser is entitled to receive the Incentive Fee based on income if Ordinary Income (as defined below) exceeds a quarterly “hurdle rate” of 1.75%. For this purpose, the hurdle is computed by reference to the Company’s net asset value (“NAV”) and does not take into account changes in the market price of the Company’s common stock.

Beginning with the calendar quarter that commenced on January 1, 2015, the Incentive Fee based on income is determined and paid quarterly in arrears at the end of each calendar quarter by reference to the Company’s aggregate net investment income, as adjusted as described below, from the calendar quarter then ending and the eleven preceding calendar quarters (or if shorter, the number of quarters that have occurred since January 1, 2015) (such period the “Trailing Twelve Quarters”). The Incentive Fee based on capital gains is determined and paid annually in arrears at the end of each calendar year by reference to an “Annual Period,” which means the period beginning on January 1 of each calendar year and ending on December 31 of such calendar year or, in the case of the first and last year, the appropriate portion thereof.

The hurdle amount for the Incentive Fee based on income is determined on a quarterly basis and is equal to 1.75% multiplied by the Company’s NAV at the beginning of each applicable calendar quarter comprising the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters. The hurdle amount is calculated after making appropriate adjustments for

 

F-62


subscriptions (which includes all of the Company’s issuances of shares of its common stock, including issuances pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan) and distributions that occurred during the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters. The Incentive Fee for any partial period will be appropriately prorated.

i. Quarterly Incentive Fee Based on Income

For the portion of the Incentive Fee based on income, the Company pays the Investment Adviser a quarterly Incentive Fee based on the amount by which (A) aggregate net investment income (“Ordinary Income”) in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters exceeds (B) the hurdle amount for such Trailing Twelve Quarters. The amount of the excess of (A) over (B) described in this paragraph for such Trailing Twelve Quarters is referred to as the “Excess Income Amount”. Ordinary Income is net of all fees and expenses, including the Management Fee but excluding any Incentive Fee.

The Incentive Fee based on income for each quarter is determined as follows:

 

    No Incentive Fee based on income is payable to the Investment Adviser for any calendar quarter for which there is no Excess Income Amount;

 

    100% of the Ordinary Income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle amount, but is less than or equal to an amount, referred to as the “Catch-up Amount,” determined as the sum of 2.1875% multiplied by the Company’s NAV at the beginning of each applicable calendar quarter comprising the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters is included in the calculation of the Incentive Fee based on income; and

 

    20% of the Ordinary Income that exceeds the Catch-up Amount is included in the calculation of the Incentive Fee based on income.

The amount of the Incentive Fee based on income that is paid to the Investment Adviser for a particular quarter equals the excess of the Incentive Fee so calculated minus the aggregate Incentive Fees based on income that were paid in respect of the first eleven calendar quarters (or the portion thereof) included in the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters but not in excess of the Incentive Fee Cap (as described below).

The Incentive Fee based on income that is paid to the Investment Adviser for a particular quarter is subject to a cap (the “Incentive Fee Cap”). The Incentive Fee Cap for any quarter is an amount equal to (a) 20% of the Cumulative Net Return (as defined below) during the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters minus (b) the aggregate Incentive Fees based on income that were paid in respect of the first eleven calendar quarters (or the portion thereof) included in the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters.

“Cumulative Net Return” means (x) the Ordinary Income in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters minus (y) any Net Capital Loss, if any, in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value, the Company pays no Incentive Fee based on income to the Investment Adviser for such quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is a positive value but is less than the Incentive Fee based on income that is payable to the Investment Adviser for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap) calculated as described above, the Company pays an Incentive Fee based on income to the Investment Adviser equal to the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is equal to or greater than the Incentive Fee based on income that is payable to the Investment Adviser for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap) calculated as described above, the Company pays an Incentive Fee based on income to the Investment Adviser equal to the Incentive Fee calculated as described above for such quarter without regard to the Incentive Fee Cap.

“Net Capital Loss” in respect of a particular period means the difference, if positive, between (i) aggregate capital losses, whether realized or unrealized, in such period and (ii) aggregate capital gains, whether realized or unrealized, in such period.

 

F-63


ii. Annual Incentive Fee Based on Capital Gains.

The portion of the Incentive Fee based on capital gains is calculated on an annual basis. For each Annual Period, the Company pays the Investment Adviser an amount equal to (A) 20% of the difference, if positive, of the sum of the Company’s aggregate realized capital gains, if any, computed net of the Company’s aggregate realized capital losses, if any, and the Company’s aggregate unrealized capital depreciation, in each case from April 1, 2013 until the end of such Annual Period minus (B) the cumulative amount of Incentive Fees based on capital gains previously paid to the Investment Adviser from April 1, 2013. For the avoidance of doubt, unrealized capital appreciation is excluded from the calculation in clause (A) above.

The Company accrues, but does not pay, a portion of the Incentive Fee based on capital gains with respect to net unrealized appreciation. Under GAAP, the Company is required to accrue an Incentive Fee based on capital gains that includes net realized capital gains and losses and net unrealized capital appreciation and depreciation on investments held at the end of each period. In calculating the accrual for the Incentive Fee based on capital gains, the Company considers the cumulative aggregate unrealized capital appreciation in the calculation, since an Incentive Fee based on capital gains would be payable if such unrealized capital appreciation were realized, even though such unrealized capital appreciation is not permitted to be considered in calculating the fee payable under the Investment Management Agreement. This accrual is calculated using the aggregate cumulative realized capital gains and losses and aggregate cumulative unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. If such amount is positive at the end of a period, then the Company records a capital gains incentive fee equal to 20% of such amount, minus the aggregate amount of actual Incentive Fees based on capital gains paid in all prior periods. If such amount is negative, then there is no accrual for such period. There can be no assurance that such unrealized capital appreciation will be realized in the future.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company incurred Incentive Fees based on income of $5,459 and $8,948, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded a reduction of incentive fees of $224 related to a prior period. As of September 30, 2016, $5,683 remained payable. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company incurred Incentive Fees based on income of $3,515 and $11,426, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company did not accrue any Incentive Fees based on capital gains.

Administration and Custodian Fees

The Company has entered into an administration agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Administrator”) under which the Administrator provides various accounting and administrative services to the Company. The Company pays the Administrator fees for its services as it determines to be commercially reasonable in its sole discretion. The Company also reimburses the Administrator for all reasonable expenses. To the extent that the Administrator outsources any of its functions, the Administrator pays any compensation associated with such functions. The Administrator also serves as the Company’s custodian (the “Custodian”).

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company incurred expenses for services provided by the Administrator and the Custodian of $212 and $633, respectively. As of September 30, 2016, $360 remained payable. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company incurred expenses for services provided by the Administrator and the Custodian of $194 and $577, respectively.

Transfer Agent Fees

Effective May 2, 2016, the Company entered into a transfer agency and services agreement pursuant to which Computershare Trust Company, N.A. serves as the Company’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”), dividend agent and registrar. From the IPO to May 1, 2016, State Street Bank and Trust Company served as the Transfer Agent and dividend agent. Prior to the IPO, Goldman, Sachs & Co. was the Transfer Agent. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company incurred expenses for services provided by the

 

F-64


Transfer Agent of $1 and $21, respectively. As of September 30, 2016, $4 remained payable. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company incurred expenses for services provided by the Transfer Agent of $14 and $66, respectively.

Reimbursement from Investment Adviser

In connection with the IPO, the Investment Adviser paid 70%, or approximately $5,040, of the sales load. In addition, in April 2015, the Investment Adviser paid 70%, or approximately $756, of the sales load related to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

10b5-1 Plan

Goldman, Sachs & Co. adopted a 10b5-1 plan (the “GS 10b5-1 Plan”) in accordance with Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which provided for the purchase by Goldman, Sachs & Co. in the open market up to the lesser of (i) $25,000 in the aggregate of the Company’s common stock and (ii) such amount that would not bring its collective ownership (with Group Inc.) of the Company’s common stock over 19.9%. The GS 10b5-1 Plan expired on March 18, 2016. The GS 10b5-1 Plan required Goldman, Sachs & Co. to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock when the market price per share was below the Company’s most recently reported NAV per share (including any updates, corrections or adjustments publicly announced by the Company to any previously announced NAV per share). The purchase of shares by Goldman, Sachs & Co. pursuant to the GS 10b5-1 Plan was intended to satisfy the conditions of Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, and was otherwise subject to applicable law, including Regulation M. Under the GS 10b5-1 Plan, Goldman, Sachs & Co. increased the volume of purchases made anytime the market price per share of the Company’s common stock declined below the most recently reported NAV per share, subject to volume restrictions. Purchases of the Company’s common stock by Goldman, Sachs & Co. under the GS 10b5-1 Plan may have resulted in the price of the Company’s common stock being higher than the price that otherwise might have existed in the open market. For the period January 1, 2016 through March 18, 2016, Goldman, Sachs & Co. purchased 432,638 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the GS 10b5-1 Plan.

Common Stock Repurchase Plans

In February 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a common stock repurchase plan (the “Company Repurchase Plan”), which authorized the Company’s purchase of up to $35,000 of its common stock in the open market during open trading periods. No repurchases were made pursuant to the Company Repurchase Plan which expired on March 18, 2016.

In February 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $25,000 of the Company’s common stock if the stock trades below the most recently announced NAV per share (including any updates, corrections or adjustments publicly announced by the Company to any previously announced NAV per share), from March 18, 2016 to March 18, 2017, subject to certain limitations. In connection with this authorization, the Company entered into a 10b5-1 plan (the “Company 10b5-1 Plan”). The Company 10b5-1 Plan provides that purchases will be conducted on the open market on a programmatic basis in accordance with Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Exchange Act and will otherwise be subject to applicable law, including Regulation M, which may prohibit purchases under certain circumstances. No purchases will be effected pursuant to the Company 10b5-1 Plan if such purchase would (i) cause the aggregate ownership of the Company’s outstanding common stock by Group Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co. to equal or exceed 25.0% (due to the reduction in outstanding shares of stock as a result of such purchase) or (ii) cause the Company’s debt/equity ratio to exceed 0.75. The Company 10b5-1 Plan took effect on March 18, 2016 (with any purchases to commence after the opening of NYSE trading on March 21, 2016) and expires on March 18, 2017.

 

F-65


The Company’s repurchase of its common stock under the Company 10b5-1 Plan or otherwise may result in the price of the Company’s common stock being higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company did not repurchase any of its common stock pursuant to the Company 10b5-1 Plan or otherwise.

Affiliates

As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, Group Inc. owned 17.85% and 16.67%, respectively, of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock.

The Company’s investments in affiliates for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were as follows:

 

   

Fair Value as of

December 31, 2015

   

Gross

Additions (4)

   

Gross

Reductions  (5)

   

Change in

Unrealized Gains

(Losses)

   

Fair Value as of
September 30,
2016

   

Dividend

and Interest

Income

   

Other

Income

 

Controlled Affiliates

             

Senior Credit Fund, LLC (1)

  $ 44,897      $ 22,925      $ —        $ 1,930      $ 69,752      $ 4,650      $ 1,618   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Controlled Affiliates

  $ 44,897      $ 22,925      $ —        $ 1,930      $ 69,752      $ 4,650      $ 1,618   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-Controlled Affiliates

             

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund (2)

  $ 10,117      $ 287,721      $ (297,835   $ —        $ 3      $ 32      $ —     

CB-HDT Holdings, Inc.

    —          12,578        —          898        13,476        —          —     

Kawa Solar Holdings Limited

    —          15,061        —          (7     15,054        387        —     

Prairie Provident Resources, Inc. (3)

    4,048        —          —          (1,427     2,621        —          —     

NTS Communications, Inc.

    —          41,275        —          1,400        42,675        —          6   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Non-Controlled Affiliates

  $ 14,165      $ 356,635      $ (297,835   $ 864      $ 73,829      $ 419      $ 6   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Affiliates

  $ 59,062      $ 379,560      $ (297,835   $ 2,794      $ 143,581      $ 5,069      $ 1,624   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Together with The Regents of the University of California (“Cal Regents”, and collectively with the Company, the “Members”), the Company co-invests through the Senior Credit Fund. Although the Company owns more than 25% of the voting securities of the Senior Credit Fund, the Company does not believe that it has control over the Senior Credit Fund (other than for purposes of the Investment Company Act). See Note 4 “Investments”.
(2) Fund advised by an affiliate of Goldman Sachs.
(3) Formerly known as Lone Pine Resources CDA, Ltd.
(4) Gross additions may include increases in the cost basis of investments resulting from new portfolio investments, PIK interest or dividends, the accretion of discounts, the exchange of one or more existing securities for one or more new securities and the movement of an existing portfolio company into this category from a different category.
(5) Gross reductions may include decreases in the cost basis of investments resulting from principal collections related to investment repayments or sales, the exchange of one or more existing securities for one or more new securities and the movement of an existing portfolio company out of this category into a different category.

 

F-66


The Company’s investments in affiliates for the year ended December 31, 2015 were as follows:

 

   

Fair Value as of

December 31, 2014

   

Gross
Additions (3)

   

Gross
Reductions (4)

   

Change in

Unrealized Gains

(Losses)

   

Fair Value as of

December 31, 2015

   

Dividend

Income

   

Other
Income

 

Controlled Affiliates

             

Senior Credit Fund, LLC (1)

  $ 24,627      $ 21,167      $ —        $ (897   $ 44,897      $ 3,992      $ 681   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Controlled Affiliates

  $ 24,627      $ 21,167      $ —        $ (897   $ 44,897      $ 3,992      $ 681   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-Controlled Affiliates

             

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund (2)

  $ 29,568      $ 397,861      $ (417,312   $ —        $ 10,117      $ 3      $ —     

Lone Pine Resources CDA, Ltd. (Preferred Stock)

    5,946        —          —          (1,898     4,048        —          —     

Lone Pine Resources CDA, Ltd. (Common Stock)

    632        —          —          (632     —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Non-Controlled Affiliates

  $ 36,146      $ 397,861      $ (417,312   $ (2,530   $ 14,165      $ 3      $ —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Affiliates

  $ 60,773      $ 419,028      $ (417,312   $ (3,427   $ 59,062      $ 3,995      $ 681   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Together with Cal Regents, the Company co-invests through the Senior Credit Fund. Although the Company owns more than 25% of the voting securities of the Senior Credit Fund, the Company does not believe that it has control over the Senior Credit Fund (other than for purposes of the Investment Company Act). See Note 4 “Investments”.
(2) Fund advised by an affiliate of Goldman Sachs.
(3) Gross additions may include increases in the cost basis of investments resulting from new portfolio investments, PIK interest or dividends, the accretion of discounts, the exchange of one or more existing securities for one or more new securities and the movement of an existing portfolio company into this category from a different category.
(4) Gross reductions may include decreases in the cost basis of investments resulting from principal collections related to investment repayments or sales, the exchange of one or more existing securities for one or more new securities and the movement of an existing portfolio company out of this category into a different category.

4. INVESTMENTS

As of the dates indicated, the Company’s investments (excluding an investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc. of $3 and $10,117, respectively) consisted of the following:

 

    

September 30, 2016

    

December 31, 2015

 

Investment Type

  

Cost

    

Fair Value

    

Cost

    

Fair Value

 

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

   $ 446,308       $ 436,982       $ 425,536       $ 420,098   

1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

     328,202         314,446         308,108         305,727   

2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

     298,893         284,554         312,831         285,470   

Preferred Stock

     31,510         32,221         25,615         24,872   

Common Stock

     11,632         5,013         4,446         —     

Investment Funds & Vehicles 1

     69,092         69,752         46,167         44,897   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $ 1,185,637       $ 1,142,968       $ 1,122,703       $ 1,081,064   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

1 Includes equity investments in the Senior Credit Fund.

 

F-67


As of the dates indicated, the industry composition of the Company’s portfolio at fair value was as follows:

 

Industry

  

September 30, 2016

   

December 31, 2015

 

Software

     10.0     3.2

Internet Software & Services

     8.6        9.1   

Diversified Telecommunication Services

     7.7        6.4   

Building Products

     6.5        3.1   

Health Care Technology

     6.1        6.5   

Investment Funds & Vehicles

     6.1        4.2   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

     5.6        6.1   

Professional Services

     5.4        6.3   

Real Estate Management & Development

     5.1        7.8   

Air Freight & Logistics

     3.8        4.1   

Media

     3.8        4.2   

Health Care Providers & Services

     3.3        3.7   

Machinery

     3.2        3.4   

Aerospace & Defense

     2.7        4.1   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

     2.7        2.9   

Specialty Retail

     2.6        2.8   

Household Products

     2.6        2.5   

Distributors

     2.6        —     

Commercial Services & Supplies

     2.5        3.2   

Marine

     1.9        1.9   

Auto Components

     1.7        1.8   

Construction & Engineering

     1.3        1.4   

Energy Equipment & Services

     1.1        1.5   

Computers & Peripherals

     1.1        1.2   

Food Products

     0.9        0.8   

Leisure Equipment & Products

     0.9        3.5   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     0.2        2.5   

Diversified Financial Services

     —          1.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of the dates indicated, the geographic composition of the Company’s portfolio at fair value was as follows:

 

Geographic

  

September 30, 2016

   

December 31, 2015

 

United States

     98.5     98.2

Germany

     1.3        1.4   

Canada

     0.2        0.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Senior Credit Fund, LLC

The Senior Credit Fund, an unconsolidated Delaware limited liability company, was formed on May 7, 2014 and commenced operations on October 1, 2014. Effective July 18, 2014, the Company agreed to a joint venture with Cal Regents through the Senior Credit Fund. The Senior Credit Fund’s principal purpose is to make investments, either directly or indirectly through its wholly owned subsidiary, Senior Credit Fund SPV I, LLC (“SPV I”), primarily in senior secured loans to middle-market companies. Each of the Company and Cal Regents

 

F-68


has a 50% economic ownership in the Senior Credit Fund and each has subscribed to fund $100,000. Except under certain circumstances, contributions to the Senior Credit Fund cannot be redeemed. The Senior Credit Fund is managed by a six member board of managers, on which the Company and Cal Regents have equal representation. Investment decisions generally must be unanimously approved by a quorum of the board of managers.

The Senior Credit Fund has entered into a revolving credit facility (the “Subscription Facility”) with Versailles Assets LLC, as lender, and Natixis, New York Branch (“Natixis”), as the facility agent. The Subscription Facility provides for borrowings in an aggregate amount up to $50,000 on a committed basis. The Senior Credit Fund’s obligations to Natixis and the lenders are secured by the unfunded subscriptions of the Company and Cal Regents, proceeds of such subscriptions and certain other assets. On September 30, 2016, the Senior Credit Fund paid in full all loans outstanding and the Subscription Facility was terminated. In connection thereof, the related documents governing the Subscription Facility were also terminated. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Senior Credit Fund’s outstanding borrowings under the Subscription Facility were $0 and $45,700, respectively. SPV I has entered into a revolving credit facility (the “SPV I Revolving Credit Facility”) and term loan facility (the “SPV I Term Loan Facility” and, together with the SPV I Revolving Credit Facility, as amended, the “Asset Based Facility”) with various lenders. For the Asset Based Facility, Natixis serves as the facility agent, and State Street Bank and Trust Company serves as the collateral agent. The Asset Based Facility includes a maximum borrowing capacity of $400,000. The SPV I Revolving Credit Facility provides for borrowings in an aggregate amount up to $185,000 on a committed basis. As of September 30, 2016, the SPV I Term Loan Facility consisted of a $115,000 fully drawn term loan. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the SPV I’s outstanding borrowings under the Asset Based Facility were $229,967 and $139,850, respectively.

As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company and Cal Regents had subscribed to fund and contributed the following to the Senior Credit Fund:

 

    

September 30, 2016

    

December 31, 2015

 

Member

  

Subscribed

to fund

    

Contributed

    

Subscribed

to fund

    

Contributed

 

Company

   $ 100,000       $ 69,092       $ 100,000       $ 46,167   

Cal Regents

     100,000         69,092         100,000         46,167   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 200,000       $ 138,184       $ 200,000       $ 92,334   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Senior Credit Fund had total investments in senior secured debt at fair value of $392,260 and $285,586, respectively. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Senior Credit Fund had no investments on non-accrual status. In addition, as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Senior Credit Fund had an investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc. with a total fair value of $4,614 and $21,830, respectively. Additionally, as of September 30, 2016, the Senior Credit Fund had one unfunded commitment totaling $3,356 and no unfunded commitments as of December 31, 2015.

In October 2014, the Senior Credit Fund purchased seven investments at fair value, as prescribed under the valuation procedures in Note 2 “Significant Accounting Policies”, from the Company for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $97,640. In connection with the transaction, the Company recorded a realized gain of $2.

 

F-69


Below is a summary of the Senior Credit Fund’s portfolio, excluding an investment in a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc., followed by a listing of the individual loans in the Senior Credit Fund’s portfolio as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

    

As of

 
    

September 30, 2016

   

December 31, 2015

 

Total senior secured debt (1)

   $ 399,292      $ 291,512   

Weighted average current interest rate on senior secured debt (2)

     6.6     6.3

Number of borrowers in the Senior Credit Fund

     32        22   

Largest loan to a single borrower (1)

   $ 23,685      $ 23,820   

 

 

(1) At par amount.
(2) Computed as the (a) annual stated interest rate on accruing senior secured debt, divided by (b) total senior secured debt at par amount.

 

F-70


Senior Credit Fund Portfolio as of September 30, 2016

 

Portfolio Company

  

Industry

 

Interest

 

Maturity

 

Par
Amount

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

            

Acrisure, LLC (+)

   Insurance   L + 5.50% (1.00% Floor)   05/19/2022   $ 6,627      $ 6,530      $ 6,640   

Acrisure, LLC (1)(2)

   Insurance   L + 5.50% (1.00% Floor)   05/19/2022     3,356        (50     6   

Affordable Care Holding Corp. (++)

   Health Care Providers & Services   L + 4.75% (1.00% Floor)   10/22/2022     4,962        4,873        4,962   

ATX Networks Corp. (++) (3)

   Communications Equipment   L + 6.00% (1.00% Floor)   06/11/2021     15,810        15,672        15,415   

ATX Networks Corp. (++)

   Communications Equipment   L + 6.00% (1.00% Floor)   06/11/2021     1,000        970        974   

Badger Sportswear, Inc. (3)

   Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods   L + 4.50% (1.00% Floor)   09/09/2023     15,000        14,850        14,850   

ConvergeOne Holdings Corporation (+) (4)

   Communications Equipment   L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)   06/17/2020     15,846        15,763        15,727   

Crowne Group, LLC (++)

   Auto Components   L + 9.25% (1.00% Floor)   05/26/2021     17,000        16,837        16,830   

DBRS Limited (++)

   Capital Markets   L + 5.25% (1.00% Floor)   03/04/2022     11,820        11,723        11,591   

DiscoverOrg, LLC (+++) (5)

   Software   L + 4.50% (1.00% Floor)   06/02/2020     7,247        7,220        7,174   

Edgewood Partners Insurance Center (+)

   Insurance   L + 6.00% (1.00% Floor)   03/16/2023     15,920        15,619        15,960   

Explorer Holdings, Inc. (++)

   Health Care Technology   L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)   05/02/2023     9,975        9,877        10,040   

GK Holdings, Inc. (++)

   IT Services   L + 5.50% (1.00% Floor)   01/20/2021     17,685        17,596        17,464   

HC Group Holdings III, Inc. (++)

   Health Care Providers & Services   L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)   04/07/2022     8,910        8,873        8,988   

Help/Systems, LLC (++)

   Software   L + 5.25% (1.00% Floor)   10/08/2021     15,880        15,329        15,748   

Imagine! Print Solutions, Inc. (++)

   Commercial Services & Supplies   L + 6.00% (1.00% Floor)   03/30/2022     4,977        4,919        5,021   

Jill Acquisition LLC (++)

   Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods   L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)   05/08/2022     15,845        15,738        15,568   

Lattice Semiconductor Corporation (+++)

   Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment   L + 4.25% (1.00% Floor)   03/10/2021     12,016        11,824        11,956   

Liquidnet Holdings, Inc. (++) (4)

   Capital Markets   L + 6.75% (1.00% Floor)   05/22/2019     23,009        22,701        22,664   

Loar Group, Inc. (++)

   Aerospace & Defense   L + 4.75% (1.00% Floor)   01/12/2022     9,950        9,702        9,900   

MB Aerospace Holdings Inc. (++)

   Aerospace & Defense   L + 5.50% (1.00% Floor)   12/15/2022     15,889        15,743        15,730   

Netsmart Technologies, Inc. (+)

   Health Care Technology   L + 4.75% (1.00% Floor)   04/19/2023     5,985        5,927        6,007   

Oasis Outsourcing Holdings, Inc. (+)

   Diversified Financial Services   L + 4.75% (1.00% Floor)   12/24/2021     3,990        3,980        4,004   

PGX Holdings, Inc. (++) (4)

   Professional Services   L + 4.75% (1.00% Floor)   09/29/2020     13,671        13,599        13,637   

Pomeroy Group LLC (++)

   IT Services   L + 6.00% (1.00% Floor)   11/30/2021     15,960        15,493        15,541   

Precyse Acquisition Corp. (+)

   Health Care Technology   L + 5.50% (1.00% Floor)   10/20/2022     4,988        4,915        5,019   

RealD, Inc. (+++)

   Media   L + 7.50% (1.00% Floor)   03/22/2021     16,915        16,754        16,746   

Research Now Group, Inc. (++)

   Professional Services   L + 4.50% (1.00% Floor)   03/18/2021     9,616        9,494        9,328   

SciQuest, Inc. (++)

   Internet Software & Services   L + 4.75% (1.00% Floor)   07/28/2023     14,000        13,931        13,930   

Smarte Carte, Inc. (++)

   Air Freight & Logistics   L + 5.50% (1.00% Floor)   08/30/2021     11,356        11,245        11,243   

Tronair Parent Inc. (3)

   Air Freight & Logistics   L + 4.75% (1.00% Floor)   09/08/2023     14,000        13,860        13,860   

Veresen Midstream Limited Partnership (++)

   Energy Equipment & Services   L + 4.25% (1.00% Floor)   03/31/2022     10,835        10,634        10,736   

Zep Inc. (++)

   Chemicals   L + 4.50% (1.00% Floor)   06/27/2022     5,431        5,408        5,438   
          

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

  

    367,549        368,697   
          

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-71


Senior Credit Fund Portfolio as of September 30, 2016

 

Portfolio Company

  

Industry

 

Interest

 

Maturity

 

Par
Amount

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 

1st Lien/First-Out Unitranche

            
Infogix, Inc. (++)    Software   L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)   12/31/2021     9,821        9,733        9,723   
          

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 1st Lien/First-Out Unitranche

          9,733        9,723   
          

 

 

   

 

 

 

2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

            
DiscoverOrg, LLC (+++) (5)    Software   L + 9.00% (1.00% Floor)   02/10/2022     8,000        7,853        7,840   
GK Holdings, Inc. (++)    IT Services   L + 9.50% (1.00% Floor)   01/20/2022     6,000        5,900        6,000   
          

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

  

    13,753        13,840   
          

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Corporate Debt

  

    391,035        392,260   
          

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

   

Yield

     

Shares

   

Cost

   

Fair
Value

 

Investments in Affiliated Money Market Fund

         
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund   0.30% (6)       4,613,765      $ 4,614      $ 4,614   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Affiliated Money Market Fund

  

    4,614        4,614   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS

  

  $ 395,649      $ 396,874   
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(+)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to the greater of a LIBOR floor or a base rate plus 1 month LIBOR, which as of September 30, 2016 was 0.53%.
(++)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to the greater of a LIBOR floor or a base rate plus 3 month LIBOR, which as of September 30, 2016 was 0.85%.
(+++)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to the greater of a LIBOR floor or a base rate plus 6 month LIBOR, which as of September 30, 2016 was 1.24%.
(1)   Position or portion thereof is an unfunded loan commitment, and no interest is being earned on the unfunded portion. The unfunded loan commitment may be subject to a commitment termination date, that may expire prior to the maturity date stated.
(2)   The negative cost is the result of the capitalized discount being greater than the principal amount outstanding on the loan.
(3)   Position or portion thereof unsettled as of September 30, 2016.
(4)   Initial investment was purchased at fair value from the Company in October 2014.
(5)   The Company also holds a portion of the 2nd lien/senior secured debt in this portfolio company.
(6)   The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of September 30, 2016.
L — LIBOR

 

F-72


Senior Credit Fund Portfolio as of December 31, 2015

 

Portfolio Company

  

Industry

  

Interest

 

Maturity

 

Par
Amount

   

Cost

   

Fair

Value

 

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

             

Affordable Care Holding Corp. (++)

   Health Care Providers & Services    L + 4.75% (1.00% Floor)   10/22/2022   $ 5,000      $ 4,901      $ 4,900   

Aperture Group, LLC (++) (1)

   Diversified Financial Services    L + 6.25% (1.00% Floor)   08/29/2019     17,855        17,657        17,623   

ATX Networks Corp. (++)

   Communications Equipment    L + 6.00% (1.00% Floor)   06/12/2021     14,925        14,785        14,626   

Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc. (+) (1)

   Diversified Consumer Services    L + 6.00% (1.00% Floor)   03/31/2020     15,000        14,741        14,588   

ConvergeOne Holdings Corporation (++) (2)

   Communications Equipment    L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)   06/17/2020     14,817        14,745        14,632   

Crowne Group, LLC (++) (2)

   Auto Components    L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)   09/30/2020     14,813        14,695        14,294   

DBRS Limited (++)

   Capital Markets    L + 5.25% (1.00% Floor)   03/04/2022     11,910        11,802        11,821   

DiscoverOrg, LLC (+)

   Software    L + 4.50% (1.00% Floor)   06/02/2020     7,560        7,526        7,522   

Epicor RSG US Inc. (++)

   Internet Software & Services    L + 5.25% (0.75% Floor)   06/23/2022     14,925        14,784        14,776   

eResearchTechnology, Inc. (++)

   Health Care Technology    L + 4.50% (1.00% Floor)   05/08/2022     14,925        14,856        14,602   

GK Holdings, Inc. (++)

   IT Services    L + 5.50% (1.00% Floor)   01/20/2021     17,820        17,719        17,464   

HC Group Holdings III, Inc. (++)

   Health Care Providers & Services    L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)   04/07/2022     8,978        8,936        8,910   

Help/Systems, LLC (++)

   Software    L + 5.25% (1.00% Floor)   10/08/2021     15,000        14,410        14,681   

Jill Acquisition LLC (++)

   Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods    L + 5.00% (1.00% Floor)   05/08/2022     14,963        14,893        14,588   

Lattice Semiconductor Corporation (+++)

   Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment    L + 4.25% (1.00% Floor)   03/10/2021     12,166        11,944        11,315   

Liquidnet Holdings, Inc. (++) (2)

   Capital Markets    L + 6.75% (1.00% Floor)   05/22/2019     22,481        22,134        21,694   

MB Aerospace Holdings Inc. (1)

   Aerospace & Defense    L + 5.50% (1.00% Floor)   12/15/2022     12,500        12,375        12,375   

PGX Holdings, Inc. (+++) (2)

   Professional Services    L + 4.75% (1.00% Floor)   09/29/2020     14,263        14,158        14,109   

Research Now Group, Inc. (++)

   Professional Services    L + 4.50% (1.00% Floor)   03/18/2021     4,963        4,940        4,888   

SkinnyPop Popcorn LLC (++) (2)

   Food Products    L + 4.50% (1.00% Floor)   07/17/2019     14,257        14,147        14,221   

Veresen Midstream Limited Partnership (++)

   Energy Equipment & Services    L + 4.25% (1.00% Floor)   03/31/2022     10,918        10,698        10,699   

Zep Inc. (++)

   Chemicals    L + 4.75% (1.00% Floor)   06/27/2022     5,473        5,447        5,438   
           

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

  

    282,293        279,766   
           

 

 

   

 

 

 

2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

             
GK Holdings, Inc. (++)    IT Services    L + 9.50% (1.00% Floor)   01/20/2022     6,000        5,891        5,820   
           

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

  

    5,891        5,820   
           

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Corporate Debt

  

    288,184        285,586   
           

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-73


       

Yield

      

Shares

   

Cost

   

Fair

Value

 
 

Investments in Affiliated Money Market Fund

          
 

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund

  0.19% (3)        21,829,831      $ 21,830      $ 21,830   
          

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Total Investments in Affiliated Money Market Fund

  

    21,830        21,830   
          

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS

  

  $ 310,014      $ 307,416   
          

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(+)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 1 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2015 was 0.43%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 1 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2015, the prevailing rate in effect as of December 31, 2015 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
(++)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 3 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2015 was 0.61%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 3 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2015, the prevailing rate in effect as of December 31, 2015 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
(+++)   The interest rate on these loans is subject to a base rate plus 6 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2015 was 0.85%. As the interest rate is subject to a minimum LIBOR floor which was greater than the 6 month LIBOR rate at December 31, 2015, the prevailing rate in effect as of December 31, 2015 was the base rate plus the LIBOR floor.
(1)   Position or portion thereof unsettled as of December 31, 2015.
(2)   Initial investment was purchased at fair value from the Company in October 2014.
(3)   The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of December 31, 2015.
L — LIBOR

Below is selected balance sheet information for the Senior Credit Fund as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

    

As of

 
    

September 30,
2016

    

December 31,
2015

 

Selected Balance Sheet Information

     

Total investments, at fair value

   $ 396,874       $ 307,416  

Cash and other assets

     8,905         7,579  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 405,779       $ 314,995  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Debt (1)

   $ 229,059       $ 184,983  

Other liabilities

     37,216         40,218  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 266,275       $ 225,201  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Members’ equity

     139,504         89,794  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and members’ equity

   $ 405,779       $ 314,995  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Net of deferred financing costs for the SPV I Term Loan Facility which were in the amount of $908 and $567 as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Below is selected statements of operations information for the Senior Credit Fund for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:

 

    

For the Three
Months Ended

September 30,

    

For the Nine
Months Ended

September 30,

 
    

2016

    

2015

    

2016

    

2015

 

Selected Statements of Operations Information:

           

Total investment income

   $ 6,905       $ 4,355       $ 18,220       $ 10,030   

Expenses

           

Interest and credit facility expense

     2,308         1,456         6,582         3,740   

Excess loan origination and structuring fees

     1,109         —           1,712         470   

Professional fees

     90         99         297         252   

Administration and custodian fees

     81         72         240         216   

Other expenses

     26         1         52         66   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

     3,614         1,628         8,883         4,744   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-74


    

For the Three
Months Ended

September 30,

   

For the Nine
Months Ended

September 30,

 
    

2016

    

2015

   

2016

    

2015

 

Total net income

     3,291         2,727        9,337         5,286   

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

     —           —          —           50   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

     1,829         (1,472     3,823         89   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in members’ equity

   $ 5,120       $ 1,255      $ 13,160       $ 5,425   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loan Origination and Structuring Fees

If the loan origination and structuring fees earned by the Senior Credit Fund (including directly or indirectly through SPV I or another vehicle) during a period exceed the Senior Credit Fund’s expenses (excluding interest and credit facility expenses), such excess is paid as a fee to the Member(s) responsible for the origination of the loans pro rata in accordance with the total loan origination and structuring fees earned by the Senior Credit Fund with respect to the loans originated by such Member. The loan origination and structuring fee is accrued quarterly and included in other income from controlled affiliated investments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and paid annually. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company accrued income based on loan origination and structuring fees of $1,074 and $1,618, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company accrued income based on loan origination and structuring fees of $0 and $446, respectively.

5. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price).

The fair value hierarchy under ASC 820 prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The levels used for classifying investments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these securities. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Basis of Fair Value Measurement

Level 1—Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices available in active markets for identical instruments as of the reporting date. The types of financial instruments included in Level 1 include unrestricted securities, including equities and derivatives, listed in active markets.

Level 2—Inputs to the valuation methodology are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. The types of financial instruments in this category include less liquid and restricted securities listed in active markets, securities traded in other than active markets, government and agency securities and certain over-the-counter derivatives where the fair value is based on observable inputs.

Level 3—Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to overall fair value measurement. The inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation. Financial instruments that are included in this category include investments in privately held entities and certain over-the-counter derivatives where the fair value is based on unobservable inputs.

 

F-75


A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Note 2 “Significant Accounting Policies” should be read in conjunction with the information outlined below.

The table below presents the valuation techniques and the nature of significant inputs generally used in determining the fair value of Level 2 Instruments.

 

Level 2 Instruments

  

Valuation Techniques and Significant Inputs

Equity and Fixed Income

  

The types of instruments that trade in markets that are not considered to be active but are valued based on quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency include commercial paper, most government agency obligations, most corporate debt securities, certain mortgage-backed securities, certain bank loans, less liquid publicly listed equities, certain state and municipal obligations, certain money market instruments and certain loan commitments.

 

Valuations of Level 2 Equity and Fixed Income instruments can be verified to quoted prices, broker or dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. Consideration is given to the nature of the quotations (e.g. indicative or firm) and the relationship of recent market activity to the prices provided from alternative pricing sources.

The table below presents the valuation techniques and the nature of significant inputs generally used in determining the fair value of Level 3 Instruments.

 

Level 3 Instruments

  

Valuation Techniques and Significant Inputs

Bank Loans, Corporate Debt, and Other Debt Obligations

   Valuations are generally based on discounted cash
flow techniques, for which the significant inputs are
the amount and timing of expected future cash flows,
market yields and recovery assumptions. The
significant inputs are generally determined based on
relative value analyses, which incorporate
comparisons both to credit default swaps that
reference the same underlying credit risk and to other
debt instruments for the same issuer for which
observable prices or broker quotes are available.
Other valuation methodologies are used as
appropriate including market comparables,
transactions in similar instruments and recovery/
liquidation analysis.

 

F-76


Level 3 Instruments

  

Valuation Techniques and Significant Inputs

Equity

   Recent third-party investments or pending
transactions are considered to be the best evidence for
any change in fair value. When these are not
available, the following valuation methodologies are
used, as appropriate and available:

 

•    Transactions in similar instruments;

 

•    Discounted cash flow techniques;

 

•    Third party appraisals; and

 

•    Industry multiples and public comparables.

 

Evidence includes recent or pending reorganizations
(for example, merger proposals, tender offers and
debt restructurings) and significant changes in
financial metrics, including:

 

•    Current financial performance as compared to
projected performance;

 

•    Capitalization rates and multiples; and

 

•    Market yields implied by transactions of similar
or related assets.

The tables below present the ranges of significant unobservable inputs used to value the Company’s Level 3 assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. These ranges represent the significant unobservable inputs that were used in the valuation of each type of instrument, but they do not represent a range of values for any one instrument. For example, the lowest yield in 1st Lien/Senior Secured is appropriate for valuing that specific debt investment, but may not be appropriate for valuing any other debt investments in this asset class. Accordingly, the ranges of inputs presented below do not represent uncertainty in, or possible ranges of, fair value measurements of the Company’s Level 3 assets and liabilities.

 

Level 3 Instruments

  

Level 3 Assets as of

September 30,  2016 1

  

Significant Unobservable

Inputs by Valuation

Techniques 2

   

Range 3 of Significant

Unobservable

Inputs (Weighted
Average 4 ) as of

September 30, 2016

Bank Loans, Corporate Debt, and Other Debt Obligations

  

 

1st Lien/Senior Secured

     Discounted cash flows:     
   $341,817          •    Discount Rate          8.2% - 14.8% (10.5%)
   1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche      Discounted cash flows:     
   $314,446          •    Discount Rate          9.9% - 21.6% (13.1%)
   2nd Lien/Senior Secured      Discounted cash flows:     
   $220,061          •    Discount Rate          8.9% -31.4% (11.8%)
        Comparable multiples:     
             •    EV/EBITDA 5           6.4x - 10.7x (7.5x)

 

F-77


Level 3 Instruments

  

Level 3 Assets as of

September 30,  2016 1

  

Significant Unobservable

Inputs by Valuation

Techniques 2

   

Range 3 of Significant

Unobservable

Inputs (Weighted

Average 4 ) as of

September 30, 2016

Equity

   Preferred Stock      Discounted cash flows:     
   $32,221          •    Discount Rate          14.4% - 15.0% (12%)
        Comparable multiples:     
             •    EV/EBITDA 5           5.7x - 11.9x (6.0x)
   Common Stock      Comparable multiples:     
   $2,392           •    EV/EBITDA 5           5.7x - 11.9x (6.0x)

 

 

1   Included within Level 3 Assets of $952,242 is an amount of $41,305 in which the Investment Adviser did not develop the unobservable inputs (examples include single source broker quotations, third party pricing, and prior transactions).
2   The fair value of any one instrument may be determined using multiple valuation techniques. For example, market comparable and discounted cash flows may be used together to determine fair value. Therefore, the level 3 balance encompasses both of these techniques.
3   The range for an asset category consisting of a single investment represents the relevant market data considered in determining the fair value of the investment.
4   Weighted average for an asset category consisting of multiple investments is calculated by weighting the significant unobservable input by the relative fair value of the investment. Weighted average for an asset category consisting of a single investment represents the significant unobservable input used in the fair value of the investment.
5   Enterprise value of portfolio company as a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

 

Level 3 Instruments

  

Level 3 Assets as of

December 31,  2015 1

  

Significant Unobservable

Inputs by Valuation

Techniques 2

 

Range 3 of Significant

Unobservable

Inputs (Weighted

Average 4 ) as of

December 31, 2015

Bank Loans, Corporate Debt, and Other Debt Obligations

  

 

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

   Discounted cash flows:  
   $362,331    •    Discount Rate   8.4% - 13.5% (10.9%)
   1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche    Discounted cash flows:  
   $305,727    •    Discount Rate   10.5% - 12.7% (11.8%)
   2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt    Discounted cash flows:  
   $199,821    •    Discount Rate   2.1% - 14% (11.6%)

Equity

   Preferred Stock    Discounted cash flows:  
   $24,872    •    Discount Rate   10% - 12% (11.8%)
      Comparable multiples:  
      •    EV/EBITDA 5

•    EV/Production 6

  3.8x - 7.1x (4.9x)

$13 - $40 ($27)

 

 

1 Included within Level 3 Assets of $950,631 is an amount of $57,880 for which the Investment Adviser did not develop the unobservable inputs (examples include single source broker quotations, third party pricing, and prior transactions).

 

F-78


2 The fair value of any one instrument may be determined using multiple valuation techniques. For example, market comparable and discounted cash flows may be used together to determine fair value. Therefore, the Level 3 balance encompasses both of these techniques.
3 The range for an asset category consisting of a single investment represents the relevant market data considered in determining the fair value of the investment.
4   Weighted average for an asset category consisting of multiple investments is calculated by weighting the significant unobservable input by the relative fair value of the investments. Weighted average for an asset category consisting of a single investment represents the significant unobservable input used in the fair value of the investment.
5 Enterprise value of portfolio company as a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
6 Enterprise value of portfolio company as a multiple of oil and gas production (barrels of oil equivalent per day).

As noted above, the income and market approaches were used in the determination of fair value of certain Level 3 assets as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The significant unobservable inputs used in the income approach are the discount rate or market yield used to discount the estimated future cash flows expected to be received from the underlying investment, which include both future principal and interest payments. An increase in the discount rate or market yield would result in a decrease in the fair value. Included in the consideration and selection of discount rates is risk of default, rating of the investment, call provisions and comparable company investments. The significant unobservable inputs used in the market approach are based on market comparable transactions and market multiples of publicly traded comparable companies. Increases or decreases in market multiples would result in an increase or decrease, respectively, in the fair value.

The following is a summary of the Company’s assets categorized within the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2016:

 

Assets

  

Level 1

    

Level 2

    

Level 3

    

Total

 

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

   $ —         $ 53,860       $ 383,122       $ 436,982   

1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

     —           —           314,446         314,446   

2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

     —           64,493         220,061         284,554   

Preferred Stock

     —           —           32,221         32,221   

Common Stock

     —           2,621         2,392         5,013   

Affiliated Money Market Fund

     3         —           —           3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

   $ 3       $ 120,974       $ 952,242       $ 1,073,219   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investments measured at NAV 1

              69,752   
           

 

 

 

Total assets

            $ 1,142,971   
           

 

 

 

 

 

1 Includes equity investments in the Senior Credit Fund.

 

 

F-79


The following is a summary of the Company’s assets categorized within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2015:

 

Assets

  

Level 1

    

Level 2

    

Level 3

    

Total

 

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

   $ —         $ 57,767       $ 362,331       $ 420,098   

1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

     —           —           305,727         305,727   

2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

     —           27,769         257,701         285,470   

Preferred Stock

     —           —           24,872         24,872   

Common Stock

     —           —           —           —     

Affiliated Money Market Fund

     10,117         —           —           10,117   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

   $ 10,117       $ 85,536       $ 950,631       $ 1,046,284   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investments measured at NAV 1

              44,897   
           

 

 

 

Total assets

            $ 1,091,181   
           

 

 

 

 

 

1 Includes equity investments in the Senior Credit Fund.

The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2016:

 

Level 3

 

Beginning
Balance
as of
January 1,
2016

   

Purchases(1)

   

Net
Realized
Gain

(Loss)

   

Net Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)(2)

   

Sales and

Settlements(1)

   

Net

Amortization

of Premium/

Discount

   

Transfers
In

   

Transfers
Out

   

Ending
Balance

as of
September 30,
2016

 

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

  $ 362,331      $ 99,430      $ —        $ 611      $ (80,300   $ 1,050      $ —        $ —        $ 383,122   

1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

    305,727        53,379        123        (11,375     (34,407     999        —          —          314,446   

2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

    257,701        79,808        (22,116     (6,762     (73,138     1,368        —          (16,800     220,061   

Preferred Stock

    24,872        10,686        —          1,454                      —          (4,791     32,221   

Common Stock

    —          2,395        —          4,443                      —          (4,446     2,392   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

  $ 950,631      $ 245,698      $ (21,993   $ (11,629   $ (187,845   $ 3,417      $ —        $ (26,037   $ 952,242   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Purchases may include PIK, securities received in corporate actions and restructurings. Sales and Settlements may include securities delivered in corporate actions and restructuring of investments.
(2) Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) relating to assets still held at September 30, 2016 totaled $(10,624), consisting of the following: 1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt $611, 1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche $(11,375), 2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt $(5,757), Preferred Stock $1,454, and Common Stock $4,443.

The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

 

Level 3

 

Beginning
Balance
as of
January 1,
2015

   

Purchases(1)

   

Net
Realized
Gain

(Loss)

   

Net Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)(2)

   

Sales and

Settlements(1)

   

Net

Amortization

of Premium/

Discount

   

Transfers
In

   

Transfers
Out

   

Ending
Balance

as of
September 30,
2015

 

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

  $ 176,931      $ 201,262      $ (98   $ 1,791      $ (20,135   $ 815      $ —        $ —        $ 360,566   

1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

    275,567        36,496        —          (204     (7,823     901        —          —          304,937   

2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt

    304,541        47,923        —          (4,605     (51,000     1,644        —          —          298,503   

Preferred Stock

    26,358        308        —          (1,775     —          —          —          —          24,891   

Common Stock

    632        10,000        —          (632     —          —          —          —          10,000   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

  $ 784,029      $ 295,989      $ (98   $ (5,425   $ (78,958   $ 3,360      $ —        $ —        $ 998,897   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-80


 

(1) Purchases may include securities received in corporate actions and PIK. Sales and Settlements may include securities delivered in corporate actions.
(2) Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) relating to assets still held at September 30, 2015 totaled $(4,052) consisting of the following: 1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt $1,660, 1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche $(204), 2nd Lien/Senior Secured Debt $(3,101), Preferred Stock $(1,775), and Common Stock $(632).

Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are reported at the beginning of the reporting period in which they occur. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, transfers from Level 3 to Level 2 were due to increased price transparency.

Debt

The fair value of the Company’s debt, which would have been categorized as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, approximates its carrying value.

6. DEBT

In accordance with the Investment Company Act, with certain exceptions, the Company is only allowed to borrow amounts such that its asset coverage ratio, as defined in the Investment Company Act, is at least 2 to 1 after such borrowing. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company’s outstanding borrowings were $471,250 and $419,000, respectively, and the Company’s asset coverage ratio was 2.43 to 1 and 2.64 to 1, respectively.

Revolving Credit Facility

On September 19, 2013, the Company entered into a revolving credit facility (as amended, the “Revolving Credit Facility”) with various lenders. SunTrust Bank serves as administrative agent and Bank of America N.A. serves as syndication agent under the Revolving Credit Facility.

On October 3, 2014, the Company amended and restated the Revolving Credit Facility to, among other things:

 

    increase the aggregate borrowing amount of $340,000 to $485,000 on a committed basis;

 

    increase the total borrowing capacity from a maximum of $500,000 to $900,000;

 

    extend the maturity date from September 19, 2017 to October 3, 2019; and

 

    reduce the applicable margin of borrowings with respect to (i) any loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the alternate base rate from 1.50% to 1.25% and (ii) any loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the adjusted LIBOR rate from 2.50% to 2.25%.

On January 16, 2015, the Company exercised the right under the accordion feature and increased the size of the Revolving Credit Facility to $535,000, on a committed basis.

On March 27, 2015, the Company exercised the right under the accordion feature and increased the size of the Revolving Credit Facility to $560,000, on a committed basis.

 

F-81


On November 3, 2015, the Company further amended the Revolving Credit Facility to, among other things:

 

    increase the aggregate borrowing amount to $570,000 on a committed basis;

 

    increase the total borrowing capacity to a maximum of $1,000,000;

 

    extend the final maturity date to November 4, 2020; and

 

    reduce the applicable margin of borrowings with respect to (i) any loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the alternate base rate from 1.25% to 0.75% or 1.00%, subject to borrowing base conditions and (ii) any loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the adjusted LIBOR rate from 2.25% to 1.75% or 2.00%, subject to borrowing base conditions.

Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, including amounts drawn in respect of letters of credit, bear interest (at the Company’s election) of either LIBOR plus an applicable margin or an applicable margin plus the higher of the Prime Rate, Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% or overnight LIBOR plus 1.0%. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears. The Company pays a fee of 0.375% per annum on committed but undrawn amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility, payable quarterly in arrears. Any amounts borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility will mature, and all accrued and unpaid interest will be due and payable, on November 4, 2020.

The Company’s obligations to the lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility are secured by a first priority security interest in substantially the Company’s entire portfolio of investments and cash. The Revolving Credit Facility contains certain covenants, including: (i) maintaining a minimum stockholder’s equity of $458,159, subject to increase pending certain equity sales, (ii) maintaining an asset coverage ratio of at least 2 to 1, (iii) maintaining a minimum liquidity test of at least 10% of the covered debt amount during any period when the adjusted covered debt balance is greater than 90% of the adjusted borrowing base, as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility, and (iv) complying with restrictions on industry concentrations in the Company’s investment portfolio. As of September 30, 2016, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

Costs of $8,247 were incurred in connection with obtaining and amending the Revolving Credit Facility, which have been recorded as deferred financing costs on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities and are being amortized over the life of the Revolving Credit Facility using the straight-line method.

The summary information of the Revolving Credit Facility for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:

 

    

Three Months Ended
September 30,

   

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 
    

2016

   

2015

   

2016

   

2015

 

Borrowing interest expense

   $ 3,206      $ 2,568      $ 8,632      $ 6,114   

Facility fees

     118        190        369        674   

Amortization of financing costs

     304        295        908        868   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 3,628      $ 3,053      $ 9,909      $ 7,656   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average interest rate

     2.55     2.47     2.50     2.47

Average outstanding balance

   $ 500,070      $ 412,304      $ 460,469      $ 331,608   

 

F-82


7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments

The Company may enter into commitments to fund investments. The Company had the following unfunded commitments by investment types as of the dates indicated:

 

    

September 30, 2016

   

December 31, 2015

 
    

Commitment
Expiration
Date (1)

    

Unfunded
Commitment (2)

    

Fair
Value (3)

   

Commitment
Expiration
Date (1)

    

Unfunded
Commitment (2)

    

Fair

Value (3)

 

1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

                

Legacy Buyer Corp.

     10/24/2019       $ 800       $ (16     10/24/2019       $ 2,500       $ (31

Elemica, Inc.

     07/07/2021         6,000         (135     —           —           —     
     

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total 1st Lien/Senior Secured Debt

        6,800         (151        2,500         (31
     

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

                

Associations, Inc.

     —           —           —          12/22/2018         3,511         (61
     

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total 1st Lien/Last-Out Unitranche

        —           —             3,511         (61
     

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

      $ 6,800       $ (151      $ 6,011       $ (92
     

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Commitments are generally subject to borrowers meeting certain criteria such as compliance with covenants and certain operational metrics. These amounts may remain outstanding until the commitment period of an applicable loan expires, which may be shorter than its maturity.
(2) Net of capitalized fees, expenses, and original issue discounts.
(3) A negative fair value was reflected as investments, at fair value in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The negative fair value is the result of the capitalized discount on the loan.

Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contracts that provide a variety of general indemnifications. Any exposure to the Company under these arrangements could involve future claims that may be made against the Company. Currently, no such claims exist or are expected to arise and, accordingly, the Company has not accrued any liability in connection with such indemnifications.

8. NET ASSETS

Equity Issuances

On March 23, 2015, the Company completed its IPO, issuing 6,000,000 shares at $20.00 per share. Net of offering and underwriting costs, the Company received cash proceeds of $114,568.

In April 2015, the Company issued a total of 900,000 shares of its common stock pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option in connection with the IPO. Net of underwriting costs, the Company received additional cash proceeds of $17,271.

 

F-83


Distributions

The following table reflects the distributions declared on shares of the Company’s common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2016:

 

Date Declared

 

Record Date

 

Payment Date

 

Amount Per Share

February 25, 2016

  March 31, 2016   April 15, 2016   $0.45

May 3, 2016

  June 30, 2016   July 15, 2016   $0.45

August 2, 2016

  September 30, 2016   October 17, 2016   $0.45

The following table reflects the distributions declared on shares of the Company’s common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

 

Date Declared

 

Record Date

 

Payment Date

 

Amount Per Share

February 25, 2015

  March 31, 2015   April 30, 2015   $0.45

May 13, 2015

  June 30, 2015   July 15, 2015   $0.45

August 4, 2015

  September 30, 2015   October 15, 2015   $0.45

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

Concurrent with the IPO, the Company adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of all cash distributions declared by the Board of Directors, unless a stockholder elects to “opt out” of the plan. As a result, if the Board of Directors declares a cash distribution, then the stockholders who have not “opted out” of the dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of common stock, rather than receiving the cash distribution.

The following table summarizes shares distributed pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to stockholders who had not opted out of the dividend reinvestment plan:

 

Date Declared

 

Record Date

 

Payment Date

 

Shares

November 3, 2015

  December 31, 2015   January 28, 2016   8,206

February 25, 2016

  March 31, 2016   April 15, 2016   5,555

May 3, 2016

  June 30, 2016   July 15, 2016   8,937

The following table summarizes shares distributed pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to stockholders who had not opted out of the dividend reinvestment plan:

 

Date Declared

 

Record Date

 

Payment Date

 

Shares

February 25, 2015

  March 31, 2015   April 30, 2015   6,982

May 13, 2015

  June 30, 2015   July 15, 2015   5,336

9. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following information sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
    

2016

    

2015

    

2016

    

2015

 

Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share - increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 22,663       $ 13,483       $ 35,064       $ 45,441   

Denominator for basic and diluted earnings per share - weighted average shares outstanding

     36,320,014         36,292,619         36,312,852         34,270,102   

Basic and diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.62       $ 0.37       $ 0.97       $ 1.33   

 

F-84


Diluted earnings per share equals basic earnings per share because there were no common stock equivalents outstanding during the periods presented.

10. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Below is the schedule of financial highlights of the Company for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:

 

    

For the Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2016

 

For the Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2015

Per Share Data: (1)

    

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 18.97      $ 19.56   

Net investment income (loss)

     1.60        1.52   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     (0.64     (0.26
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     0.96        1.26   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of issuance of common stock, net of underwriting and offering costs

     —          (0.09

Distributions declared from net investment income (2)

     (1.35     (1.34

Distributions declared from net realized gains (2)

     —          (0.01
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

     (0.39     (0.18
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 18.58      $ 19.38   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market price, end of period

   $ 21.77      $ 18.41   

Shares outstanding, end of period

     36,321,374        36,293,445   

Total return based on net asset value (3)

     4.89%        5.71%   

Total return based on market value (4)

     22.70%        (1.79 )% 

Ratio/Supplemental Data (all amounts in thousands except ratios):

    

Net assets, end of period

   $ 674,970      $ 703,539   

Ratio of expenses (without incentive fees and interest and credit facility expenses) to average net assets (5)

     3.44%        3.00%   

Ratio of interest and credit facility expenses to average net assets (6)

     1.96%        1.54%   

Ratio of incentive fees to average net assets (6)

     1.77%        2.29%   

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets (5)

     7.17%        6.83%   

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (5)(7)

     11.45%        10.51%   

Portfolio turnover

     13%        8%   

 

 

(1) The per share data was derived by using the weighted average shares outstanding during the applicable period.
(2) The per share data for distributions declared reflects the actual amount of distributions declared per share for the applicable period.
(3) Total return based on net asset value is calculated as the change in net asset value per share during the respective periods, assuming dividends and distributions, if any, are reinvested in accordance with the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan.
(4) Total return based on market value is calculated as the change in market value per share during the respective periods, assuming dividends and distributions, if any, are reinvested in accordance with the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the beginning market value per share is based on the initial public offering price of $20.00 per share.
(5) Annualized except for certain operating expenses.
(6) Annualized.
(7) For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, annualized except for certain components of other income.

 

F-85


11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent events after the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities date have been evaluated through the date the unaudited consolidated financial statements were issued. Other than the items discussed below, the Company has concluded that there is no impact requiring adjustment or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.

On October 3, 2016, the Company closed an offering of $115,000 aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible notes (the “Convertible Notes”), which amount includes $15,000 aggregate principal amount issued pursuant to the initial purchasers’ exercise in full of an over-allotment option. The Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.50% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing on April 1, 2017. The Convertible Notes will mature on April 1, 2022, unless repurchased or converted in accordance with their terms prior to such date. In certain circumstances, the Convertible Notes will be convertible into cash, shares of the Company’s common stock or a combination of cash and shares of the Company’s common stock, based on an initial conversion rate of 40.8397 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $24.49 per share of common stock, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments and the other terms of the indenture governing the Convertible Notes. The conversion price is approximately 10.0% above the $22.26 per share closing price of the Company’s common stock on September 27, 2016. The Company will not have the right to redeem the Convertible Notes prior to maturity. The sale of the Convertible Notes generated net proceeds of approximately $110,900. The Company used the net proceeds of the offering to pay down debt under the Revolving Credit Facility.

On November 1, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly distribution of $0.45 per share payable on or about January 17, 2017 to holders of record as of December 31, 2016.

 

F-86


ANNEX A

Effective: March 2016

GSAM Proxy Voting Guidelines Summary

The following is a summary of the material GSAM Proxy Voting Guidelines (the “Guidelines”), which form the substantive basis of GSAM’s Policy on Proxy Voting for Investment Advisory Clients (the “Policy”). As described in the main body of the Policy, one or more GSAM portfolio management teams may diverge from the Guidelines and a related Recommendation on any particular proxy vote or in connection with any individual investment decision in accordance with the Policy.

 

  A. US proxy items:

 

1.    Operational Items    page A-1
2.    Board of Directors    page A-2
3.    Executive Compensation    page A-5
4.    Director Nominees and Proxy Access    page A-7
5.    Shareholder Rights and Defenses    page A-8
6.    Mergers and Corporate Restructurings    page A-9
7.    State of Incorporation    page A-9
8.    Capital Structure    page A-9
9.    Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)/Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) Issues    page A-9

 

  B. Non-U.S. proxy items:

 

1.    Operational Items    page A-12
2.    Board of Directors    page A-13
3.    Compensation    page A-15
4.    Board Structure    page A-16
5.    Capital Structure    page A-16
6.    Mergers and Corporate Restructurings & Other    page A-18
7.    Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)/Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) Issues    page A-19

U.S. Proxy Items

The following section is a summary of the Guidelines, which form the substantive basis of the Policy with respect to U.S. public equity investments.

 

1. Operational Items

Auditor Ratification

Vote FOR proposals to ratify auditors, unless any of the following apply within the last year:

 

    An auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent;
    There is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion which is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position;

 

A-1


    Poor accounting practices are identified that rise to a serious level of concern, such as: fraud; misapplication of GAAP; or material weaknesses identified in Section 404 disclosures; or
    Fees for non-audit services are excessive (generally over 50% or more of the audit fees).

Vote CASE-BY-CASE on shareholder proposals asking companies to prohibit or limit their auditors from engaging in non-audit services or asking for audit firm rotation.

 

2. Board of Directors

The board of directors should promote the interests of shareholders by acting in an oversight and/or advisory role; the board should consist of a majority of independent directors and should be held accountable for actions and results related to their responsibilities.

When evaluating board composition, GSAM believes a diversity of ethnicity, gender and experience is an important consideration.

Classification of Directors

Where applicable, the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ Listing Standards definition is to be used to classify directors as insiders or affiliated outsiders. General definitions are as follows:

 

    Inside Director
      Employee of the company or one of its affiliates
      Among the five most highly paid individuals (excluding interim CEO)
      Listed as an officer as defined under Section 16 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
      Current interim CEO
      Beneficial owner of more than 50 % of the company’s voting power (this may be aggregated if voting power is distributed among more than one member of a defined group)

 

    Affiliated Outside Director
      Board attestation that an outside director is not independent
      Former CEO or other executive of the company within the last 3 years
      Former CEO or other executive of an acquired company within the past three years

 

    Independent Outside Director
      No material connection to the company other than a board seat

Additionally, GSAM will consider compensation committee interlocking directors to be affiliated (defined as CEOs who sit on each other’s compensation committees).

Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections

Vote on director nominees should be determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from individual directors who:

    Attend less than 75 % of the board and committee meetings without a disclosed valid excuse for each of the last two years;
    Sit on more than six public operating and/or holding company boards;
    Are CEOs of public companies who sit on the boards of more than two public companies besides their own—withhold only at their outside boards.

 

A-2


Other items considered for an AGAINST vote include specific concerns about the individual or the company, such as criminal wrongdoing or breach of fiduciary responsibilities, sanctions from government or authority, violations of laws and regulations, or other issues related to improper business practice.

Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from Inside Directors and Affiliated Outside Directors (per the Classification of Directors above) in the case of operating and/or holding companies when:

    The Inside Director or Affiliated Outside Director serves on the Audit, Compensation, or Nominating Committees; and
    The company lacks an Audit, Compensation or Nominating Committee so that the full board functions as such committees and Insider Directors or Affiliated Outside Directors are participating in voting on matters that independent committees should be voting on.

Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from members of the appropriate committee for the following reasons (or independent chairman or lead director in cases of a classified board and members of appropriate committee are not up for reelection). Extreme cases may warrant a vote against the entire board.

 

    Material failures of governance, stewardship, or fiduciary responsibilities at the company;
    Egregious actions related to the director(s)’ service on other boards that raise substantial doubt about his or her ability to effectively oversee management and serve the best interests of shareholders at any company;
    At the previous board election, any director received more than 50 % withhold/against votes of the shares cast and the company has failed to address the underlying issue(s) that caused the high withhold/against vote (members of the Nominating or Governance Committees);
    The board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received approval of the majority of shares cast for the previous two consecutive years (a management proposal with other than a FOR recommendation by management will not be considered as sufficient action taken); an adopted proposal that is substantially similar to the original shareholder proposal will be deemed sufficient; (vote against members of the committee of the board that is responsible for the issue under consideration). If GSAM did not support the shareholder proposal in both years, GSAM will still vote against the committee member(s).

Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from the members of the Audit Committee if:

    The non-audit fees paid to the auditor are excessive (generally over 50% or more of the audit fees);
    The company receives an adverse opinion on the company’s financial statements from its auditor and there is not clear evidence that the situation has been remedied; or
    There is persuasive evidence that the Audit Committee entered into an inappropriate indemnification agreement with its auditor that limits the ability of the company, or its shareholders, to pursue legitimate legal recourse against the audit firm.

Vote CASE-BY-CASE on members of the Audit Committee and/or the full board if poor accounting practices, which rise to a level of serious concern are identified, such as fraud, misapplication of GAAP and material weaknesses identified in Section 404 disclosures.

Examine the severity, breadth, chronological sequence and duration, as well as the company’s efforts at remediation or corrective actions, in determining whether negative vote recommendations are warranted against the members of the Audit Committee who are responsible for the poor accounting practices, or the entire board.

See section 3 on executive and director compensation for reasons to withhold from members of the Compensation Committee.

 

A-3


In limited circumstances, GSAM may vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from all nominees of the board of directors (except from new nominees who should be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis and except as discussed below) if:

    The company’s poison pill has a dead-hand or modified dead-hand feature for two or more years. Vote against/withhold every year until this feature is removed; however, vote against the poison pill if there is one on the ballot with this feature rather than the director;
    The board adopts or renews a poison pill without shareholder approval, does not commit to putting it to shareholder vote within 12 months of adoption (or in the case of an newly public company, does not commit to put the pill to a shareholder vote within 12 months following the IPO), or reneges on a commitment to put the pill to a vote, and has not yet received a withhold/against recommendation for this issue;
    The board failed to act on takeover offers where the majority of the shareholders tendered their shares;
    If in an extreme situation the board lacks accountability and oversight, coupled with sustained poor performance relative to peers.

Shareholder proposal regarding Independent Chair (Separate Chair/CEO)

Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

GSAM will generally recommend a vote AGAINST shareholder proposals requiring that the chairman’s position be filled by an independent director, if the company satisfies 3 of the 4 following criteria:

    Designated lead director, elected by and from the independent board members with clearly delineated and comprehensive duties;
    Two-thirds independent board;
    All independent “key” committees (audit, compensation and nominating committees); or
    Established, disclosed governance guidelines.

Shareholder proposal regarding board declassification

GSAM will generally vote FOR proposals requesting that the board adopt a declassified structure in the case of operating and holding companies.

Majority Vote Shareholder Proposals

GSAM will vote FOR proposals requesting that the board adopt majority voting in the election of directors provided it does not conflict with the state law where the company is incorporated.

GSAM also looks for companies to adopt a post-election policy outlining how the company will address the situation of a holdover director.

Cumulative Vote Shareholder Proposals

GSAM will generally support shareholder proposals to restore or provide cumulative voting in the case of operating and holding companies unless:

    The company has adopted (i) majority vote standard with a carve-out for plurality voting in situations where there are more nominees than seats and (ii) a director resignation policy to address failed elections.

 

A-4


3. Executive Compensation

Pay Practices

Good pay practices should align management’s interests with long-term shareholder value creation. Detailed disclosure of compensation criteria is preferred; proof that companies follow the criteria should be evident and retroactive performance target changes without proper disclosure is not viewed favorably. Compensation practices should allow a company to attract and retain proven talent. Some examples of poor pay practices include: abnormally large bonus payouts without justifiable performance linkage or proper disclosure, egregious employment contracts, excessive severance and/or change in control provisions, repricing or replacing of underwater stock options/stock appreciation rights without prior shareholder approval, and excessive perquisites. A company should also have an appropriate balance of short-term vs. long-term metrics and the metrics should be aligned with business goals and objectives.

If the company maintains problematic or poor pay practices, generally vote:

 

    AGAINST Management Say on Pay (MSOP) Proposals; or
    AGAINST an equity-based incentive plan proposal if excessive non-performance-based equity awards are the major contributor to a pay-for-performance misalignment.
    If no MSOP or equity-based incentive plan proposal item is on the ballot, vote AGAINST/WITHHOLD from compensation committee members.

Equity Compensation Plans

Vote CASE-BY-CASE on equity-based compensation plans. Evaluation takes into account potential plan cost, plan features and grant practices. While a negative combination of these factors could cause a vote AGAINST, other reasons to vote AGAINST the equity plan could include the following factors:

 

    The plan permits the repricing of stock options/stock appreciation rights (SARs) without prior shareholder approval;

or

    There is more than one problematic material feature of the plan, which could include one of the following:

unfavorable change-in-control features, presence of gross ups and options reload.

Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (Say-on-Pay, MSOP) Management Proposals

Vote FOR annual frequency and AGAINST shareholder or management proposals asking for any frequency less than annual.

Vote CASE-BY-CASE on management proposals for an advisory vote on executive compensation. For U.S. companies, consider the following factors in the context of each company’s specific circumstances and the board’s disclosed rationale for its practices. In general more than one factor will need to be present in order to warrant a vote AGAINST.

Pay-for-Performance Disconnect:

    GSAM will consider there to be a disconnect based on a quantitative assessment of the following: CEO pay vs. TSR and peers, CEO pay as a percentage of the median peer group or CEO pay vs. shareholder return over time.

Additional Factors Considered Include:

    Boards responsiveness if company received 70% or less shareholder support in the previous year’s MSOP vote;

 

A-5


    Abnormally large bonus payouts without justifiable performance linkage or proper disclosure;
    Egregious employment contracts;
    Excessive perquisites or excessive severance and/or change in control provisions;
    Repricing or replacing of underwater stock options without prior shareholder approval;
    Excessive pledging or hedging of stock by executives;
    Egregious pension/SERP (supplemental executive retirement plan) payouts;
    Extraordinary relocation benefits;
    Internal pay disparity;
    Lack of transparent disclosure of compensation philosophy and goals and targets, including details on short-term and long-term performance incentives; and
    Long-term equity-based compensation is 100% time-based.

Other Compensation Proposals and Policies

Employee Stock Purchase Plans — Non-Qualified Plans

Vote CASE-BY-CASE on nonqualified employee stock purchase plans taking into account the following factors:

    Broad-based participation;
    Limits on employee contributions;
    Company matching contributions; and
    Presence of a discount on the stock price on the date of purchase.

Option Exchange Programs/Repricing Options

Vote CASE-BY-CASE on management proposals seeking approval to exchange/reprice options, taking into consideration:

    Historic trading patterns—the stock price should not be so volatile that the options are likely to be back “in-the-money” over the near term;
    Rationale for the re-pricing;
    If it is a value-for-value exchange;
    If surrendered stock options are added back to the plan reserve;
    Option vesting;
    Term of the option—the term should remain the same as that of the replaced option;
    Exercise price—should be set at fair market or a premium to market;
    Participants—executive officers and directors should be excluded.

Vote FOR shareholder proposals to put option repricings to a shareholder vote.

Other Shareholder Proposals on Compensation

Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (Frequency on Pay)

Vote FOR annual frequency.

Stock retention holding period

Vote FOR shareholder proposals asking for a policy requiring that senior executives retain a significant percentage of shares acquired through equity compensation programs if the policy requests retention for two years or less following the termination of their employment (through retirement or otherwise) and a holding threshold percentage of 50% or less.

 

A-6


Also consider:

    Whether the company has any holding period, retention ratio, or officer ownership requirements in place and the terms/provisions of awards already granted.

Elimination of accelerated vesting in the event of a change in control

Vote AGAINST shareholder proposals seeking a policy eliminating the accelerated vesting of time-based equity awards in the event of a change-in-control.

Performance-based equity awards and pay-for-superior-performance proposals

Generally support unless there is sufficient evidence that the current compensation structure is already substantially performance-based. GSAM considers performance-based awards to include awards that are tied to shareholder return or other metrics that are relevant to the business.

Say on Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (SERP)

Generally vote AGAINST proposals asking for shareholder votes on SERP.

 

4. Director Nominees and Proxy Access

Voting for Director Nominees (Management or Shareholder)

Vote CASE-BY-CASE on the election of directors of operating and holding companies in contested elections, considering the following factors:

    Long-term financial performance of the target company relative to its industry;
    Management’s track record;
    Background of the nomination, in cases where there is a shareholder nomination;
    Qualifications of director nominee(s);
    Strategic plan related to the nomination and quality of critique against management; and
    Likelihood that the Board will be productive as a result.

Proxy Access

Vote CASE-BY-CASE on shareholder or management proposals asking for proxy access.

GSAM may support proxy access as an important right for shareholders of operating and holding companies and as an alternative to costly proxy contests and as a method for GSAM to vote for directors on an individual basis, as appropriate, rather than voting on one slate or the other. While this could be an important shareholder right, the following factors will be taken into account when evaluating the shareholder proposals:

    The ownership thresholds, percentage and duration proposed (GSAM generally will not support if the ownership threshold is less than 3%);
    The maximum proportion of directors that shareholders may nominate each year (GSAM generally will not support if the proportion of directors is greater than 25%); and
    Other restricting factors that when taken in combination could serve to materially limit the proxy access provision.

When evaluating companies that adopted proxy access either proactively or in response to a shareholder proposal, GSAM will take into account the factors listed above. A vote against governance committee members could result if provisions exist that materially limit the right to proxy access.

 

A-7


Reimbursing Proxy Solicitation Expenses

Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to reimburse proxy solicitation expenses. When voting in conjunction with support of a dissident slate, vote FOR the reimbursement of all appropriate proxy solicitation expenses associated with the election.

 

5. Shareholders Rights & Defenses

Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent

In the case of operating and holding companies, generally vote FOR shareholder proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to act by written consent, unless:

    The company already gives shareholders the right to call special meetings at a threshold of 25% or lower; and
    The company has a history of strong governance practices.

Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings

In the case of operating and holding companies, generally vote FOR management proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to call special meetings.

In the case of operating and holding companies, generally vote FOR shareholder proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to call special meetings at a threshold of 25% or lower if the company currently does not give shareholders the right to call special meetings. However, if a company already gives shareholders the right to call special meetings at a threshold of at least 25%, vote AGAINST shareholder proposals to further reduce the threshold .

Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Proposals/Nominations

In the case of operating and holding companies, vote CASE-BY-CASE on advance notice proposals, giving support to proposals that allow shareholders to submit proposals/nominations reasonably close to the meeting date and within the broadest window possible, recognizing the need to allow sufficient notice for company, regulatory and shareholder review.

Poison Pills

Vote FOR shareholder proposals requesting that the company submit its poison pill to a shareholder vote or redeem it UNLESS the company has: (1) A shareholder-approved poison pill in place; or (2) the company has adopted a policy concerning the adoption of a pill in the future specifying certain shareholder friendly provisions.

Vote FOR shareholder proposals calling for poison pills to be put to a vote within a time period of less than one year after adoption.

Vote CASE-BY-CASE on management proposals on poison pill ratification, focusing on the features of the shareholder rights plan.

In addition, the rationale for adopting the pill should be thoroughly explained by the company. In examining the request for the pill, take into consideration the company’s existing governance structure, including: board independence, existing takeover defenses, and any problematic governance concerns.

 

A-8


6. Mergers and Corporate Restructurings

Vote CASE-BY-CASE on mergers and acquisitions taking into account the following based on publicly available information:

    Valuation;
    Market reaction;
    Strategic rationale;
    Management’s track record of successful integration of historical acquisitions;
    Presence of conflicts of interest; and
    Governance profile of the combined company.

 

7. State of Incorporation

Reincorporation Proposals

GSAM may support management proposals to reincorporate as long as the reincorporation would not substantially diminish shareholder rights. GSAM may not support shareholder proposals for reincorporation unless the current state of incorporation is substantially less shareholder friendly than the proposed reincorporation, there is a strong economic case to reincorporate or the company has a history of making decisions that are not shareholder friendly.

Exclusive venue for shareholder lawsuits

Generally vote FOR on exclusive venue proposals, taking into account:

    Whether the company has been materially harmed by shareholder litigation outside its jurisdiction of incorporation, based on disclosure in the company’s proxy statement;
    Whether the company has the following good governance features:
      Majority independent board;
      Independent key committees;
      An annually elected board;
      A majority vote standard in uncontested director elections;
      The absence of a poison pill, unless the pill was approved by shareholder; and/or
      Separate Chairman CEO role or, if combined, an independent chairman with clearly delineated duties.

 

8. Capital Structure

Common and Preferred Stock Authorization

Generally vote FOR proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance.

Generally vote FOR proposals to increase the number of shares of preferred stock, as long as there is a commitment to not use the shares for anti-takeover purposes.

 

9. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)/Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) Issues

Overall Approach

GSAM recognizes that Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors can affect investment performance, expose potential investment risks and provide an indication of management excellence and leadership. When evaluating ESG proxy issues, GSAM balances the purpose of a proposal with the overall benefit to shareholders.

 

A-9


Shareholder proposals considered under this category could include, among others, reports on:

1) employee labor and safety policies;
2) impact on the environment of the company’s production or manufacturing operations;
3) societal impact of products manufactured;
4) risks throughout the supply chain or operations including animal treatment practices within food production and conflict minerals; and
5) board diversity.

When evaluating environmental and social shareholder proposals, the following factors are generally considered:

    The company’s current level of publicly-available disclosure, including if the company already discloses similar information through existing reports or policies;
    If the company has implemented or formally committed to the implementation of a reporting program based on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines or a similar standard;
    Whether adoption of the proposal is likely to enhance or protect shareholder value;
    Whether the information requested concerns business issues that relate to a meaningful percentage of the company’s business;
    The degree to which the company’s stated position on the issues raised in the proposal could affect its reputation or sales, or leave it vulnerable to a boycott or selective purchasing;
    Whether the company has already responded in some appropriate manner to the request embodied in the proposal;
    What other companies in the relevant industry have done in response to the issue addressed in the proposal;
    Whether the proposal itself is well framed and the cost of preparing the report is reasonable;
    Whether the subject of the proposal is best left to the discretion of the board;
    Whether the company has material fines or violations in the area and if so, if appropriate actions have already been taken to remedy going forward;
    Whether providing this information would reveal proprietary or confidential information that would place the company at a competitive disadvantage.

Sustainability, climate change reporting

Generally vote FOR proposals requesting the company to report on its policies, initiatives and oversight mechanisms related to environmental sustainability, or how the company may be impacted by climate change. The following factors will be considered:

    The company’s current level of publicly-available disclosure including if the company already discloses similar information through existing reports or policies;
    If the company has formally committed to the implementation of a reporting program based on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines or a similar standard within a specified time frame;
    If the company’s current level of disclosure is comparable to that of its industry peers; and
    If there are significant controversies, fines, penalties, or litigation associated with the company’s environmental performance.

Establishing goals or targets for emissions reduction

Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals that call for the adoption of Greenhouse Gas (“GHG”) reduction goals from products and operations, taking into account:

    Overly prescriptive requests for the reduction in GHG emissions by specific amounts or within a specific time frame;
    Whether company disclosure lags behind industry peers;
    Whether the company has been the subject of recent, significant violations, fines, litigation, or controversy related to GHG emissions;

 

A-10


    The feasibility of reduction of GHGs given the company’s product line and current technology and;
    Whether the company already provides meaningful disclosure on GHG emissions from its products and operations.

Political Contributions and Trade Association Spending/Lobbying Expenditures and Initiatives

GSAM generally believes that it is the role of boards and management to determine the appropriate level of disclosure of all types of corporate political activity. When evaluating these proposals, GSAM considers the prescriptive nature of the proposal and the overall benefit to shareholders along with a company’s current disclosure of policies, practices and oversight.

Generally vote AGAINST proposals asking the company to affirm political nonpartisanship in the workplace so long as:

    There are no recent, significant controversies, fines or litigation regarding the company’s political contributions or trade association spending; and
    The company has procedures in place to ensure that employee contributions to company-sponsored political action committees (PACs) are strictly voluntary and prohibits coercion.

Vote AGAINST proposals requesting increased disclosure of a company’s policies with respect to political contributions, lobbying and trade association spending as long as:

    There is no significant potential threat or actual harm to shareholders’ interests;
    There are no recent significant controversies or litigation related to the company’s political contributions or governmental affairs; and
    There is publicly available information to assess the company’s oversight related to such expenditures of corporate assets.

GSAM generally will vote AGAINST proposals asking for detailed disclosure of political contributions or trade association or lobbying expenditures.

Vote AGAINST proposals barring the company from making political contributions. Businesses are affected by legislation at the federal, state, and local level and barring political contributions can put the company at a competitive disadvantage.

Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

A company should have a clear, public Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) statement and/or diversity policy. Generally vote FOR proposals seeking to amend a company’s EEO statement or diversity policies to additionally prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

Labor and Human Rights Standards

Generally vote FOR proposals requesting a report on company or company supplier labor and/or human rights standards and policies, or on the impact of its operations on society, unless such information is already publicly disclosed considering:

    The degree to which existing relevant policies and practices are disclosed;
    Whether or not existing relevant policies are consistent with internationally recognized standards;
    Whether company facilities and those of its suppliers are monitored and how;
    Company participation in fair labor organizations or other internationally recognized human rights initiatives;
    Scope and nature of business conducted in markets known to have higher risk of workplace labor/human rights abuse;
    Recent, significant company controversies, fines, or litigation regarding human rights at the company or its suppliers;
    The scope of the request; and
    Deviation from industry sector peer company standards and practices.

 

A-11


Non-U.S. Proxy Items

The following section is a broad summary of the Guidelines, which form the basis of the Policy with respect to non-U.S. public equity investments. Applying these guidelines is subject to certain regional and country-specific exceptions and modifications and is not inclusive of all considerations in each market.

 

1. Operational Items

Financial Results/Director and Auditor Reports

Vote FOR approval of financial statements and director and auditor reports, unless:

    There are concerns about the accounts presented or audit procedures used; or
    The company is not responsive to shareholder questions about specific items that should be publicly disclosed.

Appointment of Auditors and Auditor Fees

Vote FOR the re-election of auditors and proposals authorizing the board to fix auditor fees, unless:

    There are serious concerns about the accounts presented, audit procedures used or audit opinion rendered;
    There is reason to believe that the auditor has rendered an opinion, which is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position;
    Name of the proposed auditor has not been published;
    The auditors are being changed without explanation; non-audit-related fees are substantial or are in excess of standard annual audit-related fees; or the appointment of external auditors if they have previously served the company in an executive capacity or can otherwise be considered affiliated with the company.

Appointment of Statutory Auditors

Vote FOR the appointment or reelection of statutory auditors, unless:

    There are serious concerns about the statutory reports presented or the audit procedures used;
    Questions exist concerning any of the statutory auditors being appointed; or
    The auditors have previously served the company in an executive capacity or can otherwise be considered affiliated with the company.

Allocation of Income

Vote FOR approval of the allocation of income, unless:

    The dividend payout ratio has been consistently low without adequate explanation; or
    The payout is excessive given the company’s financial position.

Stock (Scrip) Dividend Alternative

Vote FOR most stock (scrip) dividend proposals.

Vote AGAINST proposals that do not allow for a cash option unless management demonstrates that the cash option is harmful to shareholder value.

Amendments to Articles of Association

Vote amendments to the articles of association on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

A-12


Change in Company Fiscal Term

Vote FOR resolutions to change a company’s fiscal term unless a company’s motivation for the change is to postpone its AGM.

Lower Disclosure Threshold for Stock Ownership

Vote AGAINST resolutions to lower the stock ownership disclosure threshold below 5 % unless specific reasons exist to implement a lower threshold.

Amend Quorum Requirements

Vote proposals to amend quorum requirements for shareholder meetings on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

Transact Other Business

Vote AGAINST other business when it appears as a voting item.

 

2. Board of Directors

Director Elections

Vote FOR management nominees taking into consideration the following:

    Adequate disclosure has not been provided in a timely manner; or
    There are clear concerns over questionable finances or restatements; or
    There have been questionable transactions or conflicts of interest; or
    There are any records of abuses against minority shareholder interests; or
    The board fails to meet minimum corporate governance standards. or
    There are reservations about:
      Director terms
      Bundling of proposals to elect directors
      Board independence
      Disclosure of named nominees
      Combined Chairman/CEO
      Election of former CEO as Chairman of the Board
      Overboarded directors
      Composition of committees
      Director independence
    Specific concerns about the individual or company, such as criminal wrongdoing or breach of fiduciary responsibilities; or
    Repeated absences at board meetings have not been explained (in countries where this information is disclosed); or
    Unless there are other considerations which may include sanctions from government or authority, violations of laws and regulations, or other issues related to improper business practice, failure to replace management, or egregious actions related to service on other boards.

Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis in contested elections of directors, e.g., the election of shareholder nominees or the dismissal of incumbent directors, determining which directors are best suited to add value for shareholders.

The analysis will generally be based on, but not limited to, the following major decision factors:

    Company performance relative to its peers;
    Strategy of the incumbents versus the dissidents;

 

A-13


    Independence of board candidates;
    Experience and skills of board candidates;
    Governance profile of the company;
    Evidence of management entrenchment;
    Responsiveness to shareholders;
    Whether a takeover offer has been rebuffed;
    Whether minority or majority representation is being sought.

Vote FOR employee and/or labor representatives if they sit on either the audit or compensation committee and are required by law to be on those committees.

Vote AGAINST employee and/or labor representatives if they sit on either the audit or compensation committee, if they are not required to be on those committees.

Classification of directors

Executive Director

    Employee or executive of the company;
    Any director who is classified as a non-executive, but receives salary, fees, bonus, and/or other benefits that are in line with the highest-paid executives of the company.

Non-Independent Non-Executive Director (NED)

    Any director who is attested by the board to be a non-independent NED;
    Any director specifically designated as a representative of a significant shareholder of the company;
    Any director who is also an employee or executive of a significant shareholder of the company;
    Beneficial owner (direct or indirect) of at least 10% of the company’s stock, either in economic terms or in voting rights (this may be aggregated if voting power is distributed among more than one member of a defined group, e.g., family members who beneficially own less than 10% individually, but collectively own more than 10%), unless market best practice dictates a lower ownership and/or disclosure threshold (and in other special market-specific circumstances);
    Government representative;
    Currently provides (or a relative provides) professional services to the company, to an affiliate of the company, or to an individual officer of the company or of one of its affiliates in excess of $10,000 per year;
    Represents customer, supplier, creditor, banker, or other entity with which company maintains transactional/commercial relationship (unless company discloses information to apply a materiality test);
    Any director who has conflicting or cross-directorships with executive directors or the chairman of the company;
    Relative of a current employee of the company or its affiliates;
    Relative of a former executive of the company or its affiliates;
    A new appointee elected other than by a formal process through the General Meeting (such as a contractual appointment by a substantial shareholder);
    Founder/co-founder/member of founding family but not currently an employee;
    Former executive (5 year cooling off period);
    Years of service is generally not a determining factor unless it is recommended best practice in a market and/or in extreme circumstances, in which case it may be considered; and
    Any additional relationship or principle considered to compromise independence under local corporate governance best practice guidance.

 

A-14


Independent NED

    No material connection, either directly or indirectly, to the company other than a board seat.

Employee Representative

    Represents employees or employee shareholders of the company (classified as “employee representative” but considered a non-independent NED).

Discharge of Directors

Generally vote FOR the discharge of directors, including members of the management board and/or supervisory board, unless there is reliable information about significant and compelling controversies that the board is not fulfilling its fiduciary duties warranted by:

    A lack of oversight or actions by board members which invoke shareholder distrust related to malfeasance or poor supervision, such as operating in private or company interest rather than in shareholder interest; or
    Any legal issues (e.g., civil/criminal) aiming to hold the board responsible for breach of trust in the past or related to currently alleged actions yet to be confirmed (and not only the fiscal year in question), such as price fixing, insider trading, bribery, fraud, and other illegal actions; or
    Other egregious governance issues where shareholders may bring legal action against the company or its directors; or
    Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis where a vote against other agenda items are deemed inappropriate.

 

3. Compensation

Good pay practices should align management’s interests with long-term shareholder value creation. Detailed disclosure of compensation criteria is preferred; proof that companies follow the criteria should be evident and retroactive performance target changes without proper disclosure is not viewed favorably. Compensation practices should allow a company to attract and retain proven talent. Some examples of poor pay practices include: abnormally large bonus payouts without justifiable performance linkage or proper disclosure, egregious employment contracts, excessive severance and/or change in control provisions, repricing or replacing of underwater stock options/stock appreciation rights without prior shareholder approval, and excessive perquisites. A company should also have an appropriate balance of short-term vs. long-term metrics and the metrics should be aligned with business goals and objectives.

Director Compensation

Vote FOR proposals to award cash fees to non-executive directors unless the amounts are excessive relative to other companies in the country or industry.

Vote non-executive director compensation proposals that include both cash and share-based components on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

Vote proposals that bundle compensation for both non-executive and executive directors into a single resolution on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

Vote AGAINST proposals to introduce retirement benefits for non-executive directors.

Compensation Plans

Vote compensation plans on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

A-15


Director, Officer, and Auditor Indemnification and Liability Provisions

Vote proposals seeking indemnification and liability protection for directors and officers on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

Vote AGAINST proposals to indemnify auditors.

 

4. Board Structure

Vote AGAINST the introduction of classified boards and mandatory retirement ages for directors.

Vote AGAINST proposals to alter board structure or size in the context of a fight for control of the company or the board.

Chairman CEO combined role (for applicable markets)

GSAM will generally recommend a vote AGAINST shareholder proposals requiring that the chairman’s position be filled by an independent director, if the company satisfies 3 of the 4 following criteria:

    Two-thirds independent board, or majority in countries where employee representation is common practice;
    A designated, or a rotating, lead director, elected by and from the independent board members with clearly delineated and comprehensive duties;
    Fully independent key committees; and/or
    Established, publicly disclosed, governance guidelines and director biographies/profiles.

 

5. Capital Structure

Share Issuance Requests

General Issuances:

Vote FOR issuance requests with preemptive rights to a maximum of 100 % over currently issued capital.

Vote FOR issuance requests without preemptive rights to a maximum of 20 % of currently issued capital.

Specific Issuances:

Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on all requests, with or without preemptive rights.

Increases in Authorized Capital

Vote FOR non-specific proposals to increase authorized capital up to 100 % over the current authorization unless the increase would leave the company with less than 30 % of its new authorization outstanding.

Vote FOR specific proposals to increase authorized capital to any amount, unless:

    The specific purpose of the increase (such as a share-based acquisition or merger) does not meet guidelines for the purpose being proposed; or
    The increase would leave the company with less than 30 % of its new authorization outstanding after adjusting for all proposed issuances.

Vote AGAINST proposals to adopt unlimited capital authorizations.

 

A-16


Reduction of Capital

Vote FOR proposals to reduce capital for routine accounting purposes unless the terms are unfavorable to shareholders.

Vote proposals to reduce capital in connection with corporate restructuring on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

Capital Structures

Vote FOR resolutions that seek to maintain or convert to a one-share, one-vote capital structure.

Vote AGAINST requests for the creation or continuation of dual-class capital structures or the creation of new or additional super voting shares.

Preferred Stock

Vote FOR the creation of a new class of preferred stock or for issuances of preferred stock up to 50 % of issued capital unless the terms of the preferred stock would adversely affect the rights of existing shareholders.

Vote FOR the creation/issuance of convertible preferred stock as long as the maximum number of common shares that could be issued upon conversion meets guidelines on equity issuance requests.

Vote AGAINST the creation of a new class of preference shares that would carry superior voting rights to the common shares.

Vote AGAINST the creation of blank check preferred stock unless the board clearly states that the authorization will not be used to thwart a takeover bid.

Vote proposals to increase blank check preferred authorizations on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

Debt Issuance Requests

Vote non-convertible debt issuance requests on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with or without preemptive rights.

Vote FOR the creation/issuance of convertible debt instruments as long as the maximum number of common shares that could be issued upon conversion meets guidelines on equity issuance requests.

Vote FOR proposals to restructure existing debt arrangements unless the terms of the restructuring would adversely affect the rights of shareholders.

Increase in Borrowing Powers

Vote proposals to approve increases in a company’s borrowing powers on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

Share Repurchase Plans

GSAM will generally recommend FOR share repurchase programs taking into account whether:

    The share repurchase program can be used as a takeover defense;
    There is clear evidence of historical abuse;
    There is no safeguard in the share repurchase program against selective buybacks;
    Pricing provisions and safeguards in the share repurchase program are deemed to be unreasonable in light of market practice.

 

A-17


Reissuance of Repurchased Shares

Vote FOR requests to reissue any repurchased shares unless there is clear evidence of abuse of this authority in the past.

Capitalization of Reserves for Bonus Issues/Increase in Par Value

Vote FOR requests to capitalize reserves for bonus issues of shares or to increase par value.

 

6. Mergers and Corporate Restructuring & Other

Reorganizations/Restructurings

Vote reorganizations and restructurings on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Vote CASE-BY-CASE on mergers and acquisitions taking into account the following based on publicly available information:

 

    Valuation;
    Market reaction;
    Strategic rationale;
    Management’s track record of successful integration of historical acquisitions;
    Presence of conflicts of interest; and
    Governance profile of the combined company.

Antitakeover Mechanisms

Generally vote AGAINST all antitakeover proposals, unless they are structured in such a way that they give shareholders the ultimate decision on any proposal or offer.

Reincorporation Proposals

Vote reincorporation proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

Related-Party Transactions

Vote related-party transactions on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, considering factors including, but not limited to, the following:

 

    The parties on either side of the transaction;
    The nature of the asset to be transferred/service to be provided;
    The pricing of the transaction (and any associated professional valuation);
    The views of independent directors (where provided);
    The views of an independent financial adviser (where appointed);
    Whether any entities party to the transaction (including advisers) is conflicted; and
    The stated rationale for the transaction, including discussions of timing.

Shareholder Proposals

Vote all shareholder proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

A-18


Vote FOR proposals that would improve the company’s corporate governance or business profile at a reasonable cost.

Vote AGAINST proposals that limit the company’s business activities or capabilities or result in significant costs being incurred with little or no benefit.

 

7. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)/Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) Issues

Please refer to page A-8 for our current approach to these important topics.

 

A-19


GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 


PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 25. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(1) Financial Statements

(2) Exhibits

 

(a)(1)   Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a) to pre-effective Amendment No. 7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (file no. 333-187642), filed on March 3, 2015).
(b)   Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a) to pre-effective Amendment No. 7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (file no. 333-187642), filed on March 3, 2015).
(c)   Not applicable.
(d)(1)   Indenture, dated October 3, 2016, between Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (file no. 814-00998), filed on October 3, 2016).
(d)(2)   Form of 4.50% Convertible Note Due 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (file no. 814-00998), filed on October 3, 2016).
(d)(3)   Form of Indenture.
(d)(4)   Form of Subscription Certificate.
(d)(5)   Form of Subscription Agent Agreement.
(d)(6)   Form of Warrant Agreement.
(d)(7)   Form of Certificate of Designations for Preferred Stock.
(d)(8)   Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1.
(e)   Dividend Reinvestment Plan, amended as of August 2, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (file no. 814-00998), filed on August 4, 2016).
(f)   Not applicable.
(g)   Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2015, between the Company and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g) to pre-effective Amendment No. 7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (file no. 333-187642), filed on March 3, 2015).
(h)(1)   Form of Underwriting Agreement for Equity Securities.
(i)   Not applicable.

 

C-1


(j)   Custody Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2013, between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (j) to pre-effective Amendment No. 8 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (file no. 333-187642), filed on March 10, 2015).
(k)(1)   Administration Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2013, between the Company and the Adviser (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(3) to pre-effective Amendment No. 7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (file no. 333-187642), filed on March 3, 2015).
(k)(2)   Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2013 among the Company, as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto, and SunTrust Bank, as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(5) to pre-effective Amendment No. 8 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (file no. 333-187642), filed on March 10, 2015).
(k)(3)   First Omnibus Amendment to Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement and Guarantee and Security Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2014 among the Company, as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto, and SunTrust Bank, as Administrative Agent and as Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (file no. 001-35851), filed on May 14, 2015).
(k)(4)   Joinder Agreement, dated as of January 16, 2015, by HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as Assuming Lender, in favor of the Company as Borrower, and SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent under the Revolving Credit Facility (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (file no. 001-35851), filed on May 14, 2015).
(k)(5)   Joinder Agreement, dated as of March 27, 2015, by CIT Finance LLC, as Assuming Lender, in favor of the Company as Borrower, and Sun Trust Bank, as administrative agent under the Revolving Credit Facility (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (file no. 001-35851), filed on May 14, 2015).
(k)(6)   Second Amendment to Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of November 4, 2015, among Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc., as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto, SunTrust Bank, as Administrative Agent and as Collateral Agent, and, solely with respect to Section 5.9, DDDS BL, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K (File No. 814-00998), filed on November 5, 2015).
(k)(7)   Third Amendment to Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2016, among Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc., as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto, and SunTrust Bank, as Administrative Agent and as Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K (File No. 814-00998), filed on December 21, 2016).
(k)(8)   Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2015, between the Company and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g) to pre-effective Amendment No. 7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (file no. 333-187642), filed on March 3, 2015).
(k)(9)   Senior Credit Fund, LLC Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of July 18, 2014, between Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. and Regents of the University of California (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(6) to pre-effective Amendment No. 7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (file no. 333-187642), filed on March 3, 2015).

 

C-2


(k)(10)   First Amendment to Senior Credit Fund, LLC Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2014, between Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. and Regents of the University of California (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(6)(a) to pre-effective Amendment No. 10 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (file no. 333-187642), filed on March 17, 2015).
(k)(11)   Transfer Agency and Services Agreement, effective as of May 2, 2016, by and between the Company, Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (file no. 814-00998), filed on May 9, 2016).
(k)(12)   License Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2013, between the Registrant and the Goldman, Sachs & Co. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(4) to pre-effective Amendment No. 7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (file no. 333-187642), filed on March 3, 2015).
(l)   Opinion and Consent of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP.
(m)   Not applicable.
(n)(1)   Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Consent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (n)(1) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File no. 333-214506), filed on December 23, 2016).
(n)(2)   Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm regarding “Senior Securities” table contained herein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (n)(2) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File no. 333-214506), filed on November 8, 2016).
(o)   Not applicable.
(p)   Not applicable.
(q)   Not applicable.
(r)(1)   Code of Ethics of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (r)(1) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File no. 333-214506), filed on November 8, 2016).
(r)(2)   Code of Ethics of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (r)(2) to pre-effective Amendment No. 8 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (file no. 333-187642), filed on March 10, 2015).
(s)(1)   Form of Preliminary Prospectus Supplement for Common Stock Offerings.
(s)(2)   Form of Preliminary Prospectus Supplement for Preferred Stock Offerings.
(s)(3)   Form of Preliminary Prospectus Supplement for Warrant Offerings.
(s)(4)   Form of Preliminary Prospectus Supplement for Retail Notes Offerings.
(s)(5)   Form of Preliminary Prospectus Supplement for Institutional Notes Offerings.
(s)(6)   Form of Preliminary Prospectus Supplement for Subscription Rights Offerings.

 

 

C-3


Item 26. Marketing Arrangements

The information contained under the heading “Plan of Distribution” on this Registration Statement is incorporated herein by reference and any information concerning any underwriters for a particular offering will be contained in the prospectus supplement related to that offering.

Item 27. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

 

Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee

   $ 23,180   

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority fees

     30,500   

New York Stock Exchange Listing fees

     29,350   

Printing expenses

     58,869   

Legal fees and expenses

     700,000   

Accounting fees and expenses

     40,000   

Miscellaneous

     15,000   
  

 

 

 

Total

     896,899   
  

 

 

 

Note: All listed amounts, except the SEC registration fee and the FINRA filing fee, are estimates.

Item 28. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant

Not applicable

Item 29. Number of Holders of Securities

The following table sets forth the approximate number of record holders of the Registrant’s securities as of December 31, 2016.

 

Title of Class

  

Number of Record
Holders

 

Common shares, par value $0.001 per share

     1   

Convertible Notes due 2022

     1   

Item 30. Indemnification

As permitted by Section 102 of 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 Registrant, 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 each provide 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. Under Section 145 of the DGCL, the Registrant is permitted to offer indemnification to its directors, officers, employees and agents.

 

 

C-4


Section 145(a) of the DGCL empowers the Registrant 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 Registrant) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Registrant, or is or was serving at the request of the Registrant 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 Registrant and (3) with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, such person had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful.

Section 145(b) of the DGCL empowers the Registrant 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 Registrant 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 Registrant, or is or was serving at the request of the Registrant 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 Registrant, 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 Registrant 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.

Section 145(c) of the DGCL provides that to the extent that a present or former director or officer of the Registrant has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in 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 shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding.

Section 145(d) of the DGCL provides that 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 Registrant only if it is consistent with the Investment Company Act and 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 person to be indemnified has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in those subsections. 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, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (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.

Section 145(e) authorizes the Registrant to pay expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director of the Registrant in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the person to whom the advancement will be made to repay the advanced amounts if it is ultimately determined that he or she was not entitled to be indemnified by the Registrant as authorized by Section 145. Section 145(e) also provides that such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents of the Registrant, or persons serving at the request of the Registrant as directors, officers, employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Registrant deems appropriate.

 

 

C-5


Section 145(f) provides that indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of such Section are not to be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

Section 145(g) authorizes the Registrant to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of its current and former directors, officers, employees and agents (and on behalf of any person who is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, regardless of whether the Registrant would have the power to indemnify such persons against such liability under Section 145.

Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL allows the Registrant to provide in its certificate of incorporation a provision that limits or eliminates the personal liability of a director of the Registrant to the Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision may not limit or eliminate the liability of a director (1) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Registrant 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 derived an improper personal benefit. Our certificate of incorporation will provide 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.

The Administration Agreement provides that we shall indemnify and hold the administrator harmless from all loss, cost, damage and expense, including reasonable fees and expenses for counsel, incurred by the administrator resulting from any claim, demand, action or suit in connection with the administrator’s acceptance of the Administration Agreement, any action or omission by it in the performance of its duties hereunder, or as a result of acting upon any instructions reasonably believed by it to have been duly authorized by us or upon reasonable reliance on information or records given or made by us or our Investment Adviser, provided that this indemnification shall not apply to actions or omissions of the administrator, its officers or employees in cases of its or their own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

We expect that each underwriting agreement will provide that we will indemnify the underwriters against specified liabilities for actions taken in their capacities as such, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.

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 Our Investment Adviser

A description of any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which our Investment Adviser, and each managing director, director or executive officer of our Investment 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,

 

C-6


officer, employee, partner or trustee, is set forth in Part A of this Registration Statement in the section entitled “Management.” Additional information regarding our Investment Adviser and its officers and directors is set forth in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC File No. 801-37591), and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 32. Locations of Accounts and Records

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

 

  (1) the Registrant, Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc., c/o Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P., 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282;

 

  (2) the Transfer Agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021;

 

  (3) the Custodian, State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111; and

 

  (4) the Investment Adviser, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P., 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282.

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. If the securities being registered are to be offered to existing shareholders pursuant to warrants or rights, and any securities not taken by shareholders are to be reoffered to the public, the Registrant undertakes to supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters of the securities being registered is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, the Registrant undertakes to file a post-effective amendment to set forth the terms of such offering.

 

  4. The Registrant undertakes:

 

  (a) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement:

 

  (1) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

 

 

C-7


  (2) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; and

 

  (3) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

 

  (b) that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of those securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;

 

  (c) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering;

 

  (d) that, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser, if the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C: Each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 497(b), (c), (d) or (e) under the Securities Act as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A under the Securities Act, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness; provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use; and

 

  (e) that for the purpose of determining liability of the undersigned Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to the purchaser:

 

  (1) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 497 under the Securities Act;

 

  (2) the portion of any advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the Securities Act relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and

 

  (3) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

 

 

C-8


  5. The Registrant undertakes that:

 

  (a) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, 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 shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and

 

  (b) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, 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.

 

  6. Not applicable.

 

C-9


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in The City of New York, State of New York on the 18th day of January 2017.

 

GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.

By:  

/s/ Brendan McGovern

Name:   Brendan McGovern
Title:   Chief Executive Officer and President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Brendan McGovern

Brendan McGovern

  

Chief Executive Officer and President

(Principal Executive Officer)

  January 18, 2017

/s/ Jonathan Lamm

Jonathan Lamm

  

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

(Principal Financial Officer and

Principal Accounting Officer)

  January 18, 2017

*

Jaime Ardila

   Director   January 18, 2017

*

Ashok N. Bakhru

   Director   January 18, 2017

*

Janet F. Clark

   Director   January 18, 2017

*

Ross J. Kari

   Director   January 18, 2017

*

Ann B. Lane

   Director   January 18, 2017

*

Katherine Uniacke

   Director   January 18, 2017
By:   /s/ Caroline Kraus
Caroline Kraus
Attorney-in Fact

Exhibit (d)(3)

GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.

Issuer

and

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

Trustee

Indenture

Dated as of [                  ], 20[      ]

Providing for the Issuance

of

Debt Securities


GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939

and Indenture, dated as of [                  ], 20[      ]

 

Trust Indenture

Act Section

  

Indenture

Section

§ 310    (a)(1)    607
   (a)(2)    607
   (b)    609
§ 312    (c)    701
§ 314    (a)    704
   (a)(4)    1005
   (c)(1)    102
   (c)(2)    102
   (e)    102
§ 315    (b)    601
§ 316    (a) (last sentence)    101 (“Outstanding”)
   (a)(1)(A)    502, 512
   (a)(1)(B)    513
   (b)    508
§ 317    (a)(1)    503
   (a)(2)    504
§ 318    (a)    111
   (c)    111

 

        NOTE:    This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

 

i


TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

 

Section 101. Definitions

     1   

Section 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions

     11   

Section 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee

     12   

Section 104. Acts of Holders

     12   

Section 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company

     14   

Section 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver

     14   

Section 107. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents

     15   

Section 108. Successors and Assigns

     15   

Section 109. Separability Clause

     15   

Section 110. Benefits of Indenture

     15   

Section 111. Governing Law

     16   

Section 112. Legal Holidays

     16   

Section 113. Submission to Jurisdiction

     16   

Section 114. Waiver of Jury Trial

     16   

Section 115. U.S.A. Patriot Act

     17   

ARTICLE II

SECURITIES FORMS

 

Section 201. Forms of Securities

     17   

Section 202. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

     17   

Section 203. Securities Issuable in Global Form

     18   

ARTICLE III

THE SECURITIES

 

Section 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

     19   

Section 302. Denominations

     23   

Section 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating

     23   

Section 304. Temporary Securities

     25   

Section 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange

     26   

Section 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities

     28   

Section 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved; Optional Interest Reset

     29   

Section 308. Optional Extension of Maturity

     31   

Section 309. Persons Deemed Owners

     32   

Section 310. Cancellation

     32   

 

ii


Section 311. Computation of Interest

     33   

Section 312. Currency and Manner of Payments in Respect of Securities

     33   

Section 313. Appointment and Resignation of Successor Exchange Rate Agent

     36   

Section 314. CUSIP Numbers

     37   

ARTICLE IV

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

Section 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture

     37   

Section 402. Application of Trust Funds

     39   

ARTICLE V

REMEDIES

 

Section 501. Events of Default

     39   

Section 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment

     41   

Section 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee

     42   

Section 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

     43   

Section 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities

     44   

Section 506. Application of Money Collected

     44   

Section 507. Limitation on Suits

     45   

Section 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest

     45   

Section 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies

     46   

Section 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative

     46   

Section 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver

     46   

Section 512. Control by Holders of Securities

     46   

Section 513. Waiver of Past Defaults

     47   

Section 514. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws

     47   

Section 515. Undertaking for Costs

     47   

ARTICLE VI

THE TRUSTEE

 

Section 601. Notice of Defaults

     48   

Section 602. Certain Rights of Trustee

     48   

Section 603. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities

     51   

Section 604. May Hold Securities

     52   

Section 605. Money Held in Trust

     52   

Section 606. Compensation and Reimbursement and Indemnification of Trustee

     52   

Section 607. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility

     53   

Section 608. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests

     53   

Section 609. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor

     53   

Section 610. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor

     55   

Section 611. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business

     56   

Section 612. Appointment of Authenticating Agent

     57   

 

iii


ARTICLE VII

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

 

Section 701. Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders

     59   

Section 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders

     59   

Section 703. Reports by Trustee

     59   

Section 704. Reports by Company

     60   

Section 705. Calculation of Original Issue Discount

     60   

ARTICLE VIII

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER

 

Section 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms

     60   

Section 802. Successor Person Substituted

     61   

ARTICLE IX

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

Section 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders

     61   

Section 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders

     63   

Section 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures

     64   

Section 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures

     65   

Section 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act

     65   

Section 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures

     65   

ARTICLE X

COVENANTS

 

Section 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest

     65   

Section 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency

     66   

Section 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust

     66   

Section 1004. Additional Amounts

     67   

Section 1005. Statement as to Compliance

     68   

Section 1006. Waiver of Certain Covenants

     68   

 

iv


ARTICLE XI

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

 

Section 1101. Applicability of Article

     69   

Section 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee

     69   

Section 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed

     69   

Section 1104. Notice of Redemption

     70   

Section 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price

     71   

Section 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date

     71   

Section 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part

     72   

ARTICLE XII

SINKING FUNDS

 

Section 1201. Applicability of Article

     72   

Section 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities

     73   

Section 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund

     73   

ARTICLE XIII

REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

 

Section 1301. Applicability of Article

     73   

Section 1302. Repayment of Securities

     74   

Section 1303. Exercise of Option

     74   

Section 1304. When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable

     74   

Section 1305. Securities Repaid in Part

     75   

ARTICLE XIV

DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

Section 1401. Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

     75   

Section 1402. Defeasance and Discharge

     76   

Section 1403. Covenant Defeasance

     76   

Section 1404. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

     77   

Section 1405. Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous     Provisions

     78   

ARTICLE XV

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

 

Section 1501. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called

     79   

Section 1502. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings

     80   

Section 1503. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings

     80   

Section 1504. Quorum; Action

     80   

Section 1505. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings

     82   

Section 1506. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings

     82   

 

v


ARTICLE XVI

SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

 

Section 1601. Agreement to Subordinate

     83   

Section 1602. Distribution on Dissolution, Liquidation and Reorganization; Subrogation of Subordinated     Securities

     83   

Section 1603. No Payment on Subordinated Securities in Event of Default on Senior Indebtedness

     85   

Section 1604. Payments on Subordinated Securities Permitted

     85   

Section 1605. Authorization of Holders to Trustee to Effect Subordination

     86   

Section 1606. Notices to Trustee

     86   

Section 1607. Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness

     87   

Section 1608. Modifications of Terms of Senior Indebtedness

     87   

Section 1609. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent

     87   

EXHIBITS

 

EXHIBIT A:    FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY EUROCLEAR AND CLEARSTREAM IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OF A PORTION OF A TEMPORARY GLOBAL SECURITY OR TO OBTAIN INTEREST PAYABLE PRIOR TO THE EXCHANGE DATE

 

vi


INDENTURE, dated as of [                      ], 20[          ], between GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the “ Company ”), having its principal office at 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (hereinafter called the “ Trustee ”), having its Corporate Trust Office at 150 East 42nd Street, 40th Floor, New York, NY 10017, Attention: Corporate, Municipal and Escrow Services.

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

WHEREAS, the Company deems it necessary to issue from time to time for its lawful purposes debt securities (hereinafter called the “ Securities ”) evidencing its secured or unsecured indebtedness, which may or may not be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company), and has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Securities, to be issued in one or more series, unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such rates of interest, to mature at such times and to have such other provisions as shall be fixed as hereinafter provided;

WHEREAS, this Indenture (as defined herein) is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act (as defined herein) that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions; and

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as defined herein) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities, or of a series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 101. Definitions.

For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular and, pursuant to Section 301, any such item may, with respect to any particular series of Securities, be amended or modified or specified as being inapplicable;

 

1


(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein, and the terms “cash transaction” and “self-liquidating paper,” as used in Section 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, shall have the meanings assigned to them in the rules of the Commission (as defined herein) adopted under the Trust Indenture Act;

(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America;

(4) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision; and

(5) references to sections of or rules under the Exchange Act (as defined herein) shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the Commission from time to time.

Certain terms, used principally in Article Three, Article Five, Article Six and Article Ten, are defined in those Articles.

Act ,” when used with respect to any Holder of a Security, has the meaning specified in Section 104.

Additional Amounts ” means any additional amounts that are required by a Security or by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, under circumstances specified therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes imposed on certain Holders and that are owing to such Holders.

Affiliate ” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Authenticating Agent ” means the Trustee or any authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 612 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.

Board of Directors ” means the board of directors of the Company or any committee of that board duly authorized to act hereunder.

Board Resolution ” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

2


Business Day ,” when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or particular location are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

Clearstream ” means Clearstream Banking, S.A. or its successor.

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties on such date.

Company ” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor corporation.

Company Request ” and “ Company Order ” mean, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman, the President or any Vice President, and by the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

Conversion Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 312(d).

Conversion Event ” means the cessation of use of (i) a Foreign Currency both by the government of the country which issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community, (ii) the ECU both within the European Monetary System and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the European Communities or (iii) any currency unit (or composite currency) other than the ECU for the purposes for which it was established.

Corporate Trust Office ” means the principal office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 150 East 42nd Street, 40th Floor, New York, New York 10017, Attn: Corporate, Municipal and Escrow Services, and for Agent services such office shall also mean the office or agency of the Trustee located at the date hereof is located at Corporate Trust Operations, MAC N9300-070, 600 South Fourth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

corporation ” includes corporations, associations, companies and business trusts.

Currency ” means any currency or currencies, composite currency or currency unit or currency units, including, without limitation, the ECU, issued by the government of one or more countries or by any reorganized confederation or association of such governments.

 

3


Default ” means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

Defaulted Interest ” has the meaning specified in Section 307.

Depositary ” means, with respect to each global Security, the Person specified in Section 303 as the Depositary with respect to such Securities, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter, “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

Dollar ” or “ $ ” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

ECU ” means the European Currency Unit as defined and revised from time to time by the Council of the European Communities.

Election Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 312(h).

Euroclear ” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., or its successor as operator of the Euroclear System.

European Communities ” means the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community.

European Monetary System ” means the European Monetary System established by the Resolution of December 5, 1978 of the Council of the European Communities.

Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 501.

Exchange Act ” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

Exchange Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 304.

Exchange Rate Agent ,” with respect to Securities of or within any series, means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, a New York Clearing House bank designated pursuant to Section 301 or Section 313.

Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate ” means a certificate setting forth (i) the applicable Market Exchange Rate or the applicable bid quotation and (ii) the Dollar or Foreign Currency amounts of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any (on an aggregate basis and on the basis of a Security having the lowest denomination principal amount determined in accordance with Section 302 in the relevant Currency), payable with respect to a Security of any series on the basis of such Market Exchange Rate or the applicable bid quotation signed by the Chief Financial Officer or any Vice President of the Company.

 

4


Foreign Currency ” means any Currency, including, without limitation, the ECU, issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments.

Government Obligations ” means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America or the government which issued the Foreign Currency in which the Securities of a particular series are payable, for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such government that issued the Foreign Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable, the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other government, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

Holder ” means, in the case of a Registered Security, the Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.

Indenture ” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301; provided , however , that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of the or those particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 301, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms that relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such Trustee but to which such Person, as such Trustee, was not a party.

Indexed Security ” means a Security as to which all or certain interest payments and/or the principal amount payable at Maturity are determined by reference to prices, changes in prices, or differences between prices, of securities, Currencies, intangibles, goods, articles or commodities or by such other objective price, economic or other measures as are specified in Section 301 hereof.

 

5


Interest ,” when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity, and, when used with respect to a Security which provides for the payment of Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1004, includes such Additional Amounts.

Interest Payment Date ,” when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

Junior Subordinated Security ” or “ Junior Subordinated Securities ” means any Security or Securities designated pursuant to Section 301 as a Junior Subordinated Security.

Junior Subordinated Indebtedness ” means the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on (a) indebtedness of the Company (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by the Company), whether outstanding on the date hereof or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed, which in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding it is provided that such indebtedness ranks junior in right of payment to the Company’s Senior Indebtedness and Senior Subordinated Indebtedness and equally and pari passu in right of payment to any other Junior Subordinated Indebtedness, (b) Junior Subordinated Securities, and (c) renewals, extensions, modifications and refinancings of any such indebtedness.

Market Exchange Rate ” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, (i) for any conversion involving a currency unit on the one hand and Dollars or any Foreign Currency on the other, the exchange rate between the relevant currency unit and Dollars or such Foreign Currency calculated by the method specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of the relevant series, (ii) for any conversion of Dollars into any Foreign Currency, the noon buying rate for such Foreign Currency for cable transfers quoted in New York City as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and (iii) for any conversion of one Foreign Currency into Dollars or another Foreign Currency, the spot rate at noon local time in the relevant market at which, in accordance with normal banking procedures, the Dollars or Foreign Currency into which conversion is being made could be purchased with the Foreign Currency from which conversion is being made from major banks located in either New York City, London or any other principal market for Dollars or such purchased Foreign Currency, in each case determined by the Exchange Rate Agent. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, in the event of the unavailability of any of the exchange rates provided for in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), the Exchange Rate Agent shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or quotations from one or more major banks in New York City, London or other principal market for such currency or currency unit in question, or such other quotations as the Exchange Rate Agent shall deem appropriate. Unless otherwise specified by the Exchange Rate Agent, if there is more than one market for dealing in any currency or currency unit by reason of foreign exchange regulations or otherwise, the market to be used in respect of such currency or currency unit shall be that upon which a nonresident issuer of securities designated in such currency or currency unit would purchase such currency or currency unit in order to make payments in respect of such securities.

 

6


Maturity ,” when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption, notice of option to elect repayment, notice of exchange or conversion or otherwise.

Notice of Default ” has the meaning provided in Section 501.

Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed by the Chairman, the President or any Vice President and by the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion, reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, of counsel, who may be counsel for the Company or who may be an employee of or other counsel for the Company.

Original Issue Discount Security ” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.

Outstanding ,” when used with respect to Securities or any series of Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities or all Securities of such series, as the case may be, theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except :

(i)       Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(ii)       Securities, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities, provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

(iii)       Securities, except to the extent provided in Sections 1402 and 1403, with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance and/or covenant defeasance as provided in Article Fourteen; and

(iv)       Securities that have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

 

7


provided , however , that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders for quorum purposes, and for the purpose of making the calculations required by TIA Section 313, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the amount of principal thereof that would be (or shall have been declared to be) due and payable, at the time of such determination, upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, (ii) the principal amount of any Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the Dollar equivalent, determined as of the date such Security is originally issued by the Company as set forth in an Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security or Indexed Security, the Dollar equivalent as of such date of original issuance of the amount determined as provided in clause (i) above or (iii) below, respectively) of such Security, (iii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal face amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided with respect to such Security pursuant to Section 301, and (iv) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making such calculation or in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver or upon any such determination as to the presence of a quorum, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

Paying Agent ” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Securities on behalf of the Company.

Person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity.

Place of Payment ,” when used with respect to the Securities of or within any series, means the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities are payable as specified and as contemplated by Sections 301 and 1002.

 

8


Predecessor Security ” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.

Record Date ” means either a Regular Record Date or a Special Record Date, as applicable.

Redemption Date ,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

Redemption Price ,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

Registered Security ” means any Security that is registered in the Security Register.

Regular Record Date ” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Registered Securities of or within any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301, whether or not a Business Day.

Repayment Date ” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, means the date fixed for such repayment by or pursuant to this Indenture.

Repayment Price ” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, means the price at which it is to be repaid by or pursuant to this Indenture.

Responsible Officer ,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

Security ” or “ Securities ” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and, more particularly, means any Security or Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided , however , that, if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities” with respect to the Indenture as to which such Person is Trustee shall have the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and shall more particularly mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.

Security Register ” and “ Security Registrar ” have the respective meanings specified in Section 305.

 

9


Senior Indebtedness ” means the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on (a) indebtedness of the Company (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by the Company), whether outstanding on the date hereof or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed, unless in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding it is provided that such indebtedness is not senior or prior in right of payment to Subordinated Indebtedness, (b) Senior Securities, and (c) renewals, extensions, modifications and refinancings of any such indebtedness.

Senior Security ” or “ Senior Securities ” means any Security or Securities designated pursuant to Section 301 as a Senior Security.

Senior Subordinated Indebtedness ” means the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on (a) indebtedness of the Company (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by the Company), whether outstanding on the date hereof or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed, which in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding it is provided that such indebtedness ranks junior in right of payment to the Company’s Senior Indebtedness, equally and pari passu in right of payment with all other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any Junior Subordinated Indebtedness, (b) Senior Subordinated Securities, and (c) renewals, extensions, modifications and refinancings of any such indebtedness.

Senior Subordinated Security ” or “ Senior Subordinated Securities ” means any Security or Securities designated pursuant to Section 301 as a Senior Subordinated Security.

Special Record Date ” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of or within any series means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

Stated Maturity ,” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable, as such date may be extended pursuant to the provisions of Section 308.

Subordinated Indebtedness ” means any Senior Subordinated Indebtedness or Junior Subordinated Indebtedness.

Subordinated Security ” or “ Subordinated Securities ” means any Security or Securities designated pursuant to Section 301 as a Senior Subordinated Security or a Junior Subordinated Security.

Trust Indenture Act ” or “ TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed, except as provided in Section 905.

Trustee ” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided , however , that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean only the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

 

10


United States ” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

United States Person ” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, any individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia (other than a partnership that is not treated as a United States Person under any applicable Treasury regulations), any estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, or any trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more United States Persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, to the extent provided in the Treasury regulations, certain trusts in existence on August 20, 1996, and treated as United States persons prior to such date that elect to continue to be treated as United States Persons, will also be United States Persons.

USA PATRIOT Act ” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, as amended.

Valuation Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 312(c).

Yield to Maturity ” means the yield to maturity, computed at the time of issuance of a Security (or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such Security) and as set forth in such Security in accordance with generally accepted United States bond yield computation principles.

Section 102.    Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with.

Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 1005) shall include:

(1)       a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant and the definitions herein relating thereto;

 

11


(2)       a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(3)       a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such individual to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been complied with; and

(4)       a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion as to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, or a certificate or representations by counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the opinion, certificate or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such Opinion of Counsel or certificate or representations may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information as to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations as to such matters are erroneous.

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

Section 104. Acts of Holders.

(a)       Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of the Outstanding Securities of all series or one or more series, as the case may be, may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing or approved at a meeting of such Holders. Such instrument or instruments and any record of such meeting (and the action

 

12


embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “ Act ” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company and any agent of the Trustee or the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 1506.

(b)       The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him or her the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than such signer’s individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of such signer’s authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner that the Trustee deems reasonably sufficient.

(c)       The ownership of Registered Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.

(d)       If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Notwithstanding TIA Section 316(c), such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to such Board Resolution, which shall be a date not earlier than the date 30 days prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith and not later than the date such solicitation is completed. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than eleven months after the record date.

(e)       Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

 

13


Section 105. Notices, Etc. to Trustee and Company.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

(1)       the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made in writing and sent via first-class postage prepaid, overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery, same day messenger service or by electronic mail (in PDF), to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or

(2)       the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if made in writing and sent via first-class postage prepaid, overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery, or same day messenger service or by electronic mail (in PDF), to the attention of its Chief Financial Officer at 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282.

The Company or the Trustee, by notice to the other, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: (i) at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; (ii) when return receipt is delivered, if delivered by electronic mail; (iii) five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid; and (iv) the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Whenever under this Indenture the Trustee or the Company is required to provide any notice by mail, in all cases each of the Trustee and the Company may alternatively provide notice by overnight courier, by facsimile, with confirmation of transmission, or by electronic mail, with return receipt requested.

Section 106.     Notice to Holders; Waiver.

Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to Holders of Registered Securities by the Company or the Trustee, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if made in writing and sent via first-class postage prepaid, via overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery, by facsimile or by electronic mail to each such Holder affected by such event, at such Holder’s address, facsimile number or email address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. Any notice or communication shall also be so delivered to any Person described in TIA Section 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given as provided herein, neither the failure

 

14


to send such notice, nor any defect in any notice so sent, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities. Any notice mailed or sent to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder, whether or not such Holder actually receives such notice. In the case of a global Security, notices shall be given in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary.

If by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification to Holders of Registered Securities as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification to such Holders for every purpose hereunder.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

Section 107.     Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 108.     Successors and Assigns.

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 109.     Separability Clause.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in any Security shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 110.     Benefits of Indenture.

Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

 

15


Section 111.     Governing Law.

This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York. This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

Section 112.     Legal Holidays.

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security other than a provision in the Securities of any series which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section), payment of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date or sinking fund payment date, or at the Stated Maturity or Maturity; provided that no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity, as the case may be.

Section 113.     Submission to Jurisdiction.

The Company hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York state or federal court sitting in The City of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Indenture and the Securities of any series, and the Company hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York state or federal court. The Company hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding.

Section 114.     Waiver of Jury Trial.

EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

16


Section 115.    USA PATRIOT Act.

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act.

ARTICLE II

SECURITIES FORMS

Section 201.     Forms of Securities.

The Registered Securities of each series, the temporary global Securities of each series, if any, and the permanent global Securities of each series, if any, to be endorsed thereon shall be in substantially the forms as shall be established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or approved from time to time by or pursuant to a Board Resolution in accordance with Section 301, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage.

The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on a steel engraved border or steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

Section 202.     Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

Subject to Section 611, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

17


Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee
By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

Date:                                   

Section 203.     Securities Issuable in Global Form.

If Securities of or within a series are issuable in global form, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, then, notwithstanding clause (8) of Section 301 and the provisions of Section 302, any such Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series represented thereby may from time to time be increased or decreased to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Security Registrar in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 303 or 304. Subject to the provisions of Section 303 and, if applicable, Section 304, the Trustee or the Security Registrar shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 303 or 304 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement, delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

The provisions of the last sentence of Section 303 shall apply to any Security represented by a Security in global form if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee or the Security Registrar the Security in global form together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 303.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 307, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Security in permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 309 and except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company and the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a permanent global Security (i) in the case of a permanent global Security in registered form, the Holder of such permanent global Security in registered form, or (ii) in the case of a permanent global Security in bearer form, Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

18


ARTICLE III

THE SECURITIES

Section 301.     Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Securities may be issued in one or more series, each of which may consist of one or more tranches, and shall be designated as Senior Securities, Senior Subordinated Securities or Junior Subordinated Securities. Senior Securities are unsubordinated, shall rank equally and pari passu with all of the Company’s Senior Indebtedness and senior to all Subordinated Securities. Senior Subordinated Securities shall rank junior to the Company’s Senior Indebtedness, equally and pari passu with all other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness and senior to any Junior Subordinated Indebtedness. Junior Subordinated Securities shall rank junior to the Company’s Senior Indebtedness and any Senior Subordinated Indebtedness and equally and pari passu with all other Junior Subordinated Indebtedness. There shall be established in one or more Board Resolutions or pursuant to authority granted by one or more Board Resolutions and, subject to Section 303, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series, any or all of the following, as applicable (each of which (except for the matters set forth in clauses (1), (2) and (15) below), if so provided, may be determined from time to time by the Company with respect to unissued Securities of the series when issued from time to time):

(1)       the title of the Securities of the series including CUSIP numbers (which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from all other series of Securities);

(2)       any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906, 1107 or 1305, and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 303, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);

(3)       the date or dates, or the method by which such date or dates will be determined or extended, on which the principal of the Securities of the series shall be payable;

 

19


(4)       the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest will be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date, or the method by which such date shall be determined, and the basis upon which such interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

(5)       the place or places, if any, other than the Corporate Trust Office, where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Securities of the series shall be payable, any Registered Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange, where Securities of that series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable, and where notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;

(6)       the period or periods within which, or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the Currency or Currencies in which, and other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have the option;

(7)       the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the Currency or Currencies in which, and other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

(8)       if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denomination or denominations in which any Registered Securities of the series shall be issuable;

(9)       if other than the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar and/or Paying Agent;

(10)       if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, upon redemption of the Securities of the series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity, upon surrender for repayment at the option of the Holder, or which the Trustee shall be entitled to claim pursuant to Section 504 or the method by which such portion shall be determined;

(11)       if other than Dollars, the Currency or Currencies in which payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall be made or in which the Securities of the series shall be denominated and the particular provisions applicable thereto in accordance with, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Section 312;

 

20


(12)       whether the amount of payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on one or more Currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices), and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

(13)       whether the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in one or more Currencies other than that in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable, the period or periods within which (including the Election Date), and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency or Currencies in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the Currency or Currencies in which such Securities are to be paid, in each case in accordance with, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Section 312;

(14)       provisions, if any, granting special rights to the Holders of Securities of the series upon the occurrence of such events as may be specified;

(15)       any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants (including any deletions from, modifications of or additions to any of the provisions of Section 1006) of the Company with respect to Securities of the series, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein;

(16)       whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form with or without coupons and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form with or without coupons and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of such series in certificated form and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 305;

(17)       the date as of which any temporary global Security representing Outstanding Securities of the series shall be dated if other than the date of original issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued;

(18)       the Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, and the extent to which, or the manner in

 

21


which, any interest payable on a temporary global Security on an Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 304; and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a permanent global Security on an Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 307;

(19)       the applicability, if any, of Sections 1402 and/or 1403 to the Securities of the series and any provisions in modification of, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Article Fourteen;

(20)       if the Securities of such series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and/or terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

(21)       whether, under what circumstances and the Currency in which, the Company will pay Additional Amounts as contemplated by Section 1004 on the Securities of the series to any Holder who is not a United States Person (including any modification to the definition of such term) in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such Additional Amounts (and the terms of any such option);

(22)       the designation of the initial Exchange Rate Agent, if any;

(23)       if the Securities of the series are to be issued upon the exercise of warrants, the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered;

(24)       if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company), the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable;

(25)       if the Securities of the series are to be listed on a securities exchange, the name of such exchange may be indicated;

(26)       any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture or the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act); and

(27)       the guarantors, if any, of the Securities of the series, and the extent of the guarantees (including provisions relating to seniority, subordination, and the release of the guarantors), if any, and any additions or changes to permit or facilitate guarantees of such Securities.

 

22


All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above (subject to Section 303) and set forth in the Officers’ Certificate referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of additional Securities of such series.

If any of the terms of the Securities of any series are established by action taken pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions, a copy of an appropriate record of such action(s) shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the Securities of such series.

Section 302.     Denominations.

The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 301. With respect to Securities of any series denominated in Dollars, in the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Registered Securities of such series, other than Registered Securities issued in global form (which may be of any denomination) shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

Section 303.     Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman, its President, any Vice President or its Chief Financial Officer and attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or by facsimile, .pdf attachment or other electronically transmitted signature (with an original manual signature to be sent to the Trustee via overnight mail immediately thereafter) of the present or any future such authorized officer and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities.

Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company, to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time and if the Board Resolution or supplemental indenture establishing such series shall so permit, such Company Order may set forth procedures acceptable to the Trustee for the issuance of such Securities and

 

23


determining the terms of particular Securities of such series, such as interest rate, maturity date, date of issuance and date from which interest shall accrue. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to TIA Section 315(a) through 315(d)) shall be fully protected in relying upon,

(a)       an Opinion of Counsel (subject to customary qualifications) stating,

(i)       that the form or forms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii)       that the terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

(iii)       that such Securities, when completed by appropriate insertions and executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication in accordance with this Indenture, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in accordance with this Indenture and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights, to general equitable principles and to such other qualifications as such counsel shall conclude do not materially affect the rights of Holders of such Securities; and

(b)       an Officers’ Certificate stating, to the best of the knowledge of the signers of such certificate, that no Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of this Section 303, if all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 301 or the Company Order, Opinion of Counsel or Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to the preceding paragraph at the time of issuance of each Security of such series, but such order, opinion and certificates, with appropriate modifications to cover such future issuances, shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series.

If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties, obligations or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner that is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, the Trustee will not be required to authenticate Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency if the Trustee reasonably believes that it would be unable to perform its duties with respect to such Securities.

 

24


Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein duly executed by the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent by manual signature of an authorized signatory, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 310 together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company to act as Depositary with respect to the global Securities.

Section 304.       Temporary Securities.

Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities that are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form, or, if authorized, in bearer form with one or more coupons or without coupons, and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. In the case of Securities of any series, such temporary Securities may be in global form.

Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form (which shall be exchanged as provided in or pursuant to a Board Resolution), if temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount and like tenor of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

 

25


Section 305.       Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or in any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment a register for each series of Securities (the registers maintained in such office or in any such office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes referred to collectively as the “ Security Register ”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Registered Securities and of transfers of Registered Securities. The Security Register shall be in written form or any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. The Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office, is hereby initially appointed Security Registrar for the purpose of registering Registered Securities and transfers of Registered Securities on such Security Register as herein provided, and for facilitating exchanges of temporary global Securities for permanent global Securities or definitive Securities, or both, or of permanent global Securities for definitive Securities, or both, as herein provided. In the event that the Trustee shall cease to be Security Registrar, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register at all reasonable times.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding and containing identical terms and provisions.

At the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination or denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions, upon surrender of the Registered Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency. Whenever any Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any permanent global Security shall be exchangeable only as provided in this paragraph. If any beneficial owner of an interest in a permanent global Security is entitled to exchange such interest for Securities of such series and of like tenor and principal amount of another authorized form and denomination, as specified as contemplated by Section 301 and provided that any applicable notice provided in the permanent global Security shall have been given, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interest may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such beneficial owner’s interest in such permanent global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such

 

26


interests may be so exchanged, such permanent global Security shall be surrendered by the common depositary or such other depositary as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, or to the Security Registrar, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities of the same series without charge and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such permanent global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such permanent global Security to be exchanged; provided , however , that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the mailing of a notice of Securities to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date if the Security for which exchange is requested may be among those selected for redemption. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a permanent global Security after the close of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest or interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such permanent global Security is payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar or any transfer agent) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney or any transfer agent duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company or the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906, 1107 or 1305 not involving any transfer.

The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security if such Security may be among those selected for redemption during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the mailing of a notice of redemption of the Securities to be redeemed under Section 1103 and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Registered Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed or (iii) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security that has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

 

27


Section 306.       Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company, together with, in proper cases, such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company or the Trustee to save each of them or any agent of either of them harmless, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

If there shall be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company shall, subject to the following paragraph, execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous two paragraphs, in case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

 

28


Section 307.       Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved; Optional Interest Reset.

(a)       Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 301, interest, if any, on any Registered Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002; provided , however , that each installment of interest, if any, on any Registered Security may at the Company’s option be paid by (i) mailing a check for such interest, payable to or upon the written order of the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 309, to the address of such Person as it appears on the Security Register or (ii) transfer to an account maintained by the payee located in the United States.

Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 301, any interest on any Registered Security of any series that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “ Defaulted Interest ”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder thereof on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (1) or (2) below:

(1)       The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Registered Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment (which shall not be less than 20 days after such notice is received by the Trustee), and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Registered Securities of such series at such Holder’s address as it appears in the Security Register not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2).

 

29


(2)       The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

(b)       The provisions of this Section 307(b) may be made applicable to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301 (with such modifications, additions or substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such Section 301). The interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) on any Security of such series may be reset by the Company on the date or dates specified on the face of such Security (each an “ Optional Reset Date ”). The Company may exercise such option with respect to such Security by notifying the Trustee of such exercise at least 45 but not more than 60 days prior to an Optional Reset Date for such Security. Not later than 40 days prior to each Optional Reset Date, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, to the Holder of any such Security a notice (the “ Reset Notice ”) indicating whether the Company has elected to reset the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable), and if so (i) such new interest rate (or such new spread or spread multiplier, if applicable) and (ii) the provisions, if any, for redemption during the period from such Optional Reset Date to the next Optional Reset Date or if there is no such next Optional Reset Date, to the Stated Maturity of such Security (each such period a “ Subsequent Interest Period ”), including the date or dates on which or the period or periods during which and the price or prices at which such redemption may occur during the Subsequent Interest Period.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days prior to the Optional Reset Date (or if 20 days does not fall on a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) provided for in the Reset Notice and establish a higher interest rate (or a spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest rate, if applicable) for the Subsequent Interest Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, notice of such higher interest rate (or such higher spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest rate, if applicable) to the Holder of such Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable. All Securities with respect to which the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) is reset on an Optional Reset Date, and with respect to which the Holders of such Securities have not tendered such Securities for repayment (or have validly revoked any such tender) pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph, will bear such higher interest rate (or such higher spread or spread multiplier providing for a higher interest rate, if applicable).

 

30


The Holder of any such Security will have the option to elect repayment by the Company of the principal of such Security on each Optional Reset Date at a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus interest accrued to such Optional Reset Date. In order to obtain repayment on an Optional Reset Date, the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for repayment at the option of Holders except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to such Optional Reset Date and except that, if the Holder has tendered any Security for repayment pursuant to the Reset Notice, the Holder may, by written notice to the Trustee, revoke such tender or repayment until the close of business on the tenth day before such Optional Reset Date.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 305, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, that were carried by such other Security.

Section 308.     Optional Extension of Maturity.

The provisions of this Section 308 may be made applicable to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301 (with such modifications, additions or substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such Section 301). The Stated Maturity of any Security of such series may be extended at the option of the Company for the period or periods specified on the face of such Security (each an “ Extension Period ”) up to but not beyond the date set forth on the face of such Security. The Company may exercise such option with respect to any Security by notifying the Trustee of such exercise at least 45 but not more than 60 days prior to the Stated Maturity of such Security in effect prior to the exercise of such option (the “ Original Stated Maturity ”). If the Company exercises such option, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, to the Holder of such Security not later than 40 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity a notice (the “ Extension Notice ”), prepared by the Company, indicating (i) the election of the Company to extend the Stated Maturity, (ii) the new Stated Maturity, (iii) the interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula to calculate such interest rate, if applicable), if any, applicable to the Extension Period and (iv) the provisions, if any, for redemption during such Extension Period. Upon the Trustee’s transmittal of the Extension Notice, the Stated Maturity of such Security shall be extended automatically and, except as modified by the Extension Notice and as described in the next paragraph, such Security will have the same terms as prior to the transmittal of such Extension Notice.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days before the Original Stated Maturity (or if 20 days does not fall on a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) of such Security, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) provided for in the Extension Notice and establish a higher interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula to calculate such higher interest rate, if applicable) for the Extension Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, notice of such higher interest rate (or spread, spread multiplier or other formula to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) to the Holder of such Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable. All Securities with respect to which the Stated Maturity is extended will bear such higher interest rate.

 

31


If the Company extends the Stated Maturity of any Security, the Holder will have the option to elect repayment of such Security by the Company on the Original Stated Maturity at a price equal to the principal amount thereof, plus interest accrued to such date. In order to obtain repayment on the Original Stated Maturity once the Company has extended the Stated Maturity thereof, the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for repayment at the option of Holders, except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity and except that, if the Holder has tendered any Security for repayment pursuant to an Extension Notice, the Holder may by written notice to the Trustee revoke such tender for repayment until the close of business on the tenth day before the Original Stated Maturity.

Section 309.     Persons Deemed Owners.

Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest, if any, on such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Registered Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Security in global form or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any global temporary or permanent Security, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, or any agent of the Company or the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by any depositary, as a Holder, with respect to such global Security or impair, as between such depositary and owners of beneficial interests in such global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such depositary (or its nominee) as Holder of such global Security.

Section 310.     Cancellation.

All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, repayment at the option of the Holder, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which

 

32


the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. If the Company shall so acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. Cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be cancelled by the Trustee in accordance with its customary procedures.

Section 311.     Computation of Interest.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to Securities of any series, interest, if any, on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

Section 312.     Currency and Manner of Payments in Respect of Securities.

(a)       Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, with respect to Registered Securities of any series not permitting the election provided for in paragraph (b) below or the Holders of which have not made the election provided for in paragraph (b) below, payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Registered Security of such series will be made in the Currency in which such Registered Security is payable. The provisions of this Section 312 may be modified or superseded with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301.

(b)       It may be provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to Registered Securities of any series that Holders shall have the option, subject to paragraphs (d) and (e) below, to receive payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on such Registered Securities in any of the Currencies which may be designated for such election by delivering to the Trustee for such series of Registered Securities a written election with signature guarantees and in the applicable form established pursuant to Section 301, not later than the close of business on the Election Date immediately preceding the applicable payment date. If a Holder so elects to receive such payments in any such Currency, such election will remain in effect for such Holder or any transferee of such Holder until changed by such Holder or such transferee by written notice to the Trustee for such series of Registered Securities (but any such change must be made not later than the close of business on the Election Date immediately preceding the next payment date to be effective for the payment to be made on such payment date and no such change of election may be made with respect to payments to be made on any Registered Security of such series with respect to which an Event of Default has occurred or with respect to which the Company has deposited funds pursuant to Article Four or Fourteen or with respect to which a notice of redemption has been given by the Company or a notice of option to elect repayment has been sent by such Holder or such transferee). Any Holder of any such Registered Security who shall not have delivered any such election to the Trustee of such series of Registered Securities not later than the close of business on the applicable Election Date will be paid the amount due on the applicable payment date in the relevant Currency as provided in Section 312(a). The Trustee for each such series of Registered Securities shall notify the Exchange Rate Agent as soon as practicable after the Election Date of the aggregate principal amount of Registered Securities for which Holders have made such written election.

 

33


(c)       Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, if the election referred to in paragraph (b) above has been provided for pursuant to Section 301, then, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, not later than the fourth Business Day after the Election Date for each payment date for Registered Securities of any series, the Exchange Rate Agent will deliver to the Company a written notice specifying the Currency in which Registered Securities of such series are payable, the respective aggregate amounts of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Registered Securities to be paid on such payment date, specifying the amounts in such Currency so payable in respect of the Registered Securities as to which the Holders of Registered Securities denominated in any Currency shall have elected to be paid in another Currency as provided in paragraph (b) above. If the election referred to in paragraph (b) above has been provided for pursuant to Section 301 and if at least one Holder has made such election, then, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, on the second Business Day preceding such payment date the Company will deliver to the Trustee for such series of Registered Securities an Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate in respect of the Dollar or Foreign Currency or Currencies payments to be made on such payment date. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, the Dollar or Foreign Currency or Currencies amount receivable by Holders of Registered Securities who have elected payment in a Currency as provided in paragraph (b) above shall be determined by the Company on the basis of the applicable Market Exchange Rate in effect on the second Business Day (the “ Valuation Date ”) immediately preceding each payment date, and such determination shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

(d)       If a Conversion Event occurs with respect to a Foreign Currency in which any of the Securities are denominated or payable other than pursuant to an election provided for pursuant to paragraph (b) above, then with respect to each date for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any on the applicable Securities denominated or payable in such Foreign Currency occurring after the last date on which such Foreign Currency was used (the “ Conversion Date ”), the Dollar shall be the currency of payment for use on each such payment date. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, the Dollar amount to be paid by the Company to the Trustee of each such series of Securities and by such Trustee or any Paying Agent to the Holders of such Securities with respect to such payment date shall be, in the case of a Foreign Currency other than a currency unit, the Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency or, in the case of a currency unit, the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, in each case as determined by the Exchange Rate Agent in the manner provided in paragraph (f) or (g) below.

(e)       Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, if the Holder of a Registered Security denominated in any Currency shall have elected to be paid in another Currency as provided in paragraph (b) above, and a Conversion Event occurs with respect to such elected Currency, such Holder shall receive payment in the Currency in which payment would have been made in the absence of such election; and if a Conversion Event occurs with respect to the Currency in which payment would have been made in the absence of such election, such Holder shall receive payment in Dollars as provided in paragraph (d) of this Section 312.

 

34


(f)       The “ Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency ” shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent and shall be obtained for each subsequent payment date by converting the specified Foreign Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate on the Conversion Date.

(g)       The “ Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit ” shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent and subject to the provisions of paragraph (h) below shall be the sum of each amount obtained by converting the Specified Amount of each Component Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate for such Component Currency on the Valuation Date with respect to each payment.

(h)       For purposes of this Section 312, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

A “ Component Currency ” shall mean any currency which, on the Conversion Date, was a component currency of the relevant currency unit, including, but not limited to, the ECU.

A “ Specified Amount ” of a Component Currency shall mean the number of units of such Component Currency or fractions thereof which were represented in the relevant currency unit, including, but not limited to, the ECU, on the Conversion Date. If after the Conversion Date the official unit of any Component Currency is altered by way of combination or subdivision, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion. If after the Conversion Date two or more Component Currencies are consolidated into a single currency, the respective Specified Amounts of such Component Currencies shall be replaced by an amount in such single currency equal to the sum of the respective Specified Amounts of such consolidated Component Currencies expressed in such single currency, and such amount shall thereafter be a Specified Amount and such single currency shall thereafter be a Component Currency. If after the Conversion Date any Component Currency shall be divided into two or more currencies, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall be replaced by amounts of such two or more currencies, having an aggregate Dollar Equivalent value at the Market Exchange Rate on the date of such replacement equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the Specified Amount of such former Component Currency at the Market Exchange Rate immediately before such division, and such amounts shall thereafter be Specified Amounts and such currencies shall thereafter be Component Currencies. If, after the Conversion Date of the relevant currency unit, including, but not limited to, the ECU, a Conversion Event (other than any event referred to above in this definition of “ Specified Amount ”) occurs with respect to any Component Currency of such currency unit and is continuing on the applicable Valuation Date, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall, for purposes of calculating the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, be converted into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate in effect on the Conversion Date of such Component Currency.

 

35


An “ Election Date ” shall mean the Regular Record Date for the applicable series of Registered Securities or at least 16 days prior to Maturity, as the case may be, or such other prior date for any series of Registered Securities as specified pursuant to clause 13 of Section 301 by which the written election referred to in Section 312(b) may be made.

All decisions and determinations of the Exchange Rate Agent regarding the Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency, the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, the Market Exchange Rate and changes in the Specified Amounts as specified above shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company, the Trustee for the appropriate series of Securities and all Holders of such Securities denominated or payable in the relevant Currency. The Exchange Rate Agent shall promptly give written notice to the Company and the Trustee for the appropriate series of Securities of any such decision or determination.

In the event that the Company determines in good faith that a Conversion Event has occurred with respect to a Foreign Currency, the Company will immediately give written notice thereof and of the applicable Conversion Date to the Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities and to the Exchange Rate Agent (and such Trustee will promptly thereafter give notice in the manner provided in Section 106 to the affected Holders) specifying the Conversion Date. In the event the Company so determines that a Conversion Event has occurred with respect to the ECU or any other currency unit in which Securities are denominated or payable, the Company will immediately give written notice thereof to the Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities and to the Exchange Rate Agent (and such Trustee will promptly thereafter give notice in the manner provided in Section 106 to the affected Holders) specifying the Conversion Date and the Specified Amount of each Component Currency on the Conversion Date. In the event the Company determines in good faith that any subsequent change in any Component Currency as set forth in the definition of Specified Amount above has occurred, the Company will similarly give written notice to the Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities and to the Exchange Rate Agent.

The Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities shall be fully justified and protected in relying and acting upon information received by it from the Company and the Exchange Rate Agent and shall not otherwise have any duty or obligation to determine the accuracy or validity of such information independent of the Company or the Exchange Rate Agent.

Section 313.     Appointment and Resignation of Successor Exchange Rate Agent.

(a)       Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated in a Foreign Currency or (ii) may be payable in a Foreign Currency, or so long as it is required under any other provision of this Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one Exchange Rate Agent. The Company will cause the Exchange Rate Agent to make the necessary foreign exchange determinations at the time and in the manner specified pursuant to Section 301 for the purpose of determining the applicable rate of exchange and, if applicable, for the purpose of converting the issued Foreign Currency into the applicable payment Currency for the payment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, pursuant to Section 312.

 

36


(b)       No resignation of the Exchange Rate Agent and no appointment of a successor Exchange Rate Agent pursuant to this Section shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Exchange Rate Agent as evidenced by a written instrument delivered to the Company and the Trustee of the appropriate series of Securities accepting such appointment executed by the successor Exchange Rate Agent.

(c)       If the Exchange Rate Agent shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the Exchange Rate Agent for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Exchange Rate Agent or Exchange Rate Agents with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Exchange Rate Agent may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, at any time there shall only be one Exchange Rate Agent with respect to the Securities of any particular series that are originally issued by the Company on the same date and that are initially denominated and/or payable in the same Currency).

Section 314.     CUSIP Numbers.

The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall indicate the respective “CUSIP” numbers of the Securities in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall advise the Trustee as promptly as practicable in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

ARTICLE IV

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 401.     Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

Except as set forth below, this Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Request (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of such series expressly provided for herein or pursuant hereto, any surviving rights of tender for repayment at the option of the Holders and any right to receive Additional Amounts, as provided in Section 1004), and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series when:

 

37


(a)       either

(1)       all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306, and (ii) Securities of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust with the Trustee or any Paying Agent or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(2)       all Securities of such series

(A)       have become due and payable, or

(B)       will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

(C)       if redeemable at the option of the Company, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company, in the case of (A), (B) or (C) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose, solely for the benefit of the Holders, an amount in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable, sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

(b)       the Company has irrevocably paid or caused to be irrevocably paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

(c)       the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 606, the obligations of the Company to any Authenticating Agent under Section 612 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (2) of clause (a) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section 1003 shall survive any termination of this Indenture.

 

38


Section 402.     Application of Trust Funds.

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

ARTICLE V

REMEDIES

Section 501.     Events of Default.

Event of Default ,” wherever used herein with respect to any particular series of Securities, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether or not it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body), unless it is either inapplicable to a particular series or is specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the supplemental indenture or a Board Resolution establishing such series of Securities or is in the form of Security for such series:

(1)       default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series, when such interest becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

(2)       default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable at its Maturity, and continuance of such default for a period of five days; or

(3)       default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of any Security of that series, and continuance of such default for a period of five days; or

(4)       default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture with respect to any Security of that series (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or that has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of [90] days after there has

 

39


been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “ Notice of Default ” hereunder;

(5)       the Company, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(A)       commences a voluntary case or proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law,

(B)       consents to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or files a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief against it,

(C)       consents to the entry of a decree or order for relief against it in an involuntary case or proceeding,

(D)       consents to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or

(E)       makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or admits in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due or takes any corporate action in furtherance of any such action; or

(6)       a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(A)       is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding, or

(B)       adjudges the Company bankrupt or insolvent, or approves as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company, or

(C)       appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or

(D)       orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company,

and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order remains unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

 

40


(7)       if, pursuant to Sections 18(a)(1)(c)(ii) and 61 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, on the last business day of each of 24 consecutive calendar months, any class of Securities shall have an asset coverage (as such term is used in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of less than 100%, after giving effect to exemptive relief, if any, granted to the Company by the Commission; or

(8)       any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series.

The term “ Bankruptcy Law ” means title 11, U.S. Code or any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law. The term “ Custodian ” means any custodian, receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 502.     Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee (if a Responsible Officer has actual knowledge of such Event of Default) or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof) of all the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal or specified portion thereof shall become immediately due and payable.

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter provided in this Article, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

(1)       the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)):

(A)       all overdue installments of interest, if any, on all Outstanding Securities of that series,

(B)       the principal of (and premium, if any) all Outstanding Securities of that series that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities,

 

41


(C)       to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of interest at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and

(D)       all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and

(2)      all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the nonpayment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on Securities of that series that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 503.     Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

The Company covenants that if:

(1)       default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Security of any series when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

(2)       default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) any Security of any series at its Maturity and such default continues for a period of 5 days,

then the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, with interest upon any overdue principal (and premium, if any) and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, upon any overdue installments of interest, if any, at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon Securities of such series and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities of such series, wherever situated.

 

42


If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

Section 504.     Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities of any series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of any overdue principal, premium or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(i)       to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (or in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal as may be provided for in the terms thereof) (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

(ii)       to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of Securities of such series to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee, their agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee under Section 606.

Subject to Article Eight and Section 902 and unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301, nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security in any such proceeding.

 

43


Section 505.     Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

Section 506.     Application of Money Collected.

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, upon presentation of the Securities, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under this Indenture;

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, respectively; and

THIRD: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon any Senior Subordinated Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Senior Subordinated Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, respectively; and

FOURTH: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon any other Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, respectively; and

FIFTH: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company.

 

44


Section 507.     Limitation on Suits.

No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

(1)       such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;

(2)       the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(3)       such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(4)       the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

(5)       no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holders).

Section 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest, if any, on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment at the option of the Holders on the Repayment Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

 

45


Section 509.     Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of Securities shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 510.     Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 511.     Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities, as the case may be.

Section 512.     Control by Holders of Securities.

Subject to Section 602(e)(5), the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series, provided that

(1)       such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,

(2)       the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

 

46


(3)       the Trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders of Securities of such series not consenting.

Section 513.     Waiver of Past Defaults.

Subject to Section 502, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to Securities of such series and its consequences, except a default

(1)       in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of such series, or

(2)       in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

The Holders shall provide the Trustee with notice of such waiver.

Section 514.     Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

Section 515.     Undertaking for Costs.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith

 

47


of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 515 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 508 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities, or to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by any Holder of Securities of any series for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or the interest on, any of the Securities of such series, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Securities.

ARTICLE VI

THE TRUSTEE

Section 601.     Notice of Defaults.

Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), notice of such default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided , however , that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of such series, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of the Securities of such series; and provided further that in the case of any default or breach of the character specified in Section 501(4) with respect to the Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least [60] days after the occurrence thereof. For the purposes of this Section, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time would become an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.

Section 602.     Certain Rights of Trustee.

(a)       Except during the continuance of an Event of Default,

(1)       the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2)       in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform on their face to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

 

48


(b)       In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

(c)       No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that

(1)       this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (a) of this Section;

(2)       the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(3)       the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, determined as provided in Sections 101, 104 and 512, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series.

(d)       Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.

(e)       Subject to the provisions of TIA Section 315(a) through 315(d):

(1)       The Trustee 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, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

(2)       Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order (other than delivery of any Security to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 303, which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution.

(3)       Whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon a Board Resolution, an Opinion of Counsel or an Officers’ Certificate.

 

49


(4)       The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

(5)       The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities (including the reasonable fees and expenses of its agents and counsel), which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(6)       The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled, upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times during normal business hours, to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall not incur any additional liability in connection with such inquiry or investigation.

(7)       The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.

(8)       The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

(9)       The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder.

(10)       The permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties.

 

50


(11)       The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(12)       In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(13)       The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

(14)       The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunctions of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority and governmental action.

(15)       The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

The Trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

Section 603.     Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

 

51


Section 604.     May Hold Securities.

The Trustee, any Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to TIA Sections 310(b) and 311, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or such other agent.

Section 605.     Money Held in Trust.

Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.

Section 606.     Compensation and Reimbursement and Indemnification of Trustee.

The Company agrees:

(1)       To pay to the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee from time to time such reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as has been agreed upon from time to time in writing (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust).

(2)       Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct.

(3)       To indemnify each of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on its own part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except those determined to have been caused by its own negligence or willful misconduct as finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

52


As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a claim prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on particular Securities.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 501 occurs, the expenses and compensation for such services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar Federal, State or analogous foreign law for the relief of debtors.

The provisions of this Section 606 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the satisfaction, termination or discharge of this Indenture.

Section 607.     Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that shall be eligible to act as trustee under TIA Section 310(a)(1) and shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

Section 608.     Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.

If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.

Section 609.     Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

(a)       No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 610.

(b)       The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company.

 

53


(c)       The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by (i) the Company, by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, provided that contemporaneously therewith (x) the Company immediately appoints a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series meeting the requirements of Section 607 hereof and (y) the terms of Section 610 hereof are complied with in respect of such appointment (the Trustee being removed hereby agreeing to execute the instrument contemplated by Section 610(b) hereof, if applicable, under such circumstances) and provided further that no Default with respect to such Securities shall have occurred and then be continuing at such time, or (ii) Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.

(d)       If at any time:

(1)       the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months (or, if it is a shorter period, the period since the initial issuance of the Securities of such series), or

(2)       the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 607 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months (or, if it is a shorter period, the period since the initial issuance of the Securities of such series), or

(3)       the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

then, in any such case, (i) the Company by or pursuant to a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months (or, if it is a shorter period, the period since the initial issuance of the Securities of such series) may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

(e)       If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of a notice of resignation or the delivery of an Act of removal, the Trustee resigning or being removed may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(f)       If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those

 

54


series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series). If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to Securities of such series.

(g)       The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series in the manner provided for notices to the Holders of Securities in Section 106. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

Section 610.     Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

(a)       In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee, and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 606.

(b)       In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and that (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the

 

55


Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. Whenever there is a successor Trustee with respect to one or more (but less than all) series of securities issued pursuant to this Indenture, the terms “Indenture” and “Securities” shall have the meanings specified in the provisos to the respective definition of those terms in Section 101 which contemplate such situation.

(c)       Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments reasonably necessary to more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

(d)       No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

Section 611.     Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities. In case any Securities shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Securities, in either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee, with the full force and effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of authentication of the Trustee; provided , however , that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or to authenticate Securities in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

 

56


Section 612.     Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

At any time when any of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents (which may be an Affiliate or Affiliates of the Company) with respect to one or more series of Securities that shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue or upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument in writing signed by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, a copy of which instrument shall be promptly furnished to the Company. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section 301, shall at all times be a bank or trust company or corporation organized and doing business and in good standing under the laws of the United States of America or of any State or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authorities. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. In case at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

An Authenticating Agent for any series of Securities may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee for such series and to the Company. The Trustee for any series of Securities may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section,

 

57


the Trustee for such series may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall promptly give written notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve in the manner set forth in Section 106. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent herein. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation, including reimbursement of its reasonable expenses, for its services under this Section.

If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication substantially in the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee
By:  

 

  as Authenticating Agent
By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

If all of the Securities of a series may not be originally issued at one time, and the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Company wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested by the Company in writing (which writing need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel), shall appoint in accordance with this Section an Authenticating Agent (which, if so requested by the Company, shall be an Affiliate of the Company) having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Company with respect to such series of Securities, provided that the terms and conditions of such appointment are reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

 

58


ARTICLE VII

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

Section 701.     Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders.

Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any Paying Agent nor any Security Registrar nor any agent of any of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with TIA Section 312, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under TIA Section 312(b).

Section 702.     Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

(a)       The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

(b)       The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the corresponding rights and duties of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.

(c)       Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 703.     Reports by Trustee.

Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the first May 15 after the first issuance of Securities pursuant to this Indenture, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities as provided in TIA Section 313(c) a brief report dated as of such May 15 which meets the requirements of TIA Section 313(a).

A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange, if any, upon which the Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of the listing of the Securities on any stock exchange.

 

59


Section 704.     Reports by Company.

The Company will file with the Trustee and the Commission, and transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act; provided, that any such information, documents or reports filed electronically with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, shall be deemed filed with and delivered to the Trustee and the Holders at the same time as filed with the Commission (it being understood that the Trustee shall have no obligation to determine if such information has been filed with the Commission).

Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

Section 705.     Calculation of Original Issue Discount.

The Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods), if any, accrued on Outstanding Securities as of the end of such year.

ARTICLE VIII

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER

Section 801.     Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

Unless otherwise provided in the terms of such Securities, the Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into any other corporation or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless:

(1)       either the Company shall be the continuing corporation, or the corporation (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on all the Securities and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

(2)       immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have happened and be continuing; and

 

60


(3)       the Company and the successor Person have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Section 802.     Successor Person Substituted.

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any conveyance or transfer of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 801, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the successor Person to which such conveyance or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor had been named as the Company herein; and in the event of any such conveyance or transfer, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and may be dissolved and liquidated.

ARTICLE IX

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 901.     Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

Without the consent of any Holders of Securities, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

(1)       to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities contained; or

(2)       to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or

(3)       to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); provided , however , that in respect of any such additional Events of Default such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be

 

61


shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of that or those series of Securities to which such additional Events of Default apply to waive such default; or

(4)       to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision; or

(5)       to secure the Securities pursuant to the requirements of Section 801, or otherwise; or

(6)       to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301, including the provisions and procedures relating to Securities convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company), or to authorize the issuance of additional Securities of a series previously authorized or to add to the conditions, limitations or restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication or delivery of the Securities of any series, as herein set forth, or other conditions, limitations or restrictions thereafter to be observed; or

(7)       to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee; or

(8)       to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any indenture supplemental hereto which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture or to conform the terms hereof, as amended and supplemented, that are applicable to the Securities of any series to the description of the terms of such Securities in the offering memorandum, prospectus supplement or other offering document applicable to such Securities at the time of initial sale thereof, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect, in each case as determined in good faith by the Company, as evidenced in an Officers’ Certificate; or

(9)       to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Sections 401, 1402 and 1403; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material respect as determined in good faith by the Company, as evidenced in an Officers’ Certificate; or

 

62


(10)       to add guarantors or co-obligors with respect to any series of Securities or to release guarantors from their guarantees of Securities in accordance with the terms of the applicable series of Securities; or

(11)       to make any change in any series of Securities that does not adversely affect in any material respect the rights of the Holders of such Securities as determined in good faith by the Company, as evidenced in an Officers’ Certificate.

Section 902.     Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture that affects such series of Securities or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of such series of Securities under this Indenture; provided , however , that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby:

(1)       change the Stated Maturity of the principal of (or premium, if any) or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, subject to the provisions of Section 308; or the terms of any sinking fund with respect to any Security; or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest (or change the manner of calculating the rate of interest, thereon, or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or change any obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1004 (except as contemplated by Section 801(1) and permitted by Section 901(1))), or reduce the portion of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or Indexed Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, or upon the redemption thereof or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 504, or adversely affect any right of repayment at the option of the Holder of any Security, or change any Place of Payment where, or the Currency in which, any Security or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the Redemption Date or the Repayment Date, as the case may be), or adversely affect any right to convert or exchange any Security as may be provided pursuant to Section 301 herein, or modify the subordination provisions set forth in Article Sixteen in a manner that is adverse to the Holder of any Security; or

 

63


(2)       reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver with respect to such series (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 1504 for quorum or voting; or

(3)       modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or Section 1006, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided , however , that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder of a Security with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 610(b) and 901(8).

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or that modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons entitled to consent to any indenture supplemental hereto. If a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such supplemental indenture, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided , that unless such consent shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having been obtained prior to the date that is eleven months after such record date, any such consent previously given shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be cancelled and of no further effect.

Section 903.     Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modification thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall receive, and shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 102 of this Indenture, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and such supplemental indenture is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to customary enforceability exceptions. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

64


Section 904.     Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.

Section 905.     Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

Section 906.     Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

ARTICLE X

COVENANTS

Section 1001.     Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest.

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of such series of Securities and this Indenture. Unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301, at the option of the Company, all payments of principal may be paid by check to the registered Holder of the Registered Security or other person entitled thereto against surrender of such Security.

 

65


Section 1002.     Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of each such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency in respect of any series of Securities or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive such respective presentations, surrenders, notices and demands, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all of such purposes, and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided , however , that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in accordance with the requirements set forth above for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301 with respect to a series of Securities, the Company hereby designates as a Place of Payment for each series of Securities the office or agency of the Company, and initially appoints the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office as Paying Agent and as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated in a currency other than Dollars or (ii) may be payable in a currency other than Dollars, or so long as it is required under any other provision of the Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one Exchange Rate Agent.

Section 1003.     Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.

If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of any Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Securities of such series so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

 

66


Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum (in the Currency or Currencies described in the preceding paragraph) sufficient to pay the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, so becoming due, such sum of money to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums of money held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.

Except as otherwise provided in the Securities of any series and subject to any applicable abandoned property laws, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company upon Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such money held in trust, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

Section 1004.     Additional Amounts.

If the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company will pay to the Holder of any Security of such series such Additional Amounts as may be specified as contemplated by Section 301. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of any series or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, if the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to that series of Securities (or if the Securities of that series will not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal premium is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal, premium or interest if there has

 

67


been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers’ Certificate, the Company will furnish the Trustee and the Company’s principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, with an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal, premium or interest on the Securities of that series shall be made to Holders of Securities of that series who are not United States persons without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of that series. If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officers’ Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities of that series and the Company will pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by the terms of such Securities. In the event that the Trustee or any Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall not so receive the above-mentioned certificate, then the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall be entitled (i) to assume that no such withholding or deduction is required with respect to any payment of principal or interest with respect to any Securities of a series until it shall have received a certificate advising otherwise and (ii) to make all payments of principal and interest with respect to the Securities of a series without withholding or deductions until otherwise advised. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section or in reliance on the Company’s not furnishing such an Officers’ Certificate.

Section 1005.     Statement as to Compliance.

The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year ending after the date hereof so long as any Security is Outstanding hereunder, an Officers’ Certificate stating to the knowledge of the signers (one of such signers being the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer) thereof whether the Company is in default in the performance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of this Indenture. For purposes of this Section 1005, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under this Indenture.

Section 1006.     Waiver of Certain Covenants.

The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any covenant or condition as specified pursuant to Section 301(15) for Securities of any series, in any covenants of the Company added to Article Ten pursuant to Section 301(14) or Section 301(15) in connection with the Securities of a series, if before or after the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

 

68


ARTICLE XI

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 1101.     Applicability of Article.

Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.

Section 1102.     Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all of the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 15 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed, and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed, and shall deliver to the Trustee such documentation and records as shall enable the Trustee to select the Securities to be redeemed pursuant to Section 1103. In the case of any redemption of Securities of any series prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.

Section 1103.     Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.

If less than all the Securities of any series issued on the same day with the same terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series issued on such date with the same terms not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate; provided that such method complies with the rules of any national securities exchange or quotation system on which the Securities are listed, and may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series; provided , however , that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Security not redeemed to less than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such series.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

 

69


For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.

Section 1104.     Notice of Redemption.

Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, but failure to give such notice in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other such Security or portion thereof.

Any notice that is mailed to the Holders of Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice.

All notices of redemption shall state:

(1)       the Redemption Date,

(2)       the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106,

(3)       if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Security or Securities to be redeemed,

(4)       in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice that relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder will receive, without a charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,

(5)       that on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106 will become due and payable upon each such Security, or the portion thereof, to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date,

(6)       the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities, if any, maturing after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any,

 

70


(7)       that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case, and

(8)       the CUSIP number of such Security, if any.

A notice of redemption published as contemplated by Section 106 need not identify particular Registered Securities to be redeemed. Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s prior written request at least 5 business days prior to the date on which the notice is to be sent, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

Section 1105.     Deposit of Redemption Price.

On or prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, which it may not do in the case of a sinking fund payment under Article Twelve, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) sufficient to pay on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price of, and (unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301) accrued interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.

Section 1106.     Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) (together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date), and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any) such Securities shall if the same were interest-bearing cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided , however , that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the Redemption Price shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate of interest set forth in such Security or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, at the Yield to Maturity of such Security.

 

71


Section 1107.     Securities Redeemed in Part.

Any Registered Security that is to be redeemed only in part (pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Article Twelve) shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge a new Security or Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. If a temporary global Security or permanent global Security is so surrendered, such new Security so issued shall be a new temporary global Security or permanent global Security, respectively. However, if less than all the Securities of any series with differing issue dates, interest rates and stated maturities are to be redeemed, the Company in its sole discretion shall select the particular Securities to be redeemed and shall notify the Trustee in writing thereof at least 45 days prior to the relevant redemption date.

ARTICLE XII

SINKING FUNDS

Section 1201.     Applicability of Article.

The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of such Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of any Securities of any series, the cash amount of any mandatory sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.

 

72


Section 1202.     Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

The Company may, at its option, in satisfaction of all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of a series, (1) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any previously called for redemption) and (2) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, as provided for by the terms of such Securities; provided that such Securities so delivered or applied as a credit have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the applicable Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

Section 1203.     Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for Securities of any series, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1202, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered and credited. If such Officers’ Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.

ARTICLE XIII

REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

Section 1301.     Applicability of Article.

Repayment of Securities of any series before their Stated Maturity at the option of Holders thereof shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise specified by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301) in accordance with this Article.

 

73


Section 1302.     Repayment of Securities.

Securities of any series subject to repayment in whole or in part at the option of the Holders thereof will, unless otherwise provided in the terms of such Securities, be repaid at the Repayment Price thereof, together with interest, if any, thereon accrued to the Repayment Date specified in or pursuant to the terms of such Securities. The Company covenants that on or before 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Repayment Date it will deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 312(b), 312(d) and 312(e)) sufficient to pay the Repayment Price of, and (unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301) accrued interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid on such date.

Section 1303.     Exercise of Option.

Securities of any series subject to repayment at the option of the Holders thereof will contain an “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse of such Securities. To be repaid at the option of the Holder, any Security so providing for such repayment, with the “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse of such Security duly completed by the Holder (or by the Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), must be received by the Company at the Place of Payment therefor specified in the terms of such Security (or at such other place or places of which the Company shall from time to time notify the Holders of such Securities) not earlier than 45 days nor later than 30 days prior to the Repayment Date. If less than the entire Repayment Price of such Security is to be repaid in accordance with the terms of such Security, the portion of the Repayment Price of such Security to be repaid, in increments of the minimum denomination for Securities of such series, and the denomination or denominations of the Security or Securities to be issued to the Holder for the portion of such Security surrendered that is not to be repaid, must be specified. Any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof may not be repaid in part if, following such repayment, the unpaid principal amount of such Security would be less than the minimum authorized denomination of Securities of the series of which such Security to be repaid is a part. Except as otherwise may be provided by the terms of any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof, exercise of the repayment option by the Holder shall be irrevocable unless waived by the Company.

Section 1304.     When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable.

If Securities of any series providing for repayment at the option of the Holders thereof shall have been surrendered as provided in this Article and as provided by or pursuant to the terms of such Securities, such Securities or the portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid shall become due and payable and shall be paid by the Company on the Repayment Date therein

 

74


specified, and on and after such Repayment Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Securities on such Repayment Date) such Securities shall, if the same were interest-bearing, cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for repayment in accordance with such provisions, the Repayment Price of such Security so to be repaid shall be paid by the Company, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Repayment Date; provided , however , that installments of interest on Registered Securities, whose Stated Maturity is prior to (or, if specified pursuant to Section 301, on) the Repayment Date shall be payable (but without interest thereon, unless the Company shall default in the payment thereof) to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

If any Security surrendered for repayment shall not be so repaid upon surrender thereof, the Repayment Price shall, until paid, bear interest from the Repayment Date at the rate of interest set forth in such Security or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, at the Yield to Maturity of such Security.

Section 1305.     Securities Repaid in Part.

Upon surrender of any Registered Security that is to be repaid in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security, without service charge and at the expense of the Company, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, and of like tenor, of any authorized denomination specified by the Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the portion of the principal of such Security so surrendered that is not to be repaid. If a temporary global Security or permanent global Security is so surrendered, such new Security so issued shall be a new temporary global Security or a new permanent global Security, respectively.

ARTICLE XIV

DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 1401.     Applicability of Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

If pursuant to Section 301 provision is made for either or both of (a) defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1402 or (b) covenant defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1403, then the provisions of such Section or Sections, as the case may be, together with the other provisions of this Article (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities, and the Company may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to such Securities, elect to have either Section 1402 (if applicable) or Section 1403 (if applicable) be applied to such Outstanding Securities upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article.

 

75


Section 1402.     Defeasance and Discharge.

Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 1405 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (A) and (B) of this Section, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (A) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 1404 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities when such payments are due, (B) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 305, 306, 1002 and 1003 and with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, on such Securities as contemplated by Section 1004, (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (D) this Article. Subject to compliance with this Article Fourteen, the Company may exercise its option under this Section notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 1403 with respect to such Securities. Following a defeasance, payment of such Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default.

Section 1403.     Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be, if specified pursuant to Section 301, released from its obligations under any covenant with respect to such Outstanding Securities on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”), and such Securities shall thereafter be deemed to be not “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenant, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to such Outstanding Securities, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or such other covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or by reason of reference in any such Section or such other covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 501(4) or 501(7) or otherwise, as the case may be, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby. Following a covenant defeasance, payment of such Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default solely by reference to such Sections specified above in this Section 1503.

 

76


Section 1404.     Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The following shall be the conditions to application of either Section 1402 or Section 1403 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series:

(a)       The Company shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 607 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article Fourteen applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for the benefit of, and dedicated solely to, the Holders of such Securities, (1) an amount (in such Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity), or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities (determined on the basis of the Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof in an amount, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (i) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Outstanding Securities on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities.

(b)       Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.

(c)       No Default or Event of Default with respect to such Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as Sections 501(5) and 501(6) are concerned, at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

(d)       In the case of an election under Section 1402, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.

 

77


(e)       In the case of an election under Section 1403, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred.

(f)       The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to either the defeasance under Section 1402 or the covenant defeasance under Section 1403 (as the case may be) have been complied with.

(g)       Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 301.

Section 1405.     Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 301) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 1405, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 1404 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Security pursuant to Section 301, if, after a deposit referred to in Section 1404(a) has been made, (a) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Section 312(b) or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a Currency other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Section 1404(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (b) a Conversion Event occurs as contemplated in Section 312(d) or 312(e) or by the terms of any Security in respect of which the deposit pursuant to Section 1404(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Security as the same becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the Currency in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on the applicable Market Exchange Rate for such Currency in effect on the second Business Day prior to each payment date, except, with respect to a Conversion Event, for such Currency in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.

 

78


The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the money or Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1404 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities.

Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in Section 1404 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article.

If, after the Company has made a deposit with the Trustee pursuant to Section 1404, the Trustee is unable to apply any money in accordance with Section 1405 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the applicable Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 1404 until such time as the Trustee is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with this Article Fourteen; provided, however, that if the Company has made any payment of the principal of or interest on any series of Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive any such payment from the money held by the Trustee.

Money deposited with the Trustee in trust pursuant to this Section 1405 shall not be subject to the subordination provisions of Article Sixteen.

ARTICLE XV

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

Section 1501.     Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.

A meeting of Holders of any series of Securities may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.

 

79


Section 1502.     Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

(a)       The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, to be held at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or such other city within the United States of America in which there is a Place of Payment as the Trustee for such series shall determine, or in London as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

(b)       In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have made the first publication or mailing of the notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or such other city within the United States of America in which there is a Place of Payment, or in London for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in subsection (a) of this Section.

Section 1503.     Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (2) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

Section 1504.     Quorum; Action.

The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series; provided , however , that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action that this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series, the Persons entitled to vote such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less

 

80


than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 1502(a), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum.

Except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; provided , however , that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution with respect to any consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series.

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1504, if any action is to be taken at a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series with respect to any consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action that this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected thereby, or of the Holders of such series and one or more additional series:

(i)       there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for such meeting; and

(ii)       the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series that vote in favor of such consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action shall be taken into account in determining whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken under this Indenture.

 

81


Section 1505.     Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.

(a)       Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of a series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 104 or other proof.

(b)       The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 1502(b), in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

(c)       At any meeting of Holders, each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by such Holder; provided , however , that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.

(d)       Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 1502 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

Section 1506.     Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in duplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any Series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or

 

82


more persons having knowledge of the fact, setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 1502 and, if applicable, Section 1504. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

ARTICLE XVI

SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

Section 1601.     Agreement to Subordinate.

The Company, for itself, its successors and assigns, covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Senior Subordinated Securities by such Holder’s acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on each and all of the Senior Subordinated Securities is hereby expressly subordinated, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness.

The Company, for itself, its successors and assigns, covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Junior Subordinated Securities by such Holder’s acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on each and all of the Junior Subordinated Securities is hereby expressly subordinated, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness and Senior Subordinated Indebtedness.

Section 1602.     Distribution on Dissolution, Liquidation and Reorganization; Subrogation of Subordinated Securities.

Upon any distribution of assets of the Company upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or receivership proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of the assets and liabilities of the Company or otherwise (subject to the power of a court of competent jurisdiction to make other equitable provision reflecting the rights conferred in this Indenture upon the Senior Indebtedness and the holders thereof with respect to the Securities and the holders thereof by a lawful plan of reorganization under applicable bankruptcy law):

(a)       the holders of all Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment in full of the principal thereof (and premium, if any) and interest due thereon before the Holders of the Subordinated Securities are entitled to receive any payment upon the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on indebtedness evidenced by the Subordinated Securities; and

 

83


(b)       the holders of all Senior Subordinated Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment in full of the principal thereof (and premium, if any) and interest due thereon before the Holders of the Junior Subordinated Securities are entitled to receive any payment upon the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on indebtedness evidenced by the Junior Subordinated Securities; and

(c)       any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article Sixteen shall be paid by the liquidating trustee or agent or other person making such payment or distribution, whether a trustee in bankruptcy, a receiver or liquidating trustee or otherwise, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instruments evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably according to the aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on account of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Senior Indebtedness held or represented by each, to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness; and

(d)       in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of the Subordinated Securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, such payment or distribution shall be paid over, upon written notice to the Trustee, to the holder of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instrument evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably as aforesaid, for application to payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all such Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the Holders of the Subordinated Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to Senior Indebtedness until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Subordinated Securities shall be paid in full and no such payments or distributions to the Holders of the Subordinated Securities of cash, property or securities otherwise distributable to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Subordinated Securities be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the Subordinated Securities. It is understood that the provisions of this Article Sixteen are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Subordinated Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand. Nothing contained in this Article Sixteen or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Subordinated Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Subordinated Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is unconditional and absolute, to

 

84


pay to the Holders of the Subordinated Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Subordinated Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or to affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Subordinated Securities and creditors of the Company other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or in the Subordinated Securities prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Subordinated Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article Sixteen of the holders of Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy. Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article Sixteen, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 601, shall be entitled to rely upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other person making any distribution to the Trustee for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Sixteen.

If the Trustee or any Holder of Subordinated Securities does not file a proper claim or proof of debt in the form required in any proceeding referred to above prior to 30 days before the expiration of the time to file such claim in such proceeding, then the holder of any Senior Indebtedness is hereby authorized, and has the right, to file an appropriate claim or claims for or on behalf of such Holder of Subordinated Securities.

With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants or obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee does not owe any fiduciary duties to the holders of Securities other than Securities issued under this Indenture.

Section 1603.     No Payment on Subordinated Securities in Event of Default on Senior Indebtedness.

No payment by the Company on account of principal (or premium, if any), sinking funds or interest, if any, on the Subordinated Securities shall be made unless full payment of amounts then due for principal (premium, if any), sinking funds and interest on Senior Indebtedness has been made or duly provided for in money or money’s worth.

Section 1604.     Payments on Subordinated Securities Permitted.

Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Subordinated Securities shall (a) affect the obligation of the Company to make, or prevent the Company from making, at any time except as provided in Sections 1602 and 1603, payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Subordinated Securities or (b) prevent the application by the Trustee of any moneys deposited with it hereunder to the payment of or on account of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Subordinated Securities, unless the Trustee shall have received at its Corporate Trust Office written notice of any event prohibiting the making of such payment more than three Business Days prior to the date fixed for such payment.

 

85


Section 1605.     Authorization of Holders to Trustee to Effect Subordination.

Each Holder of Subordinated Securities by such Holder’s acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on such Holder’s behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in this Article Sixteen and appoints the Trustee such Holder’s attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

Section 1606.     Notices to Trustee.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article or any other provisions of this Indenture, neither the Trustee nor any Paying Agent (other than the Company) shall be charged with knowledge of the existence of any Senior Indebtedness or of any event which would prohibit the making of any payment of moneys to or by the Trustee or such Paying Agent, unless and until the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall have received (in the case of the Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office) written notice thereof from the Company or from the holder of any Senior Indebtedness or from the trustee for any such holder, together with proof reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of such holding of Senior Indebtedness or of the authority of such trustee; provided , however , that if at least three Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any such moneys may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of either the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Subordinated Security) the Trustee shall not have received with respect to such moneys the notice provided for in this Section 1606, then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such moneys and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary, which may be received by it within three Business Days prior to such date. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such a notice has been given by a holder of Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of any such holder. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article Sixteen, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article Sixteen and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

 

86


Section 1607.     Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness.

The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article Sixteen in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness and nothing in this Indenture shall be construed to deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

Nothing in this Article Sixteen shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 606.

Section 1608.     Modifications of Terms of Senior Indebtedness.

Any renewal or extension of the time of payment of any Senior Indebtedness or the exercise by the holders of Senior Indebtedness of any of their rights under any instrument creating or evidencing Senior Indebtedness, including, without limitation, the waiver of default thereunder, may be made or done all without notice to or assent from the Holders of the Subordinated Securities or the Trustee.

No compromise, alteration, amendment, modification, extension, renewal or other change of, or waiver, consent or other action in respect of, any liability or obligation under or in respect of, or of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of any indenture or other instrument under which any Senior Indebtedness is outstanding or of such Senior Indebtedness, whether or not such release is in accordance with the provisions of any applicable document, shall in any way alter or affect any of the provisions of this Article Sixteen or of the Subordinated Securities relating to the subordination thereof.

Section 1609.     Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent.

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article Sixteen, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding up or similar case or proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of Subordinated Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Sixteen.

* * * * *

This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same Indenture.

 

87


The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or .pdf transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture and signature pages for all purposes.

 

 

88


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, as of the day and year first above written.

 

GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
  as Trustee
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY EUROCLEAR AND

CLEARSTREAM IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OF

A PORTION OF A TEMPORARY GLOBAL SECURITY

OR TO OBTAIN INTEREST PAYABLE PRIOR

TO THE EXCHANGE DATE

CERTIFICATE

[Insert title or sufficient description of Securities

to be delivered]

This is to certify that, based solely on written certifications that we have received in writing, by tested telex or by electronic transmission from each of the persons appearing in our records as persons entitled to a portion of the principal amount set forth below (our “Member Organizations”) substantially in the form attached hereto, as of the date hereof, [U.S.$] principal amount of the above-captioned Securities (i) is owned by person(s) that are not “United States persons” (“United States Person(s)”) within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (ii) is owned by United States person(s) that are (a) foreign branches of United States financial institutions (financial institutions, as defined in U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v)[(iv)] are herein referred to as “financial institutions”) purchasing for their own account or for resale, or (b) United States person(s) who acquired the Securities through foreign branches of United States financial institutions and who hold the Securities through such United States financial institutions on the date hereof (and in either case (a) or (b), each such financial institution has agreed, on its own behalf or through its agent, that we may advise Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. or its agent that such financial institution will comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Code and the United States Treasury Regulations thereunder), or (iii) is owned by United States or foreign financial institution(s) for purposes of resale during the restricted period (as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)), and, to the further effect, that financial institutions described in clause (iii) above (whether or not also described in clause (i) or (ii)) have certified that they have not acquired the Securities for purposes of resale directly or indirectly to a United States person or to a person within the United States or its possessions.

As used herein, “United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia); and its “possessions” include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

We further certify that (i) we are not making available herewith for exchange (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) any portion of the temporary global Security representing the above-captioned Securities excepted in the above-referenced certificates of Member Organizations and (ii) as of the date hereof we have not received any notification from any of our Member Organizations to the effect that the statements made by such Member Organizations with respect to any portion of the part submitted herewith for exchange (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) are no longer true and cannot be relied upon as of the date hereof.


We understand that this certification is required in connection with certain tax legislation in the United States. If administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy thereof to any interested party in such proceedings.

Dated:                 , 20    

[To be dated no earlier than the Exchange

Date or the relevant Interest Payment

Date occurring prior to the Exchange

Date, as applicable]

 

[                     ], as Operator of the Euroclear System
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Exhibit (d)(4)

[Form of Subscription Certificate]

THIS OFFER EXPIRES AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON     , *

GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.

SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS FOR COMMON STOCK

Each registered holder of this Subscription Certificate (a Rights Holder ) is entitled to the number of [non-] transferable subscription rights (each, a Right ) to subscribe for the number of shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share ( Common Stock ), of Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company ), as specified herein, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Company s prospectus supplement dated     ,    , and the accompanying prospectus dated     ,     (collectively, the Prospectus ), which are incorporated herein by reference. Pursuant to the rights offering described in the Prospectus (the Offering ), each stockholder owning Common Stock as of     , (such date, the Record Date and such stockholder, a Record Date Stockholder ) is entitled to receive Right[s] for each share[s] of Common Stock owned on the Record Date. [The Company will not issue any fractional Rights.] Each Rights Holder is entitled to subscribe for share[s] of Common Stock for each Right held by such Rights Holder (the Basic Subscription ) at the subscription price (the Subscription Price ), to be calculated as described in the Prospectus. The Rights may be exercised at any time during the subscription period, which commences on     ,     and ends at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on     ,     unless extended by the Company in its sole discretion (the Expiration Date ). Set forth below is the number of Rights evidenced by this Subscription Certificate that the Rights Holder is entitled to exercise pursuant to the Basic Subscription.

[If any shares of Common Stock available for purchase in the Offering are not subscribed for by Rights Holders pursuant to the Basic Subscription ( “Remaining Shares” ), a Record Date Stockholder that has exercised fully its Rights pursuant to the Basic Subscription may subscribe for a number of Remaining Shares, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus, including as to proration.] [In addition, any Rights Holder other than a Record Date Stockholder who exercises Rights is entitled to subscribe for any Remaining Shares that are not otherwise subscribed for by Record Date Stockholders pursuant to their over-subscription privilege, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus, including as to proration.] [We refer to these over-subscription privileges as the “Over-Subscription Privilege . ]

 

 

 

*   Unless extended by the Company in its sole discretion.


[ THE RIGHTS ARE TRANSFERABLE

The Rights are transferable until     ,     or, if the Offering is extended, until     ,     . The Rights are expected to be listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “    ” until and including     ,     (or, if the Offering is extended, until     , ). Rights Holders who do not wish to exercise any or all of their Rights may instruct the Subscription Agent (as defined below) to sell any Rights they do not intend to exercise themselves through or to a dealer manager. Subscription Certificates representing the Rights to be sold through or to a dealer manager must be received by the Subscription Agent on or before     ,     (or, if the Offering is extended, prior to the extended Expiration Date).]

Control No:

CUSIP No.:

Rights Represented by this Subscription Certificate:

Maximum Shares Available for Purchase

Pursuant to the Basic Subscription:

 

2


[THE OFFERING IS TERMINABLE BY THE COMPANY

The Company reserves the right to terminate the Offering prior to delivery of Common Stock.]

[ESTIMATED SUBSCRIPTION PRICE

The estimated subscription price (the “ Estimated Subscription Price ”) is $[ ] per share of Common Stock. [See also “Method of Exercise of Rights” below.]]

THE SUBSCRIPTION PRICE

The Subscription Price for the shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Offering will be [insert price or formula].

SAMPLE CALCULATION FOR A RECORD DATE STOCKHOLDER WHO OWNS

SHARES BASIC SUBSCRIPTION RIGHT ( -FOR- )

No. of shares held on the Record Date: ÷ = Rights (Right[s] for every share[s] of Common Stock held on the Record Date)

No. of shares of Common Stock issued assuming full exercise of Basic Subscription: × = new shares of Common Stock

Total payment based on the Estimated Subscription Price: shares × $ = $

METHOD OF EXERCISE OF RIGHTS

To exercise your Rights,     (the “ Subscription Agent ”) must receive, in the manner specified herein, at or prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City Time, on     ,     , unless extended by the Company in its sole discretion, either (A) a properly completed and duly executed Subscription Certificate and a money order or check or bank draft drawn on a bank or branch located in the United States and payable to “ ” for an amount equal to the number of shares of Common Stock subscribed for pursuant to the Basic Subscription [and the Over-Subscription Privilege] multiplied by the [Estimated] Subscription Price; or (B) a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery guaranteeing delivery of (i) a properly completed and duly executed Subscription Certificate and (ii) a money order or check or bank draft drawn on a bank or branch located in the United States and payable to “ ” for an amount equal to the number of shares of Common Stock subscribed for pursuant to the Basic Subscription [and the Over-Subscription Privilege] multiplied by the [Estimated] Subscription Price (which certificate and full payment must then be delivered at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day after the Expiration Date or, if the Offering is extended, at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day after the extended Expiration Date). Payment must be made in U.S. dollars.

The method of delivery of this Subscription Certificate and the payment of the [Estimated] Subscription Price and, if required, any additional payment is at the election and risk of the Rights Holder, but if sent by mail it is recommended that the Subscription Certificate and payment be sent by registered mail, properly insured, with return receipt requested, and that a sufficient number of days be allowed to ensure delivery to the Subscription Agent and clearance of payment prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date, as it may be extended, or the date guaranteed payments are due under a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (as applicable). Because uncertified personal checks may take at least five business days to clear, you are strongly urged to pay, or arrange for payment, by means of certified or cashier’s check or money order.

 

3


[Because Rights Holders must only pay the Estimated Subscription Price per share to exercise their Rights pursuant to the Offering and the Subscription Price may be higher or lower than the Estimated Subscription Price [(and because a Rights Holder may not receive all the shares for which they subscribe pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege)], Rights Holders may receive a refund or be required to pay an additional amount equal to the difference between the Estimated Subscription Price and the Subscription Price, multiplied by the total number of shares for which they have subscribed and been issued [(including pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege)]. Any additional payment required from a Rights Holder must be received by the Subscription Agent within ten business days after the confirmation date in order to receive all the shares of Common Stock subscribed for. Any excess payment to be refunded by the Company to a Rights Holder will be mailed by the Subscription Agent as promptly as practicable. No interest will be paid on any amounts refunded.]

[Stock certificates will not be issued for shares of the Company’s Common Stock offered in the Offering. Stockholders who are record owners will have the shares they acquire credited to their account with the Company’s transfer agent. Stockholders whose Common Stock is held by a nominee will have the shares they acquire credited to the account of such nominee holder.]

A Rights Holder exercising Rights will have no right to rescind their subscription after receipt of their payment for shares or a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery by the Subscription Agent[, except as described in the Prospectus]. [Rights may be transferred in the same manner and with the same effect as with a negotiable instrument payable to specific persons, by duly completing this Subscription Certificate. Rights Holders should be aware that if they choose to exercise, assign, transfer or sell only part of their Rights, they may not receive a new Subscription Certificate in sufficient time to exercise, assign, transfer or sell the remaining Rights evidenced thereby.]

To subscribe for shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Basic Subscription, please complete line “A” and Section 1 below. [To subscribe for shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege, please complete lines “A” and “B” and Section 1 below.]

[If you want the Subscription Agent to attempt to sell any of your unexercised Rights, check box “D” below and complete Section 1 below. If you want a new Subscription Certificate evidencing any unexercised Rights delivered to you, check box “E” below and indicate the address to which the shares should be delivered in Section 1 below. If you want some or all of your unexercised rights transferred to a designated transferee, or to a bank or broker to sell for you, check box “F” below and complete Section 2 below.]

FOR A MORE COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFERING, PLEASE REFER TO THE PROSPECTUS, WHICH IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE. COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FROM THE INFORMATION AGENT,                                , TOLL-FREE AT                    .

 

4


A.      Basic Subscription

× $ = $

(No. of Shares) ([Estimated] Subscription Price)

[B.       Over-Subscription Privilege*

× $ = $

(No. of Shares) ([Estimated] Subscription Price)]

[C.]       Total Amount Enclosed = $

[*If a Rights Holder is a Record Date Stockholder, the Over-Subscription Privilege may only be exercised if its Basic Subscription is exercised in full.]

SECTION 1. TO SUBSCRIBE: I acknowledge that I have received the Prospectus for the Offering and I hereby irrevocably subscribe for the number of shares of Common Stock indicated as the total of A [and B] above upon the terms and conditions specified in the Prospectus and incorporated by reference herein. [I understand and agree that I will be obligated to pay an additional amount if the Subscription Price as determined on the Expiration Date, as it may be extended, is in excess of the Estimated Subscription Price.] I hereby agree that if I fail to pay in full for the shares of Common Stock for which I have subscribed, the Company may exercise any of the remedies provided for in the Prospectus.

[TO SELL: If I have checked the box on line D, I authorize the sale of Rights by the Subscription Agent according to the procedures described in the Prospectus.]

 

 

Signature(s) of Subscriber(s)

[

 

 

Address for delivery of certificate representing unexercised Rights

If permanent change of address, check here ☐

Daytime telephone number (        )                                                            

Evening telephone number (        )                                                            

Email address:                                                                                            ]

Please complete all applicable information and return to:

Any questions regarding this Subscription Certificate and the Offering may be directed to the Information Agent,              , toll free at                    .

[D.      Sell any unexercised Rights]

 

5


[E.      Deliver a certificate representing unexercised Rights to the address in Section 1]

[F.      Transfer Rights to the transferee designated in Section 2]

[SECTION 2. TO TRANSFER RIGHTS (Per Line F): For value received, of the Rights represented by this Subscription Certificate are assigned to:

 

 

(Print full name of Assignee and Social Security Number)

 

 

(Print full address)

 

 

(Signature(s) of Assignor(s))

The signature(s) on the Subscription Certificate must correspond with the name(s) of the registered holder(s) exactly as it appears on the Subscription Certificate without any alteration or change whatsoever. In the case of joint registered holders, each person must sign the Subscription Certificate in accordance with the foregoing. If you sign the Subscription Certificate in your capacity as a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, agent, officer of a corporation or other fiduciary or representative, you must indicate the capacity in which you are signing when you sign and, if requested by the Subscription Agent in its sole and absolute discretion, you must present to the Subscription Agent satisfactory evidence of your authority to sign in that capacity.

The signature must be guaranteed by an Eligible Guarantor Institution, as that term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which may include: (a) a commercial bank or trust company; (b) a member firm of a domestic stock exchange; or (c) a savings bank or credit union.

Signature (name of bank or firm):                                                                                                                                                                          

Guaranteed by (signature/title):                                                                                                                                                                     ]

BY FIRST CLASS MAIL ONLY: BY OVERNIGHT DELIVERY:

DELIVERY OF THIS SUBSCRIPTION CERTIFICATE TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET

FORTH ABOVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.

 

6

Exhibit (d)(5)

SUBSCRIPTION AGENT AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN

GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.

and

[ ]

This Subscription Rights Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of between Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and (the “Subscription Agent”), and relates to the base prospectus included in the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File No. 333-, filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on , , as amended by any amendment filed with respect thereto (the “Registration Statement”) and any supplemental prospectus (together with the base prospectus, the “Prospectus”). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Subscription Certificate (as defined below).

WHEREAS, the Company proposes to make a subscription offer by issuing subscription certificates in the form designated by the Company (“Subscription Certificates”) to stockholders of record (the “Record Date Stockholders”) of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), as of a record date specified by the Company (the “Record Date”) in the Prospectus, pursuant to which each Record Date Stockholder[, or any transferee of a Record Date Stockholder] (such Record Date Stockholders [and transferees thereof], the “Rights Holders”) shall have certain rights (the “Rights”) to subscribe for shares of Common Stock, as described in and upon such terms as are set forth in the Prospectus, a final copy of which has been or, upon availability shall promptly be, delivered to the Subscription Agent; and

WHEREAS, the Company wishes the Subscription Agent to perform certain acts on behalf of the Company, and the Subscription Agent is willing to so act, in connection with the distribution of the Subscription Certificates and the issuance and exercise of the Rights, all upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual agreements set forth herein, each of the parties agrees as follows:

 

1. Appointment.

The Company hereby appoints the Subscription Agent to act as subscription and distribution agent in connection with the distribution of Subscription Certificates and the issuance and exercise of the Rights (the “Offering”) in accordance with the terms set forth in the Agreement, and the Subscription Agent hereby accepts such appointment.

 

2. Form and Execution of Subscription Certificates.

Each Subscription Certificate shall be irrevocable [and transferable upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus]. The Subscription Agent shall maintain a register of Subscription Certificates and of the Rights Holders.

 

3. Rights and Issuance of Subscription Certificates.

 

  A. Each Subscription Certificate shall evidence the Rights of the Rights Holders therein named to purchase Common Stock upon the terms and conditions therein set forth.

 

  B. Upon the written advice of the Company, signed by any of its duly authorized officers, as to the Record Date, the Subscription Agent shall, from a list of the Record Date Stockholders to be prepared by the Subscription Agent, prepare and record Subscription Certificates in the names of such Record Date Stockholders, setting forth the number of Rights to subscribe for shares of Common Stock calculated on the basis of one Right for each shares of Common Stock recorded on the books in the name of each such Record Date Stockholder as of the Record Date. [No fractional Rights shall be issued.] Each Subscription Certificate shall be dated as of the Record Date and shall be executed manually or by facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the Subscription Agent.


  C. Upon receipt of such written advice, signed as aforesaid, as to the effective date of the Registration Statement, the Subscription Agent shall promptly countersign and deliver the Subscription Certificates, together with a copy of the Prospectus, instruction letter and any other documents as the Company deems necessary or appropriate, to all Record Date Stockholders with record addresses in the United States (including its territories and possessions and the District of Columbia). Delivery shall be by first class mail (without registration or insurance).

 

  D. The Subscription Agent shall mail a copy of the Prospectus, instruction letter, a special notice and such other documents as the Company may deem necessary or appropriate, if any, but not Subscription Certificates to Record Date Stockholders whose record addresses are outside the United States (including its territories and possessions and the District of Columbia) (“Foreign Record Date Stockholders”). Those Record Date Stockholders having a registered address outside the United States (who shall only receive copies of the Prospectus, instruction letter and such other documents as the Company may deem necessary or appropriate, if any) delivery shall be by air mail (without registration or insurance) or by first class mail (without registration or insurance) to those Record Date Stockholders having an APO or FPO address. The Rights to which such Subscription Certificates relate shall be held by the Subscription Agent for such Foreign Record Date Stockholders’ accounts until instructions are received to exercise[, sell or transfer] such Rights.

 

  E. The Subscription Agent shall perform their respective duties hereunder in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Fee and Service Schedule attached hereto as Exhibit B, and shall act at all times in accordance with the description of the offering and the Subscription Agent’ duties set forth herein and in the Prospectus.

 

4. [Over-Subscription Privilege.

If any shares of Common Stock available for purchase pursuant to the Rights offering are not subscribed for by Rights Holders pursuant to the Basic Subscription, the Subscription Agent shall allot such shares to Rights Holders who have properly subscribed for such shares pursuant to an over-subscription privilege on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus, including as to proration. In addition, any Rights Holder other than a Record Date Stockholder who exercises Rights is entitled to subscribe for any Remaining Shares that are not otherwise subscribed for by Record Date Stockholders pursuant to their over-subscription privilege, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus, including as to proration. We refer to these over-subscription privileges as the “Over-Subscription Privilege.”]

 

5. Exercise.

 

  A. Rights Holders may acquire shares of Common Stock by delivery to the Subscription Agent no later than 5:00 pm on the Expiration Date, as defined below, or on any extended Expiration Date, of (i) a properly completed and duly executed Subscription Certificate and a money order or check or bank draft drawn on a bank or branch located in the United States and payable to “    ” for an amount equal to the number of shares of Common Stock subscribed for pursuant to the Basic Subscription [and the Over-Subscription Privilege] multiplied by the [Estimated] Subscription Price, each as defined in the Subscription Certificate (the “Exercise Price”); or (ii) a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery guaranteeing delivery of (A) a properly completed and duly executed Subscription Certificate and (B) a money order or check or bank draft drawn on a bank or branch located in the United States and payable to “    ” for an amount equal to the Exercise Price. Payment must be made in U.S. dollars. For the purposes of the Prospectus and this Agreement, “Business Day” shall mean any day on which trading is conducted on The New York Stock Exchange.

 

2


  B. The Offering shall terminate, on such date as the Company shall designate to the Subscription Agent in writing (the “Expiration Date”). For the purpose of determining the time of the exercise of any Rights, delivery of any materials to the Subscription Agent shall be deemed to occur when such materials are received by the Subscription Agent specified in the Prospectus.

 

  C. Within ten Business Days following the Expiration Date (the “Confirmation Date”), the Subscription Agent shall send to each exercising Rights Holder (or, if rights are held by Cede & Co. or any other depository or nominee, to Cede & Co. or such other depository or nominee, as applicable) a confirmation showing (i) the number of shares purchased pursuant to the Basic Subscription; [(ii) the number of shares, if any, acquired pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege;] (iii) the per share and total purchase price for such shares; and [(iv) any additional amount payable to the Company by such Rights Holder or any excess to be refunded by the Company to such Rights Holder, in each case based on the Subscription Price as determined on the Expiration Date,] [along with a letter explaining the allocation of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege, if applicable].

 

  D. [Any additional payment required from an exercising Rights Holder must be received by the Subscription Agent within ten Business Days after the Confirmation Date and any excess payment to be refunded by the Company to an exercising Rights Holder shall be mailed by the Subscription Agent as promptly as practicable after the Confirmation Date and, in no event, later than ten Business Days after the Confirmation Date. If a Rights Holder does not make timely payment of any additional amounts due in accordance with this Section 4, the Subscription Agent shall consult with the Company in accordance with Section 5 as to the appropriate action to be taken.] The Subscription Agent shall not issue shares of Common Stock for shares of Common Stock subscribed for until payment in full therefor has been received by the Subscription Agent, including clearance of checks and payment pursuant to Notices of Guaranteed Delivery.

 

  E. As soon as practicable after the exercise of any Rights and the clearance of the funds in payment of the Exercise Price, the Company shall issue to the Rights Holder in book entry form the number of full shares of Common Stock to which such holder is entitled upon exercise of the Rights, registered in such name or names as may be directed by him, her or it, and if the Rights Holder shall not have exercised all Rights held by such holder, a new Subscription Certificate for such number of Rights as were not exercised.

 

6. Validity of Subscriptions.

Irregular, incomplete or unpaid subscriptions not otherwise covered by specific instructions herein shall be submitted to an appropriate officer of the Company and handled in accordance with his or her instructions. Such instructions shall be reasonably documented by the Subscription Agent indicating, among other things, the instructing officer and the date thereof.

 

7. Delivery of Shares.

The Subscription Agent shall deliver Statements of Holding reflecting new shares of Common Stock purchased pursuant to the Basic Subscription [and, if applicable, those shares purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Over-Subscription Privilege] as soon as practicable after the Expiration Date, after all allocations have been effected and full payment for such shares has been received and cleared.

 

8. Holding Proceeds of Rights Offering.

 

  A. All proceeds received by the Subscription Agent from Rights Holders in respect of the exercise of Rights pursuant to the Basic Subscription [and the Over-Subscription Privilege] shall be held by the Subscription Agent on behalf of the Company in a segregated account (the “Account”). Interest shall accrue for the benefit of the Company at and not for the benefit of the Subscription Agent or any Rights Holders, on funds held in the Account pending disbursement in the manner described in Section 4 above.

 

3


  B. The Subscription Agent shall deliver all proceeds received in respect of the exercise of Rights, other than those to be refunded to exercising Rights Holders pursuant to Section 4 above, to the Company as promptly as practicable, but in no event later than one Business Day after the Confirmation Date.

 

  C. The Company acknowledges that the bank accounts maintained by in connection with the services provided under this Agreement shall be in its name, in a segregated account and held in trust for the benefit of the Company.

 

9. Reports.

Daily, during the period commencing on the date of mailing the Subscription Certificates until and including the Confirmation Date, the Subscription Agent shall report by telephone, facsimile or electronic mail to a designated representative(s) of the Company, as instructed by such designated representative, the following information:

 

  (i) the names of all Rights Holders exercising Rights pursuant to the Basic Subscription [and the Over-Subscription Privilege];

 

  (ii) the total number of Rights exercised by each Rights Holder during the immediately preceding day pursuant to the Basic Subscription [and the Over-Subscription Privilege];

 

  (iii) the total number of Rights verified to be in proper form for exercise, rejected for exercise and being processed, and all payments received in connection therewith;

 

  (iv) with respect to the Dealer Managers and each soliciting dealer, the number of Rights exercised on forms indicating the Dealer Manager or such soliciting dealer, as the case may be, as the broker-dealer with respect to such exercise; and

 

  (v) such other information as may be reasonably requested by the Company or such designated representative;

The Subscription Agent shall report by telephone, facsimile or electronic mail, as instructed by such designated representative, not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the first business day following the Expiration Date, (i) the total number of Rights exercised by each Rights Holder pursuant to the Basic Subscription [and the Over-Subscription Privilege and shares of Common Stock related thereto], (ii) the total number of Rights verified to be in proper form for exercise, rejected for exercise and being processed, and all payments received in connection therewith, (iii) with respect to the Dealer Managers and each soliciting dealer, the number of Rights exercised on forms indicating the Dealer Manager or such soliciting dealer, as the case may be, as the broker-dealer with respect to such exercise, and (iv) any such other information as may be reasonably requested by the Company or such designated representative.

In addition, the Subscription Agent shall perform the services set forth in Exhibit A.

 

10. Loss or Mutilation.

If any Subscription Certificate is lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed, the Subscription Agent may, on such terms as will serve to indemnify and protect the Company and the Subscription Agent as the Subscription Agent may in its reasonable discretion impose on the relevant Rights Holder (which shall, in the case of a mutilated Subscription Certificate, include the surrender and cancellation thereof), issue a new Subscription Certificate to such Rights Holder of like denomination in substitution for the Subscription Certificate so lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed.

 

4


11. Compensation for Services.

The Company agrees that it shall pay to the Subscription Agent compensation for their respective services hereunder in accordance with the Fee and Service Schedule attached hereto as Exhibit B. The Company further agrees that it shall reimburse the Subscription Agent for its reasonable, documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of its respective duties as such; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to reimburse the Subscription Agent for any such expenses incurred which exceed $    in the aggregate without its prior written consent.

 

12. Instructions, Indemnification and Limitation of Liability.

The Subscription Agent undertakes the respective duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms and conditions:

 

  A. The Subscription Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any instructions or directions furnished to it by an officer of the Company listed on the attached Schedule A (an “Appropriate Officer”). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement, each Agent, in connection with its duties hereunder, shall not be under any duty or obligation to inquire into the validity or invalidity or authority or lack thereof of any instruction or direction from an Appropriate Officer of the Company and which such Agent reasonably believes to be genuine.

 

  B. The Company shall indemnify the Subscription Agent and its partners, directors, officers, managers, employees, attorneys and representatives against, and hold them harmless from, all liability and expense for any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation (each, a “Claim”) against any such party that arises out of or in connection with the services described in this Agreement to be performed by the Subscription Agent or the instructions or directions furnished to the Subscription Agent relating to this Agreement by an Appropriate Officer of the Company; provided that the Company shall not be so obligated for any liability or expense (i) which shall arise out of the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Subscription Agent or the partners, directors, officers, managers, employees, attorneys or representatives of the Subscription Agent or (ii) for any liability or expense arising out of a settlement of any Claim unless such settlement has been made with the prior written consent of the Company.

Promptly after the receipt by the Subscription Agent of notice of any Claim, the Subscription Agent shall notify the Company thereof in writing. In no case shall the Company be liable under this Section 12 to the extent it is materially prejudiced by failure of any indemnified party to deliver prompt notice of any Claim. The Company shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense of any Claim, and, if it so elects at any time after receipt of such notice, it may assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any Claim. For the purposes of this Section 12, the term “liability and expense” shall include all reasonable costs and expenses, including, but not limited to, reasonable counsel fees (including one local counsel, if necessary) and disbursements, paid or incurred in investigating or defending against any such claim, demand, action, suit, proceeding or investigation.

 

  C. The Subscription Agent shall at all times act in good faith and agree to use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of all services provided under this Agreement and shall indemnify and hold the Company and its subsidiaries and other affiliates and their respective partners, directors, officers, managers, employees, attorneys and representatives harmless from and against any and all liability and expenses directly or indirectly arising out of or in connection with the services described in this Agreement to be performed by the Subscription Agent or the instructions or directions furnished to the Subscription Agent relating to this Agreement by an Appropriate Officer of the Company; provided that the Subscription Agent shall not be so obligated for any liability or expense which shall arise out of the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Company or the partners, directors, officers, managers, employees, attorneys or representatives of the Company.

 

5


13. Assignment/Delegation.

 

  A. Except as provided in Section 13(B) below, neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned or delegated by any party without the prior written consent of the other parties.

 

  B. The Subscription Agent may, without further consent on the part of the Company, subcontract with other parties for such systems, processing, telephone and mailing services and post-exchange activities as may be required from time to time; provided, however, that (i) the Subscription Agent shall be as fully responsible to the Company for the acts and omissions of any subcontractor in the same manner and to the same extent as it is for its own acts and omissions, and (ii) no such subcontracting shall relieve the Subscription Agent of any of its obligations hereunder.

 

14. Relationship/Third Party Beneficiaries.

This Agreement does not constitute an agreement for a partnership or joint venture among the parties. The Subscription Agent shall act hereunder as agent of the Company solely to the limited extent set forth in this Agreement, but shall not assume any fiduciary duties to, or have any rights, power or authority on behalf of, the Company or any of its affiliates, equity holders or creditors or of any other person or entity not expressly set forth in this Agreement. Any duties of the Subscription Agent arising out of its engagements pursuant to this Agreement shall be owed solely to the Company. No party shall make any commitments with third parties that are binding on any other party without such other party’s prior written consent, and none of the Subscription Agent, employees, or representatives or contractors of the Subscription Agent shall be deemed to be employees of the Company or any of its affiliates.

Except as explicitly stated elsewhere in this Agreement, nothing under this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any rights, benefits, remedies or claims under or by reason of this Agreement or any part thereof to anyone other than the Subscription Agent and the Company, and the duties and responsibilities undertaken pursuant to this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Subscription Agent and the Company.

 

15. Force Majeure.

In the event any party is unable to perform its obligations under the terms of this Agreement because of acts of God, strikes, terrorist acts, equipment or transmission failure or damage reasonably beyond its control or other cause reasonably beyond its control, such party shall not be liable for damages to any other party resulting from such failure to perform or otherwise from such causes. Performance under this Agreement shall resume when the affected party or parties are able to perform substantially its or their duties.

 

16. Consequential Damages.

No party to this Agreement shall be liable to any other party for any consequential, indirect, penal, special or incidental damages under any provisions of this Agreement or for any consequential, indirect, penal, special or incidental damages arising out of any act or failure to act hereunder even if that party has been advised of or has foreseen the possibility of such damages.

 

17. Severability.

If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.

 

18. Captions.

The captions and descriptive headings herein are for the convenience of the parties only. They do not in any way modify, amplify, alter or give full notice of the provisions hereof.

 

6


19. Confidentiality.

 

  A. Under this Agreement, each party shall have access to certain confidential information belonging to the other parties, which information shall include nonpublic information pertaining to the disclosing party, its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees, customers, representatives and vendors (including without limitation information furnished prior to the date of this Agreement) furnished by or on behalf of the disclosing party or its representatives to the receiving party, directly or indirectly, by any means (“Confidential Information”).

 

  B. Each of the parties acknowledges that except as necessary for any party to perform its respective obligations under the Agreement: (i) all Confidential Information is confidential; (ii) all Confidential Information is proprietary to the disclosing party; (iii) it shall keep all Confidential Information confidential and shall not disclose the same; (iv) it shall use Confidential Information only as required by this Agreement; (v) it shall not create a list or other compilation containing any Confidential Information for any purpose other than to perform its obligations under this Agreement; and (vi) except as expressly provided for herein, it shall not provide, directly or indirectly, the Confidential Information to any other person or entity for any purpose.

 

  C. Each of the parties acknowledges that this Agreement shall be filed by the Company as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and that the contents of this Agreement will be accessible to the public.

 

  D. In the event that any party receives a request or becomes legally compelled to disclose any Confidential Information belonging to any other party, such party shall provide the other party with prompt notice of such request (provided such notice is not otherwise prohibited by applicable law or court order) and shall disclose only that portion of the Confidential Information that it is legally obligated to disclose.

 

20. Term and Termination.

The Agreement shall remain in effect until the earlier of (i) thirty (30) days after the Expiration Date; (ii) it is terminated by the Company, on the one hand, or the Subscription Agent with respect to the service provided by such Subscription Agent, on the other, upon a material breach of this Agreement by the other which remains uncured for fifteen (15) days after written notice of such breach has been provided to such other party; or (iii) thirty (30) days’ written notice has been provided by the Company, on the one hand, or the Subscription Agent, on the other. Upon termination of the Agreement, the Subscription Agent shall retain a copy of all canceled Subscription Certificates and related documentation as required by applicable law; all documentation and information related to the services performed under the Agreement shall be promptly delivered to the Company.

 

7


21. Notices.

Until further notice in writing by any party hereto to the other parties, all written reports, notices and other communications between any Subscription Agent, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other, required or permitted hereunder shall be delivered or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, facsimile or overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery, addressed as follows:

If to the Company, to:

Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

200 West Street

New York, New York 10282

Attn: Chief Financial Officer

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP

One New York Plaza

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Stuart Gelfond and Joshua Wechsler

If to the Subscription Agent, to:

 

22. Survival.

The provisions of Paragraphs 8, 12, 19, 24-28 shall survive any termination, for any reason, of this Agreement.

 

23. Merger of Agreement.

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether oral or written.

 

24. Amendment.

No term or provision of this Agreement may be amended, changed, altered or modified except by written instrument executed by the each of the parties to this Agreement.

The Subscription Agent may, without the consent or concurrence of the Rights Holders in whose names Subscription Certificates are registered but with the prior written consent of the Company, by supplemental agreement or otherwise, make any change or correction in a Subscription Certificate that it shall have been advised by counsel (who may be counsel for the Company) is appropriate to cure any ambiguity or to correct any defective or inconsistent provision or clerical omission or mistake or manifest error therein or herein contained, and which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the Subscription Certificate except insofar as any such change may confer additional rights upon the Rights Holder.

 

25. Extension; Waiver.

At any time, each of the parties hereto may, to the extent legally allowed, (i) extend the time for, or waive, the performance of any of the covenants, obligations or agreements of the other parties hereto, (ii) waive any inaccuracies or breaches in the representations and warranties contained herein or in any certificate delivered by another party pursuant hereto or (iii) waive compliance with any of the conditions of another party contained in this Agreement. Any agreement on the part of any of the parties hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in a written instrument signed by the party or parties against whom such extension or waiver is to be enforced. Any waiver of any term or condition shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or a subsequent waiver of the same term or condition, or as a waiver of any other term or condition, of this Agreement.

 

8


The failure of any of the parties hereto to assert any of its rights under this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of such rights or any other rights.

 

26. Jurisdiction.

Each of the parties hereto: (i) irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York or, if such court does not have jurisdiction, the New York State Supreme Court in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, in any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement, (ii) agrees that all claims in respect of the action may be heard and determined in any such court and (iii) agrees not to bring any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any other court.

In any such action, each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to assert by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, any claims that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of the above court, that such action is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such action is improper. Each of the parties hereto also agrees that any final and non-appealable judgment against a party hereto in connection with any action shall be conclusive and binding on such party and that such award or judgment may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction, either within or outside of the United States. A certified or exemplified copy of such award or judgment shall be conclusive evidence of the fact and amount of such award or judgment.

Without limiting the foregoing, each party hereto agrees that service of process on such party at the address provided in Section 21 shall be deemed effective service of process on such party.

 

27. Waiver of Jury Trial.

Each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives any and all right to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim (whether based upon contract, tort or otherwise) in any way arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

 

28. Governing Law.

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

29. Counterparts.

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including by facsimile or electronic transmission), each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall be considered one and the same agreement.

 

9


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers, hereunto duly authorized, as of the day and year first above written.

 

GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.
By:                                                                                                   
Name:                                                                                             
Title:                                                                                               
[SUBSCRIPTION AGENT]
By:                                                                                                   
Name:                                                                                             
Title:                                                                                               

 

10


EXHIBIT A

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

TO BE PERFORMED BY SUBSCRIPTION AGENT

 

  Advance Review of Offering Materials -Review and comment on all Offering materials in advance of final printing and dissemination.
  Financial Printer -Work directly with the financial printer, providing format suggestions and delivery instructions.
  Financial Public Relations -Assist in the preparation and placement of advertisements/tombstones in newspapers (at prevailing market rates).
  Bank and Broker Communications and Mailings -Survey the bank and brokerage communities to obtain material requirements and to ensure that they are aware of the Offering. Coordinate the mailing of the Offering materials to them for forwarding to their beneficial owners.
  Registered Holder Mailings -Coordinate the mailing of the Offering materials to registered holders.
  Incoming Telephone Calls -Set up a toll-free telephone number to enable security holders and their advisors to call with questions. Keep a record of all incoming calls and notify the appropriate individual at the Company upon the receipt of calls outside the normal course.
  Outgoing Telephone Calls -As requested by the Company, initiate follow-up calls to a targeted group of security holders in order to maximize participation in the Offering.
  Depositary Communications -Initiate and maintain communications with the Company’s Depositary and the reorganization departments of bank and brokerage firms to monitor the progress of the Offering.
  Progress Updates -Inform the Company of security holder comments and reactions to the Offering, and gauge the expected level of participation in the Offering. Track shifts in the ownership of shares through the use of Depository Trust Company (DTC) listings, and analyze those shifts.

Exhibit (d)(6)

WARRANT AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN

GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.

AND

[ ]

Agreement made as of ,    , between GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC., a Delaware corporation, with offices at 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282 (the “Company”), and    , a corporation, with offices at    (the “Warrant Agent”).

WHEREAS, the Company is engaged in a public offering (“Public Offering”) of    and warrants (“Warrants”) to public investors, each of such Warrants evidencing the right of the holder thereof to purchase [describe securities issuable upon exercise] (“Securities”), for $    , subject to adjustment as described herein; and

WHEREAS, the Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form N-2, No. 333-    (“Registration Statement”), for the registration, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Act”), of, among other securities, the Warrants and the Securities issuable upon exercise of the Warrants; and

WHEREAS, the Company desires the Warrant Agent to act on behalf of the Company, and the Warrant Agent is willing to so act, in connection with the issuance, registration, transfer, exchange, redemption and exercise of the Warrants; and

WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide for the form and provisions of the Warrants, the terms upon which they shall be issued and exercised and the respective rights, limitation of rights and immunities of the Company, the Warrant Agent and the holders of the Warrants; and

WHEREAS, all acts and things have been done and performed which are necessary to make the Warrants, when executed on behalf of the Company and countersigned by or on behalf of the Warrant Agent, as provided herein, the valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company, and to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.         Appointment of Warrant Agent . The Company hereby appoints the Warrant Agent to act as agent for the Company for the Warrants, and the Warrant Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the same in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

1


2.       Warrants .

2.1       Form of Warrant . Each Warrant shall be issued to its holder in registered form, and each such holder’s Warrants shall be represented by a certificate (a “Warrant Certificate”) in substantially the form of Exhibit  A hereto, the provisions of which are incorporated herein and shall be signed by, or bear the facsimile signature of, the Chairman, the President, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, Secretary or one of the Assistant Secretaries of the Company. In the event the person whose facsimile signature has been placed upon any Warrant Certificate shall have ceased to serve in the capacity in which such person signed the Warrant before such Warrant is issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if he or she had not ceased to hold such office at the date of issuance.

2.2       Effect of Countersignature . Unless and until countersigned by the Warrant Agent pursuant to this Agreement, a Warrant shall be invalid and of no effect and may not be exercised by the holder thereof.

2.3       Registration .

2.3.1     Warrant Register . The Warrant Agent shall maintain books (“Warrant Register”) for the registration of original issuance and the registration of transfer of the Warrants. Upon the initial issuance of the Warrants, the Warrant Agent shall issue and register the Warrants in the names of the respective holders thereof in such denominations and otherwise in accordance with instructions delivered to the Warrant Agent by the Company.

2.3.2     Registered Holder . Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Warrant, the Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name such Warrant shall be registered upon the Warrant Register (“registered holder”) as the absolute owner of such Warrant and of each Warrant represented thereby (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing on the Warrant Certificate made by anyone other than the Company or the Warrant Agent) for the purpose of any exercise thereof, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

3.         Terms and Exercise of Warrants .

3.1       Warrant Price . Each Warrant shall, when countersigned by the Warrant Agent, entitle the registered holder thereof, subject to the provisions of such Warrant and of this Warrant Agreement, to purchase from the Company the number of Securities stated therein, at the price of $    per Security, subject to the adjustments provided in Section 4 hereof and in the last sentence of this Section 3.1. The term “Warrant Price” as used in this Warrant Agreement refers to the price at which each Security may be purchased at the time a Warrant is exercised. The Company in its sole discretion may lower the Warrant Price at any time prior to the Expiration Date for a period of not less than ten (10) business days.

3.2       Duration of Warrants . A Warrant may be exercised only during the period (“Exercise Period”) commencing on ,    , and terminating at 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the date fixed for redemption of the Warrants as provided in Section 6 of this Agreement (“Expiration Date”). Except with respect to the right to receive the Redemption Price (as set forth in Section 6 hereunder), each Warrant not exercised on or before the Expiration Date shall

 

2


become void, and all rights thereunder and all rights in respect thereof under this Agreement shall cease at the close of business on the Expiration Date. The Company in its sole discretion may extend the duration of the Warrants by delaying the Expiration Date; provided, that the Company shall provide notice to registered holders of the Warrants of any such extension of twenty (20) days or more.

3.3       Exercise of Warrants .

3.3.1     Payment . Subject to the provisions of the Warrant Certificate and this Warrant Agreement, a Warrant may be exercised by the registered holder thereof by surrendering the Warrant Certificate, countersigned by the Warrant Agent, at the office of the Warrant Agent, or, if applicable, at the office of its successor as Warrant Agent with the subscription form, as set forth in the Warrant Certificate, duly executed, and by paying in full the Warrant Price for each Security as to which the Warrant is exercised and any and all applicable taxes due in connection with the exercise of the Warrant, the exchange of the Warrant for Securities, and the issuance of the Securities, as follows:

a.         in cash; or

b.         by certified or official bank check payable to the order of the Company;

3.3.2     Issuance of Certificates . As soon as practicable after the exercise of any Warrants and the clearance of the funds in payment of the Warrant Price, the Company shall issue to the registered holder of such Warrants in book entry form the number of Securities to which such holder is entitled, registered in such name or names as may be directed by him, her or it, and if the holder of such Warrants shall not have exercised all Warrants held by such holder, a new countersigned Warrant Certificate will be issued for the remaining Warrants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to deliver any Securities pursuant to the exercise of a Warrant and shall have no obligation to settle such Warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Act with respect to the Securities is effective. In the event that a registration statement with respect to the Securities underlying a Warrant is not effective under the Act, the holder of such Warrant shall not be entitled to exercise such Warrant and such Warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In no event shall the Company be required to net cash settle the warrant exercise. Warrants may not be exercised by, or Securities issued to, any registered holder in any state in which such exercise would be unlawful.

3.3.3     Valid Issuance . All equity Securities issued upon the proper exercise of a Warrant in conformity with this Agreement shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. All debt Securities issued upon the proper exercise of a Warrant in conformity with this Agreement shall be the valid, binding and legal obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers, preferences or similar laws), reorganization, moratorium similar laws or other now and hereafter in effect relating to or affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, any fraudulent transfer, preference or similar law, general principles of equity and the discretion of the court or other body before which any proceeding therefor may be brought and the unenforceability under certain circumstances under law or court decisions of provisions providing for the indemnification of, or contribution to, a party with respect to a liability where such indemnification or contribution is contrary to public policy.

 

3


3.3.4     Date of Issuance . Each person in whose name any such Security is issued shall be deemed for all purposes to have become the holder of record of such Security on the date on which the Warrant was surrendered and payment of the Warrant Price was made; provided, however, that, if the date of such surrender and payment is a date when the stock transfer books of the Company are closed, such person shall be deemed to have become the holder of such Security at the close of business on the next succeeding date on which such stock transfer books are open.

4.         Adjustments .

4.1       Stock Dividends—Split-Ups . If after the date hereof, and subject to the provisions of Section 4.6 below, the number of outstanding shares of Securities is increased by a dividend payable in Securities, by a split of Securities, or by any other similar event, then, on the effective date of such dividend, split-up or similar event, the number of Securities issuable on exercise of each Warrant shall be increased in proportion to such increase in outstanding Securities.

4.2       Aggregation of Securities . If after the date hereof, and subject to the provisions of Section 4.6, the number of outstanding Securities is decreased by a consolidation, combination, reverse split or reclassification of Securities or any other similar event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse split, reclassification or similar event, the number of Securities issuable on exercise of each Warrant shall be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding Securities.

4.3       Adjustments in Exercise Price . Whenever the number of Securities purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants is adjusted, as provided in Section 4.1 and 4.2 above, the Warrant Price shall be adjusted (to the nearest cent) by multiplying such Warrant Price immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction (x) the numerator of which shall be the number of Securities purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants immediately prior to such adjustment, and (y) the denominator of which shall be the number of Securities so purchasable immediately thereafter.

4.4       Replacement of Securities upon Reorganization, etc . In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding Securities (other than a change covered by Section 4.1 or 4.2 hereof or that solely affects the par value, if any, of such Securities), or in the case of any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding Securities), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation or entity of the assets or other property of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which the Company is dissolved, the Warrant holders shall thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified in the Warrants and in lieu of the Securities immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of shares of stock or other securities or property (including cash)

 

4


receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, that the Warrant holder would have received if such Warrant holder had exercised his, her or its Warrant(s) immediately prior to such event; and if any reclassification also results in a change in Securities covered by Section 4.1 or 4.2, then such adjustment shall be made pursuant to Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and this Section 4. 4. The provisions of this Section 4.4 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, reorganizations, mergers or consolidations, sales or other transfers.

4.5       Notices of Changes in Warrant . Upon every adjustment of the Warrant Price or the number of Securities issuable upon exercise of a Warrant, the Company shall give written notice thereof to the Warrant Agent, which notice shall state the Warrant Price resulting from such adjustment and the increase or decrease, if any, in the number of Securities purchasable at such price upon the exercise of a Warrant, setting forth in reasonable detail the method of calculation and the facts upon which such calculation is based. Upon the occurrence of any event specified in Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 or 4.4, then, in any such event, the Company shall give written notice to each Warrant holder, at the last address set forth for such holder in the Warrant Register, of the record date or the effective date of the event. Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such event.

4.6       No Fractional Securities . Notwithstanding any provision contained in this Warrant Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not issue fractional Securities upon exercise of Warrants. If, by reason of any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 4, the holder of any Warrant would be entitled, upon the exercise of such Warrant, to receive a fractional interest in a Security, the Company shall, upon such exercise, round up or down to the nearest whole number the number of Securities to be issued to the Warrant holder.

4.7       Form of Warrant Certificate . The form of Warrant Certificate need not be changed because of any adjustment pursuant to this Section 4, and Warrants issued after such adjustment may state the same Warrant Price and the same number of Securities as is stated in the Warrants initially issued pursuant to this Agreement. However, the Company may at any time in its sole discretion make any change in the form of Warrant Certificate that the Company may deem appropriate and that does not affect the substance thereof, and any Warrant Certificate thereafter issued or countersigned, whether in exchange or substitution for an outstanding Warrant Certificate or otherwise, may be in the form as so changed.

5.         Transfer and Exchange of Warrants .

5.1       Registration of Transfer . The Warrant Agent shall register the transfer, from time to time, of any outstanding Warrant upon the Warrant Register, upon surrender of the Warrant Certificate representing such Warrant, for transfer, properly endorsed with signatures properly guaranteed and accompanied by appropriate instructions for transfer. Upon any such transfer, a new Warrant Certificate representing an equal aggregate number of Warrants shall be issued and the old Warrant Certificate shall be cancelled by the Warrant Agent. The Warrants so cancelled shall be delivered by the Warrant Agent to the Company from time to time upon request.

 

5


5.2       Procedure for Surrender of Warrant Certificates . Warrant Certificates may be surrendered to the Warrant Agent, together with a written request for exchange or transfer, and thereupon the Warrant Agent shall issue in exchange therefor one or more new Warrant Certificates as requested by the registered holder of the Warrants so surrendered, representing an equal aggregate number of Warrants represented by such Warrant Certificate; provided, however, that in the event that a Warrant Certificate surrendered for transfer bears a restrictive legend, the Warrant Agent shall not cancel such Warrant Certificate and issue new Warrant Certificate(s) in exchange therefor until the Warrant Agent has received an opinion of counsel for the Company stating that such transfer may be made and indicating whether the new Warrant Certificate(s) must also bear a restrictive legend.

5.3       Fractional Warrants . The Warrant Agent shall not be required to effect any registration of transfer or exchange which would result in the issuance of a Warrant Certificate for a fraction of a Warrant.

5.4       Service Charges . No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Warrants.

5.5       Warrant Execution and Countersignature . The Warrant Agent is hereby authorized to countersign and to deliver, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Warrant Certificates required to be issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5, and the Company, whenever required by the Warrant Agent, shall supply the Warrant Agent with Warrant Certificates duly executed on behalf of the Company for such purpose.

6.         Redemption .

6.1       Redemption . Not less than all of the outstanding Warrants may be redeemed, at the option of the Company, at any time while they are exercisable and prior to their expiration, at the office of the Warrant Agent, upon the notice referred to in Section 6.2, at the price of $0.001 per Warrant (“Redemption Price”), provided that [describe redemption criteria].

6.2       Date Fixed for, and Notice of, Redemption . In the event the Company shall elect to redeem all of the Warrants, the Company shall fix a date for the redemption. Notice of redemption shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, by the Company not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the registered holders of the Warrants to be redeemed at their last addresses as they shall appear on the registration books. Any notice mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given whether or not the registered holder received such notice.

6.3       Exercise After Notice of Redemption . The Warrants may be exercised in accordance with Section 3.3.1 of this Agreement at any time after notice of redemption shall have been given by the Company pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof and prior to the time and date fixed for redemption. On and after the redemption date, the record holder of the Warrants shall have no further rights except to receive, upon surrender of the Warrants, the Redemption Price.

7.         Other Provisions Relating to Rights of Holders of Warrants .

7.1       No Rights as Stockholder . A Warrant does not entitle the registered holder thereof to any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to receive dividends, or other distributions, exercise any preemptive rights to vote or to consent or to receive notice as stockholders in respect of the meetings of stockholders or the election of directors of the Company or any other matter.

 

6


7.2     Lost, Stolen, Mutilated or Destroyed Warrants . If any Warrant Certificate is lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed, the Company and the Warrant Agent may on such terms as to indemnity or otherwise as they may in their discretion impose (which shall, in the case of a mutilated Warrant, include the surrender thereof), issue a new Warrant Certificate of like denomination, tenor and date as the Warrant Certificate so lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed. Any such new Warrant Certificate shall constitute a substitute contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the allegedly lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed Warrant Certificate shall be at any time enforceable by anyone.

7.3     Reservation of Securities . The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available a number of its authorized but unissued Securities that will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Warrants issued pursuant to this Agreement.

8.         Concerning the Warrant Agent and Other Matters .

8.1       Payment of Taxes . The Company shall from time to time promptly pay all taxes and charges that may be imposed upon the Company or the Warrant Agent in respect of the issuance or delivery of Securities upon the exercise of Warrants, but the Company shall not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in respect of the Warrants or such Securities.

8.2       Resignation, Consolidation or Merger of Warrant Agent .

8.2.1     Appointment of Successor Warrant Agent . The Warrant Agent, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may resign its duties and be discharged from all further duties and liabilities hereunder after giving sixty (60) days’ notice in writing to the Company. If the office of the Warrant Agent becomes vacant by resignation or incapacity to act or otherwise, the Company shall appoint in writing a successor Warrant Agent in place of the Warrant Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of thirty (30) days after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the Warrant Agent or by the holder of the Warrant (who shall, with such notice, submit his Warrant for inspection by the Company), then the holder of any Warrant may apply to the Supreme Court of the State of New York for the County of New York for the appointment of a successor Warrant Agent at the Company’s cost. Any successor Warrant Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such court, shall be a corporation [or other entity] organized and existing under the laws of the State of [Delaware or] New York, in good standing and having its principal office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, and authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. After appointment, any successor Warrant Agent shall be vested with all the authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties and obligations of its predecessor Warrant Agent with like effect as if originally named as Warrant Agent hereunder, without any further act or deed. If for any reason it becomes necessary or appropriate, the predecessor Warrant Agent shall execute and deliver, at the expense of the Company, an instrument transferring to such successor Warrant Agent all the authority, powers and rights of such predecessor Warrant Agent hereunder; and upon request of any successor Warrant Agent, the Company shall make, execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all instruments in writing for more fully and effectually vesting in and confirming to such successor Warrant Agent all such authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties and obligations.

 

7


8.2.2     Notice of Successor Warrant Agent . In the event a successor Warrant Agent shall be appointed, the Company shall give notice thereof to the predecessor Warrant Agent and the transfer agent for the Securities not later than the effective date of any such appointment.

8.2.3     Merger or Consolidation of Warrant Agent . Any corporation into which the Warrant Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated or any corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Warrant Agent shall be a party shall be the successor Warrant Agent under this Agreement without any further act.

8.3       Fees and Expenses of Warrant Agent .

8.3.1     Remuneration . The Company agrees to pay the Warrant Agent reasonable remuneration for its services as such Warrant Agent hereunder and shall reimburse the Warrant Agent upon demand for all expenditures that the Warrant Agent may reasonably incur in the execution of its duties hereunder.

8.3.2     Further Assurances . The Company agrees to perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Warrant Agent for the carrying out or performing of the provisions of this Agreement.

8.4       Liability of Warrant Agent .

8.4.1     Reliance on Company Statement . Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Warrant Agreement, the Warrant Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a statement signed by the Chairman, the President, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, Secretary or one of the Assistant Secretaries of the Company and delivered to the Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent may rely upon such statement for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.

8.4.2     Indemnity . The Warrant Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. The Company agrees to indemnify the Warrant Agent and save it harmless against any and all liabilities, including judgments, costs and reasonable counsel fees, for anything done or omitted by the Warrant Agent in the execution of this Agreement except as a result of the Warrant Agent’s negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith.

8.4.3     Exclusions . The Warrant Agent shall have no responsibility with respect to the validity of this Agreement or with respect to the validity or execution of any Warrant (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Warrant; nor shall it be responsible

 

8


to make any adjustments required under the provisions of Section 4 hereof or responsible for the manner, method or amount of any such adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such adjustment; nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any Security to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Warrant or as to whether any equity Security will, when issued, be valid and fully paid and nonassessable.

8.5       Acceptance of Agency . The Warrant Agent hereby accepts the agency established by this Agreement and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions herein set forth and, among other things, shall account promptly to the Company with respect to Warrants exercised and concurrently account for, and pay to the Company, all moneys received by the Warrant Agent for the purchase of Securities through the exercise of Warrants.

9.         Miscellaneous Provisions .

9.1       Successors . All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Warrant Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns.

9.2       Notices . Any notice, statement or demand authorized by this Warrant Agreement to be given or made by the Warrant Agent or by the holder of any Warrant to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given when so delivered if by hand or overnight delivery or if sent by certified mail or private courier service within five (5) days after deposit of such notice, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Company with the Warrant Agent), as follows:

Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Attn: Chief Financial Officer

with a copy in each case to:

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, LLP

One New York Plaza

New York, NY 10004

Attn: Stuart Gelfond and Joshua Wechsler

Any notice, statement or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the holder of any Warrant or by the Company to or on the Warrant Agent shall be sufficiently given when so delivered if by hand or overnight delivery or if sent by certified mail or private courier service within five (5) days after deposit of such notice, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Warrant Agent with the Company), as follows:

[        ]

 

9


9.3       Applicable law . The validity, interpretation, and performance of this Agreement and of the Warrants shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of New York. The Company hereby agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. The Company hereby waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum. Any such process or summons to be served upon the Company may be served by transmitting a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to it at the address set forth in Section 9.2 hereof. Such mailing shall be deemed personal service and shall be legal and binding upon the Company in any action, proceeding or claim.

9.4       Persons Having Rights under this Agreement . Nothing in this Agreement expressed and nothing that may be implied from any of the provisions hereof is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon, or give to, any person or corporation other than the parties hereto and the registered holders of the Warrants and, for the purposes of Section 9.2 hereof, any right, remedy, or claim under or by reason of this Warrant Agreement or of any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise or agreement hereof. All covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises and agreements contained in this Warrant Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and assigns and of the registered holders of the Warrants.

9.5       Examination of the Warrant Agreement . A copy of this Agreement shall be available at all reasonable times at the office of the Warrant Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, for inspection by the registered holder of any Warrant. The Warrant Agent may require any such holder to submit his Warrant for inspection by it.

9.6       Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of original or facsimile counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

9.7       Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and are not part of this Warrant Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation thereof.

9.8       Amendments . This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto without the consent of any registered holder for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, or of curing, correcting or supplementing any defective provision contained herein or adding or changing any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement as the parties may deem necessary or desirable and that the parties deem shall not to materially and adversely affect the interest of the registered holders. All other modifications or amendments, including any amendment to increase the Warrant Price or shorten the Exercise Period, shall require the written consent of the registered holders of a majority of the then outstanding Warrants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may lower the Warrant Price or extend the duration of the Exercise Period pursuant to Sections 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, without the consent of the registered holders.

9.9      This Agreement does not constitute an agreement for a partnership or joint venture among the parties. The Warrant Agent shall act hereunder as agent of the Company solely to the limited extent set forth in this Agreement, but shall not assume any fiduciary duties

 

10


to, or have any rights, power or authority on behalf of, the Company or any of its affiliates, equity holders or creditors or of any other person or entity not expressly set forth in this Agreement. Any duties of the Warrant Agent arising out of its engagements pursuant to this Agreement shall be owed solely to the Company. No party shall make any commitments with third parties that are binding on any other party without such other party’s prior written consent, and none of the Warrant Agent, employees, or representatives or contractors of the Warrant Agent shall be deemed to be employees of the Company or any of its affiliates.

9.10      Except as explicitly stated elsewhere in this Agreement, nothing under this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any rights, benefits, remedies or claims under or by reason of this Agreement or any part thereof to anyone other than the Warrant Agent and the Company, and the duties and responsibilities undertaken pursuant to this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Warrant Agent and the Company.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the parties hereto as of the day and year first above written.

 

GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

[                             ]

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

[                             ]

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

11


EXHIBIT A

Form of Warrant Certificate


THE WARRANTS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO

CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER DESCRIBED BELOW

[Form of Face of Warrant Certificate]

 

No. W-              

                Warrants

VOID AFTER 5:00 p.m. NEW YORK CITY TIME on                      ,             

WARRANT CERTIFICATE FOR PURCHASE OF [SECURITIES] OF

GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.

THIS CERTIFIES THAT, for value received or registered assigns              (the “Registered Holder”) is the owner of the number of warrants (“Warrants”) specified above. Each Warrant initially entitles the Registered Holder to purchase, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Warrant Certificate and the Warrant Agreement (as hereinafter defined), [describe securities issuable upon exercise] (“Securities”), of GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), at any time during the Exercise Period (as hereinafter defined), upon the presentation and surrender of this Warrant Certificate with the Subscription Form on the reverse hereof duly executed, at the corporate office of as Warrant Agent, or its successor (the “Warrant Agent”), accompanied by payment of $    (the “Purchase Price”) in lawful money of the United States of America in cash or by official bank or certified check made payable to Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

This Warrant Certificate and each Warrant represented hereby are issued pursuant to and are subject in all respects to the terms and conditions set forth in the Warrant Agreement (the “Warrant Agreement”) dated              ,              by and between the Company and the Warrant Agent. The board of directors of the Company retains the right to amend the Warrant Agreement in its discretion, subject to certain restrictions set forth in the Warrant Agreement.

In the event of certain contingencies provided for in the Warrant Agreement, the Purchase Price or the number of Securities subject to purchase upon the exercise of each Warrant represented hereby are subject to modifications or adjustment.

Each Warrant represented hereby is exercisable at the option of the Registered Holder, but no fractional Securities will be issued; provided however, if by reason of any adjustment made pursuant to Section 4 of the Warrant Agreement, the holder of any Warrant would be entitled, upon the exercise of such Warrant, to receive a fractional interest in a Security, the Company shall, upon such exercise, round up or down to the nearest whole number the number of Securities to be issued to the Warrant holder. In the case of the exercise of less than all the Warrants represented hereby, the Company shall cancel this Warrant Certificate upon the surrender hereof and shall execute and deliver a new Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor, which the Warrant Agent shall countersign, for the balance of such Warrants.

The term “Exercise Period” shall mean the period commencing on ,    , and terminating at 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the date fixed for redemption of the Warrants as provided in Section 6 of the Warrant Agreement.

 

A-2


The Company shall not be obligated to deliver any Securities pursuant to the exercise of this Warrant unless a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to such Securities is then effective. This Warrant shall not be exercisable by a Registered Holder in any state where such exercise would be unlawful.

This Warrant Certificate is exchangeable, upon the surrender hereof by the Registered Holder at the corporate office of the Warrant Agent, for a new Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor representing an equal aggregate number of Warrants, each of such new Warrant Certificates to represent such number of Warrants as shall be designated by such Registered Holder at the time of such surrender.

Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Warrant represented hereby, the Registered Holder shall not be entitled to any rights of a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends or other distributions, and shall not be entitled to receive any notice of any proceedings of the Company, except as provided in the Warrant Agreement.

Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Warrant, the Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the Registered Holder as the absolute owner of this Warrant Certificate and of each Warrant represented hereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing hereon made by anyone other than a duly authorized officer of the Company or the Warrant Agent), for the purpose of any exercise thereof, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

This Warrant Certificate shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. This Warrant Certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Warrant Agent.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant Certificate to be duly executed, manually or in facsimile by its officer thereunto duly authorized and a facsimile of its corporate seal to be imprinted hereon.

 

GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

Dated:                                               

 

A-3


COUNTERSIGNED:

[                                 ], as

Warrant Agent

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

A-4


[Form of Reverse of Warrant Certificate]

NOTICE OF ELECTION TO EXERCISE

To Be Executed by the Registered Holder

in Order to Exercise Warrants

THE UNDERSIGNED REGISTERED HOLDER hereby irrevocably elects to exercise                          Warrants represented by this Warrant Certificate, and to purchase the securities issuable upon the exercise of such Warrants, and requests that certificates for such securities shall be issued in the name of:

 

 

(PLEASE INSERT NAME AND SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER

IDENTIFYING NUMBER)

and be delivered to:

   
   
   
  (please print or type name and address)

and if such number of Warrants shall not be all the Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate, that a new Warrant Certificate for the balance of such Warrants be registered in the name of, and delivered to, the Registered Holder at the address stated below.

The undersigned represents that the exercise of the Warrants evidenced hereby was solicited by a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. If not solicited by a FINRA member firm, please write “unsolicited” in the space below. Unless otherwise indicated by listing the name of another FINRA member firm, it will be assumed that the exercise was solicited by [                          ].

 

 

(Name of FINRA Member)

   
   

Dated:

 

 

Address

 

 
 

Taxpayer Identification Number

 

 
 

Signature Guaranteed

   

 

A-5


ASSIGNMENT

To Be Executed by the Registered Holder in Order to Assign Warrants

For value received (and, for any transfers prior to 5:00 p.m. New York City time on , , hereby sells, assigns, and transfers unto:

 

 

(please insert name and social security or other identifying number of transferee)

 

   
   
   
 

(please print or type name and address)

             of the Warrants represented by this Warrant Certificate, and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints Attorney to transfer this Warrant Certificate on the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated:

 

                                         

 

X

 

Signature Guaranteed                                                 

   

HE SIGNATURE TO THE ASSIGNMENT OR THE SUBSCRIPTION FORM MUST CORRESPOND TO THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THIS WARRANT CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATSOEVER, AND MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION (AS DEFINED IN RULE 17Ad-15 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934) WHICH MAY INCLUDE A COMMERCIAL BANK OR TRUST COMPANY, SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, CREDIT UNION OR A MEMBER FIRM OF THE AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE, NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, PACIFIC STOCK EXCHANGE OR MIDWEST STOCK EXCHANGE.

 

A-6

Exhibit (d)(7)

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION OF

SERIES [    ] PREFERRED STOCK

$0.001 PAR VALUE OF

GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.

 

 

Pursuant to Section 151 of the

General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

 

 

Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. (the “ Company ”), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, certifies that pursuant to the authority contained in its Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time (the “ Certificate of Incorporation ”), and in accordance with the provisions of Section 151 of the DGCL, the Board of Directors has duly approved and adopted the following resolution on [    ], 20[ ] (the “ Resolution ”):

RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors by the Certificate of Incorporation, and as set forth in Section 151 of the DGCL, the Board of Directors does hereby designate, create, authorize and provide for the issue of a series of [                  ] shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share, having the designations, preferences, relative, participation, optional and other special rights and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof that are set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation and in this Resolution as follows:

(a) Definitions .

As used in this Certificate of Designation, the following terms shall have the following meanings (with terms defined in the singular having comparable meanings when used in the plural and vice versa), unless the context otherwise requires:

“1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

1940 Act Majority ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in paragraph (e)(6) hereof.

Affiliate ” of any Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person has the meaning specified in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Board of Directors ” means the board of directors of the Company.

Business Day ” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close or a day on which securities are not traded on the NYSE or other market or exchange on which the Company’s securities are traded.

Capital Stock ” means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) stock issued by the Company.

Certificate of Designation ” means this Certificate of Designation of Series [ ] Preferred Stock $0.001 Par Value of Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.


Certificate of Incorporation ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the recitals hereof.

Company ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the recitals hereof.

Common Stock ” means the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company now or hereafter authorized to be issued.

DGCL ” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

“Dividend Payment Date” shall mean [     ], [       ], [       ] and [       ] of each year, commencing on [      ], 20[     ]; provided that if any such Dividend Payment Date would otherwise occur on a day that is not a Business Day, such Dividend Payment Date shall instead be (and any dividend payable on Series [ ] Preferred Stock on such Dividend Payment Date shall instead be payable on) the immediately succeeding Business Day.

“Dividend Period” shall mean the period commencing on and include a Dividend Payment Date (other than the initial Dividend Period, which shall commence on and include the Original Issue Date of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock) and shall end on and include the calendar day next preceding the next Dividend Payment Date.

“Dividend Rate” means [ ]% per annum.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Holder ” means a holder of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock or other Capital Stock, as reflected in the stock records of the Company.

[ “Fundamental Change” means the Company, within the meaning of Title 11 of the U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors, (a) commences a voluntary case, (b) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case, (c) consents to the appointment of a custodian for it for all or substantially all of its property, (d) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors or (e) the Common Stock ceases to be listed on any of the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market or the NYSE without the simultaneous listing on another of such exchanges.]

Issue Date ” means [ ●].

Liquidation ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in paragraph (d) hereof.

NYSE ” means the New York Stock Exchange.

Person ” means any individual, company, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

Preferred Stock ” means any shares of Capital Stock of the Company classified as preferred stock, including the Series [  ] Preferred Stock, shares of any other series of such preferred stock now or hereafter issued by the Company, and any other shares of Capital Stock hereafter authorized and issued by the Company of a class having priority over any other class as to distribution of assets or payments of dividends.

Resolution ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the recitals hereof.

 

2


Series [  ] Liquidation Preference ” means $[    ] per share of Series [    ] Preferred Stock plus an amount equal to all unpaid dividends and distributions on such shares accumulated up to, but excluding, the date fixed for such distribution or payment.

Series [  ] Preferred Stock ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in paragraph (b) hereof.

Voting Period ” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in paragraph (e)(2) hereof.

Voting Stock ” means Capital Stock of the class or classes pursuant to which the Holders thereof have the general voting power under ordinary circumstances (determined without regard to any classification of directors) to elect directors of the Company (irrespective of whether or not at the time Capital Stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).

(b) Designation .

[      ] shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company shall be designated “Series [ ] Preferred Stock” (the “ Series [  ] Preferred Stock ”).

(c) Ranking .

With respect to rights to participate in distributions or payments in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the Series [    ] Preferred Stock shall rank [         ].

(d) Liquidation Preference .

(1)     Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary (a “Liquidation” ), the Holders of the shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall be entitled to be paid (before any distribution or payment is made upon any shares of Common Stock), an amount equal to the Series [ ] Liquidation Preference; provided, if upon Liquidation, the available funds and assets to be distributed among the Holders of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock and all other outstanding shares of Preferred Stock shall be insufficient to permit payment in full of the Series [ ] Liquidation Preference and the amounts due upon liquidation with respect to such other Preferred Stock, then the available funds and assets of the Company shall be distributed among the Holders of such shares of Series [    ] Preferred Stock and such other Preferred Stock ratably in proportion to the respective preferential liquidation amounts to which they are entitled.

(2)     If there are any available funds or assets of the Company upon Liquidation remaining after the payment or distribution to the Holders of the Preferred Stock of their full preferential amounts described above, all such remaining available funds and assets shall be distributed:

(A)     [Describe payment priority provisions]

(B)     Then, with respect to all remaining available funds and assets of the Company upon Liquidation after payment pursuant to the foregoing clauses (d)(1) and (d)(2), among the holders of then outstanding Common Stock and the Preferred Stock, pro rata, according to the number of shares held by such holders.

(e) Voting Rights .

(1)     Except for matters which do not require the vote of Holders of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock under the 1940 Act or except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Designation or the Certificate of Incorporation or as otherwise required by applicable law, (1) each Holder of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Series [ ] Preferred Stock held on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Company, and (2) the holders of outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, including outstanding shares of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock, and the outstanding shares of Common Stock shall vote

 

3


together as a single class on all matters submitted to stockholders; provided, however, that the Holders of outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, including the outstanding shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock, shall be entitled, as a class, to the exclusion of the holders of all other classes of Capital Stock, to elect [ ] Directors of the Company at all times. Subject to the foregoing rights of the Holders of the Preferred Stock, the identity and class (if the Board of Directors is then classified) of the nominees for such Directors may be fixed by the Board of Directors. Subject to paragraph (e)(2), the holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock, including the Series [ ] Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class, shall elect the balance of the Directors.

(2)     During any period in which any one or more of the conditions described below shall exist (such period being referred to herein as a “ Voting Period ”), the number of Directors constituting the Board of Directors shall automatically increase by the smallest number that, when added to the [ ] Directors elected exclusively by the holders of the shares of Preferred Stock, would constitute a majority of the Board of Directors as so increased by such smallest number; and the holders of the shares Preferred Stock, including Series [ ] Preferred Stock, shall be entitled, voting as a class on a one-vote-per-share basis (to the exclusion of the holders of all other securities and classes of Capital Stock), to elect such smallest number of additional Directors, together with the [ ] Directors that such holders are in any event entitled to elect. A Voting Period shall commence:

(i)        if at the close of business on any dividend payment date for any outstanding Preferred Stock, including Series [ ] Preferred Stock, accumulated dividends (whether or not earned or declared) on such Preferred Stock equal to at least two full years’ dividends shall be due and unpaid; or

(ii)        if at any time holders of any shares of Preferred Stock are entitled under the 1940 Act to elect a majority of the Directors of the Company.

Upon the termination of a Voting Period, the voting rights described in paragraph (e)(2) shall cease, subject always, however, to the revesting of such voting rights in the holders of shares of the Preferred Stock upon the further occurrence of any of the events described in this paragraph (e)(2).

(3)    As soon as practicable after the accrual of any right of the holders of the shares of Preferred Stock to elect additional Directors as described in paragraph (e)(2), the Company shall call a special meeting of such holders, and mail a notice of such special meeting to such holders, such meeting to be held not less than 10 nor more than 30 calendar days after the date of mailing of such notice. If the Company fails to send such notice or if a special meeting is not called at the expense of the Company, it may be called by any such holder on like notice. The record date for determining the holders entitled to notice of and to vote at such special meeting shall be the close of business on the fifth Business Day preceding the day on which such notice is mailed. At any such special meeting and at each meeting of holders of shares of Preferred Stock held during a Voting Period at which Directors are to be elected, such holders, voting as a separate class (to the exclusion of the holders of all other classes of Capital Stock and other securities of the Company), shall be entitled to elect the number of Directors prescribed in paragraph (e)(2).

(4)    The terms of office of all persons who are Directors of the Company at the time of a special meeting of Holders of the Preferred Stock to elect Directors shall continue, notwithstanding the election at such meeting by the Holders of the Preferred Stock of the number of Directors that they are entitled to elect, and the persons so elected by such holders, together with the [ ] incumbent Directors elected by such holders and the remaining incumbent Directors, shall constitute the duly elected Directors of the Company.

(5)    Simultaneously with the termination of a Voting Period, the terms of office of the additional Directors elected by the Holders of the Preferred Stock pursuant to paragraph (e)(2) shall terminate, the number of Directors constituting the Board of Directors shall decrease accordingly, the remaining Directors shall constitute the Directors of the Company and the voting rights of such holders to elect additional Directors pursuant to paragraph (e)(2) shall cease, subject to the provisions of the last sentence of paragraph (e)(2).

 

4


(6)    So long as any of the shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Company will not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock determined with reference to a “majority of outstanding voting securities” as that term is defined in Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act (a “ 1940 Act Majority ”), voting as a separate class:

(i)        amend, alter or repeal any of the preferences, rights or powers of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock so as to affect materially and adversely such preferences, rights or powers, [(for purposes of the foregoing, no matters shall be deemed to adversely affect any right, preference or power unless such matter (i) alters or abolishes any preferential right of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock; (ii) creates, alters or abolishes any right in respect of redemption of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock; or (iii) creates or alters (other than to abolish) any restriction on transfer applicable to the Series [ ] Preferred Stock)]; or

(ii)        create, authorize or issue shares of any class of Capital Stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series [ ] Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets, or any securities convertible into, or warrants or similar rights to purchase, acquire or receive, such shares of Capital Stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series [ ] Preferred Stock or reclassify any authorized shares of Capital Stock of the Company into any shares ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series [ ] Preferred Stock (except that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors, without the vote or consent of the holders of the shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock may from time to time authorize, create and classify, and the Company, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, may from time to time issue, shares or series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the Series [ ] Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, and may authorize, reclassify and/or issue any additional Series [ ] Preferred Stock, including shares previously purchased or redeemed by the Company); provided that any such class of Capital Stock shall be created, authorized or issued only to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act);

(7)    The affirmative vote of the holders of a 1940 Act Majority of the outstanding shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, shall be required to approve any plan of reorganization (as such term is used in the 1940 Act) adversely affecting such shares or any action requiring a vote of security holders of the Company under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act.

(8)    Unless otherwise required by law, Holders of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall not have any relative rights or preferences or other special rights other than those specifically set forth herein. The Holders of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall have no rights to cumulative voting. If the Company fails to pay any dividends on the Series    [ ] Preferred Stock, the exclusive remedy shall be the right to vote for Directors pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph (e).

(9)    The foregoing voting provisions will not apply with respect to the Series [ ] Preferred Stock if, at or prior to the time when a vote is required, such shares have been (i) redeemed or (ii) called for redemption and sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.

(f)   Business Day .

If any payment, conversion, redemption or exchange shall be required by the terms hereof to be made on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment, conversion, redemption or exchange shall be made on the immediately succeeding Business Day.

(g)   [Conversion .

(1)    [Describe any conversion rights associated with the Series [    ] Preferred Stock.]]

 

5


(h)   [Certain Transactions .

(1)    The Company shall not, by amendment of its Certificate of Incorporation or through any consolidation, merger, reorganization, transfer of assets, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms herein or the Series [ ] Preferred Stock, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the rights of the Holders of Series [ ] Preferred Stock in accordance with the foregoing.]

(i)   [Exchange Rights

(1)    [Describe any exchange rights associated with the Series [    ] Preferred Stock.]

(j)   Redemption .

(1)    Optional Redemption. The Series [    ] Preferred Stock may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time after [ ], 20[    ], at the option of the Company, upon giving notice of redemption pursuant to subsection (j)(3) below, at a redemption price per share equal to [the applicable percentage set forth below multiplied by] the Series [ ] Liquidation Preference. [The following redemption prices are for shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock redeemed during the [ ]-month period commencing on [    ] of the years set forth below:

Year Applicable Percentage

[    ]         [            ]]

(2)    [Redemption at the Option of the Holder. Upon the occurrence of a Fundamental Change, each Holder of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of such Holder’s Series [ ] Preferred Stock at a purchase price per share equal to [    ]% of the Series [ ] Liquidation Preference.

Within 30 days of the occurrence of a Fundamental Change, the Company shall provide notice by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the Holders of record of the shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock at their respective last addresses appearing on the books of the Company and through such other means as shall be required under the 1940 Act stating (1) that a Fundamental Change has occurred, (2) that all shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock tendered prior to a Business Day no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed shall be accepted for redemption and (3) the procedures that Holders of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock must follow in order to redeem their shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock, including the place or places where certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price. Any notice mailed as provided in this subsection shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice, but failure duly to give such notice by mail, or any defect in such notice or in the mailing thereof, to any Holder of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock designated for redemption shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock.

On and after [ ], 20[    ], each Holder of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall have the right, by providing written notice to the Company, to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of such Holder’s Series [ ] Preferred Stock at a purchase price per share equal to [ ]% of the Series [ ] Liquidation Preference.]

(3)    Notice of Redemption at the Option of the Company. Notice of every redemption of shares of Series [    ] Preferred Stock pursuant to subsection (j)(1) shall be given (1) by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the Holders of record of the shares to be redeemed at their respective last addresses appearing on the books of the Company and (2) through such other means as shall be required under the 1940 Act. Such mailing shall be at least 30 days and not more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption. Any notice mailed as provided in this subsection (j)(3) shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice, but failure duly to give such notice by mail, or any defect in such notice or in the mailing thereof, to any Holder of shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock designated for redemption shall not

 

6


affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock. Each notice of redemption given to a Holder shall state: (1) the redemption date; (2) the number of shares of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock to be redeemed and, if less than all the shares held by such Holder are to be redeemed, the number of such shares to be redeemed from such Holder; (3) the redemption price; and (4) the place or places where certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price.

(4)    Partial Redemption. In case of any redemption of part of the shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, the shares to be redeemed shall be selected pro rata. Subject to the provisions hereof, the Company shall have full power and authority to prescribe the terms and conditions upon which shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall be redeemed from time to time. If fewer than all the shares represented by any certificate are redeemed, a new certificate shall be issued representing the unredeemed shares without charge to the Holder thereof.

(5)    Effectiveness of Redemption. If notice of redemption has been duly given and if on or before the redemption date specified in the notice all funds necessary for the redemption have been deposited by the Company, in trust for the pro rata benefit of the Holders of the shares called for redemption, with a bank or trust company doing business in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and having a capital and surplus of at least $500 million and selected by the Board of Directors, so as to be and continue to be available solely therefor, then, notwithstanding that any certificate for any share so called for redemption has not been surrendered for cancellation, on and after the redemption date dividends shall cease to accrue on all shares so called for redemption, all shares so called for redemption shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights with respect to such shares shall forthwith on such redemption date cease and terminate, except only the right of the Holders thereof to receive the amount payable on such redemption from such bank or trust company, without interest. Any funds unclaimed at the end of three years from the redemption date shall, to the extent permitted by law, be released to the Company, after which time the Holders of the shares so called for redemption shall look only to the Company for payment of the redemption price of such shares.

(k)     Dividends.

Holders of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, on each share of Series [ ] Preferred Stock, dividends with respect to each Dividend Period in an amount equal to the Dividend Rate on the Series [ ] Liquidation Preference per share of Series [ ] Preferred Stock. Dividends payable at the Dividend Rate shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from the Issue Date. No full dividends and distributions will be declared or paid on the Series [ ] Preferred Stock for any Dividend Period, or a part of a Dividend Period, unless the full cumulative dividends and distributions due through the most recent dividend payment dates for all outstanding shares of the Preferred Stock have been, or contemporaneously are, declared and paid through the most recent Dividend Payment Date. If full cumulative dividends and distributions due have not been paid on all outstanding Preferred Stock of any series, any dividends and distributions being declared and paid on Preferred Stock will be declared and paid as nearly pro rata as possible in proportion to the respective amounts of dividends and distributions accumulated but unpaid on the shares of each such series of Preferred Stock on the relevant dividend payment date. No holders of Preferred Stock will be entitled to any dividends and distributions in excess of full cumulative dividends and distributions as provided in the applicable certificate of designation for such series.

Dividends that are payable on the Series [ ] Preferred Stock on any Dividend Payment Date shall be payable to Holders of record of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock as they appear on the stock register of the Company on the record date for such dividend, which shall be the date [15] days prior to the applicable Dividend Payment Date.

Dividends payable at the Dividend Rate on the Series [ ] Preferred Stock in respect of any Dividend Period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The amount of dividends payable at the Dividend Rate on the Series [ ] Preferred Stock on any date prior to the end of a Dividend Period, and for the initial Dividend Period, shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, and actual days elapsed over a 30-day month.

Cash dividends shall be paid only to the extent the Company has assets legally available for such payment and the Board of Directors, or an authorized committee thereof, declares a dividend payable.

 

7


The Company shall not make declare any dividend (other than a dividend payable in Common Stock) or other distribution on the Common Stock or purchase any Common Stock unless at the time of the declaration of such dividend or distribution or at the time of any such purchase the Company has an asset coverage of at least 200%, as computed in accordance with the 1940 Act after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price.

(l)     Amendments Without Consent of Holders .

Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors may amend or modify these terms of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein, make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under these terms of the Series [ ] Preferred Stock that are not inconsistent with the provisions herein.

(m) Issuance of Additional Shares

So long as any shares of Series [    ] Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Company may, without stockholder approval (including without the approval of the Holders of Series [    ] Preferred Stock), authorize, establish and create and issue and sell shares of one or more series of a class of senior securities of the Company representing stock under Sections 18 and 61 of the 1940 Act, ranking on a parity with the Series [    ] Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or the winding up of the affairs of the Company, and authorize, issue and sell additional shares of any such series of Preferred Stock then outstanding or so established and created, including additional shares of Series [    ] Preferred Stock, in each case in accordance with applicable law.

(n) Status of Acquired Shares .

Shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock that are [converted,] redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Company shall be returned to the status of authorized but unissued shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock, until reclassified by the Board of Directors.

 

8


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. has caused this Certificate of Designation to be duly executed by its duly authorized officer as of this [ ]th day of [            ].

 

GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

9

Exhibit (d)(8)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939

OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

 

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO

SECTION 305(b) (2)

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

A National Banking Association  

94-1347393

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or  

(I.R.S. Employer

organization if not a U.S. national bank)  

Identification No.)

101 North Phillips Avenue  
Sioux Falls, South Dakota  

57104

(Address of principal executive offices)  

(Zip code)

Wells Fargo & Company

Law Department, Trust Section

MAC N9305-175

Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue, 17 th Floor

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

(612) 667-4608

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

 

GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware  

46-2176593

(State or other jurisdiction of  

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)  

Identification No.)

200 West Street  
New York, New York  

10282

(Address of principal executive offices)  

(Zip code)

 

 

Debt Securities

(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

 


Item 1. General Information. Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

 

  (a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

Comptroller of the Currency

Treasury Department

Washington, D.C.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Washington, D.C.

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

San Francisco, California 94120

 

  (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Item 2. Affiliations with Obligor. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None with respect to the trustee.

No responses are included for Items 3-14 of this Form T-1 because the obligor is not in default as provided under Item 13.

Item 15. Foreign Trustee.         Not applicable.

Item 16. List of Exhibits.         List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility.

Exhibit 1.            A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee now in effect.*
Exhibit 2.    A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certificate of Corporate Existence for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated January 14, 2015.*
Exhibit 3.    A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certification of Fiduciary Powers for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated January 6, 2014.*
Exhibit 4.    Copy of By-laws of the trustee as now in effect.*
Exhibit 5.    Not applicable.
Exhibit 6.    The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
Exhibit 7.    A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.
Exhibit 8.    Not applicable.
Exhibit 9.    Not applicable.


* Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit to the Filing 305B2 dated March 13, 2015 of file number 333-190926.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois on the 10th day of January, 2017.

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
/s/ Gregory S. Clarke                                    
Gregory S. Clarke
Vice President


EXHIBIT 6

January 10, 2017

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

Gentlemen:

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned made by Federal, State, Territorial, or District authorities authorized to make such examination may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.

 

Very truly yours,

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
/s/ Gregory S. Clarke                        

Gregory S. Clarke

Vice President


EXHIBIT 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of

Wells Fargo Bank National Association

of 101 North Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,

at the close of business September 30, 2016, filed in accordance with 12 U.S.C. §161 for National Banks.

 

            Dollar Amounts
In Millions

 

 

ASSETS

     

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

     

Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin

        $17,662   

Interest-bearing balances

        228,654   

Securities:

     

Held-to-maturity securities

        99,241   

Available-for-sale securities

        273,020   

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:

     

Federal funds sold in domestic offices

        76   

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

        22,123   

Loans and lease financing receivables:

     

Loans and leases held for sale

        22,444   

Loans and leases, net of unearned income

     919,725      

LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses

     10,603      

Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance

        909,122   

Trading Assets

        46,588   

Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)

        7,671   

Other real estate owned

        955   

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies

        10,787   

Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures                

        0   

Intangible assets

     

Goodwill

        22,691   

Other intangible assets

        14,962   

Other assets

        64,823   
     
     

 

 

 

Total assets

        $1,740,819   
     

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

     

Deposits:

     

In domestic offices

        $1,167,424   

    Noninterest-bearing

     375,955      

    Interest-bearing

     791,469      

In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs

        154,137   

    Noninterest-bearing

     1,032      

    Interest-bearing

     153,105      

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

     

Federal funds purchased in domestic offices

        6,166   

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

        20,719   


     Dollar Amounts
In Millions

 

 

Trading liabilities

     25,666   

Other borrowed money

  

(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)

     154,595   

Subordinated notes and debentures

     13,610   

Other liabilities

     38,863   
  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     $1,581,180   

EQUITY CAPITAL

  

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus

     0   

Common stock

     519   

Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)

     106,704   

Retained earnings

     47,765   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     4,257   

Other equity capital components

     0   
  
  

 

 

 

Total bank equity capital

     159,245   

Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries

     394   
  

 

 

 

Total equity capital

     159,639   
  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities, and equity capital

     $1,740,819   
  

 

 

 

I, John R. Shrewsberry, Sr. EVP & CFO of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared

in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the best of my knowledge

and belief.

John R. Shrewsberry

Sr. EVP & CFO     

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us

and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate

Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.

Directors

James Quigley

Enrique Hernandez, Jr

Timothy Sloan

EX-99.(h)(1)

 

 

 

 

GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.

(a Delaware corporation)

[•] Shares of Common Stock

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

Dated: [•]

 

 

 

 


GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.

(a Delaware corporation)

[•] Shares of Common Stock

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

[•]

[•]

[•]

as Representatives of the several Underwriters

c/o     [•]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), confirms its agreement with [•] and [•] and each of the other underwriters named in Schedule A hereto (collectively, the “Underwriters,” which term shall also include any underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 10 hereof), for whom [•] and [•] are acting as representatives (in such capacity, the “Representatives”), with respect to (i) the sale by the Company and the purchase by the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the respective numbers of shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”) set forth in Schedule A hereto and (ii) the grant by the Company to the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the option described in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any part of [•] additional shares of Common Stock. The aforesaid [•] shares of Common Stock (the “Initial Securities”) to be purchased by the Underwriters and all or any part of the [•] shares of Common Stock subject to the option described in Section 2(b) hereof (the “Option Securities”) are herein called, collectively, the “Securities.”

The Company understands that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of the Securities as soon as the Representatives deem advisable after this Underwriting Agreement (this “Agreement”) has been executed and delivered.

The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form N-2 (No. 333-[•]), including the related base prospectus, covering the registration of the sale of the Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). The Company has also filed with the Commission a preliminary prospectus supplement, dated [•], together with the base prospectus, dated [•] (collectively, the “preliminary prospectus”). Promptly after execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will prepare and file a prospectus in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430C (“Rule 430C”) of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act (the “1933 Act Regulations”) and paragraph (h) of Rule 497 (“Rule 497”) of the 1933 Act Regulations. The information included in such prospectus that was omitted from such registration statement at the time it became effective but that is deemed to be part of such registration statement at the time it became effective pursuant to Rule 430C is herein called the “Rule 430C Information.” Such registration statement, including the amendments thereto, the exhibits thereto and any schedules


thereto, at the time it became effective, and including the Rule 430C Information, is herein called the “Registration Statement.” Any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations is herein called the “Rule 462(b) Registration Statement” and, after such filing, the term “Registration Statement” shall include the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. The final prospectus in the form filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 497 on or before the second business day after the date hereof (or such earlier time as may be required under the 1933 Act), which will include the base prospectus, dated [•], together with a final prospectus supplement, is herein called the “Prospectus.” For purposes of this Agreement, all references to the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system or any successor system (“EDGAR”).

A Form N-54A Notification of Election to be Subject to Sections 55 through 65 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 Filed Pursuant to Section 54(a) of the Investment Company Act (File No. 814-00998) was filed with the Commission on March 29, 2013 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and the rules and regulations and any applicable guidance and/or interpretation of the Commission or its staff thereunder (the “1940 Act Regulations”).

The Company has entered into an Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement, effective as of January 1, 2015 (the “Investment Management Agreement”), with Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (the “Adviser”), a Delaware limited partnership registered as an investment adviser, under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Advisers Act”).

As used in this Agreement:

“Applicable Time” means [•]:00 [P./A.M.], New York City time, on [•] or such other time as agreed by the Company and the Representatives.

“General Disclosure Package” means the preliminary prospectus, the information included on Schedule B[-1] hereto and the documents listed on Schedule B[-2] hereto, all considered together.

“Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any oral or written communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Section 5(d) of the 1933 Act.

“Written Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 under the 1933 Act.

SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties .

(a) Representations and Warranties by the Company . The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter as of the date hereof, the Applicable Time, the Closing Time (as defined below) and any Date of Delivery (as defined below), and agrees with each Underwriter, as follows:

 

2


(i) Registration Statement and Prospectuses . The Company is eligible to use Form N-2. Each of the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto has become effective under the 1933 Act. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has been issued under the 1933 Act, no order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus has been issued and no proceedings for any of those purposes have been instituted or are pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, contemplated. The Company has complied with each request (if any) from the Commission for additional information in connection with the Registration Statement.

Each of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the time it became effective, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Regulations. Each preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, at the time each was filed with the Commission, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Regulations. Each preliminary prospectus delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with this offering and the Prospectus was or will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

(ii) Accurate Disclosure . Neither the Registration Statement nor any amendment thereto, at its effective time, at the Closing Time or at any Date of Delivery, contained, contains or will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, not misleading. As of the Applicable Time, none of the General Disclosure Package, nor any individual preliminary prospectus, when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, included, includes or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Neither the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto, as of their respective date(s), at the time of any filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 497(h), at the Closing Time or at any Date of Delivery, included, includes or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

The representations and warranties in this subsection shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein (collectively, the “Underwriter Information”).

(iii) Testing-the-Waters Materials . The Company (A) has not engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communication and (B) has not authorized anyone other than the Representatives to engage in Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company reconfirms that the Representatives have been authorized to act on its behalf in undertaking Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company has not distributed any Written Testing-the-Waters Communications.

 

3


(iv) Company Not Ineligible Issuer . At the time of filing the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the earliest time thereafter that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) of the 1933 Act Regulations) of the Securities and at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405, without taking account of any determination by the Commission pursuant to Rule 405 that it is not necessary that the Company be considered an ineligible issuer.

(v) Emerging Growth Company Status . From the time of the initial filing of the Registration Statement with the Commission (or, if earlier, the first date on which the Company engaged directly or through any Person authorized to act on its behalf in any Testing-the-Waters Communication) through the date hereof, the Company has been and is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the 1933 Act (an “Emerging Growth Company”).

(vi) Independent Accountants . The accountants who certified the financial statements and supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are independent registered public accountants with respect to the Company within the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).

(vii) Financial Statements . The financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, together with the related schedules and notes, present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the Company and the Subsidiaries (as defined below) at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and the changes in the cash flows for the periods specified; said financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved. The supporting schedules, if any, included in the Registration Statement present fairly in all material respects in accordance with GAAP the information required to be stated therein. The selected financial data and the summary financial information included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus have been derived from the accounting records and other books and records of the Company and the Subsidiaries and present fairly in all material respects the information shown therein. Except as included therein, no historical or pro forma financial statements or supporting schedules are required to be included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus under the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations.

(viii) No Material Adverse Change in Business . Except as otherwise stated therein, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, (A) there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and the Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (a “Material Adverse Effect”), (B) there have been no transactions entered into by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, other than those in the ordinary course of business, which are material with respect to the Company and the Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise and (C) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its capital stock.

 

4


(ix) Good Standing of the Company . The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and the Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(x) Subsidiaries of the Company . The Company’s only subsidiaries that are consolidated with the Company for financial reporting purposes under GAAP are those listed on Schedule C hereto (each a “Subsidiary” and, collectively, the “Subsidiaries”). Each of the Subsidiaries has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each such Subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable; none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of any of the Subsidiaries was issued in violation of the preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of such Subsidiary.

(xi) Capitalization . The authorized, issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus in the column entitled “Actual” under the caption “Capitalization.” The outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable. None of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company were issued in violation of the preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company.

(xii) Authorization of Agreement . This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

(xiii) Authorization and Description of Securities . The Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Company have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement against payment of the purchase price set forth herein, will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable; and the issuance of the Securities is not subject to the preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company. The Common Stock conforms to all statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and such description conforms to the rights set forth in the instruments defining the same.

 

5


(xiv) Registration Rights . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no persons with registration rights or other similar rights to have any securities of the Company registered for sale pursuant to the Registration Statement or otherwise registered for sale or sold by the Company under the 1933 Act pursuant to this Agreement.

(xv) Absence of Violations and Defaults . Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is (A) in violation of its charter, bylaws or similar organizational document, each as amended or supplemented as of the date of this Agreement, the Closing Time and any Date of Delivery, as applicable, (B) in default under any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound or to which any of the properties or assets of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is subject (collectively, “Agreements and Instruments”), except for such defaults that would not reasonably be expected, singly or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (C) in violation of any law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any arbitrator, court, governmental body, regulatory body, administrative agency or other authority, body or agency having jurisdiction over the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties, assets or operations (each, a “Governmental Entity”), except for such violations that would not reasonably be expected, singly or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xvi) Absence of Conflicts . The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (including the issuance and sale of the Securities and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described therein under the caption “Use of Proceeds”) and compliance by the Company with its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and do not and will not conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any properties or assets of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries pursuant to, the Agreements and Instruments (except for such conflicts, breaches, defaults or Repayment Events or liens, charges or encumbrances that would not reasonably be expected, singly or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect), nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of (a) the charter, bylaws or similar organizational document of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or (b) any law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any Governmental Entity, except, in the case of (b) above, for any violation that would not reasonably be expected, singly or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect. As used herein, a “Repayment Event” means any event or condition which gives the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries.

(xvii) Employees . As of the date hereof, neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has, and as of the Closing Time neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries will have, any employees.

 

6


(xviii) Absence of Proceedings . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there is no action, suit, proceeding or, to the knowledge of the Company, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any Governmental Entity now pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or which would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder.

(xix) Accuracy of Exhibits . There are no contracts or documents which are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement which have not been so described and filed as required.

(xx) Absence of Further Requirements . No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any Governmental Entity is necessary or required for the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder, in connection with the offering, issuance or sale of the Securities hereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Investment Management Agreement, except (A) such as have been already obtained or as may be required under the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1940 Act, the 1940 Act Regulations, the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, state securities laws or the rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and (B) where the failure to obtain any such filing, authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree would not reasonably be expected, singly or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(xxi) Possession of Licenses and Permits . The Company and the Subsidiaries possess such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, “Governmental Licenses”) issued by the appropriate Governmental Entities necessary to conduct the business now operated by them, except where the failure so to possess would not reasonably be expected, singly or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect. All of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except when the invalidity of such Governmental Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect would not reasonably be expected, singly or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xxii) Title to Property . The Company and the Subsidiaries do not own any real property; and all of the leases and subleases material to the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, and under which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries holds properties, are in full force and effect, and neither the Company not any such Subsidiary has received any notice of any material claim of any sort that has been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company or any Subsidiary under any of the leases or subleases mentioned above, or affecting or questioning the rights of the Company or such Subsidiary to the continued possession of the leased or subleased premises under any such lease or sublease.

(xxiii) Possession of Intellectual Property . Except as would not reasonably be expected, singly or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and the Subsidiaries own or possess, or can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions,

 

7


copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names or other intellectual property (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) necessary to carry on the business now operated by them, except where the failure to own or possess or otherwise be able to acquire such rights in a timely manner would not otherwise reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has received any notice or is otherwise aware of any infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property or of any facts or circumstances which would render any Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to protect the interest of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries therein, and which infringement or conflict (if the subject of any unfavorable decision, ruling or finding) or invalidity or inadequacy, singly or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xxiv) Accounting Controls . The Company, on a consolidated basis, maintains a system of internal control over financial reporting (as defined under Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) (such rules and regulations, the “1934 Act Regulations”)) and a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets; (C) access to the Company’s consolidated assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year, there has been (1) no material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and (2) no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (it being understood that the Company is not as of the date hereof required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements under Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002).

(xxv) Payment of Taxes . All United States federal income tax returns of the Company and the Subsidiaries required by law to have been filed by them (taking into account any applicable extensions) have been filed and all taxes shown by such returns or otherwise assessed, which are due and payable, have been paid, in each case, except assessments against which appeals have been or will be promptly taken and as to which adequate reserves have been provided or insofar as the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected, singly or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The United States federal income tax returns of the Company through the fiscal year ended December 31, [•] have been filed, and no assessment in connection therewith has been made against the Company. The Company and the Subsidiaries have filed all other tax returns that are required to have been filed by them (taking into account any applicable extensions) pursuant to applicable foreign, state, local or other law and has paid all taxes due pursuant to such returns or pursuant to any assessment received by the Company and the Subsidiaries, except for such taxes, if any, as are being contested in good faith and as to which adequate reserves have been established by the Company or, in each case, insofar as the failure to pay such taxes or file such returns would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material

 

8


Adverse Effect. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Company in respect of any income and corporation tax liability for any years not finally determined are adequate to meet any current assessments or re-assessments for additional income tax for any years not finally determined, except to the extent of any inadequacy that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xxvi) Insurance . The Company and the Subsidiaries carry or are entitled to the benefits of insurance, with financially sound and reputable insurers, in such amounts and covering such risks as the Company reasonably believes is prudent, and all such insurance is in full force and effect.

(xxvii) Investment Company Act . The Company is not required and, upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in the Prospectus, will not be required to register as a “management investment company” under the 1940 Act.

(xxviii) Stabilization and Manipulation . The Company has not taken, nor will it take, directly or indirectly, without giving effect to any activities by the Underwriters, any action designed, or that would reasonably be expected, to cause or result in, or that constitutes, any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Shares, other than activity permitted pursuant to Rule 10b-18 under the 1934 Act.

(xxix) Foreign Corrupt Practices Act . None of the Company, any of the Subsidiaries, or, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer or employee of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any agent, controlled affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is aware of, has taken or will take any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “FCPA”), including making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA and to the knowledge of the Company, the Company and its Subsidiaries have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

(xxx) Money Laundering Laws . The operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the applicable money laundering statutes of the jurisdictions in which the Company and the Subsidiaries conduct business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any other relevant laws, rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any Governmental Entity (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”); and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any Governmental Entity involving the Company or any of the Subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened.

 

9


(xxxi) OFAC . None of the Company, any of the Subsidiaries, or, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer or employee of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any agent, controlled affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is an individual or entity (“Person”), or is controlled by a Person that is, (i) currently the subject or target of any sanctions administered or enforced by the United States Government, including the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), the United Nations Security Council (“UNSC”), the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury (“HMT”), or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), or (ii) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is itself the subject of Sanctions. Since its inception, the Company and the Subsidiaries have not knowingly engaged in, and are not now knowingly engaged in, any unauthorized dealings or transactions with any Person that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject or target of Sanctions.

(xxxii) Lending Relationship . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company (i) does not have any material lending or other relationship with any bank or lending affiliate of any Underwriter and (ii) does not intend to use any of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities to repay any outstanding debt owed to any affiliate of any Underwriter.

(xxxiii) Statistical and Market-Related Data . Any statistical and market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate and, to the extent required, the Company has obtained the written consent to the use of such data from such sources.

(xxxiv) Related Party Transactions . There are no business relationships or related party transactions involving the Company, any of the Subsidiaries or any other person required to be described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus which have not been described as required.

(xxxv) Investment Management Agreement . (A) The terms of the Investment Management Agreement, including compensation terms, comply in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the 1940 Act Regulations and the Advisers Act and (B) the approvals by the board of directors and the stockholders of the Company of the Investment Management Agreement have been made in accordance with the requirements of Section 15(a) and (c) of the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Regulations applicable to companies that have elected to be regulated as business development companies under the 1940 Act. The Investment Management Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and is a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now or thereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

(xxxvi) Business Development Company . (A) The Company has duly elected to be treated by the Commission under the 1940 Act as a business development company, such election is effective and all required action has been taken by the Company under the 1933 Act and the

 

10


1940 Act to make the public offering and consummate the sale of the Securities as provided in this Agreement; (B) the provisions of the charter and bylaws of the Company, and the investment objectives, policies and restrictions described in the Prospectus, assuming they are implemented as described, will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1940 Act; and (C) the operations of the Company are in compliance in all material respects with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Regulations applicable to business development companies.

(xxxvii) No Extension of Credit . The Company has not, directly or indirectly, extended credit, agreed to extend credit, arranged to extend credit or renewed any extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan, to or for any director or executive officer of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, or to or for any family member or affiliate of any director or executive officer of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries.

(xxxviii) Regulated Investment Company . The Company has elected to be treated, and has operated, and intends to continue to operate, its business in such a manner as to enable the Company to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Company intends to direct the investment of the proceeds of the offering of the Securities in a manner as to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code.

(b) Representations and Warranties by the Adviser . The Adviser represents to each Underwriter as of the date hereof, the Applicable Time, the Closing Time (as defined below) and any Date of Delivery (as defined below), and agrees with each Underwriter, as follows:

(i) No Material Adverse Change in Business . Except as otherwise stated therein, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs, business prospects or regulatory status of the Adviser, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or on the ability of the Adviser to carry out its obligations under this Agreement or the Investment Management Agreement (collectively, an “Adviser Material Adverse Effect”).

(ii) Good Standing . The Adviser has been duly organized and is validly existing as a limited partnership, in good standing under the laws of its state of organization and has limited partnership power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and the Adviser is duly qualified as a foreign entity to transact business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not otherwise reasonably be expected to result in an Adviser Material Adverse Effect.

(iii) Registration Under Advisers Act . The Adviser is duly registered with the Commission as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and is not prohibited by the Advisers Act or the 1940 Act from acting under the Investment Management Agreement for the Company as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

11


(iv) Absence of Proceedings . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there is no action, suit, proceeding or, to the knowledge of the Adviser, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any arbitrator, court, governmental body, regulatory body, administrative agency or other authority, body or agency having jurisdiction over the Adviser or any of its properties, assets or operations now pending or, to the knowledge of the Adviser, threatened, against or affecting the Adviser, which is required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement (other than as disclosed therein) or which would reasonably be expected to result in an Adviser Material Adverse Effect, or which would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or the performance by the Adviser of its obligations hereunder.

(v) Absence of Violations and Defaults . The Adviser is not (A) in violation of its limited partnership agreement, (B) in default under any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Adviser is a party or by which it may be bound or to which any of its properties or assets is subject (collectively, the “Adviser Agreements and Instruments”), except for such defaults that would not reasonably be expected, singly or in the aggregate, to result in an Adviser Material Adverse Effect, or (C) in violation of any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any arbitrator, court, governmental body, regulatory body, administrative agency or other authority, body or agency having jurisdiction over the Adviser or any of its properties, assets or operations, except for such violations that would not reasonably be expected, singly or in the aggregate, to result in an Adviser Material Adverse Effect.

(vi) Absence of Conflicts . The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (including the issuance and sale of the Securities and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described therein under the caption “Use of Proceeds”) and compliance by the Adviser with its obligations hereunder do not and will not conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any properties or assets of the Adviser or pursuant to, the Adviser Agreements and Instruments (except for such conflicts, breaches, defaults, events or conditions giving the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Adviser, or liens, charges or encumbrances that would not reasonably be expected, singly or in the aggregate, to result in an Adviser Material Adverse Effect), nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of (a) the limited partnership agreement of the Adviser, or (b) any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any arbitrator, court, governmental body, regulatory body, administrative agency or other authority, body or agency having jurisdiction over the Adviser or any of its properties, assets or operations except, in the case of (b) above, for any violation that would not reasonably be expected, singly or in the aggregate, to result in an Adviser Material Adverse Effect.

(vii) Authorization of Agreements . This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Adviser.

 

12


(viii) Investment Management Agreement . The Investment Management Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Adviser and is a valid and binding obligation of the Adviser, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now or thereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

(ix) Absence of Further Requirements . No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency is necessary or required for the performance by the Adviser of its obligations hereunder or, in connection with the offering, the issuance or sale of the Securities hereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except (A) such as have been already obtained or as may be required under the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, state securities laws or the rules of FINRA and (B) where the failure to obtain any such filing, authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree would not reasonably be expected, singly or in the aggregate, to result in an Adviser Material Adverse Effect.

(x) Description of Adviser . The description of the Adviser contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(xi) Possession of Licenses and Permits . The Adviser possesses such Governmental Licenses issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by it, except where the failure so to possess would not reasonably be expected, singly or in the aggregate, to result in an Adviser Material Adverse Effect. All of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except when the invalidity of such Governmental Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect would not reasonably be expected, singly or in the aggregate, to result in an Adviser Material Adverse Effect.

(xii) Stabilization and Manipulation . The Adviser has not taken, nor will take, directly or indirectly, without giving effect to any activities by the Underwriters, any action designed, or that would reasonably be expected, to cause or result in, or which constitutes, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Shares, other than activity permitted pursuant to Rule 10b-18 under the 1934 Act.

(xiii) Foreign Corrupt Practices Act . None of the Adviser or, to the knowledge of the Adviser, any director, officer or employee of the Adviser or any agent, controlled affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Adviser is aware of, has taken or will take any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the FCPA, in connection with the business of the Company, including making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined

 

13


in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA and to the knowledge of the Adviser, the Adviser has conducted its business, in relation to the Company, in compliance with the FCPA and has instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

(xiv) Money Laundering Laws . The operations of the Adviser are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Money Laundering Laws; and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator, court, governmental body, regulatory body, administrative agency or other authority, body or agency having jurisdiction over the Adviser or any of its properties, assets or operations involving the Adviser with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Adviser, threatened.

(xv) OFAC . None of the Adviser or, to the knowledge of the Adviser, any director, officer or employee of the Adviser or any agent, controlled affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Adviser is a Person, or is controlled by a Person that is, (i) currently the subject or target of Sanctions, or (ii) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is itself the subject of Sanctions. During the last five years, the Adviser has not knowingly engaged in, and is not now knowingly engaged in, any unauthorized dealings or transactions with any Person that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject or target of Sanctions.

(xvi) No Labor Disputes . No labor disturbance by or dispute with employees of the Adviser or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Adviser, is contemplated or threatened, and the Adviser is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by, or dispute with, the employees or any of its or its subsidiaries’ principal suppliers, contractors or customers, except in each case as would not reasonably be expected to result in an Adviser Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this paragraph (xv), the “Adviser” shall mean the Private Credit Group of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P.

(xvii) Accounting Controls . The Adviser maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions effectuated by it under the Investment Management Agreement are executed in accordance with its management’s general or specific authorization; (B) access to the Company’s consolidated assets that are in its possession or control is permitted only in accordance with its management’s general or specific authorization; (C) transactions for which it has bookkeeping and record-keeping responsibility under the Investment Management Agreement are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for the Company’s assets and (D) the recorded accountability for such assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

(xviii) Financial Resources . The Adviser has the financial resources available to it necessary for the performance of its services and obligations as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus and the Investment Management Agreement.

 

14


(c) Officer’s Certificates . Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company, any of the Subsidiaries or the Adviser delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company or the Adviser, as applicable, to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.

SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing .

(a) Initial Securities . On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Company, at the price per share set forth in Schedule A, that number of Initial Securities set forth in Schedule A opposite the name of such Underwriter, plus any additional number of Initial Securities which such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof, subject, in each case, to such adjustments among the Underwriters as the Representatives, in their sole discretion, shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional shares.

(b) Option Securities . In addition, on the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company hereby grants an option to the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, to purchase up to an additional [•] shares of Common Stock, as may be necessary to cover overallotments made in connection with the offering of the Initial Securities, at the price per share set forth in Schedule A, less an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Initial Securities but not payable on the Option Securities. The option hereby granted may be exercised for 30 days after the date hereof and may be exercised in whole or in part at any time from time to time upon notice by the Representatives to the Company setting forth the number of Option Securities as to which the several Underwriters are then exercising the option and the time and date of payment and delivery for such Option Securities. Any such time and date of delivery (a “Date of Delivery”) shall be determined by the Representatives, and may be the same date as the Closing Time, but shall not be later than seven full business days after the exercise of said option, nor in any event prior to the Closing Time (unless such time and date are postponed in accordance with Section 10 hereof). If the option is exercised as to all or any portion of the Option Securities, each of the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, will purchase that proportion of the total number of Option Securities then being purchased which the number of Initial Securities set forth in Schedule A opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Initial Securities, subject, in each case, to such adjustments as the Representatives, in their sole discretion, shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional shares.

(c) Payment . Payment of the public offering price for the Initial Securities (less the underwriting discount) by the Underwriters to the Company (in the amounts set forth in Schedule A), and delivery of the Initial Securities, shall be made at the offices of [Address of Underwriters’ Counsel] or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company, at [•]:00 [P./A.M.] (New York City time) on the third (fourth, if the pricing occurs after 4:30 P.M. (New York City time) on any given day) business day after the date hereof (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10), or such other time not later than ten business days after such date as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company (such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called “Closing Time”).

 

15


In addition, in the event that any or all of the Option Securities are purchased by the Underwriters, payment of the public offering price for the Option Securities (less the underwriting discount) by the Underwriters to the Company (in the amounts set forth in Schedule A), and delivery of the Option Securities, shall be made at the above-mentioned offices, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company, on each Date of Delivery as specified in the notice from the Representatives to the Company.

Payment of the public offering price (less the underwriting discount) shall be made to the Company by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account designated by the Company against delivery to the Representatives through the facilities of the Depositary Trust Company for the respective accounts of the Underwriters of the Securities to be purchased by them. It is understood that each Underwriter has authorized the Representatives, for its account, to accept delivery of, receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Initial Securities and the Option Securities, if any, which it has agreed to purchase. The Representatives, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment of the purchase price for the Initial Securities or the Option Securities, if any, to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds have not been received by the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be, but such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from its obligations hereunder.

SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company . The Company covenants with each Underwriter as follows:

(a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests . The Company, subject to Section 3(b), will comply with the requirements of Rule 430C and Rule 497, and will notify the Representatives immediately, and confirm the notice in writing, (i) when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall become effective or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus shall have been filed, (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the Commission, (iii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus, or for additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes or of any examination pursuant to Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the 1933 Act concerning the Registration Statement and (v) if the Company becomes the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of the 1933 Act in connection with the offering of the Securities. The Company will effect all filings required under Rule 497(h) within the time period required by Rule 497, and will take such steps as it deems necessary to ascertain promptly whether the form of prospectus transmitted for filing under Rule 497(h) was received for filing by the Commission and, in the event that it was not, it will promptly file such prospectus. The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order, prevention or suspension and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment.

(b) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws . The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Securities as contemplated in this Agreement and in the

 

16


Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. If at any time when a prospectus relating to the Securities is required by the 1933 Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Securities, any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, to (i) amend the Registration Statement in order that the Registration Statement will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus in order that the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be, will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser or (iii) amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be, in order to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations, the Company will promptly (A) give the Representatives notice of such event, (B) prepare any amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus comply with such requirements and, a reasonable amount of time prior to any proposed filing or use, furnish the Representatives with copies of any such amendment or supplement and (C) file with the Commission any such amendment or supplement. The Company will furnish to the Underwriters such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request. The Company has given the Representatives notice of any filings made pursuant to the 1934 Act or 1934 Act Regulations within 48 hours prior to the Applicable Time; the Company shall give the Representatives notice of its intention to make any such filing from the Applicable Time to the Closing Time and shall furnish the Representatives with copies of any such documents a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case may be.

(c) Delivery of Commission Filings . The Company has furnished or, upon written request of the Representatives, shall deliver to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, conformed copies of the Registration Statement, as originally filed, and of each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith) and conformed copies of all consents and certificates of experts, and will also deliver to the Representatives, without charge, a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (without exhibits) for each of the Underwriters. The copies of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

(d) Delivery of Prospectuses . The Company has delivered to each Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of each preliminary prospectus as such Underwriter reasonably requested, and the Company hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the 1933 Act. The Company will furnish to each Underwriter, without charge, during the period when a prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act, such number of copies of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as such Underwriter may reasonably request. The Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

 

17


(e) Blue Sky Qualifications . The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts, in cooperation with the Underwriters, to qualify the Securities for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions (domestic or foreign) as the Representatives may designate and to maintain such qualifications in effect so long as reasonably required to complete the distribution of the Securities; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.

(f) Rule 158 . The Company will make generally available to its securityholders as soon as practicable an earnings statement that satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act and Rule 158 of the Commission promulgated thereunder covering a period of at least twelve months beginning with the first fiscal quarter of the Company occurring after the “effective date” (as defined in Rule 158) of the Registration Statement; provided that the Company will be deemed to have complied with such request by filing such an earnings statement on EDGAR.

(g) Use of Proceeds . The Company will use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Securities in the manner specified in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under “Use of Proceeds.”

(h) Listing . The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the listing of the Common Stock (including the Securities) on the New York Stock Exchange.

(i) Restriction on Sale of Securities . During a period of [•] days from the date of the Prospectus, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, (i) directly or indirectly, 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 or otherwise transfer or dispose of any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or file any registration statement under the 1933 Act with respect to any of the foregoing (other than a post-effective amendment to the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form N-2 to update the financial information therein) 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 Common Stock, whether any such swap or transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (A) the Securities to be sold hereunder or (B) any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to any dividend reinvestment plan referred to in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(j) Reporting Requirements . The Company, during the period when a Prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act, will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the 1934 Act within the time periods required by the 1934 Act and 1934 Act Regulations.

 

 

18


(k) Business Development Company Status . The Company, during the period of at least two years from the effective date of the Company’s Registration Statement, will use its commercially reasonably efforts to maintain its status as a business development company; provided, however, the Company may cease to be, or withdraw its election as, a business development company, with the approval of the board of directors and a vote of stockholders as required by Section 58 of the 1940 Act or any successor provision.

(l) Regulated Investment Company Status . The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code for each full fiscal year during which it is a business development company under the 1940 Act.

(m) Annual Compliance Reviews . The Company will retain qualified accountants and qualified tax experts to (i) test procedures and conduct annual compliance reviews designed to determine compliance with the regulated investment company provisions of the Code and (ii) otherwise assist the Company in monitoring appropriate accounting systems and procedures designed to determine compliance with the regulated investment company provisions of the Code.

(n) Accounting Controls . The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to establish and maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s authorization; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets; (C) access to the Company’s consolidated assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s authorization; (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; (E) material information relating to the Company and the assets managed by the Adviser is promptly made known to the officers responsible for establishing and maintaining the system of internal accounting controls; and (F) any significant deficiencies or weaknesses in the design or operation of internal accounting controls that could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data, and any fraud whether or not material that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in internal controls, are adequately and promptly disclosed to the Company’s independent auditors and the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors.

(o) Disclosure Controls . The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to establish and employ disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the 1934 Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer or officers and principal financial officer or officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

(p) Emerging Growth Company Status . The Company will promptly notify the Representatives if the Company ceases to be an Emerging Growth Company at any time prior to the later of (i) completion of the distribution of the Securities within the meaning of the 1933 Act and (ii) completion of the 60-day restricted period referred to in Section 3(i).

 

19


SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses .

(a) Expenses . The Company will pay or cause to be paid all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits) as originally filed and each amendment thereto, (ii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing by the Underwriters to investors, (iii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the certificates for the Securities to the Underwriters, including any stock or other transfer taxes and any stamp or other duties payable upon the sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the Company’s and the Adviser’s counsel, accountants and other advisors, (v) the qualification of the Securities under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(e) hereof, (vi) the fees and expenses of any transfer agent or registrar for the Securities, (vii) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any “road show” undertaken in connection with the marketing of the Securities, including without limitation, reasonable and documented expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations, documented travel and lodging expenses of the representatives and officers of the Company and any such consultants, and 50% of the cost of aircraft and other transportation chartered in connection with the road show, (viii) the filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters in connection with, the review by FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Securities in an amount up to $15,000, (ix) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Securities on the New York Stock Exchange and (x) the costs and expenses (including, without limitation, any damages or other amounts payable in connection with legal or contractual liability) associated with the reforming of any contracts for sale of the Securities made by the Underwriters caused by a breach of the representation contained in the third sentence of Section 1(a)(ii).

(b) Termination of Agreement . If this Agreement is terminated by the Representatives in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 or Section 9(a)(i) or (iii) hereof, the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of their reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in an amount up to $[•].

SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations . The obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Adviser contained herein or in certificates of any officer of the Company, any of the Subsidiaries or the Adviser delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company and the Adviser of their respective covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further conditions:

(a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement; Rule 430C Information . The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, has become effective and, at the Closing Time, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has been issued under the 1933 Act, no order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus has been issued and no

 

20


proceedings for any of those purposes have been instituted or are pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, contemplated; and the Company has complied with each request (if any) from the Commission for additional information in connection with the Registration Statement. A prospectus containing the Rule 430C Information shall have been filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 497(h) or a post-effective amendment providing such information shall have been filed with, and declared effective by, the Commission in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430C.

(b) Opinions of Counsel for Company . At the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinions, dated the Closing Time, of Fried Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, counsel for the Company, and of Dechert LLP, counsel for the Company and the Company’s independent directors, in each case, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letters for each of the other Underwriters to the effect set forth in Exhibit A-1 and Exhibit A-2 hereto and to such further effect as counsel to the Underwriters may reasonably request. Such counsels may state that insofar as such opinions involve factual matters, they have relied upon certificates of officers of the Company and certificates of public officials.

(c) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters . At the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated the Closing Time, of [•], counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters with respect to the matters set forth in opinion [•] (solely as to the Company’s valid existence and good standing), opinion [•], the [•] sentence of opinion [•], opinion [•] (solely as to the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws), opinion [•], opinion [•] and the [•] paragraph of Exhibit A hereto, and other related matters as the Representatives may require. In giving such opinion such counsel may rely, as to all matters governed by the laws of jurisdictions other than the law of the State of New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the federal securities laws of the United States, upon the opinions of counsel satisfactory to the Representatives. Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such opinion involves factual matters, they have relied, to the extent they deem proper, upon certificates of officers and other representatives of the Company and the Subsidiaries and certificates of public officials.

(d) Officers’ Certificates .

(i) At the Closing Time, there shall not have been, since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and the Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, and the Representatives shall have received a certificate of the chief executive officer or the president of the Company and of the chief financial or chief accounting officer of the Company, dated the Closing Time, to the effect that (A) there has been no such material adverse change, (B) the representations and warranties of the Company in Section 1(a) of this Agreement are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of the Closing Time, (C) the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Time, and (D) no stop order

 

21


suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the 1933 Act has been issued, no order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus has been issued and no proceedings for any of those purposes have been instituted or are pending or, to their knowledge, contemplated by the Commission.

(ii) At the Closing Time, there shall not have been, since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus, an Adviser Material Adverse Effect, and the Representatives shall have received a certificate of two authorized signatories of the Adviser, dated the Closing Time, to the effect that (A) there has been no such Adviser Material Adverse Effect, (B) the representations and warranties of the Adviser in Section 1(b) of this Agreement are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of the Closing Time and (C) the Adviser has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on their part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Time.

(e) Accountant’s Comfort Letter . At the time of the execution of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP a letter, dated such date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(f) Bring-down Comfort Letter . At the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP a letter, dated as of the Closing Time, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to the Closing Time.

(g) Approval of Listing . At the Closing Time, the Securities shall have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject only to official notice of issuance.

(h) No Objection . FINRA has confirmed that it has not raised any objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements relating to the offering of the Securities.

(i) Lock-up Agreements . At the date of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto signed by the persons listed on Schedule D hereto.

(j) Conditions to Purchase of Option Securities . In the event that the Underwriters exercise their option provided in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any portion of the Option Securities, the representations and warranties of the Company and the Adviser contained herein and the statements in any certificates furnished by the Company, any of the Subsidiaries and the Adviser hereunder shall be true and correct as of each Date of Delivery and, at the relevant Date of Delivery, the Representatives shall have received:

 

22


(i) Officers’ Certificates .

(A) A certificate, dated such Date of Delivery, of the chief executive officer or the president or a vice president of the Company and of the chief financial or chief accounting officer of the Company confirming that the certificate delivered at the Closing Time pursuant to Section 5(d)(i) hereof remains true and correct as of such Date of Delivery.

(B) A certificate, dated such Date of Delivery, of the chief executive officer or the president or a vice president and the chief financial or chief accounting officer of the Adviser confirming that the certificates delivered at the Closing Time pursuant to Section 5(d)(ii) hereof remain true and correct as of such Date of Delivery.

(ii) Opinions of Counsel for Company . If requested by the Representatives, the favorable opinion of Fried Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, counsel for the Company, together with the favorable opinion of Dechert LLP, counsel for the Company and the Company’s independent directors, each in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Date of Delivery and otherwise to the same effect as the opinions required by Section 5(b) hereof.

(iii) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters . If requested by the Representatives, the favorable opinion of [•], counsel for the Underwriters, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Date of Delivery and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(c) hereof.

(iv) Bring-down Comfort Letter . If requested by the Representatives, a letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and dated such Date of Delivery, substantially in the same form and substance as the letter furnished to the Representatives pursuant to Section 5(f) hereof, except that the “specified date” in the letter furnished pursuant to this paragraph shall be a date not more than three business days prior to such Date of Delivery.

(k) Additional Documents . At the Closing Time and at each Date of Delivery (if any) counsel for the Underwriters shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as they may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained; and all proceedings taken by the Company and the Adviser in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters.

(l) Termination of Agreement . If any condition specified in this Section shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement, or, in the case of any condition to the purchase of Option Securities on a Date of Delivery which is after the Closing Time, the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase the relevant Option Securities, may be terminated by the Representatives by notice to the Company at any time at or prior to Closing Time or such Date of Delivery, as the case may be, and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 and except that Sections 1, 6, 7, 8, 14, 15 and 16 survive any such termination and remain in full force and effect.

 

23


SECTION 6. Indemnification .

(a) Indemnification of Underwriters by the Company and the Adviser . The Company and the Adviser, severally and not jointly, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 501(b) under the 1933 Act (each, an “Affiliate”)), its selling agents and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act as follows:

(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including any Rule 430C Information, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included (A) in any preliminary prospectus, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or (B) in any road show as defined in Rule 433(h) under the 1933 Act (a “road show”), or the omission or alleged omission in any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus, any road show or the General Disclosure Package of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to Section 6(d) below) any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company;

(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including the reasonably incurred and documented fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the Representatives), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above; provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including any Rule 430C Information, any preliminary prospectus, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information, and provided, further, that the Adviser’s indemnity agreement shall only apply to statements described in (i) above regarding the Adviser.

(b) Indemnification of Company, Directors, Officers and Adviser . Each Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Adviser, their directors, each of the Company’s officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company or the Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section, as incurred, but only with

 

24


respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including any Rule 430C Information, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information.

(c) Actions against Parties; Notification . Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights and defenses) as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. In the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(a) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by the Representatives, and, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(b) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by the Company. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided, however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their 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. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 6 or Section 7 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(d) Settlement without Consent if Failure to Reimburse . If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 6(a)(ii) effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.

SECTION 7. Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in Section 6 hereof is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Adviser, on the one hand, and the

 

25


Underwriters, on the other hand, from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Adviser, on the one hand, and of the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. For the avoidance of doubt, the Adviser’s contribution agreement shall only apply to instances in which the Adviser has an indemnity obligation as described above in Section 6(a).

The relative benefits received by the Company and the Adviser, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company, on the one hand, and the total underwriting discount received by the Underwriters, on the other hand, in each case as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate public offering price of the Securities as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus.

The relative fault of the Company and the Adviser, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company and the Adviser or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

The Company, the Adviser and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 7. The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 7 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the underwriting commissions received by such Underwriter in connection with the Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public.

No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any indemnification and contribution by the Company shall be subject to the requirements and limitations of Section 17(i) of the 1940 Act and any applicable guidance from the Commission or its staff thereunder.

 

26


For purposes of this Section 7, each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act and each Underwriter’s Affiliates and selling agents shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company or the Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company or the Adviser, as the case may be. The Underwriters’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to the number of Initial Securities set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule A hereto and not joint.

SECTION 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive . All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Company, any of the Subsidiaries or the Adviser submitted pursuant hereto, shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or its Affiliates or selling agents, any person controlling any Underwriter, its officers or directors or any person controlling the Company and (ii) delivery of and payment for the Securities.

SECTION 9. Termination of Agreement .

(a) Termination . The Representatives may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the Company, at any time at or prior to the Closing Time (i) if there has been, in the judgment of the Representatives, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as one enterprise or the Adviser, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) if there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or the international financial markets, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the completion of the offering or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities, or (iii) if trading in any securities of the Company has been suspended or materially limited by the Commission or The New York Stock Exchange, or (iv) if trading generally on the NYSE Amex or The New York Stock Exchange or in the Nasdaq Global Market has been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or by order of the Commission, FINRA or any other governmental authority, or (v) a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States or with respect to Clearstream or Euroclear systems in Europe, or (vi) if a banking moratorium has been declared by either Federal or New York authorities.

(b) Liabilities . If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 hereof, provided that Sections 1, 6, 7, 8, 14, 15 and 16 shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.

 

27


SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters . If one or more of the Underwriters shall fail at the Closing Time or a Date of Delivery to purchase the Securities which it or they are obligated to purchase under this Agreement (the “Defaulted Securities”), the Representatives shall have the right, within 24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth; if, however, the Representatives shall not have completed such arrangements within such 24-hour period, then:

(i) if the number of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased on such date, each of the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated, severally and not jointly, to purchase the full amount thereof in the proportions that their respective underwriting obligations hereunder bear to the underwriting obligations of all non-defaulting Underwriters, or

(ii) if the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased on such date, this Agreement or, with respect to any Date of Delivery which occurs after the Closing Time, the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase, and the Company to sell, the Option Securities to be purchased and sold on such Date of Delivery shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter.

No action taken pursuant to this Section shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.

In the event of any such default which does not result in a termination of this Agreement or, in the case of a Date of Delivery which is after the Closing Time, which does not result in a termination of the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase and the Company to sell the relevant Option Securities, as the case may be, either the (i) Representatives or (ii) the Company shall have the right to postpone Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements. As used herein, the term “Underwriter” includes any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section 10.

SECTION 11. Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be directed to (i) [Lead Bookrunning Representative] at [Address]; and (ii) [Underwriters’ Counsel] at [Address]; notices to the Company and the Adviser shall be directed to them at 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, Attention: [•].

SECTION 12. No Advisory or Fiduciary Relationship . The Company acknowledges and agrees that (a) the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement, including the determination of the public offering price of the Securities and any related discounts and commissions, is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and the several Underwriters, on the other hand, (b) in connection with the offering of the Securities and the process leading thereto, each Underwriter is and has been acting solely as a

 

28


principal and is not the agent or fiduciary of the Company, any of the Subsidiaries or their respective stockholders, creditors, employees or any other party, (c) no Underwriter has assumed or will assume an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company with respect to the offering of the Securities or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether such Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the Company or any of its subsidiaries on other matters) and no Underwriter has any obligation to the Company with respect to the offering of the Securities except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement, (d) the Underwriters and their respective affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Company and (e) the Underwriters have not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the offering of the Securities and the Company has consulted its own respective legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate.

SECTION 13. Parties . This Agreement shall each inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters and the Company and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters, the Company and the Adviser and their respective successors and the controlling persons and officers and directors referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Underwriters, the Company and the Adviser and their respective successors, and said controlling persons and officers and directors and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation. No purchaser of Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

SECTION 14. Trial by Jury . The Company (on its behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its stockholders and affiliates) and each of the Underwriters hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

SECTION 15. GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF, THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 16. Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Immunity . Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be instituted in (i) the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City and County of New York, Borough of Manhattan or (ii) the courts of the State of New York located in the City and County of New York, Borough of Manhattan (collectively, the “Specified Courts”), and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction (except for proceedings instituted in regard to the enforcement of a judgment of any such court, as to which such jurisdiction is non-exclusive) of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail to such party’s address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court.

 

29


The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

SECTION 17. TIME . TIME SHALL BE OF THE ESSENCE OF THIS AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SET FORTH HEREIN, SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.

SECTION 18. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement.

SECTION 19. Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

 

30


If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement among the Underwriters, the Company and the Adviser in accordance with its terms.

 

Very truly yours,
GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.
By:    
 

Name:

 

Title:

GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

31


CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,

as of the date first above written:

[•]

 

By:    
  Name:
  Title:

[•]

 

By:    
  Name:
  Title:

For themselves and as Representatives of the other Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto.

 

32

Exhibit (l)

January 18, 2017

Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

200 West Street

New York, New York 10282

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We are acting as counsel to Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form N-2 (as it may be amended from time to time, the “Registration Statement”), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with respect to the issuance by the Company from time to time of up to an aggregate of $200,000,000 of the following securities of the Company: (1) shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”), (2) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (“Preferred Stock”), (3) warrants of the Company to purchase Debt Securities (as defined below), Common Stock or Preferred Stock (“Warrants”), (4) debt securities (“Debt Securities”) to be issued pursuant to an indenture between the Company and a trustee (the “Trustee”) and (5) rights to purchase Common Stock or other securities (“Subscription Rights”). The Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Warrants, Debt Securities and Subscription Rights are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.” The Registration Statement provides that the Securities may be offered separately or together, in separate series, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to the prospectus included in the Registration Statement (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”). With your permission, all assumptions and statements of reliance herein have been made without any independent investigation or verification on our part, and we express no opinion with respect to the subject matter or accuracy of such assumptions or items relied upon.

The terms of the Preferred Stock are to be established in one or more certificates of designations, rights and preferences, filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware (each, a “Certificate of Designations”). The Warrants are to be issued under one or more warrant agreements (each a “Warrant Agreement”) to be entered into by and between the Company and the purchasers thereof or a warrant agent to be identified in the applicable agreement (the “Warrant Agent”). The Debt Securities are to be issued under an indenture (the “Indenture”) to be entered into by and between the Company and the trustee named therein (the “Trustee”). The Subscription Rights are to be issued under one or more subscription agent agreements (each, a “Subscription Agent Agreement”), between the Company and the subscription rights agent named therein.


In connection with this opinion, we have (i) investigated such questions of law, (ii) examined originals or certified, conformed, facsimile, electronic or reproduction copies of such agreements, instruments, documents and records of the Company, such certificates of public officials and such other documents, and (iii) received such information from officers and representatives of the Company as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion. We have examined, among other documents, the following:

 

  (a) the Registration Statement;

 

  (b) the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (the “Certificate of Incorporation”);

 

  (c) the Bylaws of the Company (the “Bylaws”);

 

  (d) the form of certificate evidencing the Common Stock;

 

  (e) the form of Certificate of Designations for Preferred Stock;

 

  (f) the form of Warrant Agreement;

 

  (g) the form of Indenture governing the Debt Securities;

 

  (h) the form of certificate evidencing the Subscription Rights (the “Subscription Certificate”);

 

  (i) the form of Subscription Agent Agreement; and

 

  (j) the form of underwriting agreement for equity securities.

The documents referred to in items (f) through (j), inclusive, are referred to collectively herein as the “Documents.”

In all such examinations, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of original and certified documents and the conformity to original or certified documents of all copies submitted to us as certified, conformed, facsimile, electronic or reproduction copies. As to various questions of fact relevant to the opinion expressed herein, we have relied upon, and assume the accuracy of, certificates and oral or written statements and other information of or from public officials and officers and representatives of the Company and others.

To the extent it may be relevant to the opinion expressed below, we have assumed that (i) all of the parties to the Documents are validly existing and in good standing under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of organization, (ii) all of the parties to the Documents have the power and authority to (a) execute and deliver the Documents, (b) perform their obligations thereunder, and (c) consummate the transactions contemplated thereby, (iii) each of the Documents has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto, (iv) each of the Documents constitutes a valid and binding obligation of each of the parties thereto


(other than as expressly addressed in the opinion below as to the Company), enforceable against such parties in accordance with their terms, and (v) all of the parties to the Documents will comply with all of their obligations under the Documents and all laws applicable thereto.

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the limitations, qualifications and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

 

  1. The Common Stock, including the Common Stock to be issued upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Securities in accordance with its terms, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

  2. The Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

  3. The Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.

 

  4. The Rights will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.

 

  5. The Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.

In rendering the opinions expressed above, we have further assumed that (i) prior to the issuance of the Securities, the Company will authorize the offering and issuance of the Securities and will duly authorize, approve and establish the final terms and conditions thereof, which terms will conform to the descriptions thereof in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus supplements, the terms of any agreement governing those Securities and, in the case of Preferred Stock, the provisions of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, and will not violate any applicable law, conflict with any matter of public policy, result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company or violate any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; (ii) prior to the issuance of the Securities, the Company will duly authorize, execute and deliver any applicable Indenture, Subscription Agent Agreement and Warrant Agreement and any other agreement governing the Securities or otherwise necessary with respect to the Securities or contemplated by the Securities or the Registration Statement and will take any other appropriate or necessary corporate action, including the filing of any Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; (iii) any agreement governing the Securities and any instruments evidencing the Securities will be governed by New York law; (iv) the Indenture and the Subscription Certificate, as applicable, will conform to the forms thereof filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement; (v) the Securities will be offered, issued, sold and delivered in compliance with applicable law and any requirements therefor set forth in any corporate action authorizing such Securities and any agreement governing such Securities and in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and the related prospectus supplements describing the Securities and the offering thereof; (vi) the Securities will be offered, sold and delivered to, and paid for by, the purchasers thereof at the price specified in, and in accordance with the terms of, an agreement or agreements duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, which price, in the case of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, shall not be less than the respective par value thereof; and (vii) if issued in certificated form, certificates representing the Securities will be duly executed and delivered and, to the extent required by any applicable agreement, duly authenticated or countersigned, and if issued in book-entry form, the Securities will be duly registered to the extent required by any applicable agreement.


We express no opinion as to the validity or binding effect of any provision of the Documents:

(i) relating to indemnification, contribution or exculpation;

(ii) containing any purported waiver, release, variation, disclaimer, consent or other agreement of similar effect (all of the foregoing, collectively, a “Waiver”) by any party under any provision of the Documents to the extent limited by provisions of applicable law (including judicial decisions), or to the extent that such a Waiver applies to a right, claim, duty, defense or ground for discharge otherwise existing or occurring as a matter of law (including judicial decisions), except to the extent that such a Waiver is effective under, and is not prohibited by or void or invalid under, provisions of applicable law (including judicial decisions);

(iii) related to (a) forum selection or submission to jurisdiction (including, without limitation, any waiver of any objection to venue in any court or of any objection that a court is an inconvenient forum) to the extent that the validity or binding effect of any such provision is to be determined by any court other than a court of the State of New York, (b) choice of governing law to the extent that the validity or binding effect of any such provision is to be determined by any court other than a court of the State of New York or a federal district court sitting in the State of New York, in each case, applying the choice of law principles of the State of New York or (c) waiver of any rights to trial by jury;

(iv) specifying that provisions thereof may be waived only in writing;

(v) purporting to give any person or entity the power to accelerate obligations without any notice to the obligor; and

(vi) which may be construed to be in the nature of a penalty.

We express no opinion as to the validity or binding effect of any provision of the Documents (i) providing for payments thereunder in a currency other than currency of the United States of America to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction, under applicable law, will convert any judgment rendered in such other currency into currency of the United States of America or to the extent that payment in a currency other than currency of the United States of America is contrary to applicable law, (ii) providing for governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside the United States or in foreign currency or composite currency or (iii) concerning the enforceability of the waiver of rights or defenses contained in the Documents relating to waiver of stay, extension or usury laws.

The opinions set forth above are subject to the following qualifications: (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws (or related judicial doctrines) now or hereafter in effect affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally, (ii) general principles of equity including, without limitation, standards of materiality, good faith,


fair dealing and reasonableness, equitable defenses and limits as to the availability of equitable remedies, whether such principles are considered in a proceeding at law or in equity, and (iii) the application of any applicable fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, fraudulent obligation, or preferential transfer law or any law governing the distribution of assets of any person now or hereafter in effect affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally.

The opinions expressed herein are limited to the laws of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, each as currently in effect, and no opinion is expressed with respect to any other laws or any effect that such other laws may have on the opinion expressed herein. The opinions expressed herein are limited to the matters stated herein, and no opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated herein. This letter is given only as of the time of its delivery, and we undertake no responsibility to update or supplement this letter after its delivery.


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 these consents, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP

FRIED, FRANK, HARRIS, SHRIVER & JACOBSON LLP

EX-99.(s)(1)

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

[FORM OF PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO BE USED IN

CONJUNCTION WITH FUTURE COMMON STOCK OFFERINGS] 1

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(to Prospectus dated            , 20     )

  

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION,

            , 20    

[    ] Shares

GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.

Common Stock

$         per share

We are an externally managed specialty finance company that is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). We are focused on lending to “middle-market companies,” a term we generally use to refer to companies with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of between $5 million and $75 million annually. Our investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation through direct originations of secured debt, including first lien, unitranche, including last out portions of such loans, and second lien debt, unsecured debt, including mezzanine debt as well as through select equity investments.

We are managed by our investment adviser, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM” or “Investment Adviser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“Group Inc.”). Group Inc., together with Goldman, Sachs & Co., GSAM and its other subsidiaries and affiliates, is referred to herein as “Goldman Sachs.”

All of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus supplement are being sold by us. Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GSBD”. On             , 20     , the last reported sales price for our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $             per share. The net asset value (“NAV”) of our common stock as of             , 20     (the last date prior to the date of this prospectus supplement as of which we determined NAV) was $            . [The public offering price per share of our common stock less any underwriting commissions or discounts will not be less than the NAV per share at the time we make this offering.]

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

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain important information you should know before investing in our common stock. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information about us with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You may obtain this information or make stockholder inquiries by written or

 

1  

In addition to the sections outlined in this form of prospectus supplement, each prospectus supplement used in connection with an offering conducted pursuant to the registration statement to which this form of prospectus supplement is attached or incorporated by reference will include such other information as may then be required to be disclosed therein pursuant to applicable law or regulation as in effect as of the date of each such prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, information particular to the terms of each security offered thereby and any related risk factors or tax considerations pertaining thereto. This form of prospectus supplement is intended only to provide an indication of the nature and type of disclosure that may appear in any actual prospectus supplement, and it is not intended to and does not contain all of the information that would appear in any such actual prospectus supplement, and should not be used or relied upon in connection with any offer or sale of securities.


oral request and free of charge by contacting us at 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, on our website at www.goldmansachsbdc.com, or by calling us collect at (212) 902-0300. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and you should not consider that information to be a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. 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, that are listed on an exchange frequently trade at a discount to their NAV per share. If our shares trade at a discount to our NAV, it may increase the risk of loss for purchasers in any offering. Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk, including credit risk and the risk of the use of leverage, and is highly speculative. Before buying any securities, you should read the discussion of the material risks of investing in our common stock in “Risk Factors” beginning [on page S-[ ] of this prospectus supplement and] on page [ ] of the accompanying prospectus.

The securities in which we invest are generally not rated by any rating agency, and if they were rated, they would be below investment grade (rated lower than “Baa3” by Moody’s Investors Service and lower than “BBB-” by Fitch Ratings or Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”)). These securities, which may be referred to as “junk bonds,” “high yield bonds” or “leveraged loans,” have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

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

 

     Per Share      Total  

Public offering price

   $         $     

Sales load (underwriting discounts and commissions)

   $         $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. (1)

   $         $     

 

(1) We estimate that we will incur offering expenses of approximately $             in connection with this offering.

[The underwriters may exercise their over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional                     shares from us, at the public offering price, less the sales load, for                     days after the date of this prospectus supplement. If the underwriters exercise this over-allotment option in full, the total sales load will be $            , and total proceeds to us, before expenses, will be $            .]

The underwriters are offering the             common stock as set forth in “Underwriting.” Delivery of the common stock will be made on or about , .

The date of this prospectus supplement is                    ,


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information or to make any representations not contained in this prospectus. 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 appearing in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as applicable.] Our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects may have changed since that date. We will update these documents to reflect material changes only as required by law.

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information and disclosure. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs from the information contained in the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement controls. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together with the additional information described under the heading “Available Information” before investing in our common stock.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

     Page  

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

     S-1   

THE OFFERING

     S-6   

FEES AND EXPENSES

     S-7   

USE OF PROCEEDS

     S-11   

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DISTRIBUTIONS

     S-12   

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA AND OTHER INFORMATION

     S-14   

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     S-16   

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

     S-18   

CAPITALIZATION

     S-19   

UNDERWRITING

     S-20   

LEGAL MATTERS

     S-23   

EXPERTS

     S-23   

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     S-23   

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     SF-1   

PROSPECTUS

 

     Page  

[Insert table of contents from base prospectus.]

  


PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights some of the information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the securities offered by this prospectus supplement. You should review the more detailed information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, especially the information set forth under the heading “Risk Factors”.

Unless indicated otherwise in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, or the context requires otherwise, the terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc., or for periods prior to our conversion from a limited liability company to a corporation (the “Conversion”), Goldman Sachs Liberty Harbor Capital, LLC.

Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

We are a specialty finance company focused on lending to middle-market companies. We are a closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act. In addition, we have elected to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“the Code”), commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. From our formation in 2012 through             ,             , we have originated more than $             billion in aggregate principal amount of debt and equity investments prior to any subsequent exits and repayments. We seek to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation primarily through direct originations of secured debt, including first lien, unitranche, including last out portions of such loans, and second lien debt, and unsecured debt, including mezzanine debt, as well as through select equity investments. Unitranche loans are first lien loans that may extend deeper in a company’s capital structure than traditional first lien debt and may provide for a waterfall of cash flow priority between different lenders in the unitranche loan. In a number of instances, we may find another lender to provide the “first out” portion of such loan and retain the “last out” portion of such loan, in which case, the “first out” portion of the loan would generally receive priority with respect to payment of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder over the “last out” portion that we would continue to hold. In exchange for the greater risk of loss, the “last out” portion earns a higher interest rate. We use the term “mezzanine” to refer to debt that ranks senior only to a borrower’s equity securities and ranks junior in right of payment to all of such borrower’s other indebtedness. We may make multiple investments in the same portfolio company.

We invest primarily in U.S. middle-market companies, which we believe are underserved by traditional providers of capital such as banks and the public debt markets. In describing our business, we generally use the term “middle market companies” to refer to companies with EBITDA of between $5 million and $75 million annually. However, we may from time to time invest in larger or smaller companies. We generate revenues primarily through receipt of interest income from the investments we hold. In addition, we generate income from various loan origination and other fees, dividends on direct equity investments and capital gains on the sales of investments. Fees received from portfolio companies (directors’ fees, consulting fees, administrative fees, tax advisory fees and other similar compensation) are paid to us, unless, to the extent required by applicable law or exemptive relief, if any, therefrom, we only receive our allocable portion of such fees when invested in the same portfolio company as another account managed by Goldman Sachs. The companies in which we invest use our capital for a variety of purposes, including to support organic growth, fund acquisitions, make capital investments or refinance indebtedness.

Investment Strategy

Our origination strategy focuses on leading the negotiation and structuring of the loans or securities in which we invest and holding the investments in our portfolio to maturity. In many cases, we are the sole investor in the loan or security in our portfolio. Where there are multiple investors, we generally seek to control or obtain significant influence over the rights of investors in the loan or security. Our investments typically have maturities

 



 

S-1


between three and ten years and generally range in size between $10 million and $75 million, although we may make larger or smaller investments on occasion. In addition, part of our strategy involves an investment in a joint venture, Senior Credit Fund, LLC (the “Senior Credit Fund”), with the Regents of the University of California (“Cal Regents”). The Senior Credit Fund’s principal purpose is to make investments, either directly or indirectly through its wholly owned subsidiary, Senior Credit Fund SPV I, LLC (“SPV I”), primarily in senior secured loans to middle-market companies.

Investment Portfolio

[Insert description of portfolio as of most recent quarter end.]

Corporate Structure

We were formed as a private fund in September 2012 and commenced operations in November 2012, using seed capital contributions we received from Group Inc. In March 2013, we elected to be treated as a BDC. We have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. On March 18, 2015, our common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “GSBD”. On March 23, 2015, we closed our initial public offering (“IPO”), issuing 6,000,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $20.00 per share. Net of offering and underwriting costs, we received cash proceeds of $114.57 million. On April 21, 2015, we issued an additional 900,000 shares of our common stock pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option in connection with the IPO. Net of underwriting costs, we received additional cash proceeds of $17.27 million. As a result of the Conversion, subsequent share repurchases and the IPO [and subsequent offerings], as of             ,             , Group Inc. owned approximately     % of our common stock. See “Business—Formation Transactions and Initial Public Offering” in the accompanying prospectus.

Our Investment Adviser

GSAM serves as our investment adviser and has been registered as an investment adviser with the SEC since 1990. Subject to the supervision of our Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”), a majority of which is made up of independent directors (including an independent Chairman), GSAM manages our day-to-day operations and provides us with investment advisory and management services and certain administrative services. GSAM is a subsidiary of Group Inc., a public company that is a bank holding company, financial holding company and a world-wide, full-service financial services organization. Group Inc. is the general partner and owner of GSAM. GSAM has been providing financial solutions for investors since 1988 and had over $             trillion of assets under supervision as of             ,             .

The Private Credit Group of GSAM (the “GSAM Private Credit Group”) is responsible for identifying investment opportunities, conducting research and due diligence on prospective investments, negotiating and structuring our investments and monitoring and servicing our investments. The GSAM Private Credit Group was comprised of             investment professionals, as of             ,             , all of whom are dedicated to the Company’s investment strategy and other funds that share a similar investment strategy with the Company. These professionals are supported by an additional investment professionals, as of             ,             , who are primarily focused on investment strategies in syndicated, liquid credit (together with the GSAM Private Credit Group, “GSAM Credit Alternatives”). These individuals may have additional responsibilities other than those relating to us, but generally allocate a portion of their time in support of our business and our investment objective as a whole. In addition, GSAM has risk management, legal, accounting, tax, information technology and compliance personnel, among others, who provide services to us. We benefit from the expertise provided by these personnel in our operations.

The GSAM Private Credit Group is dedicated primarily to private corporate credit investment opportunities in North America, and utilizes a bottom-up, fundamental research approach to lending. The senior members of the GSAM Private Credit Group have been working together since 2006 and have an average of over years of experience in leveraged finance and private transactions.

 



 

S-2


All investment decisions are made by the Investment Committee of GSAM’s Private Credit Group (the “Investment Committee”), which currently consists of five voting members: Brendan McGovern, Salvatore Lentini, Jon Yoder, David Yu and Scott Turco, as well as three non-voting members with operational and/or legal expertise. For biographical information about the voting members of the Investment Committee, see “Management—Biographical Information” in the accompanying prospectus. The Investment Committee is responsible for approving all of our investments. The Investment Committee also monitors investments in our portfolio and approves all asset dispositions. We expect to benefit from the extensive and varied relevant experience of the investment professionals serving on the Investment Committee, which includes expertise in privately originated and publicly traded leveraged credit, stressed and distressed debt, bankruptcy, mergers and acquisitions and private equity. The voting members of the Investment Committee collectively have over 50 years of experience in middle-market investment and activities related to middle-market investing. The membership of the Investment Committee may change from time to time.

Allocation of Opportunities

Our investment objectives and investment strategies are similar to those of other client accounts managed by our Investment Adviser (including Goldman Sachs Private Middle Market Credit LLC (“GS PMMC”) a privately offered BDC, and Goldman Sachs Middle Market Lending LLC (“GS MMLC”), a closed-end investment company that intends to elect to be treated as a BDC, collectively, the “Accounts”), and an investment appropriate for us may also be appropriate for those Accounts. This creates potential conflicts in allocating investment opportunities among us and such other Accounts, particularly in circumstances where the availability of such investment opportunities is limited, where the liquidity of such investment opportunities is limited or where co-investments by us and other Accounts are not permitted under applicable law. For a further explanation of the allocation of opportunities and other conflicts and the risks related thereto, see “Business – Allocation of Opportunities” and “Potential Conflicts of Interest” in the accompanying prospectus.

Market Opportunity

According to the National Center for the Middle Market and the CIA World Fact Book, the U.S. middle market is comprised of approximately             companies that collectively generate revenues of approximately $             trillion annually. 2 Comparing revenues to gross domestic product, this makes the U.S. middle market equivalent to the world’s third largest global economy on a stand-alone basis. The GSAM Private Credit Group believes that existing market conditions and regulatory changes have combined to create an attractive investment environment for non-bank lenders such as us to provide loans to U.S. middle market companies. For a further discussion of the market opportunities associated with the Company’s focus on middle market companies, see “Business – Market Opportunities” in the accompanying prospectus.

Competitive Advantages

The Goldman Sachs Platform: Goldman Sachs is a leading global financial institution that provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base, including companies and high net worth individuals, among others. The firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices across the United States and in all major financial centers around the world. Group Inc.’s asset management subsidiary, GSAM, is one of the world’s leading investment managers with over             investment professionals and over $             trillion of assets under supervision, in each case as of             ,             . GSAM’s investment teams, including the GSAM Private Credit Group, capitalize on the relationships, market insights, risk management expertise, technology and infrastructure of Goldman Sachs. We believe the Goldman Sachs platform delivers a meaningful competitive advantage to us. For a detailed discussion of the Company’s competitive advantages, see “Business – Competitive Advantages” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

2   Estimate for          by the National Center for the Middle Market, which defined middle market as companies with annual revenue of $10 million-$1 billion. See [insert appropriate citation].

 



 

S-3


Operating and Regulatory Structure

We have elected to be treated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act. As a BDC, 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 investment. Under the rules of the Investment Company Act, “eligible portfolio companies” include (i) private U.S. operating companies, (ii) public U.S. operating companies whose securities are not listed on a national securities exchange (e.g., the NYSE) or registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and (iii) 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 OTC Markets Group Inc. are not listed on a national securities exchange and therefore are eligible portfolio companies. [In addition, we currently are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act.] See “Regulation” in the accompanying prospectus.

We have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. As a RIC, we generally will not be required 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 if we meet certain source of income, distribution and asset diversification requirements. We intend to timely distribute to our stockholders substantially all of our annual taxable income for each year, except that we may retain certain net capital gains for reinvestment and, depending upon the level of taxable income earned in a year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income for distribution in the following year and pay any applicable U.S. federal excise tax. In addition, the distributions we pay to our stockholders in a year may exceed our net ordinary income and capital gains for that year and, accordingly, a portion of such distributions may constitute a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “Price Range of Common Stock and Distributions” in the accompanying prospectus.

Use of Leverage

Our senior secured revolving credit agreement (as amended, the “Revolving Credit Facility”) with , as administrative agent, and             , as syndication agent, allows us to borrow money and lever our investment portfolio, subject to the limitations of the Investment Company Act, with the objective of increasing our yield. This is known as “leverage” and could increase or decrease returns to our stockholders. The use of leverage involves significant risks. As a BDC, with certain limited exceptions, we are only permitted to borrow amounts such that our asset coverage ratio, as defined in the Investment Company Act, equals at least 2 to 1 after such borrowing. Certain trading practices and investments, such as reverse repurchase agreements, may be considered borrowings or involve leverage and thus may be subject to Investment Company Act restrictions. In accordance with applicable SEC staff guidance and interpretations, when we engage in such transactions, instead of maintaining an asset coverage ratio of at least 2 to 1, we will segregate or earmark liquid assets, or enter into an offsetting position, in an amount at least equal to our exposure, on a mark-to-market basis, to such transactions (as calculated pursuant to requirements of the SEC). Short-term credits necessary for the settlement of securities transactions and arrangements with respect to securities lending will not be considered borrowings for these purposes. Practices and investments that may involve leverage but are not considered borrowings are not subject to the Investment Company Act’s asset coverage requirement and we will not otherwise segregate or earmark liquid assets or enter into offsetting positions for such transactions. The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on our Investment Adviser’s and our Board of Directors’ assessment of market conditions and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing.

Risk Factors

The value of our assets, as well as the market price of our securities, will fluctuate. Our investments may be risky, and you may lose all or part of your investment in us. See “Risk Factors” beginning [on page             of this prospectus supplement and] on             page of the accompanying prospectus, and the other information included in the accompanying prospectus, for additional discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our securities.

 



 

S-4


Corporate Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282 and our telephone number is (212) 902-0300. We maintain a website located at www.goldmansachsbdc.com. Information on our website is not incorporated into or a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

Recent Developments

[Insert description of recent developments at the time of the offering.]

 



 

S-5


THE OFFERING

 

Common Stock Offered by Us                shares[, excluding            shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters].

Common Stock Outstanding After this Offering

               shares[, excluding            shares issuable pursuant to the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters].
Use of Proceeds   

We estimate that the net proceeds we will receive from the sale of our common stock in this offering will be approximately $             million [(or approximately $             million if the underwriters fully exercise their over-allotment option), in each case] assuming a public offering price of $             per share, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions of $ million [(or approximately $             million if the underwriters fully exercise their over-allotment option)] payable by us and estimated offering expenses of approximately $             million payable by us.

 

See “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus supplement for more information.

Listing    Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “GSBD.”
Trading at a Discount    Shares of closed-end investment companies that are listed on an exchange, including BDCs, frequently trade at a discount to their NAV. We are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below our NAV per share unless, among other things, the requisite stockholders approve such a sale. The risk that our shares may trade at a discount to our NAV is separate and distinct from the risk that our NAV per share may decline. We cannot predict whether our shares will trade above, at or below NAV. See “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
Dividend Reinvestment Plan    We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan for our stockholders, which is an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan. Under this plan, if we declare a cash distribution, our stockholders who have not elected to “opt 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. If a stockholder elects to “opt out”, that stockholder will receive cash distributions. A stockholder who does not opt out of the dividend reinvestment plan will generally be subject to the same U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences as a stockholder who elects to receive its distributions in cash; however, because a stockholder that participates in the dividend reinvestment plan will not actually receive any cash, such a stockholder will not have such cash available to pay any applicable taxes on the deemed distribution. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus.
Custodian and Transfer Agent    State Street Bank and Trust Company serves as our custodian and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. currently serves as our transfer agent and dividend disbursing registrar. See “Custodian, Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent and Registrar” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

S-6


FEES AND EXPENSES

The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the fees and expenses that an investor in our common stock will bear directly or indirectly, based on the assumptions set forth below. We caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. The expenses shown in the table under “annual expenses” are based on estimated amounts for our current fiscal year. 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 supplement contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by “us” or that “we” will pay fees or expenses, the holders of our common stock will indirectly bear such fees or expenses.

 

Stockholder transaction expenses (as a percentage of offering price):

  

Sales load

     % (1)

Offering expenses

     % (2)

Dividend reinvestment plan expenses

     None (3)

Total stockholder transaction expenses

     %   

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

  

Base management fee

     % (4)

Incentive fees payable under the Investment Management Agreement (20% of investment income and capital gains)

     % (5)

Interest payments on borrowed funds

     % (6)

Other expenses

     % (7)

Acquired fund fees and expenses

     % (8)
  

 

 

 

Total annual expenses

     %   
  

 

 

 

 

(1) The underwriting discount and commission with respect to shares of common stock 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) Amount reflects estimated offering expenses of approximately $             and is based on the offering of shares at the public offering price of $             per share.
(3) The expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan are included in “other expenses” in the table above. For additional information, see “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus.
(4) Our management fee (the “Management Fee”) is calculated at an annual rate of 1.50% (0.375% per quarter) of the average value of our gross assets (excluding cash or cash equivalents (such as investments in money market funds), but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) at the end of each of the two most recently completed calendar quarters). See “Management—Investment Management Agreement” in the accompanying prospectus. The Management Fee referenced in the table above is based on actual amounts incurred during the months ended             ,             , annualized for a full year.
(5) The incentive fee (the “Incentive Fee”) payable to our Investment Adviser is based on our performance and is not paid unless we achieve certain goals. It consists of two components, one based on income and the other based on capital gains, that are determined independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not. The Incentive Fee referenced in the table above is based on actual amounts incurred during the             months ended             ,             , annualized for a full year.

The Incentive Fee based on income is determined and paid quarterly in arrears at the end of each calendar quarter by reference to our aggregate net investment income, as adjusted as described below, from the calendar quarter then ending and the eleven preceding calendar quarters (or if shorter, the number of quarters that have occurred since January 1, 2015) (in either case, the “Trailing Twelve Quarters”). The hurdle amount for the Incentive Fee based on income is determined on a quarterly basis, and is equal to 1.75% multiplied by our NAV at the beginning of each applicable calendar quarter comprising the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters. The hurdle amount is calculated after making appropriate adjustments for subscriptions (which includes all issuances by us of shares of our common stock, including issuances pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan) and distributions that occurred during the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters.

 

S-7


For the portion of the Incentive Fee based on income, we pay our Investment Adviser a quarterly Incentive Fee based on the amount by which (A) aggregate net investment income (“Ordinary Income”) in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters exceeds (B) the hurdle amount for such Trailing Twelve Quarters. The amount of the excess of (A) over (B) described in this paragraph for such Trailing Twelve Quarters is referred to as the “Excess Income Amount.” For the avoidance of doubt, Ordinary Income is net of all fees and expenses, including the Management Fee but excluding any Incentive Fee.

The Incentive Fee based on income for each quarter is determined as follows:

 

    No Incentive Fee based on income is payable to our Investment Adviser for any calendar quarter for which there is no Excess Income Amount.

 

    100% of the Ordinary Income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle amount, but is less than or equal to an amount, which we refer to as the “Catch-up Amount,” determined as the sum of 2.1875% multiplied by our NAV at the beginning of each applicable calendar quarter comprising the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters is included in the calculation of the Incentive Fee based on income; and

 

    20% of the Ordinary Income that exceeds the Catch-up Amount is included in the calculation of the Incentive Fee based on income.

The amount of the Incentive Fee based on income that will be paid to our Investment Adviser for a particular quarter will equal the excess of the Incentive Fee so calculated minus the aggregate Incentive Fees based on income that were paid in respect of the first eleven calendar quarters (or the portion thereof) included in the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters but not in excess of the Incentive Fee Cap (as described below).

The Incentive Fee based on income that is paid to our Investment Adviser for a particular quarter is subject to a cap (the “Incentive Fee Cap”). The Incentive Fee Cap for any quarter is an amount equal to (a) 20% of the Cumulative Net Return (as defined below) during the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters minus (b) the aggregate Incentive Fees based on income that were paid in respect of the first eleven calendar quarters (or the portion thereof) included in the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters.

“Cumulative Net Return” means (x) the Ordinary Income in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters minus (y) any Net Capital Loss, as defined below, if any, in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value, we will pay no Incentive Fee based on income to our Investment Adviser for such quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is a positive value but is less than the Incentive Fee based on income that is payable to our Investment Adviser for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap) calculated as described above, we will pay an Incentive Fee based on income to our Investment Adviser equal to the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is equal to or greater than the Incentive Fee based on income that is payable to our Investment Adviser for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap) calculated as described above, we will pay an Incentive Fee based on income to our Investment Adviser equal to the Incentive Fee calculated as described above for such quarter without regard to the Incentive Fee Cap.

“Net Capital Loss” in respect of a particular period means the difference, if positive, between (i) aggregate capital losses, whether realized or unrealized, in such period and (ii) aggregate capital gains, whether realized or unrealized, in such period.

The portion of the Incentive Fee based on capital gains is calculated on an annual basis. For each period beginning on January 1 of each calendar year and ending on December 31 of the calendar year or, in the case of our first and last year, the appropriate portion thereof (each, an “Annual Period”), we pay our Investment Adviser an Incentive Fee equal to (A) 20% of the difference, if positive, of the sum of our aggregate realized capital gains, if any, computed net of our aggregate realized capital losses, if any, and our aggregate unrealized capital depreciation, if any, in each case from April 1, 2013 until the end of such Annual Period minus (B) the cumulative amount of Incentive Fees based on capital gains previously paid to our Investment Adviser from April 1, 2013. For the avoidance of doubt, unrealized capital gains are excluded from the calculation in clause (A), above.

 

S-8


We accrue, but not pay, a portion of the Incentive Fee based on capital gains with respect to net unrealized appreciation. For more detailed information about the Incentive Fee, see “Management—Investment Management Agreement” in the accompanying prospectus.

(6) Interest payments on borrowed funds represents our annualized interest expense based on borrowings as of             , 20     , with a weighted average interest rate of     %. For the months ended             , 20     , the Revolving Credit Facility bore a weighted average interest rate of     %, and the Convertible Notes bore interest at an annual rate of 4.50%. We may borrow additional funds from time to time to make investments to the extent we determine that the economic situation is conducive to doing so. We may also issue additional debt securities or preferred stock, subject to our compliance with applicable requirements under the Investment Company Act. [We do not currently anticipate issuing additional debt securities or preferred stock in the next 12 months.]
(7) “Other Expenses” includes overhead expenses, including payments under the administration agreement with our administrator (the “Administration Agreement”), and is estimated for the current fiscal year. See “Management—Administration Agreement” in the accompanying prospectus.
(8) Our stockholders indirectly bear the expenses of underlying funds or other investment vehicles in which we invest that (1) are investment companies or (2) would be investment companies under section 3(a) of the Investment Company Act but for the exceptions to that definition provided for in sections 3(c)(1) and 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act (“Acquired Funds”). This amount includes the estimated annual fees and expenses of the Senior Credit Fund and a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc., which are our only Acquired Funds as of             ,             .

Although not reflected above, the Investment Adviser expects to continue to waive a portion of its management fee payable by the Company in an amount equal to any management fees it earns as an investment adviser for any affiliated money market funds in which the Company invests.

Example

The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in our common stock. In calculating the following expense amounts, we have assumed that our annual operating expenses remain at the levels set forth in the table above, except for the Incentive Fee based on income, and that stockholders pay stockholder transaction expenses of     % with respect to common stock sold by us in this offering.

 

     1 year      3 years      5 years      10 years  

You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 common stock investment, assuming a 5% annual return (none of which is subject to the Incentive Fee based on capital gains) (1)

   $         $         $         $     

You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 common stock investment, assuming a 5% annual return resulting entirely from net realized capital gains (all of which is subject to the Incentive Fee based on capital gains) (2)

   $         $         $         $     

 

(1) Assumes that we will not realize any capital gains computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation.
(2) Assumes no unrealized capital depreciation and a 5% annual return resulting entirely from net realized capital gains and not otherwise deferrable under the terms of the Investment Management Agreement and therefore subject to the Incentive Fee based on capital gains. Because our investment strategy involves investments that generate primarily current income, we believe that a 5% annual return resulting entirely from net realized capital gains is unlikely.

The foregoing table is to assist you in understanding the various costs and expenses that an investor in our common stock will bear directly or indirectly. 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 our Investment Management Agreement, which, assuming a 5% annual return, would either not be payable or would have an insignificant impact on the expense amounts shown above, is not included in the example. In addition, while the example assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at NAV, under certain circumstances, reinvestment of dividends and other distributions under our dividend reinvestment plan may occur at a price per share that differs from NAV. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus for additional information regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.

 

S-9


This example and the expenses in the table above 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.

 

S-10


USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds we will receive from the sale of our common stock in this offering will be approximately $             million [(or approximately $ million if the underwriters fully exercise their over-allotment option), in each case] assuming a public offering price of $             per share, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions of $ million [(or approximately $             million if the underwriters fully exercise their over-allotment option)] payable by us and estimated offering expenses of approximately $             million payable by us.

[Describe use of proceeds and include any other relevant information to the extent required to be disclosed by applicable law or regulation.]

 

S-11


PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “GSBD”. Our common stock has historically traded at prices both above and below our NAV per share. It is not possible to predict whether our common stock will trade at, above or below NAV in the future. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Securities” in the accompanying prospectus.

The following table sets forth, for each fiscal quarter since [our IPO], the NAV per share of our common stock, the range of high and low closing sales prices of our common stock reported on the NYSE, the closing sales price as a premium (discount) to NAV and distributions declared by us. On             ,             , the last reported closing sales price of our common stock on the NYSE was $[    ] per share, which represented a [premium/discount] of approximately [    ]% to the NAV per share reported by us as of             ,             .

 

     NAV
(1)
     Closing Sales
Price
    Premium
or
Discount
of
High
Sales
Price to
NAV (2)
    Premium
or
Discount
of
Low
Sales
Price to
NAV (2)
    Declared
Distribution (3)
 
      High     Low        

Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2017

             

First Fiscal Quarter

     *         [         [         *        *        [     

Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2016

             

Fourth Fiscal Quarter

     *       $ 23.65      $ 20.77        *        *      $ 0.45   

Third Fiscal Quarter

   $ 18.58       $ 22.26      $ 19.98        19.8     7.5   $ 0.45   

Second Fiscal Quarter

   $ 18.41       $ 20.02      $ 19.34        8.7     5.1   $ 0.45   

First Fiscal Quarter

   $ 18.67       $ 20.00      $ 17.41        7.1     (6.7 )%    $ 0.45   

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2015

             

Fourth Fiscal Quarter

   $ 18.97       $ 20.37      $ 18.40        7.4     (3.0 )%    $ 0.45   

Third Fiscal Quarter

   $ 19.38       $ 25.19      $ 17.91        30.0     (7.6 )%    $ 0.45   

Second Fiscal Quarter

   $ 19.46       $ 23.65      $ 20.33        21.5     4.5   $ 0.45   

First Fiscal Quarter (from March 18, 2015 through March 31, 2015)

   $ 19.43       $ 21.31      $ 20.05        9.7     3.2   $ 0.45   

 

(1) NAV per share is determined as of the last day in the relevant quarter and therefore may not reflect the NAV per share on the date of the high and low closing sales prices. The NAVs shown are based on outstanding shares at the end of the relevant quarter.
(2) Calculated as the respective high or low closing sales price less NAV divided by NAV as of the last day in the relevant quarter.
(3) Represents the dividend or distribution declared in the relevant quarter.
* NAV has not yet been calculated for this period.

We intend to continue to pay quarterly distributions to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. Future quarterly distributions, if any, will be determined by our Board of Directors. All future distributions will be subject to lawfully available funds therefor, and no assurance can be given that we will be able to declare such distributions in future periods.

We have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. To maintain our RIC status, we must, among other things, timely distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our investment company taxable income for each taxable year. We intend to timely distribute to our stockholders substantially all of our annual taxable income for each year, except that we may retain certain net capital gains (i.e., realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) for reinvestment and, depending upon the level of taxable income earned in a year, we

 

S-12


may choose to carry forward taxable income for distribution in the following year and pay any applicable U.S. federal excise tax. We generally will be required to pay such U.S. federal excise tax if our distributions during a calendar year do not exceed the sum of (1) 98.0% of our net ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) 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 net ordinary income and capital gains in excess of capital losses for preceding years that were not distributed during such years. If we retain net capital gains, we may treat such amounts as deemed distributions to our stockholders. In that case, you will be treated as if you had received an actual distribution of the capital gains we retained and then you reinvested the net after-tax proceeds in our common stock. In general, you also will be eligible to claim a tax credit (or, in certain circumstances, obtain a tax refund) equal to your allocable share of the tax we paid on the capital gains deemed distributed to you. Stockholders should read carefully any written disclosure accompanying a distribution from us and should not assume that the source of any distribution is our net ordinary income or capital gains. The distributions we pay to our stockholders in a year may exceed our net ordinary income and capital gains for that year and, accordingly, a portion of such distributions may constitute a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The specific tax characteristics of our distributions will be reported to stockholders after the end of the calendar year. Please refer to “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus for further information regarding the tax treatment of our distributions and the tax consequences of our retention of net capital gains. See also “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Securities—We may not be able to pay you distributions on our common stock or preferred stock, our distributions to you may not grow over time and a portion of our distributions to you may be a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes” in the accompanying prospectus.

Unless our stockholders elect to receive their distributions in cash, we intend to make such distributions in additional shares of our common stock under our dividend reinvestment plan. Distributions paid in the form of additional shares of our common stock will generally be subject to U.S. federal, state and local taxes in the same manner as cash distributions; however, investors participating in our dividend reinvestment plan will not receive any corresponding cash with which to pay any such applicable taxes. If you hold shares of our common stock through a broker or financial intermediary, you may elect to receive distributions in cash by notifying your broker or financial intermediary of your election to receive distributions in cash in lieu of shares of our common stock. Any distributions reinvested through the issuance of shares through our dividend reinvestment plan will increase our assets on which the Management Fee and the Incentive Fee are determined and paid to the Investment Adviser. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus.

The following table lists the quarterly distributions that we have declared per share of our common stock since January 1, [2014].

 

Period

  

Payment Date

   Declared
Distributions
 

First Quarter 2014

   April 30, 2014    $ 0.33   

Second Quarter 2014

   July 31, 2014    $ 0.41   

Third Quarter 2014

   October 31, 2014    $ 0.42   

Fourth Quarter 2014

   January 30, 2015    $ 0.53   
     

 

 

 

Total Declared for 2014

      $ 1.69   
     

 

 

 

First Quarter 2015

   April 30, 2015    $ 0.45   

Second Quarter 2015

   July 15, 2015    $ 0.45   

Third Quarter 2015

   October 15, 2015    $ 0.45   

Fourth Quarter 2015

   January 28, 2016    $ 0.45   
     

 

 

 

Total Declared for 2015

      $ 1.80   
     

 

 

 

First Quarter 2016

   April 15, 2016    $ 0.45   

Second Quarter 2016

   July 15, 2016    $ 0.45   

Third Quarter 2016

   October 17, 2016    $ 0.45   

Fourth Quarter 2016

   January 17, 2017    $ 0.45   
     

 

 

 

Total Declared for 2016

      $ 1.80   
     

 

 

 

 

S-13


SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA AND OTHER INFORMATION

The selected financial and other information below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and our financial statements and the related notes thereto. Financial information as of and for the years ended December 31, 20     , 20     and     20 [and as of and for the period from November 15, 2012 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2012] has been derived from the audited financial statements of Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. [(formerly, Goldman Sachs Liberty Harbor Capital, LLC)]. The audited financial statements included the accompanying prospectus were audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. Interim financial information for the             months ended             ,             and             has been derived from the unaudited interim financial statements of Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc., which are included elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus. Our unaudited interim financial statements were prepared on a basis consistent with our audited financial statements and, in our opinion, include all adjustments necessary for the fair statement of the results for the periods presented. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of future results, and our results for the months ended             ,             are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full             fiscal year.

The selected financial data in this section is not intended to replace the financial statements and is qualified in its entirety by the financial statements and related notes included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

     For the
Months
Ended     ,
     For the
Months
Ended     ,
     For the
Year
Ended
December
31, 2015
    For the
Year
Ended
December
31, 2014
    For the
Year
Ended
December
31, 2013
    For the period
from November
15, 2012
(commencement
of operations)
through
December 31,
2012
 

Consolidated statements of operations data (in thousands):

              

Total investment income

   $         $         $ 118,436      $ 73,279      $ 22,835      $ 162   

Net expenses

           43,338        20,422        6,899        346   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) before taxes

           75,098        52,857        15,936        (184

Excise tax expense

           518        119        —          —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) after taxes

           74,580        52,738        15,936        (184

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

           (27,952     (15,816     3,118        1,046   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations before tax

   $         $         $ 46,628      $ 36,922      $ 19,054      $ 862   

Income tax expense

     —           —           —          —          (1,070     (351
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations after tax

   $         $         $ 46,628      $ 36,922      $ 17,984      $ 511   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per share data

              

Net Asset Value

   $         $         $ 18.97      $ 19.56      $ 20.00      $ 19.37   

Net investment income (loss)
(basic and diluted)

   $         $         $ 2.14      $ 1.77      $ 0.67      $ (0.09

Earnings (basic and diluted)

   $         $         $ 1.34      $ 1.24      $ 0.76      $ 0.26   

Distributions declared

   $         $         $ 1.80      $ 1.69      $ 0.50      $ —     

 

S-14


     As of
,
     As of
,
     As of
December 31,
2015
     As of
December 31,

2014
     As of
December 31,

2013
 

Consolidated statements of asset and liabilities data
(at period end) (in thousands):

              

Total assets

   $         $         $ 1,132,759       $ 967,492       $ 630,222   

Total investments, at fair value

           1,091,181         943,515         613,935   

Total liabilities

           444,109         392,910         22,437   

Total debt

           419,000         350,000         —     

Total net assets

   $         $         $ 688,650       $ 574,582       $ 607,785   

 

S-15


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “target,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue” or “believe” or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our plans, strategies, prospects and expectations concerning our business, operating results, financial condition and other similar matters. We believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations to our investors. Our forward-looking statements include information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus regarding general domestic and global economic conditions, our future financing plans, our ability to operate as a BDC and the expected performance of, and the yield on, our portfolio companies. There may be events in the future, however, that we are not able to predict accurately or control. The factors listed under “Risk Factors,” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as well as any cautionary language in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our forward-looking statements. The occurrence of the events described in these risk factors and elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus speaks only as of the date on which we make it. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. You are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we have filed or in the future may file with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, registration statements on Form N-2, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Under Section 27A(b)(2)(B) and (D) of the Securities Act and Section 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 any offering of securities pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or in the periodic reports we file under the Exchange Act.

The following factors are among those that may cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements:

 

    our future operating results;

 

    changes in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment or conditions affecting the financial and capital markets;

 

    uncertainty surrounding the financial stability of the U.S., the EU and China;

 

    our business prospects and the prospects of our 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;

 

    the use of borrowed money to finance a portion of our investments;

 

    our ability to make distributions;

 

    the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital;

 

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

 

    the impact of future acquisitions and divestitures;

 

    the effect of changes in tax laws and regulations and interpretations thereof;

 

    our ability to maintain our status as a BDC and a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code;

 

    actual and potential conflicts of interest with GSAM and its affiliates;

 

S-16


    general price and volume fluctuations in the stock market;

 

    the ability of GSAM to attract and retain highly talented professionals;

 

    the impact on our business from new or amended legislation or regulations; and

 

    the availability of credit and/or our ability to access the equity markets.

 

S-17


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and other parts of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. The discussion and analysis contained in this section refers to our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Please see “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 “Forward-Looking Statements” appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

[Insert Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations from most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Annual Report on Form 10-K, as applicable, prior to the offering.]

 

S-18


CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth:

 

    our actual capitalization as of                         ,     ; and

 

    our pro forma capitalization to give effect to the sale of shares of common stock in this offering based on the public offering price of $ per share, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions of $ million payable by us and estimated offering expenses of approximately $ payable by us. You should read this table in conjunction with “Use of Proceeds” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

     As of     ,
20
 
     Actual
(in
thousands)
     Pro Forma
(in
thousands)
 

Assets:

  

Cash

   $         $     

Investments, at fair value

     

Other assets

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

     

Debt

     

Other liabilities

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets:

     

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

     

Paid-in-capital in excess of par

     

Capital distributions in excess of net investment income

     

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

     

Total stockholders’ equity

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value per share

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

S-19


UNDERWRITING

We are offering the warrants described in this prospectus supplement through a number of underwriters.             and             are acting as representatives of each of the underwriters named below for this offering. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting 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 to purchase from us, the number of shares of our common stock set forth opposite its name below.

 

Underwriter

   Number of
Shares
 

Total

  

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have severally agreed to purchase all of the shares of common stock sold under the underwriting agreement if any of these shares of common stock are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

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

[Overallotment Option

The underwriters have an option to buy up to             additional shares of common stock from us to cover sales of shares by the underwriters which exceed the number of shares specified in the table above. The underwriters have             days from the date of this prospectus supplement to exercise this overallotment option. If any shares are purchased with this overallotment option, the underwriters will purchase shares in approximately the same proportion as shown in the table above. If any additional shares are purchased, the underwriters will offer the additional shares on the same terms as those on which the shares are being offered.]

Commissions and Discounts

The representatives have advised us that the underwriters propose initially to offer the underwritten shares of common stock to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement 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 public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds before expenses to us. The information assumes both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of common stock.

 

S-20


     Per Share      Without
Option
     With Option  

Public offering price

   $         $         $     

Sales load (underwriting discounts and commissions)

   $         $         $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

   $         $         $     

We estimate that the total expenses of this offering, including registration, filing and listing fees, printing fees and legal and accounting expenses, but excluding the underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $            , or approximately $             per share excluding the overallotment options and approximately $             per share including the overallotment option. All of these offering expenses will be borne indirectly by investors in this offering and, therefore, immediately reduce the net asset value of each investor’s shares.

[No Sales of Similar Securities

We have agreed, with exceptions, not to sell or transfer any [type of security] for     days after the date of this prospectus supplement without first obtaining the written consent of                    .]

Listing

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “GSBD.”

Price Stabilizations, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

In connection with this offering,             and             , on behalf of the underwriters, may purchase and sell our common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve sales by the underwriters of a greater number of shares of common stock than they are required to purchase in the offering. “Covered” short sales are sales of securities made in an amount up to the number of securities represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option. Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short involve either purchases of such securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the over-allotment option. In determining the source of securities to close out the covered syndicate short position, the underwriters may consider the price of securities available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase securities through the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also make “naked” short sales, or sales in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of securities in the open market while this offering is in progress for the purpose of fixing or maintaining the price of the securities.

The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from an underwriter or syndicate member when the underwriters repurchase securities originally sold by that underwriter or syndicate member in order to cover syndicate short positions or make stabilizing purchases.

Any of these activities may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of the securities or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities. As a result, the price of the securities may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on            or otherwise. Neither we nor any of the underwriters makes 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 securities. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation that the underwriters will engage in these transactions. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

 

S-21


[Sales Outside the United States

No action has been taken in any jurisdiction (except in the United States) that would permit a public offering of our common stock, or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus supplement or accompanying prospectus or any other material relating to us or the common stock in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, our common stock may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and none of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with our common stock may be distributed or published, in or from any country or jurisdiction except in compliance with any applicable rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.

Each of the underwriters may arrange to sell our common stock offered hereby in certain jurisdictions outside the United States, either directly or through affiliates, where it is permitted to do so.

[Insert applicable legends for jurisdictions in which offers and sales may be made.]]

Electronic Delivery

The underwriters may make prospectus supplements and accompanying prospectuses available in an electronic (PDF) format. A prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus in electronic (PDF) format may be made available on a website maintained by any of the underwriters, and the underwriters may distribute such documents electronically. The underwriters may [agree with us to] allocate a limited number of securities for sale to their online brokerage customers.

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.

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.

[Describe any other specific transactions and compensation related thereto to the extent required to be disclosed by applicable law or regulation.]

[Describe if underwriters receiving proceeds of offering, if required by FINRA.]

Principal Business Address

The addresses of the underwriters are:

 

S-22


LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters regarding the securities offered by this prospectus supplement will be passed upon for Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP. In addition, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has advised the Company in connection with certain matters under the Investment Company Act. Dechert LLP serves as counsel to the Company and to the Independent Directors. Certain legal matters in connection with the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for the underwriters by .

EXPERTS

The financial statements as of December 31, and and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 101 Seaport Boulevard, Suite 500, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

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

We file with or submit to the SEC periodic and current 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 registration statements and related exhibits and schedules, at the Public SEC’s Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090 or (800) SEC-0330. We maintain a website at www.goldmansachsbdc.com and 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. You may also obtain such information by contacting us, in writing at: 200 West Street New York, New York 10282, or by telephone (collect) at (212) 902-0300. 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.

 

S-23


INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

[Insert index to financial statements followed by financial statements and notes thereto from most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Annual Report on Form 10-K, as applicable, prior to the offering.]

 

SF-1

Exhibit (s)(2)

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

[FORM OF PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO BE USED IN

CONJUNCTION WITH FUTURE PREFERRED STOCK OFFERINGS] 1

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION,

(to Prospectus dated                 , 20    )

 

                       , 20    

[                ] Shares

GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.

Series [    ] Preferred Stock

Liquidation Preference $ per share

We are an externally managed specialty finance company that is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). We are focused on lending to “middle-market companies,” a term we generally use to refer to companies with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of between $5 million and $75 million annually. Our investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation through direct originations of secured debt, including first lien, unitranche, including last out portions of such loans, and second lien debt, unsecured debt, including mezzanine debt as well as through select equity investments.

We are managed by our investment adviser, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM” or “Investment Adviser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“Group Inc.”). Group Inc., together with Goldman, Sachs & Co., GSAM and its other subsidiaries and affiliates, is referred to herein as “Goldman Sachs.”

All of the shares of Series [    ] Preferred Stock, or “Series [    ] Preferred Stock,” offered by this prospectus supplement are being sold by us. Each share of Series [    ] Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $             per share. At any time on or after                     , we may, at our sole option, redeem the outstanding shares of the Series [    ] Preferred Stock at a redemption price per share as described in “Description of Preferred Stock—[Redemption].” [In addition, upon certain events, the shares of Series [    ] Preferred Stock are subject to redemption at the option of the holder as described in “Description of Preferred Stock—[Redemption].”] [We have applied to list the Series [    ] Preferred Stock on [name of exchange] so that trading on the exchange will begin within 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, subject to notice of issuance. Prior to the expected commencement of trading on            ,            an investment in the Series [    ] Preferred Stock will be illiquid and holders thereof may not be able to sell such share as it is unlikely that a secondary market for our preferred stock will develop. If a secondary market does develop prior to the commencement of trading on            ,            holders of the Series [    ] Preferred Stock may be able to sell such shares only at substantial discounts from their liquidation preference.] [Add relevant disclosure depending on whether preferred shares are listed or not.]

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

 

1   In addition to the sections outlined in this form of prospectus supplement, each prospectus supplement used in connection with an offering conducted pursuant to the registration statement to which this form of prospectus supplement is attached or incorporated by reference will include such other information as may then be required to be disclosed therein pursuant to applicable law or regulation as in effect as of the date of each such prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, information particular to the terms of each security offered thereby and any related risk factors or tax considerations pertaining thereto. This form of prospectus supplement is intended only to provide an indication of the nature and type of disclosure that may appear in any actual prospectus supplement, and it is not intended to and does not contain all of the information that would appear in any such actual prospectus supplement, and should not be used or relied upon in connection with any offer or sale of securities.


This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain important information you should know before investing in our preferred stock. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information about us with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You may obtain this information or make stockholder inquiries by written or oral request and free of charge by contacting us at 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, on our website at www.goldmansachsbdc.com, or by calling us collect at (212) 902-0300. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and you should not consider that information to be a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. The SEC also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains this information.

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk, including credit risk and the risk of the use of leverage, and is highly speculative. Before buying any securities, you should read the discussion of the material risks of investing in our common stock in “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-[    ] of this prospectus supplement and on page [    ] of the accompanying prospectus.

The securities in which we invest are generally not rated by any rating agency, and if they were rated, they would be below investment grade (rated lower than “Baa3” by Moody’s Investors Service and lower than “BBB-” by Fitch Ratings or Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”)). These securities, which may be referred to as “junk bonds,” “high yield bonds” or “leveraged loans,” have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

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

 

     Per Share      Total  

Public offering price

   $         $     

Sales load (underwriting discounts and commissions)

   $         $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. (1)

   $         $     

 

 

(1) We estimate that we will incur offering expenses of approximately $            in connection with this offering.

[The underwriters may exercise their over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional                shares of Series [    ] Preferred Stock from us, at the public offering price, less the sales load, for                  days after the date of this prospectus supplement. If the underwriters exercise this over-allotment option in full, the total sales load will be $                , and total proceeds to us, before expenses, will be $                .]

The underwriters are offering the Series [    ] Preferred Stock as set forth in “Underwriting.” Delivery of the Series [    ] Preferred Stock will be made on or about                 ,      .

The date of this prospectus supplement is                ,


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information or to make any representations not contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. 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 appearing in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as applicable.] Our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects may have changed since that date. We will update these documents to reflect material changes only as required by law.

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information and disclosure. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs from the information contained in the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement controls. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together with the additional information described under the heading “Available Information” before investing in our preferred stock.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

     Page  

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

     S-1   

THE OFFERING

     S-6   

RISK FACTORS

     S-8   

USE OF PROCEEDS

     S-9   

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS

     S-10   

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

     S-11   

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA AND OTHER INFORMATION

     S-14   

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     S-16   

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

  

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     S-18   

CAPITALIZATION

     S-19   

UNDERWRITING

     S-20   

CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

     S-23   

LEGAL MATTERS

     S-24   

EXPERTS

     S-24   

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     S-24   

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     SF-1   

PROSPECTUS

 

     Page  

[Insert table of contents from base prospectus.]

  


PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights some of the information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the securities offered by this prospectus supplement. You should review the more detailed information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, especially the information set forth under the heading “Risk Factors”.

Unless indicated otherwise in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, or the context requires otherwise, the terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc., or for periods prior to our conversion from a limited liability company to a corporation (the “Conversion”), Goldman Sachs Liberty Harbor Capital, LLC.

Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

We are a specialty finance company focused on lending to middle-market companies. We are a closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act. In addition, we have elected to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“the Code”), commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. From our formation in 2012 through             ,             , we have originated more than $                billion in aggregate principal amount of debt and equity investments prior to any subsequent exits and repayments. We seek to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation primarily through direct originations of secured debt, including first lien, unitranche, including last out portions of such loans, and second lien debt, and unsecured debt, including mezzanine debt, as well as through select equity investments. Unitranche loans are first lien loans that may extend deeper in a company’s capital structure than traditional first lien debt and may provide for a waterfall of cash flow priority between different lenders in the unitranche loan. In a number of instances, we may find another lender to provide the “first out” portion of such loan and retain the “last out” portion of such loan, in which case, the “first out” portion of the loan would generally receive priority with respect to payment of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder over the “last out” portion that we would continue to hold. In exchange for the greater risk of loss, the “last out” portion earns a higher interest rate. We use the term “mezzanine” to refer to debt that ranks senior only to a borrower’s equity securities and ranks junior in right of payment to all of such borrower’s other indebtedness. We may make multiple investments in the same portfolio company.

We invest primarily in U.S. middle-market companies, which we believe are underserved by traditional providers of capital such as banks and the public debt markets. In describing our business, we generally use the term “middle market companies” to refer to companies with EBITDA of between $5 million and $75 million annually. However, we may from time to time invest in larger or smaller companies. We generate revenues primarily through receipt of interest income from the investments we hold. In addition, we generate income from various loan origination and other fees, dividends on direct equity investments and capital gains on the sales of investments. Fees received from portfolio companies (directors’ fees, consulting fees, administrative fees, tax advisory fees and other similar compensation) are paid to us, unless, to the extent required by applicable law or exemptive relief, if any, therefrom, we only receive our allocable portion of such fees when invested in the same portfolio company as another account managed by Goldman Sachs. The companies in which we invest use our capital for a variety of purposes, including to support organic growth, fund acquisitions, make capital investments or refinance indebtedness.

 



 

S-1


Investment Strategy

Our origination strategy focuses on leading the negotiation and structuring of the loans or securities in which we invest and holding the investments in our portfolio to maturity. In many cases, we are the sole investor in the loan or security in our portfolio. Where there are multiple investors, we generally seek to control or obtain significant influence over the rights of investors in the loan or security. Our investments typically have maturities between three and ten years and generally range in size between $10 million and $75 million, although we may make larger or smaller investments on occasion. In addition, part of our strategy involves an investment in a joint venture, Senior Credit Fund, LLC (the “Senior Credit Fund”), with the Regents of the University of California (“Cal Regents”). The Senior Credit Fund’s principal purpose is to make investments, either directly or indirectly through its wholly owned subsidiary, Senior Credit Fund SPV I, LLC (“SPV I”), primarily in senior secured loans to middle-market companies.

Investment Portfolio

[Insert description of portfolio as of most recent quarter end.]

Corporate Structure

We were formed as a private fund in September 2012 and commenced operations in November 2012, using seed capital contributions we received from Group Inc. In March 2013, we elected to be treated as a BDC. We have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. On March 18, 2015, our common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “GSBD”. On March 23, 2015, we closed our initial public offering (“IPO”), issuing 6,000,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $20.00 per share. Net of offering and underwriting costs, we received cash proceeds of $114.57 million. On April 21, 2015, we issued an additional 900,000 shares of our common stock pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option in connection with the IPO [and subsequent offerings]. Net of underwriting costs, we received additional cash proceeds of $17.27 million. As a result of the Conversion, subsequent share repurchases and the IPO             ,             , as of             ,             , Group Inc. owned approximately     % of our common stock. See “Business—Formation Transactions and Initial Public Offering” in the accompanying prospectus.

Our Investment Adviser

GSAM serves as our investment adviser and has been registered as an investment adviser with the SEC since 1990. Subject to the supervision of our Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”), a majority of which is made up of independent directors (including an independent Chairman), GSAM manages our day-to-day operations and provides us with investment advisory and management services and certain administrative services. GSAM is a subsidiary of Group Inc., a public company that is a bank holding company, financial holding company and a world-wide, full-service financial services organization. Group Inc. is the general partner and owner of GSAM. GSAM has been providing financial solutions for investors since 1988 and had over $            trillion of assets under supervision as of             ,             .

The Private Credit Group of GSAM (the “GSAM Private Credit Group”) is responsible for identifying investment opportunities, conducting research and due diligence on prospective investments, negotiating and structuring our investments and monitoring and servicing our investments. The GSAM Private Credit Group was comprised of              investment professionals, as of             ,             , all of whom are dedicated to the Company’s investment strategy and other funds that share a similar investment strategy with the Company. These professionals are supported by an additional    investment professionals, as of             ,             , who are primarily focused on investment strategies in syndicated, liquid credit (together with the GSAM Private Credit Group, “GSAM Credit Alternatives”). These individuals may have additional responsibilities other than those relating to us, but generally allocate a portion of their time in support of our business and our investment objective as a whole. In addition, GSAM has risk management, legal, accounting, tax, information technology and compliance personnel, among others, who provide services to us. We benefit from the expertise provided by these personnel in our operations.

The GSAM Private Credit Group is dedicated primarily to private corporate credit investment opportunities in North America, and utilizes a bottom-up, fundamental research approach to lending. The senior members of the

GSAM Private Credit Group have been working together since 2006 and have an average of over 16 years of experience in leveraged finance and private transactions.

 



 

S-2


All investment decisions are made by the Investment Committee of GSAM’s Private Credit Group (the “Investment Committee”), which currently consists of five voting members: Brendan McGovern, Salvatore Lentini, Jon Yoder, David Yu and Scott Turco, as well as three non-voting members with operational and/or legal expertise. For biographical information about the voting members of the Investment Committee, see “Management—Biographical Information” in the accompanying prospectus. The Investment Committee is responsible for approving all of our investments. The Investment Committee also monitors investments in our portfolio and approves all asset dispositions. We expect to benefit from the extensive and varied relevant experience of the investment professionals serving on the Investment Committee, which includes expertise in privately originated and publicly traded leveraged credit, stressed and distressed debt, bankruptcy, mergers and acquisitions and private equity. The voting members of the Investment Committee collectively have over 50 years of experience in middle-market investment and activities related to middle-market investing. The membership of the Investment Committee may change from time to time.

Allocation of Opportunities

Our investment objectives and investment strategies are similar to those of other client accounts managed by our Investment Adviser (including Goldman Sachs Private Middle Market Credit LLC (“GS PMMC”) a privately offered BDC, and Goldman Sachs Middle Market Lending LLC (“GS MMLC”), a closed-end investment company that intends to elect to be treated as a BDC, collectively, the “Accounts”), and an investment appropriate for us may also be appropriate for those Accounts. This creates potential conflicts in allocating investment opportunities among us and such other Accounts, particularly in circumstances where the availability of such investment opportunities is limited, where the liquidity of such investment opportunities is limited or where co-investments by us and other Accounts are not permitted under applicable law. For a further explanation of the allocation of opportunities and other conflicts and the risks related thereto, see “Business – Allocation of Opportunities” and “Potential Conflicts of Interest” in the accompanying prospectus.

Market Opportunity

According to the National Center for the Middle Market and the CIA World Fact Book, the U.S. middle market is comprised of approximately              companies that collectively generate revenues of approximately $             trillion annually. 3 Comparing revenues to gross domestic product, this makes the U.S. middle market equivalent to the world’s third largest global economy on a stand-alone basis. The GSAM Private Credit Group believes that existing market conditions and regulatory changes have combined to create an attractive investment environment for non-bank lenders such as us to provide loans to U.S. middle market companies. For a further discussion of the market opportunities associated with the Company’s focus on middle market companies, see “Business – Market Opportunities” in the accompanying prospectus.

Competitive Advantages

The Goldman Sachs Platform: Goldman Sachs is a leading global financial institution that provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base, including companies and high net worth individuals, among others. The firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices across the United States and in all major financial centers around the world. Group Inc.’s asset management subsidiary, GSAM, is one of the world’s leading investment managers with over              investment professionals and over $            trillion of assets under supervision, in each case as of             ,             . GSAM’s investment teams, including the GSAM Private Credit Group, capitalize on the relationships, market insights, risk management expertise, technology and infrastructure of Goldman Sachs. We believe the Goldman Sachs platform delivers a meaningful competitive advantage to us. For a detailed discussion of the Company’s competitive advantages, see “Business – Competitive Advantages” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

3   Estimate for              by the National Center for the Middle Market, which defined middle market as companies with annual revenue of $10 million - $1 billion. See [insert appropriate citation].

 



 

S-3


Operating and Regulatory Structure

We have elected to be treated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act. As a BDC, 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 investment. Under the rules of the Investment Company Act, “eligible portfolio companies” include (i) private U.S. operating companies, (ii) public U.S. operating companies whose securities are not listed on a national securities exchange (e.g., the NYSE) or registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and (iii) 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 OTC Markets Group Inc. are not listed on a national securities exchange and therefore are eligible portfolio companies. In addition, we currently are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. See “Regulation” in the accompanying prospectus.

We have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. As a RIC, we generally will not be required 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 if we meet certain source of income, distribution and asset diversification requirements. We intend to timely distribute to our stockholders substantially all of our annual taxable income for each year, except that we may retain certain net capital gains for reinvestment and, depending upon the level of taxable income earned in a year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income for distribution in the following year and pay any applicable U.S. federal excise tax. In addition, the distributions we pay to our stockholders in a year may exceed our net ordinary income and capital gains for that year and, accordingly, a portion of such distributions may constitute a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “Price Range of Common Stock and Distributions” in the accompanying prospectus.

Use of Leverage

Our senior secured revolving credit agreement (as amended, the “Revolving Credit Facility”) with     , as administrative agent, and , as syndication agent, allows us to borrow money and lever our investment portfolio, subject to the limitations of the Investment Company Act, with the objective of increasing our yield. This is known as “leverage” and could increase or decrease returns to our stockholders. The use of leverage involves significant risks. As a BDC, with certain limited exceptions, we are only permitted to borrow amounts such that our asset coverage ratio, as defined in the Investment Company Act, equals at least 2 to 1 after such borrowing. Certain trading practices and investments, such as reverse repurchase agreements, may be considered borrowings or involve leverage and thus may be subject to Investment Company Act restrictions. In accordance with applicable SEC staff guidance and interpretations, when we engage in such transactions, instead of maintaining an asset coverage ratio of at least 2 to 1, we will segregate or earmark liquid assets, or enter into an offsetting position, in an amount at least equal to our exposure, on a mark-to-market basis, to such transactions (as calculated pursuant to requirements of the SEC). Short-term credits necessary for the settlement of securities transactions and arrangements with respect to securities lending will not be considered borrowings for these purposes. Practices and investments that may involve leverage but are not considered borrowings are not subject to the Investment Company Act’s asset coverage requirement and we will not otherwise segregate or earmark liquid assets or enter into offsetting positions for such transactions. The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on our Investment Adviser’s and our Board of Directors’ assessment of market conditions and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing.

Risk Factors

The value of our assets, as well as the market price of our securities, will fluctuate. Our investments may be risky, and you may lose all or part of your investment in us. See “Risk Factors” beginning [on page                of this prospectus supplement and] on page                of the accompanying prospectus, and the other information included in the accompanying prospectus, for additional discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our securities.

 



 

S-4


Corporate Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282 and our telephone number is (212) 902-0300. We maintain a website located at www.goldmansachsbdc.com. Information on our website is not incorporated into or a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

Recent Developments

[Insert description of recent developments at the time of the offering.]

 



 

S-5


THE OFFERING

 

Shares of Series [     ] Preferred Stock Offered by Us

           shares[, excluding                shares of Series [    ] Preferred Stock issuable pursuant to the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters].

Shares of Series [     ] Preferred Stock Outstanding after this Offering

           shares[, excluding                shares of Series [    ] Preferred Stock issuable pursuant to the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters].

Use of Proceeds

  

We estimate that the net proceeds we will receive from the sale of shares of Series [    ] Preferred Stock in this offering will be approximately $             million [(or approximately $             million if the underwriters fully exercise their over-allotment option), in each case] assuming a public offering price of $             per share, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions of $             million [(or approximately $             million if the underwriters fully exercise their over-allotment option)] payable by us and estimated offering expenses of approximately $             million payable by us.

 

See “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus supplement for more information.

Dividend Rate

       % per annum

Dividend Payment Dates

           ,    and          of each year, commencing on    ,    

Record Dates

           .         . and

[Listing

  

We have applied to list the Series [    ] Preferred Stock on [name of exchange] under the symbol “        ” so that trading on the exchange will begin within 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, subject to notice of issuance.]

Liquidation Preference

   The liquidation preference of the Series [    ] Preferred Stock is $    per share.

Restrictions on Dividend, Redemption, and Other Payments

   No full dividends and distributions will be declared or paid on the Series [    ] Preferred Stock for any dividend period, or a part of a dividend period, unless the full cumulative dividends and distributions due through the most recent dividend payment dates for all outstanding shares of preferred stock have been, or contemporaneously are, declared and paid through the most recent dividend payment dates for each series of preferred stock. If full cumulative dividends and distributions due have not been paid on all outstanding preferred stock of any series, any dividends and distributions being declared and paid on preferred stock will be declared and paid as nearly pro rata as possible in proportion to the respective amounts of dividends and distributions accumulated but unpaid on the shares of each such series of preferred stock on the relevant dividend payment date.

Optional Redemption

   The Series [    ] Preferred Stock may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time after            ,            at a redemption price per share equal to [the applicable percentage set forth below multiplied by the sum of] the liquidation preference per share plus accrued but unpaid dividends on such shares accumulated up to, but excluding, the date fixed for such distribution or payment. Year Applicable Percentage    %.

 



 

S-6


[Redemption at the Option of the Holder    On and after    ,    each holder of the Series [    ] Preferred Stock will have the right to require us to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s Series [    ] Preferred Stock at a purchase price per share equal to    % of the sum of the liquidation preference per share plus accrued but unpaid dividends. In addition, each holder of Series [    ] Preferred Stock will have the right to require us to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s preferred stock at a purchase price per share equal to    % of the sum of the liquidation preference per share plus accrued but unpaid dividends upon the occurrence of certain fundamental changes.]
Voting Rights    The holders of the preferred stock, including Series [    ] Preferred Stock, have the right to elect [two] members of the Board of Directors. Additional voting rights associated with Series [    ] Preferred Stock are described in “Description of Preferred Stock – Voting Rights.”
Rating    The Series [    ] Preferred Stock is not rated.
Conversion    [Describe any applicable conversion provisions set forth in the Certificate of Designations.]
Exchange    [Describe any applicable exchange provisions set forth in the Certificate of Designations.]

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

   [Insert summary disclosure regarding federal income tax consequences of an investment in the preferred stock.]

 



 

S-7


RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves certain risks relating to our structure and investment objective. You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before you decide whether to make an investment in our securities. The risks set forth below are not the only risks we face, and we may face other risks that we have not yet identified, which we do not currently deem material or which are not yet predictable. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such case, our NAV and the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

[Market yields may increase, which would result in a decline in the price of the Series [    ] Preferred Stock.

The prices of fixed income investments, such as the Series [    ] Preferred Stock, vary inversely with changes in market yields. The market yields on securities comparable to the Series [    ] Preferred Stock may increase, which could result in a decline in the secondary market price of the Series [    ] Preferred Stock. See “Description of Preferred Stock-Dividends and Dividend Periods”.]

[Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the Series [    ] Preferred Stock, and we cannot assure you that the market price of the Series [    ] Preferred Stock will not decline following the offering.

We cannot assure you that a trading market will develop for the Series [    ] Preferred Stock after this offering or, if one develops, that such trading market can be sustained. [During a period of up to days from the date of this prospectus supplement, the Series [    ] Preferred Stock will not be listed on any securities exchange. During this period, the underwriters do not intend to make a market in the Series [    ] Preferred Stock. Consequently, an investment in the Series [    ] Preferred Stock during this period will likely be illiquid and holders thereof may not be able to sell such shares as it is unlikely that a secondary market for the Series [    ] Preferred Stock will develop during this period. If a secondary market does develop during this period, holders of the Series [    ] Preferred Stock may be able to sell such shares only at substantial discounts from liquidation preference.] [Application has been made to list the Series [    ] Preferred Stock on [so that trading on the exchange will begin within 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, subject to notice of issuance]. If we are unable to list the Series [    ] Preferred Stock on a national securities exchange, holders thereof may be unable to sell such shares at all, or if they are able to, only at substantial discounts from liquidation preference. Even after the Series [    ] Preferred Stock is listed on [name of exchange] as anticipated, there is a risk that the market for such shares may be thinly traded and relatively illiquid compared to the market for other types of securities, with the spread between the bid and asked prices considerably greater than the spreads of other securities with comparable terms and features.]]

[The Series [    ] Preferred Stock are unrated securities.

We do not intend to have the Series [    ] Preferred Stock rated by any rating agency. Unrated securities typically trade at a discount to similar, rated securities, depending on the rating of the rated securities. As a result, there is a risk that the Series [    ] Preferred Stock may trade at a price that is lower than what they might otherwise trade at if rated by a rating agency.]

[The Series [    ] Preferred Stock will be subordinated to the rights of holders of senior indebtedness.

While holders of the Series [    ] Preferred Stock will have equal liquidation and distribution rights to any other preferred stock that might be issued by us, they will be subordinated to the rights of holders of senior indebtedness, if any. Therefore, dividends, distributions and other payments to holders of our preferred stock in liquidation or otherwise may be subject to prior payments due to the holders of senior indebtedness. In addition, the 1940 Act may provide debt holders with voting rights that are superior to the voting rights of the preferred stock.]

[Insert any additional relevant risk factors not included in the base prospectus.]

 

S-8


USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds we will receive from the sale of shares of Series [    ] Preferred Stock in this offering will be approximately $            million [(or approximately $             million if the underwriters fully exercise their over-allotment option), in each case] assuming a public offering price of $             per share, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions of $             million [(or approximately $             million if the underwriters fully exercise their over-allotment option)] payable by us and estimated offering expenses of approximately $             million payable by us.

[Describe use of proceeds and include any other relevant information to the extent required to be disclosed by applicable law or regulation.]

 

S-9


RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS

[Insert information required by Item 503(d) of Regulation S-K at time of offering.]

 

S-10


DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

The following is a brief description of the terms of the Series [    ] Preferred Stock. This is not a complete description and is subject to and entirely qualified by reference to our Certificate of Incorporation and the Certificate of Designation setting forth the terms of the Series [    ] Preferred Stock. These documents are filed with the SEC as exhibits to our registration statement of which this prospectus supplement is a part, and the Certificate of Designation is attached as Appendix [     ] to this prospectus supplement.

General

At the time of issuance, the Series [    ] Preferred Stock will be fully paid and non-assessable and have no preemptive, conversion or exchange rights or rights to cumulative voting. The Series [    ] Preferred Stock and all other preferred stock that we may issue from time to time in accordance with the Investment Company Act, if any, are senior as to dividends and distributions to our common stock. We may issue additional series of preferred stock in the future to the extent permitted under the Investment Company Act.

Dividends

Holders of our Series [    ] Preferred Stock are entitled to receive dividends per shares in an amount equal to     % per annum, or the dividend rate. Dividends will be payable quarterly in arrears on     ,     ,     ,     ,     , and , (each, a “Dividend Payment Date”), commencing on    , to holders of record as of the immediately preceding , , and .

Dividends payable at the dividend rate will begin to accrue and be cumulative from     ,     , whether or not we have funds legally available for such dividends or such dividends are declared. Dividends that are payable on the Series [    ] Preferred Stock on any Dividend Payment Date shall be payable to holders of record of the Series [    ] Preferred Stock as they appear on the stock register of the Company on the record date for such dividend.

Dividends on our Series [    ] Preferred Stock will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The amount of dividends payable on our preferred stock on any date prior to the end of a dividend period, and for the initial dividend period, will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, and actual days elapsed over a 30-day month.

Cash dividends will be paid only to the extent we have assets legally available for such payment and only when declared by the Board of Directors, or a duly authorized committee thereof.

We will not make declare any dividend (other than a dividend payable in common stock) or other distribution on our common stock or purchase any common stock unless at the time of the declaration of such dividend or distribution or at the time of any such purchase we have an asset coverage of at least 200%, as computed in accordance with the Investment Company Act, after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price.

 

S-11


Voting Rights

Except for matters that do not require the vote of holders of the preferred stock under the Investment Company Act or except as otherwise provided in the certificate of designation of such preferred stock, in our certificate of incorporation or bylaws or as otherwise required by applicable law, each holder of Series [    ] Preferred Stock will be entitled to one vote for each share of Series [    ] Preferred Stock held on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Company and the holders of outstanding shares of our preferred stock, including Series [    ] Preferred Stock, and shares of Common Stock shall vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holders of the shares of our preferred stock, including Series [    ] Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, will have the right to elect [two] members of the Board of Directors. The holders of outstanding shares of common stock together with the holders of outstanding shares of preferred stock, voting together as a single class, will elect the remaining members of the Board of Directors.

In addition, in the event that dividends on any shares of preferred stock are unpaid in an amount equal to two full years’ dividends on the preferred stock, we will increase the size of our Board of Directors such that the holders of the shares of our preferred stock, including Series [    ] Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, will have the ability to elect a majority of the members of the Board of Directors until such time as all dividends in arrears shall have been paid or otherwise provided for at which point the size of the Board of Directors shall be decreased and the term of such additional directors shall terminate.

During the period in which any shares of Series [    ] Preferred Stock are outstanding, we will not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series [    ] Preferred Stock determined with reference to a “majority of outstanding voting securities” as that term is defined in Section 2(a)(42) of the Investment Company Act, voting as a separate class:

 

    amend, alter or repeal any of the preferences, rights or powers of the Series [    ] Preferred Stock so as to affect materially and adversely such preferences, rights or powers; or

 

    subject to limited exceptions, create, authorize or issue shares of any class of capital stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series [    ] Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets, or any securities convertible into, or warrants, options or similar rights to purchase, acquire or receive, such shares of capital stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series [    ] Preferred Stock or reclassify any authorized shares of our capital stock into any shares ranking senior to or on a parity with the Series [    ] Preferred Stock (except that, the Board of Directors, without the vote or consent of the holders of the shares of Series [ ] Preferred Stock may from time to time authorize, create and classify, and we, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, may from time to time issue, shares or series of preferred stock ranking on a parity with the Series [ ] Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of our affairs, and may authorize, reclassify and/or issue any additional Series [ ] Preferred Stock, including shares previously purchased or redeemed by us); provided that any such class of capital stock shall be created, authorized or issued only to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act).

The affirmative vote of the holders of a “majority of outstanding voting securities” of the Series [    ] Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, will be required to approve any plan of reorganization (as such term is used in the Investment Company Act) adversely affecting such shares or any action requiring a vote of our security holders under Section 13(a) of the Investment Company Act.

Redemption

Optional Redemption . The Series [    ] Preferred Stock may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time after     ,     , at our option, upon giving notice of redemption at a redemption price per share equal to [the applicable percentage set forth below multiplied by the sum of] the liquidation preference per share plus accrued but unpaid dividends not previously added to the liquidation preference on such share. [The following redemption prices are for shares of Preferred Stock redeemed during the -month period commencing on of the years set forth below:

Year Applicable Percentage]

Redemption at the Option of the Holder . Upon the occurrence of certain bankruptcy events or the delisting of our common stock from a national securities exchange, each holder of the Series [    ] Preferred Stock will have the right to require us to repurchase all or any part of the holder’s Series [    ] Stock at a purchase price per share equal to     % of the sum of the liquidation preference per share plus accrued but unpaid dividends not previously added to the liquidation preference on such share.

On and after     ,     , each holder of the Series [    ] Preferred Stock will have the right, by providing written notice to us, to require us to repurchase all or any part of the holder’s Series [    ] Preferred Stock at a purchase price equal to     % of the sum of the liquidation preference per share plus accrued but unpaid dividends not previously added to the liquidation preference on such share.

 

S-12


Partial Redemption . In case of any partial redemption of the Series [    ] Preferred Stock, the shares to be redeemed will be selected pro rata. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Designation, we have full power and authority to prescribe the terms and conditions upon which shares of Series [    ] Preferred Stock shall be redeemed from time to time. If fewer than all the shares represented by any certificate are redeemed, a new certificate shall be issued representing the unredeemed shares without charge to the holder thereof.

Redemption Procedures . We will provide notice of any redemption of the Series [    ] Preferred Stock by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the holders of record of the shares to be redeemed at their respective last addresses appearing on our books and through any means required under the Investment Company Act. Such mailing shall be at least 30 days and not more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption.

Liquidation

Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up by us, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of shares of our preferred stock will be entitled to be paid (before any distribution or payment is made upon any shares of common stock) the liquidation preference per share plus accrued but unpaid dividends. However, if upon liquidation, the available funds and assets to be distributed among the holders of our preferred stock, including the Series [    ] Preferred Stock, are insufficient to permit payment in full of the liquidation preference per share, then our entire available funds and assets upon liquidation shall be distributed ratably among the holders, including holders of the Series [    ] Preferred Stock, on a pro rata basis.

If there are any of our available funds or assets upon liquidation remaining after the payment or distribution to the holders of the preferred stock of their full preferential amounts described above, all such remaining available funds and assets shall be distributed as follows: [describe applicable payment priority provisions].

Modification

Without the consent of any holders of the Series [    ] Preferred Stock, we, when authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors may amend or modify these terms of the Series [    ] Preferred Stock to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision in the amendment to our certificate of incorporation, make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under these terms of the Series [    ] Preferred Stock that are not inconsistent with the provisions in the Certificate of Designation.

 

S-13


SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA AND OTHER INFORMATION

The selected financial and other information below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and our financial statements and the related notes thereto. Financial information as of and for the years ended December 31, 20    , 20    and 20    [and as of and for the period from November 15, 2012 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2012] has been derived from the audited financial statements of Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. [(formerly, Goldman Sachs Liberty Harbor Capital, LLC)]. The audited financial statements included in the accompanying prospectus were audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. Interim financial information for the      months ended            ,             and has been derived from the unaudited interim financial statements of Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc., which are included elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus. Our unaudited interim financial statements were prepared on a basis consistent with our audited financial statements and, in our opinion, include all adjustments necessary for the fair statement of the results for the periods presented. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of future results, and our results for the months ended             ,             are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full             fiscal year.

The selected financial data in this section is not intended to replace the financial statements and is qualified in its entirety by the financial statements and related notes included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

     For the
Months
Ended    ,    
     For the
Months
Ended    ,    
     For the Year
Ended
December 31,

2015
    For the Year
Ended
December 31,
2014
    For the Year
Ended
December 31,

2013
    For the period
from November 15, 
2012
(commencement of
operations)
through
December 31,
2012
 

Consolidated statements of

operations data (in thousands):

              

Total investment income

   $         $         $ 118,436      $ 73,279      $ 22,835      $ 162   

Net expenses

           43,338        20,422        6,899        346   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) before taxes

           75,098        52,857        15,936        (184

Excise tax expense

           518        119        —          —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) after taxes

           74,580        52,738        15,936        (184

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

           (27,952     (15,816     3,118        1,046   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations before tax

   $         $         $ 46,628      $ 36,922      $ 19,054      $ 862   

Income tax expense

     —           —           —          —          (1,070     (351
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations after tax

   $         $         $ 46,628      $ 36,922      $ 17,984      $ 511   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per share data

              

Net Asset Value

   $         $         $ 18.97      $ 19.56      $ 20.00      $ 19.37   

Net investment income (loss) (basic and diluted)

   $         $         $ 2.14      $ 1.77      $ 0.67      $ (0.09

Earnings (basic and diluted)

   $         $         $ 1.34      $ 1.24      $ 0.76      $ 0.26   

Distributions declared

   $         $         $ 1.80      $ 1.69      $ 0.50      $ —     

 

S-14


     As of
        ,        
     As of
        ,        
     As of
December 31,
2015
     As of
December 31,
2014
     As of
December 31,
2013
 

Consolidated statements of asset and liabilities data (at period end) (in thousands):

              

Total assets

   $         $         $ 1,132,759       $ 967,492       $ 630,222   

Total investments, at fair value

           1,091,181         943,515         613,935   

Total liabilities

           444,109         392,910         22,437   

Total debt

           419,000         350,000         —     

Total net assets

   $         $         $ 688,650       $ 574,582       $ 607,785   

 

S-15


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “target,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue” or “believe” or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our plans, strategies, prospects and expectations concerning our business, operating results, financial condition and other similar matters. We believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations to our investors. Our forward-looking statements include information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus regarding general domestic and global economic conditions, our future financing plans, our ability to operate as a BDC and the expected performance of, and the yield on, our portfolio companies. There may be events in the future, however, that we are not able to predict accurately or control. The factors listed under “Risk Factors,” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as well as any cautionary language in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our forward-looking statements. The occurrence of the events described in these risk factors and elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus speaks only as of the date on which we make it. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. You are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we have filed or in the future may file with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, registration statements on Form N-2, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Under Section 27A(b)(2)(B) and (D) of the Securities Act and Section 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 any offering of securities pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or in the periodic reports we file under the Exchange Act.

The following factors are among those that may cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements:

 

    our future operating results;

 

    changes in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment or conditions affecting the financial and capital markets;

 

    uncertainty surrounding the financial stability of the U.S., the EU and China;

 

    our business prospects and the prospects of our 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;

 

    the use of borrowed money to finance a portion of our investments;

 

    our ability to make distributions;

 

    the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital;

 

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

 

    the impact of future acquisitions and divestitures;

 

    the effect of changes in tax laws and regulations and interpretations thereof;

 

    our ability to maintain our status as a BDC and a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code;

 

S-16


    actual and potential conflicts of interest with GSAM and its affiliates;

 

    general price and volume fluctuations in the stock market;

 

    the ability of GSAM to attract and retain highly talented professionals;

 

    the impact on our business from new or amended legislation or regulations; and

 

    the availability of credit and/or our ability to access the equity markets.

 

S-17


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and other parts of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. The discussion and analysis contained in this section refers to our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Please see “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 “Forward-Looking Statements” appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

[Insert Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition, and Results of Operations from most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Annual Report on Form 10-K, as applicable, prior to the offering.]

 

S-18


CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth:

 

    our actual capitalization as of                ,    ; and

 

    our pro forma capitalization to give effect to the sale of shares of preferred stock in this offering based on the public offering price of $    per share, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions of $    million payable by us and estimated offering expenses of approximately $    payable by us. You should read this table in conjunction with “Use of Proceeds” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

     As of             , 20  
     Actual      Pro Forma  
     (in thousands)  

Assets:

  

Cash

     $         $   

Investments, at fair value

     

Other assets

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

     

Debt

     

Other liabilities

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets:

     

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

     

Paid in capital in excess of par

     

Capital distributions in excess of net investment income

     

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

     

Total stockholders’ equity

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value per share

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

S-19


UNDERWRITING

We are offering the preferred stock described in this prospectus supplement through a number of underwriters.                 and                are acting as representatives of each of the underwriters named below for this offering. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting 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 to purchase from us, the number of shares of Series [    ] Preferred Stock set forth opposite its name below.

 

Underwriter

   Number of
Shares
 

Total

  

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have severally agreed to purchase all of the shares of Series [    ] Preferred Stock sold under the underwriting agreement if any of these shares of Series [    ] Preferred Stock are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

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

[Overallotment Option

The underwriters have an option to buy up to                additional shares of Series [    ] Preferred Stock from us to cover sales of shares by the underwriters which exceed the number of shares specified in the table above. The underwriters have                days from the date of this prospectus supplement to exercise this overallotment option. If any shares are purchased with this overallotment option, the underwriters will purchase shares in approximately the same proportion as shown in the table above. If any additional shares of Series [    ] Preferred Stock are purchased, the underwriters will offer the additional shares on the same terms as those on which the shares are being offered.]

Commissions and Discounts

The representatives have advised us that the underwriters propose initially to offer the underwritten shares of Series [    ] Preferred Stock to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement 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 per share public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds before expenses to us. The information assumes both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of Series [    ] Preferred Stock.

 

S-20


     Per Share      Without
Option
     With Option  

Public offering price

   $         $         $     

Sales load (underwriting discounts and commissions)

   $         $         $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

   $         $         $     

We estimate that the total expenses of this offering, including registration, filing and listing fees, printing fees and legal and accounting expenses, but excluding the underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $                , or approximately $                per share excluding the overallotment options and approximately $                per share including the overallotment option.

[No Sales of Similar Securities

We have agreed, with exceptions, not to sell or transfer any [type of security] for    days after the date of this prospectus supplement without first obtaining the written consent of             .]

Price Stabilizations, Short Positions, and Penalty Bids

In connection with this offering,                and                , on behalf of the underwriters, may purchase and sell Series [    ] Preferred Stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve sales by the underwriters of a greater number of shares of Series [    ] Preferred Stock than they are required to purchase in the offering. “Covered” short sales are sales of securities made in an amount up to the number of securities represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option. Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short involve either purchases of such securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the over-allotment option. In determining the source of securities to close out the covered syndicate short position, the underwriters may consider the price of securities available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase securities through the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also make “naked” short sales, or sales in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of securities in the open market while this offering is in progress for the purpose of fixing or maintaining the price of the securities.

The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from an underwriter or syndicate member when the underwriters repurchase securities originally sold by that underwriter or syndicate member in order to cover syndicate short positions or make stabilizing purchases.

Any of these activities may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of the securities or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities. As a result, the price of the securities may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on                or otherwise. Neither we nor any of the underwriters makes 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 securities. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation that the underwriters will engage in these transactions. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

[Sales Outside the United States

No action has been taken in any jurisdiction (except in the United States) that would permit a public offering of our Series [    ] Preferred Stock, or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus supplement or accompanying prospectus or any other material relating to us or the preferred stock in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, our Series [    ] Preferred Stock may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and none of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with our Series [    ] Preferred Stock may be distributed or published, in or from any country or jurisdiction except in compliance with any applicable rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.

 

S-21


Each of the underwriters may arrange to sell our Series [    ] Preferred Stock offered hereby in certain jurisdictions outside the United States, either directly or through affiliates, where it is permitted to do so.

[Insert applicable legends for jurisdictions in which offers and sales may be made.]]

Electronic Delivery

The underwriters may make prospectus supplements and accompanying prospectuses available in an electronic (PDF) format. A prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus in electronic (PDF) format may be made available on a website maintained by any of the underwriters, and the underwriters may distribute such documents electronically. The underwriters may [agree with us to] allocate a limited number of securities for sale to their online brokerage customers.

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.

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.

[Describe any other specific transactions and compensation related thereto to the extent required to be disclosed by applicable law or regulation.]

[Describe if underwriters receiving proceeds of offering, if required by FINRA.]

Principal Business Address

The addresses of the underwriters are:

 

S-22


CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

[Insert disclosure regarding federal income tax consequences of an investment in the shares of preferred stock to the extent required to be disclosed by applicable law or regulation.]

 

S-23


LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters regarding the securities offered by this prospectus supplement will be passed upon for Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP. In addition, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has advised the Company in connection with certain matters under the Investment Company Act. Dechert LLP serves as counsel to the Company and to the Independent Directors. Certain legal matters in connection with the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for the underwriters by     .

EXPERTS

The financial statements as of December 31,      and             and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,             have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 101 Seaport Boulevard, Suite 500, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

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

We file with or submit to the SEC periodic and current 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 registration statements and related exhibits and schedules, at the Public SEC’s Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090 or (800) SEC-0330. We maintain a website at www.goldmansachsbdc.com and 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. You may also obtain such information by contacting us, in writing at: 200 West Street New York, New York 10282, or by telephone (collect) at (212) 902-0300. 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.

 

S-24


INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

[Insert index to financial statements followed by financial statements and notes thereto from most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Annual Report on Form 10-K, as applicable, prior to the offering.]

 

SF-1

EX-99.(s)(3)

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

[FORM OF PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO BE USED IN

CONJUNCTION WITH FUTURE WARRANT OFFERINGS] 1

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION,

(to Prospectus dated                     , 20     )

                       , 20    

GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.

Warrants to Purchase Up to         [Type of Security]

We are an externally managed specialty finance company that is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). We are focused on lending to “middle-market companies,” a term we generally use to refer to companies with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of between $5 million and $75 million annually. Our investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation through direct originations of secured debt, including first lien, unitranche, including last out portions of such loans, and second lien debt, unsecured debt, including mezzanine debt as well as through select equity investments.

We are managed by our investment adviser, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM” or “Investment Adviser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“Group Inc.”). Group Inc., together with Goldman, Sachs & Co., GSAM and its other subsidiaries and affiliates, is referred to herein as “Goldman Sachs.”

All of the warrants offered by this prospectus supplement are being sold by us. We are offering warrants to purchase up to [number][type of security]. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase [one] [type of security]. The exercise price will be $ per warrant. The warrants will be exercisable beginning on             , 20     , and will expire on             , 20     , or earlier upon redemption.

[Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GSBD”. On             , 20     , the last reported sales price for our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $             per share. The net asset value (“NAV”) of our common stock as of             , 20     (the last date prior to the date of this prospectus supplement as of which we determined NAV) was $            .] [We are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock, or warrants to purchase common stock, at a price below our net asset value per share unless we have stockholder approval.]

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

 

 

1   In addition to the sections outlined in this form of prospectus supplement, each prospectus supplement used in connection with an offering conducted pursuant to the registration statement to which this form of prospectus supplement is attached or incorporated by reference will include such other information as may then be required to be disclosed therein pursuant to applicable law or regulation as in effect as of the date of each such prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, information particular to the terms of each security offered thereby and any related risk factors or tax considerations pertaining thereto. This form of prospectus supplement is intended only to provide an indication of the nature and type of disclosure that may appear in any actual prospectus supplement, and it is not intended to and does not contain all of the information that would appear in any such actual prospectus supplement, and should not be used or relied upon in connection with any offer or sale of securities.


This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain important information you should know before investing in our warrants. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information about us with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You may obtain this information or make stockholder inquiries by written or oral request and free of charge by contacting us at 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, on our website at www.goldmansachsbdc.com, or by calling us collect at (212) 902-0300. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and you should not consider that information to be a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. 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, that are listed on an exchange frequently trade at a discount to their NAV per share. If our shares trade at a discount to our NAV, it may increase the risk of loss for purchasers in any offering.] Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk, including credit risk and the risk of the use of leverage, and is highly speculative. Before buying any securities, you should read the discussion of the material risks of investing in our warrants in “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-[     ] of this prospectus supplement and on page [ ] of the accompanying prospectus.

The securities in which we invest are generally not rated by any rating agency, and if they were rated, they would be below investment grade (rated lower than “Baa3” by Moody’s Investors Service and lower than “BBB-” by Fitch Ratings or Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”)). These securities, which may be referred to as “junk bonds,” “high yield bonds” or “leveraged loans,” have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

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

 

     Per Warrant      Total  

Public offering price

   $         $     

Sales load (underwriting discounts and commissions)

   $         $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. (1)

   $         $     

 

 

(1) We estimate that we will incur offering expenses of approximately $ in connection with this offering.

[The underwriters may exercise their over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional         warrants from us, at the public offering price, less the sales load, for         days after the date of this prospectus supplement. If the underwriters exercise this over-allotment option in full, the total sales load will be $            , and total proceeds to us, before expenses, will be $            .]

The underwriters are offering the warrants as set forth in “Underwriting.” Delivery of the             warrants will be made on or about             ,             .

The date of this prospectus supplement is                     ,


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information or to make any representations not contained in this prospectus. [We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as applicable.] Our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects may have changed since that date. We will update these documents to reflect material changes only as required by law.

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information and disclosure. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs from the information contained in the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement controls. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together with the additional information described under the heading “Available Information” before investing in our warrants.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

     Page  

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

     S-1   

SPECIFIC TERMS OF OUR WARRANTS AND THE OFFERING

     S-6   

FEES AND EXPENSES

     S-7   

RISK FACTORS

     S-11   

USE OF PROCEEDS

     S-12   

DESCRIPTION OF OUR WARRANTS

     S-13   

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DISTRIBUTIONS

     S-15   

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA AND OTHER INFORMATION

     S-17   

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     S-19   

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

     S-21   

CAPITALIZATION

     S-22   

CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

     S-23   

UNDERWRITING

     S-24   

LEGAL MATTERS

     S-27   

EXPERTS

     S-27   

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     S-27   

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     SF-1   

PROSPECTUS

 

     Page  

[Insert table of contents from base prospectus.]

  


PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights some of the information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the securities offered by this prospectus supplement. You should review the more detailed information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, especially the information set forth under the heading “Risk Factors.”

Unless indicated otherwise in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, or the context requires otherwise, the terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc, or for periods prior to our conversion from a limited liability company to a corporation (the “Conversion”), Goldman Sachs Liberty Harbor Capital, LLC.

Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

We are a specialty finance company focused on lending to middle-market companies. We are a closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act. In addition, we have elected to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“the Code”), commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. From our formation in 2012 through             ,             , we have originated more than $             billion in aggregate principal amount of debt and equity investments prior to any subsequent exits and repayments. We seek to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation primarily through direct originations of secured debt, including first lien, unitranche, including last out portions of such loans, and second lien debt, and unsecured debt, including mezzanine debt, as well as through select equity investments. Unitranche loans are first lien loans that may extend deeper in a company’s capital structure than traditional first lien debt and may provide for a waterfall of cash flow priority between different lenders in the unitranche loan. In a number of instances, we may find another lender to provide the “first out” portion of such loan and retain the “last out” portion of such loan, in which case, the “first out” portion of the loan would generally receive priority with respect to payment of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder over the “last out” portion that we would continue to hold. In exchange for the greater risk of loss, the “last out” portion earns a higher interest rate. We use the term “mezzanine” to refer to debt that ranks senior only to a borrower’s equity securities and ranks junior in right of payment to all of such borrower’s other indebtedness. We may make multiple investments in the same portfolio company.

We invest primarily in U.S. middle-market companies, which we believe are underserved by traditional providers of capital such as banks and the public debt markets. In describing our business, we generally use the term “middle market companies” to refer to companies with EBITDA of between $5 million and $75 million annually. However, we may from time to time invest in larger or smaller companies. We generate revenues primarily through receipt of interest income from the investments we hold. In addition, we generate income from various loan origination and other fees, dividends on direct equity investments and capital gains on the sales of investments. Fees received from portfolio companies (directors’ fees, consulting fees, administrative fees, tax advisory fees and other similar compensation) are paid to us, unless, to the extent required by applicable law or exemptive relief, if any, therefrom, we only receive our allocable portion of such fees when invested in the same portfolio company as another account managed by Goldman Sachs. The companies in which we invest use our capital for a variety of purposes, including to support organic growth, fund acquisitions, make capital investments or refinance indebtedness.

Investment Strategy

Our origination strategy focuses on leading the negotiation and structuring of the loans or securities in which we invest and holding the investments in our portfolio to maturity. In many cases, we are the sole investor in the loan or security in our portfolio. Where there are multiple investors, we generally seek to control or obtain significant influence over the rights of investors in the loan or security. Our investments typically have maturities

 



 

S-1


between three and ten years and generally range in size between $10 million and $75 million, although we may make larger or smaller investments on occasion. In addition, part of our strategy involves an investment in a joint venture, Senior Credit Fund, LLC (the “Senior Credit Fund”), with the Regents of the University of California (“Cal Regents”). The Senior Credit Fund’s principal purpose is to make investments, either directly or indirectly through its wholly owned subsidiary, Senior Credit Fund SPV I, LLC (“SPV I”), primarily in senior secured loans to middle-market companies.

Investment Portfolio

[Insert description of portfolio as of most recent quarter end.]

Corporate Structure

We were formed as a private fund in September 2012 and commenced operations in November 2012, using seed capital contributions we received from Group Inc. In March 2013, we elected to be treated as a BDC. We have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. On March 18, 2015, our common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “GSBD”. On March 23, 2015, we closed our initial public offering (“IPO”), issuing 6,000,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $20.00 per share. Net of offering and underwriting costs, we received cash proceeds of $114.57 million. On April 21, 2015, we issued an additional 900,000 shares of our common stock pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option in connection with the IPO. Net of underwriting costs, we received additional cash proceeds of $17.27 million. As a result of the Conversion, subsequent share repurchases and the IPO [and subsequent offerings], as of             ,             , Group Inc. owned approximately % of our common stock. See “Business—Formation Transactions and Initial Public Offering” in the accompanying prospectus.

Our Investment Adviser

GSAM serves as our investment adviser and has been registered as an investment adviser with the SEC since 1990. Subject to the supervision of our Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”), a majority of which is made up of independent directors (including an independent Chairman), GSAM manages our day-to-day operations and provides us with investment advisory and management services and certain administrative services. GSAM is a subsidiary of Group Inc., a public company that is a bank holding company, financial holding company and a world-wide, full-service financial services organization. Group Inc. is the general partner and owner of GSAM. GSAM has been providing financial solutions for investors since 1988 and had over $ trillion of assets under supervision as of             ,             .

The Private Credit Group of GSAM (the “GSAM Private Credit Group”) is responsible for identifying investment opportunities, conducting research and due diligence on prospective investments, negotiating and structuring our investments and monitoring and servicing our investments. The GSAM Private Credit Group was comprised of             investment professionals, as of             ,             , all of whom are dedicated to the Company’s investment strategy and other funds that share a similar investment strategy with the Company. These professionals are supported by an additional investment professionals, as of             ,             , who are primarily focused on investment strategies in syndicated, liquid credit (together with the GSAM Private Credit Group, “GSAM Credit Alternatives”). These individuals may have additional responsibilities other than those relating to us, but generally allocate a portion of their time in support of our business and our investment objective as a whole. In addition, GSAM has risk management, legal, accounting, tax, information technology and compliance personnel, among others, who provide services to us. We benefit from the expertise provided by these personnel in our operations.

The GSAM Private Credit Group is dedicated primarily to private corporate credit investment opportunities in North America, and utilizes a bottom-up, fundamental research approach to lending. The senior members of the GSAM Private Credit Group have been working together since 2006 and have an average of over years of experience in leveraged finance and private transactions.

 



 

S-2


All investment decisions are made by the Investment Committee of GSAM’s Private Credit Group (the “Investment Committee”), which currently consists of five voting members: Brendan McGovern, Salvatore Lentini, Jon Yoder, David Yu and Scott Turco, as well as three non-voting members with operational and/or legal expertise. For biographical information about the voting members of the Investment Committee, see “Management—Biographical Information” in the accompanying prospectus. The Investment Committee is responsible for approving all of our investments. The Investment Committee also monitors investments in our portfolio and approves all asset dispositions. We expect to benefit from the extensive and varied relevant experience of the investment professionals serving on the Investment Committee, which includes expertise in privately originated and publicly traded leveraged credit, stressed and distressed debt, bankruptcy, mergers and acquisitions and private equity. The voting members of the Investment Committee collectively have over 50 years of experience in middle-market investment and activities related to middle-market investing. The membership of the Investment Committee may change from time to time.

Allocation of Opportunities

Our investment objectives and investment strategies are similar to those of other client accounts managed by our Investment Adviser (including Goldman Sachs Private Middle Market Credit LLC (“GS PMMC”) a privately offered BDC, and Goldman Sachs Middle Market Lending LLC (“GS MMLC”), a closed-end investment company that intends to elect to be treated as a BDC, collectively, the “Accounts”), and an investment appropriate for us may also be appropriate for those Accounts. This creates potential conflicts in allocating investment opportunities among us and such other Accounts, particularly in circumstances where the availability of such investment opportunities is limited, where the liquidity of such investment opportunities is limited or where co-investments by us and other Accounts are not permitted under applicable law. For a further explanation of the allocation of opportunities and other conflicts and the risks related thereto, see “Business – Allocation of Opportunities” and “Potential Conflicts of Interest” in the accompanying prospectus.

Market Opportunity

According to the National Center for the Middle Market and the CIA World Fact Book, the U.S. middle market is comprised of approximately             companies that collectively generate revenues of approximately $             trillion annually. 2 Comparing revenues to gross domestic product, this makes the U.S. middle market equivalent to the world’s third largest global economy on a stand-alone basis. The GSAM Private Credit Group believes that existing market conditions and regulatory changes have combined to create an attractive investment environment for non-bank lenders such as us to provide loans to U.S. middle market companies. For a further discussion of the market opportunities associated with the Company’s focus on middle market companies, see “Business – Market Opportunities” in the accompanying prospectus.

Competitive Advantages

The Goldman Sachs Platform: Goldman Sachs is a leading global financial institution that provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base, including companies and high net worth individuals, among others. The firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices across the United States and in all major financial centers around the world. Group Inc.’s asset management subsidiary, GSAM, is one of the world’s leading investment managers with over         investment professionals and over $             trillion of assets under supervision, in each case as of                     ,             . GSAM’s investment teams, including the GSAM Private Credit Group, capitalize on the relationships, market insights, risk management expertise, technology and infrastructure of Goldman Sachs. We believe the Goldman Sachs platform delivers a meaningful competitive advantage to us. For a detailed discussion of the Company’s competitive advantages, see “Business – Competitive Advantages” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

 

2   Estimate for              by the National Center for the Middle Market, which defined middle market as companies with annual revenue of $10 million - $1 billion. See [insert appropriate citation].

 



 

S-3


Operating and Regulatory Structure

We have elected to be treated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act. As a BDC, 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 investment. Under the rules of the Investment Company Act, “eligible portfolio companies” include (i) private U.S. operating companies, (ii) public U.S. operating companies whose securities are not listed on a national securities exchange (e.g., the NYSE) or registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and (iii) 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 OTC Markets Group Inc. are not listed on a national securities exchange and therefore are eligible portfolio companies. [In addition, we currently are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act.] See “Regulation” in the accompanying prospectus.

We have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. As a RIC, we generally will not be required 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 if we meet certain source of income, distribution and asset diversification requirements. We intend to timely distribute to our stockholders substantially all of our annual taxable income for each year, except that we may retain certain net capital gains for reinvestment and, depending upon the level of taxable income earned in a year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income for distribution in the following year and pay any applicable U.S. federal excise tax. In addition, the distributions we pay to our stockholders in a year may exceed our net ordinary income and capital gains for that year and, accordingly, a portion of such distributions may constitute a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “Price Range of Common Stock and Distributions” [in the accompanying prospectus].

Use of Leverage

Our senior secured revolving credit agreement (as amended, the “Revolving Credit Facility”) with , as administrative agent, and                     , as syndication agent, allows us to borrow money and lever our investment portfolio, subject to the limitations of the Investment Company Act, with the objective of increasing our yield. This is known as “leverage” and could increase or decrease returns to our stockholders. The use of leverage involves significant risks. As a BDC, with certain limited exceptions, we are only permitted to borrow amounts such that our asset coverage ratio, as defined in the Investment Company Act, equals at least 2 to 1 after such borrowing. Certain trading practices and investments, such as reverse repurchase agreements, may be considered borrowings or involve leverage and thus may be subject to Investment Company Act restrictions. In accordance with applicable SEC staff guidance and interpretations, when we engage in such transactions, instead of maintaining an asset coverage ratio of at least 2 to 1, we will segregate or earmark liquid assets, or enter into an offsetting position, in an amount at least equal to our exposure, on a mark-to-market basis, to such transactions (as calculated pursuant to requirements of the SEC). Short-term credits necessary for the settlement of securities transactions and arrangements with respect to securities lending will not be considered borrowings for these purposes. Practices and investments that may involve leverage but are not considered borrowings are not subject to the Investment Company Act’s asset coverage requirement and we will not otherwise segregate or earmark liquid assets or enter into offsetting positions for such transactions. The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on our Investment Adviser’s and our Board of Directors’ assessment of market conditions and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing.

Risk Factors

The value of our assets, as well as the market price of our securities, will fluctuate. Our investments may be risky, and you may lose all or part of your investment in us. See “Risk Factors” beginning [on page                     of this prospectus supplement and] on page                     of the accompanying prospectus, and the other information included in the accompanying prospectus, for additional discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our securities.

 



 

S-4


Corporate Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282 and our telephone number is (212) 902-0300. We maintain a website located at www.goldmansachsbdc.com. Information on our website is not incorporated into or a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

Recent Developments

[Insert description of recent developments at the time of the offering.]

 



 

S-5


SPECIFIC TERMS OF OUR WARRANTS AND THE OFFERING

 

Warrants Offered by Us   

warrants[, excluding             warrants issuable pursuant to the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters].

Warrants Outstanding After this Offering   

warrants[, excluding             warrants issuable pursuant to the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters].

Exercisability    Each warrant is exercisable for [number] [type of security].
Exercise Price    $
Exercise Period    The warrants will be exercisable beginning on             ,     and will expire on             ,     or earlier upon redemption. However, the warrants will only be exercisable if a registration statement relating to the [type of security] issuable upon exercise of the warrants is effective and current. We have agreed to use our best efforts to have an effective registration statement cover the [type of security] issuable upon exercise of the warrants from the date the warrants become exercisable and to maintain a current prospectus relating to such [type of security] until the warrants expire or are redeemed.
Redemption    At any time while the warrants are exercisable, we may redeem the outstanding warrants:
  

•    in whole and not in part;

  

•    at a price of $0.01 per warrant;

  

•    upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption; and

  

•    [description of redemption criteria].

Use of Proceeds   

We estimate that the net proceeds we will receive from the sale of warrants in this offering will be approximately $         million [(or approximately $         million if the underwriters fully exercise their over-allotment option), in each case] assuming a public offering price of $         per warrant, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions of $         million [(or approximately $         million if the underwriters fully exercise their over-allotment option)] payable by us and estimated offering expenses of approximately $         million payable by us.

 

See “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus supplement for more information.

 

S-6


[FEES AND EXPENSES]

[Include if warrants are to purchase common stock.]

The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the fees and expenses that an investor in our common stock will bear directly or indirectly, based on the assumptions set forth below. We caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. The expenses shown in the table under “annual expenses” are based on estimated amounts for our current fiscal year. 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 supplement contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by “us” or that “we” will pay fees or expenses, the holders of our common stock will indirectly bear such fees or expenses.

 

Stockholder transaction expenses (as a percentage of offering price):

  

Sales load

     % (1)

Offering expenses

     % (2)

Dividend reinvestment plan expenses

     None (3)

Total stockholder transaction expenses

     %   

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

  

Base management fee

     % (4)

Incentive fees payable under the Investment Management Agreement (20% of investment income and capital gains)

     % (5)

Interest payments on borrowed funds

     % (6)

Other expenses

     % (7)

Acquired fund fees and expenses

     % (8)
  

 

 

 

Total annual expenses

     %   
  

 

 

 

 

 

(1) The underwriting discount and commission with respect to warrants 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) Amount reflects estimated offering expenses of approximately $             and is based on the offering of warrants at the public offering price of $             per warrant.
(3) The expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan are included in “other expenses” in the table above. For additional information, see “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus.
(4) Our management fee (the “Management Fee”) is calculated at an annual rate of 1.50% (0.375% per quarter) of the average value of our gross assets (excluding cash or cash equivalents (such as investments in money market funds), but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) at the end of each of the two most recently completed calendar quarters). See “Management—Investment Management Agreement” in the accompanying prospectus. The Management Fee referenced in the table above is based on actual amounts incurred during the         months ended     ,     , annualized for a full year.
(5) The incentive fee (the “Incentive Fee”) payable to our Investment Adviser is based on our performance and is not paid unless we achieve certain goals. It consists of two components, one based on income and the other based on capital gains, that are determined independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not. The Incentive Fee referenced in the table above is based on actual amounts incurred during the         months ended     ,     , annualized for a full year.

The Incentive Fee based on income is determined and paid quarterly in arrears at the end of each calendar quarter by reference to our aggregate net investment income, as adjusted as described below, from the calendar quarter then ending and the eleven preceding calendar quarters (or if shorter, the number of quarters that have occurred since January 1, 2015) (in either case, the “Trailing Twelve Quarters”). The hurdle amount for the Incentive Fee based on income is determined on a quarterly basis, and is equal to 1.75% multiplied by our NAV at the beginning of each applicable calendar quarter comprising the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters. The hurdle amount is calculated after making appropriate adjustments for subscriptions (which includes all issuances by us of shares of our common stock, including issuances pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan) and distributions that occurred during the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters.

 

S-7


For the portion of the Incentive Fee based on income, we pay our Investment Adviser a quarterly Incentive Fee based on the amount by which (A) aggregate net investment income (“Ordinary Income”) in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters exceeds (B) the hurdle amount for such Trailing Twelve Quarters. The amount of the excess of (A) over (B) described in this paragraph for such Trailing Twelve Quarters is referred to as the “Excess Income Amount.” For the avoidance of doubt, Ordinary Income is net of all fees and expenses, including the Management Fee but excluding any Incentive Fee.

The Incentive Fee based on income for each quarter is determined as follows:

 

    No Incentive Fee based on income is payable to our Investment Adviser for any calendar quarter for which there is no Excess Income Amount.

 

    100% of the Ordinary Income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle amount, but is less than or equal to an amount, which we refer to as the “Catch-up Amount,” determined as the sum of 2.1875% multiplied by our NAV at the beginning of each applicable calendar quarter comprising the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters is included in the calculation of the Incentive Fee based on income; and

 

    20% of the Ordinary Income that exceeds the Catch-up Amount is included in the calculation of the Incentive Fee based on income.

The amount of the Incentive Fee based on income that will be paid to our Investment Adviser for a particular quarter will equal the excess of the Incentive Fee so calculated minus the aggregate Incentive Fees based on income that were paid in respect of the first eleven calendar quarters (or the portion thereof) included in the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters but not in excess of the Incentive Fee Cap (as described below).

The Incentive Fee based on income that is paid to our Investment Adviser for a particular quarter is subject to a cap (the “Incentive Fee Cap”). The Incentive Fee Cap for any quarter is an amount equal to (a) 20% of the Cumulative Net Return (as defined below) during the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters minus (b) the aggregate Incentive Fees based on income that were paid in respect of the first eleven calendar quarters (or the portion thereof) included in the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters.

“Cumulative Net Return” means (x) the Ordinary Income in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters minus (y) any Net Capital Loss, as defined below, if any, in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value, we will pay no Incentive Fee based on income to our Investment Adviser for such quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is a positive value but is less than the Incentive Fee based on income that is payable to our Investment Adviser for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap) calculated as described above, we will pay an Incentive Fee based on income to our Investment Adviser equal to the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is equal to or greater than the Incentive Fee based on income that is payable to our Investment Adviser for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap) calculated as described above, we will pay an Incentive Fee based on income to our Investment Adviser equal to the Incentive Fee calculated as described above for such quarter without regard to the Incentive Fee Cap.

“Net Capital Loss” in respect of a particular period means the difference, if positive, between (i) aggregate capital losses, whether realized or unrealized, in such period and (ii) aggregate capital gains, whether realized or unrealized, in such period.

The portion of the Incentive Fee based on capital gains is calculated on an annual basis. For each period beginning on January 1 of each calendar year and ending on December 31 of the calendar year or, in the case of our first and last year, the appropriate portion thereof (each, an “Annual Period”), we pay our Investment Adviser an Incentive Fee equal to (A) 20% of the difference, if positive, of the sum of our aggregate realized

 

S-8


capital gains, if any, computed net of our aggregate realized capital losses, if any, and our aggregate unrealized capital depreciation, if any, in each case from April 1, 2013 until the end of such Annual Period minus (B) the cumulative amount of Incentive Fees based on capital gains previously paid to our Investment Adviser from April 1, 2013. For the avoidance of doubt, unrealized capital gains are excluded from the calculation in clause (A), above.

We accrue, but not pay, a portion of the Incentive Fee based on capital gains with respect to net unrealized appreciation. For more detailed information about the Incentive Fee, see “Management—Investment Management Agreement” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

(6) Interest payments on borrowed funds represents our annualized interest expense based on borrowings as of             , 20     , with a weighted average interest rate of     %. For the months ended             , 20     , the Revolving Credit Facility bore a weighted average interest rate of     %, and the Convertible Notes bore interest at an annual rate of 4.50%. We may borrow additional funds from time to time to make investments to the extent we determine that the economic situation is conducive to doing so. We may also issue additional debt securities or preferred stock, subject to our compliance with applicable requirements under the Investment Company Act. [We do not currently anticipate issuing additional debt securities or preferred stock in the next 12 months.]

 

(7) “Other Expenses” includes overhead expenses, including payments under the administration agreement with our administrator (the “Administration Agreement”), and is estimated for the current fiscal year. See “Management—Administration Agreement” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

(8) Our stockholders indirectly bear the expenses of underlying funds or other investment vehicles in which we invest that (1) are investment companies or (2) would be investment companies under section 3(a) of the Investment Company Act but for the exceptions to that definition provided for in sections 3(c)(1) and 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act (“Acquired Funds”). This amount includes the estimated annual fees and expenses of the Senior Credit Fund and a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc., which are our only Acquired Funds as of             ,             .

Although not reflected above, the Investment Adviser expects to continue to waive a portion of its management fee payable by the Company in an amount equal to any management fees it earns as an investment adviser for any affiliated money market funds in which the Company invests.

Example

The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in our common stock. In calculating the following expense amounts, we have assumed that our annual operating expenses remain at the levels set forth in the table above, except for the Incentive Fee based on income, and that stockholders pay stockholder transaction expenses of     % with respect to warrants sold by us in this offering.

 

     1 year      3 years      5 years      10 years  

You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 common stock investment, assuming a 5% annual return (none of which is subject to the Incentive Fee based on capital gains) (1)

   $         $         $         $     

You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 common stock investment, assuming a 5% annual return resulting entirely from net realized capital gains (all of which is subject to the Incentive Fee based on capital gains) (2)

   $         $         $         $     

 

(1) Assumes that we will not realize any capital gains computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation.
(2) Assumes no unrealized capital depreciation and a 5% annual return resulting entirely from net realized capital gains and not otherwise deferrable under the terms of the Investment Management Agreement and therefore subject to the Incentive Fee based on capital gains. Because our investment strategy involves investments that generate primarily current income, we believe that a 5% annual return resulting entirely from net realized capital gains is unlikely.

 

S-9


The foregoing table is to assist you in understanding the various costs and expenses that an investor in our common stock will bear directly or indirectly. 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 our Investment Management Agreement, which, assuming a 5% annual return, would either not be payable or would have an insignificant impact on the expense amounts shown above, is not included in the example. In addition, while the example assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at NAV, under certain circumstances, reinvestment of dividends and other distributions under our dividend reinvestment plan may occur at a price per share that differs from NAV. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus for additional information regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.

This example and the expenses in the table above 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.

 

S-10


RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves certain risks relating to our structure and investment objective. You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before you decide whether to make an investment in our securities. The risks set forth below are not the only risks we face, and we may face other risks that we have not yet identified, which we do not currently deem material or which are not yet predictable. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such case, our NAV and the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

If you exercise your warrants, you may be unable to sell any [type of security] you purchase at a profit.

The public trading market price of our [type of security] may decline after you elect to exercise your warrants. If that occurs, you will have committed to buy [type of securities] at a price above the prevailing market price and you will have an immediate unrealized loss. Moreover, we cannot assure you that following the exercise of warrants you will be able to sell your [type of security] at a price equal to or greater than the exercise price.

The exercise price is not necessarily an indication of our value.

The exercise price of the warrants does not necessarily bear any relationship to any established criteria for valuation of business development companies. You should not consider the exercise price an indication of our value or any assurance of future value. After the date of this prospectus supplement, our [type of security] may trade at prices above or below the exercise price.

[Insert any additional relevant risk factors not included in base prospectus to the extent required to be disclosed by applicable law or regulation.]

 

S-11


USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds we will receive from the sale of warrants in this offering will be approximately $ million [(or approximately $ million if the underwriters fully exercise their over-allotment option), in each case] assuming a public offering price of $ per warrant, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions of $ million [(or approximately $ million if the underwriters fully exercise their over-allotment option)] payable by us and estimated offering expenses of approximately $ million payable by us.

[Describe use of proceeds and include any other relevant information to the extent required to be disclosed by applicable law or regulation.]

 

S-12


DESCRIPTION OF OUR WARRANTS

[No] warrants are currently outstanding. Once issued, each warrant will entitle the registered holder to purchase [one] [share of] [type of security] at a price of $            per [security], subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing             ,             .

The warrants will be exercisable beginning on                     ,             and will expire on                     ,             or earlier upon redemption. However, the warrants will be exercisable only if a registration statement relating to the [type of security] issuable upon exercise of the warrants is effective and current. We have agreed to use our best efforts to have an effective registration statement covering [type of security] issuable upon exercise of the warrants from the date the warrants become exercisable and to maintain a current prospectus relating to such [type of security] until the warrants expire or are redeemed.

At any time while the warrants are exercisable, we may redeem the outstanding warrants:

 

    in whole and not in part;

 

    at a price of $             per warrant;

 

    upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each warrant holder; and

 

    [description of redemption criteria]

We have established the above conditions to our exercise of redemption rights with the intent of:

 

    providing warrant holders with adequate notice of redemption, and allowing them to exercise their warrants prior to redemption at a time when there is a reasonable premium to the warrant exercise price; and

 

    providing a sufficient differential between the then prevailing [type of security] price and the warrant exercise price so there is a buffer to absorb any negative market reaction to our redemption of the warrants.

The right to exercise will be forfeited unless they are exercised prior to the date specified in the notice of redemption. On and after the redemption date, a record holder of a warrant will have no further rights except to receive the redemption price for such holder’s warrant upon surrender of such warrant.

The warrants will be issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between             , as warrant agent, and us. You should review a copy of the warrant agreement, which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, for a complete description of the terms and conditions applicable to the warrants.

The exercise price or number of [type of security] issuable upon exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances, including in the event of a stock dividend, or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the exercise price and number of [type of security] issuable upon exercise of the warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of [type of security] at a price below the warrant exercise price.

The warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price, by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of warrants being exercised. The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of [type of security] or any voting rights until they exercise their warrants and receive [type of security]. After the issuance of [type of security] upon exercise of the warrants, each holder will be entitled to [insert voting rights of security].

No warrants will be exercisable and we will not be obligated to issue [type of security] unless at the time a holder seeks to exercise such warrant, a registration statement relating to the [type of security] issuable upon exercise of the warrants is effective and current and the [type of security] has been registered or qualified or deemed

 

S-13


to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder of the warrants. We have agreed to use our best efforts to meet these conditions and to maintain a current prospectus relating to the [type of security] issuable upon exercise of the warrants until the expiration of the warrants. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so and, if we do not maintain a current prospectus relating to the [type of security] issuable upon exercise of the warrants, holders will be unable to exercise their warrants and we will not be required to settle any such warrant exercise. If the prospectus relating to the [type of security] issuable upon the exercise of the warrants is not current or if the [type of security] is not qualified or exempt from qualification in the jurisdictions in which the holders of the warrants reside, we will not be required to net cash settle or cash settle the warrant exercise, the warrants may have no value, the market for the warrants may be limited and the warrants may expire worthless.

No fractional [type of security] will be issued upon exercise of the warrants. If, upon exercise of the warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a [type of security], we will, upon exercise, round up or down to the nearest whole number the number of [type of security] to be issued to the warrant holder.

[We are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock, or warrants to purchase common stock, at a price below our net asset value per share unless we have stockholder approval.]

 

S-14


[PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DISTRIBUTIONS

[Include if warrants are to purchase common stock.]

Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “GSBD”. Our common stock has historically traded at prices both above and below our NAV per share. It is not possible to predict whether our common stock will trade at, above or below NAV in the future. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Securities” in the accompanying prospectus.

The following table sets forth, for each fiscal quarter since [our IPO], the NAV per share of our common stock, the range of high and low closing sales prices of our common stock reported on the NYSE, the closing sales price as a premium (discount) to NAV and distributions declared by us. On             ,             , the last reported closing sales price of our common stock on the NYSE was $[     ] per share, which represented a [premium/discount] of approximately [     ]% to the NAV per share reported by us as of             ,             .

 

     NAV      Closing Sales
Price
    Premium
or
Discount
of
High
Sales
Price to
    Premium
or
Discount
of
Low
Sales
Price to
NAV (2)
    Declared
Distribution
(3)
 
   (1)      High     Low     NAV (2)      

Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2017

             

First Fiscal Quarter

     *         [         [         *        *        [    

Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2016

             

Fourth Fiscal Quarter

     *       $ 23.65      $ 20.77        *        *      $ 0.45   

Third Fiscal Quarter

   $ 18.58       $ 22.26      $ 19.98        19.8     7.5   $ 0.45   

Second Fiscal Quarter

   $ 18.41       $ 20.02      $ 19.34        8.7     5.1   $ 0.45   

First Fiscal Quarter

   $ 18.67       $ 20.00      $ 17.41        7.1     (6.7 )%    $ 0.45   

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2015

             

Fourth Fiscal Quarter

   $ 18.97       $ 20.37      $ 18.40        7.4     (3.0 )%    $ 0.45   

Third Fiscal Quarter

   $ 19.38       $ 25.19      $ 17.91        30.0     (7.6 )%    $ 0.45   

Second Fiscal Quarter

   $ 19.46       $ 23.65      $ 20.33        21.5     4.5   $ 0.45   

First Fiscal Quarter (from March 18, 2015 through March 31, 2015)

   $ 19.43       $ 21.31      $ 20.05        9.7     3.2   $ 0.45   

 

(1) NAV per share is determined as of the last day in the relevant quarter and therefore may not reflect the NAV per share on the date of the high and low closing sales prices. The NAVs shown are based on outstanding shares at the end of the relevant quarter.
(2) Calculated as the respective high or low closing sales price less NAV divided by NAV as of the last day in the relevant quarter.
(3) Represents the dividend or distribution declared in the relevant quarter.

 

* NAV has not yet been calculated for this period.

We intend to continue to pay quarterly distributions to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. Future quarterly distributions, if any, will be determined by our Board of Directors. All future distributions will be subject to lawfully available funds therefor, and no assurance can be given that we will be able to declare such distributions in future periods.

 

S-15


We have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. To maintain our RIC status, we must, among other things, timely distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our investment company taxable income for each taxable year. We intend to timely distribute to our stockholders substantially all of our annual taxable income for each year, except that we may retain certain net capital gains (i.e., realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) for reinvestment and, depending upon the level of taxable income earned in a year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income for distribution in the following year and pay any applicable U.S. federal excise tax. We generally will be required to pay such U.S. federal excise tax if our distributions during a calendar year do not exceed the sum of (1) 98.0% of our net ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) 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 net ordinary income and capital gains in excess of capital losses for preceding years that were not distributed during such years. If we retain net capital gains, we may treat such amounts as deemed distributions to our stockholders. In that case, you will be treated as if you had received an actual distribution of the capital gains we retained and then you reinvested the net after-tax proceeds in our common stock. In general, you also will be eligible to claim a tax credit (or, in certain circumstances, obtain a tax refund) equal to your allocable share of the tax we paid on the capital gains deemed distributed to you. Stockholders should read carefully any written disclosure accompanying a distribution from us and should not assume that the source of any distribution is our net ordinary income or capital gains. The distributions we pay to our stockholders in a year may exceed our net ordinary income and capital gains for that year and, accordingly, a portion of such distributions may constitute a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The specific tax characteristics of our distributions will be reported to stockholders after the end of the calendar year. Please refer to “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus for further information regarding the tax treatment of our distributions and the tax consequences of our retention of net capital gains. See also “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Securities—We may not be able to pay you distributions on our common stock or preferred stock, our distributions to you may not grow over time and a portion of our distributions to you may be a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes” in the accompanying prospectus.

Unless our stockholders elect to receive their distributions in cash, we intend to make such distributions in additional shares of our common stock under our dividend reinvestment plan. Distributions paid in the form of additional shares of our common stock will generally be subject to U.S. federal, state and local taxes in the same manner as cash distributions; however, investors participating in our dividend reinvestment plan will not receive any corresponding cash with which to pay any such applicable taxes. If you hold shares of our common stock through a broker or financial intermediary, you may elect to receive distributions in cash by notifying your broker or financial intermediary of your election to receive distributions in cash in lieu of shares of our common stock. Any distributions reinvested through the issuance of shares through our dividend reinvestment plan will increase our assets on which the Management Fee and the Incentive Fee are determined and paid to the Investment Adviser. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus.

The following table lists the quarterly distributions that we have declared per share of our common stock since January 1, [2014].

 

Period

  

Payment Date

   Declared
Distributions
 

First Quarter 2014

   April 30, 2014    $ 0.33   

Second Quarter 2014

   July 31, 2014    $ 0.41   

Third Quarter 2014

   October 31, 2014    $ 0.42   

Fourth Quarter 2014

   January 30, 2015    $ 0.53   
     

 

 

 

Total Declared for 2014

      $ 1.69   
     

 

 

 

First Quarter 2015

   April 30, 2015    $ 0.45   

Second Quarter 2015

   July 15, 2015    $ 0.45   

Third Quarter 2015

   October 15, 2015    $ 0.45   

Fourth Quarter 2015

   January 28, 2016    $ 0.45   
     

 

 

 

Total Declared for 2015

      $ 1.80   
     

 

 

 

First Quarter 2016

   April 15, 2016    $ 0.45   

Second Quarter 2016

   July 15, 2016    $ 0.45   

Third Quarter 2016

   October 17, 2016    $ 0.45   

Fourth Quarter 2016

   January 17, 2017    $ 0.45   
     

 

 

 

Total Declared for 2016

      $ 1.80
     

 

 

 

 

S-16


SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA AND OTHER INFORMATION

The selected financial and other information below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and our financial statements and the related notes thereto. Financial information as of and for the years ended December 31, 20     , 20     and 20     [and as of and for the period from November 15, 2012 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2012] has been derived from the audited financial statements of Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. [(formerly, Goldman Sachs Liberty Harbor Capital, LLC)]. The audited financial statements included in the accompanying prospectus were audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. Interim financial information for the         months ended             ,             and         has been derived from the unaudited interim financial statements of Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc., which are included elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus. Our unaudited interim financial statements were prepared on a basis consistent with our audited financial statements and, in our opinion, include all adjustments necessary for the fair statement of the results for the periods presented. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of future results, and our results for the     months ended             ,             are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full             fiscal year.

The selected financial data in this section is not intended to replace the financial statements and is qualified in its entirety by the financial statements and related notes included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

     For the
Months
Ended        
,
     For the
Months
Ended        
,
     For the Year
Ended
December 31,

2015
    For the Year
Ended
December 31, 
2014
    For the Year
Ended
December 31,

2013
    For the period
from November 15, 
2012
(commencement of
operations)
through
December 31,
2012
 

Consolidated statements of operations data (in thousands):

              

Total investment income

   $         $         $ 118,436      $ 73,279      $ 22,835      $ 162   

Net expenses

           43,338        20,422        6,899        346   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) before taxes

           75,098        52,857        15,936        (184

Excise tax expense

           518        119        —          —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) after taxes

           74,580        52,738        15,936        (184

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

           (27,952     (15,816     3,118        1,046   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations before tax

   $         $         $ 46,628      $ 36,922      $ 19,054      $ 862   

Income tax expense

     —           —           —          —          (1,070     (351
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations after tax

   $         $         $ 46,628      $ 36,922      $ 17,984      $ 511   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per share data

              

Net Asset Value

   $         $         $ 18.97      $ 19.56      $ 20.00      $ 19.37   

Net investment income (loss) (basic and diluted)

   $         $         $ 2.14      $ 1.77      $ 0.67      $ (0.09

Earnings (basic and diluted)

   $         $         $ 1.34      $ 1.24      $ 0.76      $ 0.26   

Distributions declared

   $         $         $ 1.80      $ 1.69      $ 0.50      $ —     

 

S-17


     As of
        ,        
     As of
        ,        
     As of
December 31,
2015
     As of
December 31,
2014
     As of
December 31,
2013
 

Consolidated statements of asset and liabilities data (at period end) (in thousands):

              

Total assets

   $         $         $ 1,132,759       $ 967,492       $ 630,222   

Total investments, at fair value

           1,091,181         943,515         613,935   

Total liabilities

           444,109         392,910         22,437   

Total debt

           419,000         350,000         —     

Total net assets

   $         $         $ 688,650       $ 574,582       $ 607,785   

 

S-18


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “target,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue” or “believe” or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our plans, strategies, prospects and expectations concerning our business, operating results, financial condition and other similar matters. We believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations to our investors. Our forward-looking statements include information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus regarding general domestic and global economic conditions, our future financing plans, our ability to operate as a BDC and the expected performance of, and the yield on, our portfolio companies. There may be events in the future, however, that we are not able to predict accurately or control. The factors listed under “Risk Factors,” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as well as any cautionary language in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our forward-looking statements. The occurrence of the events described in these risk factors and elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus speaks only as of the date on which we make it. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. You are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we have filed or in the future may file with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, registration statements on Form N-2, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Under Section 27A(b)(2)(B) and (D) of the Securities Act and Section 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 any offering of securities pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or in the periodic reports we file under the Exchange Act.

The following factors are among those that may cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements:

 

    our future operating results;

 

    changes in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment or conditions affecting the financial and capital markets;

 

    uncertainty surrounding the financial stability of the U.S., the EU and China;

 

    our business prospects and the prospects of our 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;

 

    the use of borrowed money to finance a portion of our investments;

 

    our ability to make distributions;

 

    the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital;

 

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

 

    the impact of future acquisitions and divestitures;

 

    the effect of changes in tax laws and regulations and interpretations thereof;

 

    our ability to maintain our status as a BDC and a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code;

 

    actual and potential conflicts of interest with GSAM and its affiliates;

 

S-19


    general price and volume fluctuations in the stock market;

 

    the ability of GSAM to attract and retain highly talented professionals;

 

    the impact on our business from new or amended legislation or regulations; and

 

    the availability of credit and/or our ability to access the equity markets.

 

S-20


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and other parts of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. The discussion and analysis contained in this section refers to our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Please see “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 “Forward-Looking Statements” appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

[Insert Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations from most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Annual Report on Form 10-K, as applicable, prior to the offering.]

 

S-21


CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth:

 

    our actual capitalization as of                     ,     ; and

 

    our pro forma capitalization to give effect to the sale of warrants in this offering based on the public offering price of $             per warrant, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions of $             million payable by us and estimated offering expenses of approximately $             payable by us. You should read this table in conjunction with “Use of Proceeds” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

     As of                     , 20      
     Actual
(in thousands)
     Pro Forma
(in thousands)
 

Assets:

  

Cash

   $         $     

Investments, at fair value

     

Other assets

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

     

Debt

     

Other liabilities

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets:

     

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

     

Paid in capital in excess of par

     

Capital distributions in excess of net investment income

     

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

     

Total stockholders’ equity

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value per share

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

S-22


[ CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS]

[Insert disclosure regarding federal income tax consequences of an investment in the warrants to the extent required to be disclosed by applicable law or regulation.]

 

S-23


UNDERWRITING

We are offering the warrants described in this prospectus supplement through a number of underwriters.                     and                      are acting as representatives of each of the underwriters named below for this offering. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting 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 to purchase from us, the number of warrants set forth opposite its name below.

 

Underwriter

   Number of
Warrants
 

Total

  

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have severally agreed to purchase all of the warrants sold under the underwriting agreement if any of these warrants are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

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

[Overallotment Option

The underwriters have an option to buy up to             additional warrants from us to cover sales of shares by the underwriters which exceed the number of warrants specified in the table above. The underwriters have             days from the date of this prospectus supplement to exercise this overallotment option. If any warrants are purchased with this overallotment option, the underwriters will purchase warrants in approximately the same proportion as shown in the table above. If any additional warrants are purchased, the underwriters will offer the additional shares on the same terms as those on which the shares are being offered.]

Commissions and Discounts

The representatives have advised us that the underwriters propose initially to offer the underwritten warrants to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $ per warrant. The underwriters may allow, and the dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of $ per warrant 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, sales load and proceeds before expenses to us. The information assumes both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional warrants.

 

     Per Warrant      Without
Option
     With Option  

Public offering price

   $         $         $     

Sales load (underwriting discounts and commissions)

   $         $         $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

   $         $         $     

 

S-24


We estimate that the total expenses of this offering, including registration, filing and listing fees, printing fees and legal and accounting expenses, but excluding the underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $            , or approximately $             per warrant excluding the overallotment options and approximately $             per warrant including the overallotment option.

[No Sales of Similar Securities

We have agreed, with exceptions, not to sell or transfer any warrants or [type of security] for days after the date of this prospectus supplement without first obtaining the written consent of             .]

Listing

[Our [type of security] [is listed / has been approved for listing] on the NYSE under the symbol “     .”]

[Our warrants are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We intend to list our warrants on         . We expect trading in our warrants to begin within days after the original issue date. Currently there is no public market for our warrants.

We have been advised by the underwriters that they presently intend to make a market in our warrants after completion of the offering as permitted by applicable laws and regulations. The underwriters are not obligated, however, to make a market in our warrants and any such market making may be discontinued at any time in the sole discretion of the underwriters without any notice. Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of, or development of a public trading market for, our warrants. If any active public trading market for our warrants does not develop, the market price and liquidity of our warrants may be adversely affected.]

Price Stabilizations, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

In connection with this offering,             and             , on behalf of the underwriters, may purchase and sell our warrants in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve sales by the underwriters of a greater number of warrants than they are required to purchase in the offering. “Covered” short sales are sales of securities made in an amount up to the number of securities represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option. Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short involve either purchases of such securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the over-allotment option. In determining the source of securities to close out the covered syndicate short position, the underwriters may consider the price of securities available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase securities through the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also make “naked” short sales, or sales in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of securities in the open market while this offering is in progress for the purpose of fixing or maintaining the price of the securities.

The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from an underwriter or syndicate member when the underwriters repurchase securities originally sold by that underwriter or syndicate member in order to cover syndicate short positions or make stabilizing purchases.

Any of these activities may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of the securities or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities. As a result, the price of the securities may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on             or otherwise. Neither we nor any of the underwriters makes 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 securities. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation that the underwriters will engage in these transactions. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

 

S-25


[Sales Outside the United States

No action has been taken in any jurisdiction (except in the United States) that would permit a public offering of our warrants, or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus supplement or accompanying prospectus or any other material relating to us or the warrants in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, our warrants may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and none of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with our warrants may be distributed or published, in or from any country or jurisdiction except in compliance with any applicable rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.

Each of the underwriters may arrange to sell our warrants offered hereby in certain jurisdictions outside the United States, either directly or through affiliates, where it is permitted to do so.

[Insert applicable legends for jurisdictions in which offers and sales may be made.]]

Electronic Delivery

The underwriters may make prospectus supplements and accompanying prospectuses available in an electronic (PDF) format. A prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus in electronic (PDF) format may be made available on a website maintained by any of the underwriters, and the underwriters may distribute such documents electronically. The underwriters may [agree with us to] allocate a limited number of securities for sale to their online brokerage customers.

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.

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.

[Describe any other specific transactions and compensation related thereto to the extent required to be disclosed by applicable law or regulation.]

[Describe if underwriters receiving proceeds of offering, if required by FINRA.]

Principal Business Address

The addresses of the underwriters are:

 

S-26


LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters regarding the securities offered by this prospectus supplement will be passed upon for Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP. In addition, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has advised the Company in connection with certain matters under the Investment Company Act. Dechert LLP serves as counsel to the Company and to the Independent Directors. Certain legal matters in connection with the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for the underwriters by .

EXPERTS

The financial statements as of December 31,         and         and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,             have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 101 Seaport Boulevard, Suite 500, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

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

We file with or submit to the SEC periodic and current 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 registration statements and related exhibits and schedules, at the Public SEC’s Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090 or (800) SEC-0330. We maintain a website at www.goldmansachsbdc.com and 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. You may also obtain such information by contacting us, in writing at: 200 West Street New York, New York 10282, or by telephone (collect) at (212) 902-0300. 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.

 

S-27


INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

[Insert index to financial statements followed by financial statements and notes thereto from most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Annual Report on Form 10-K, as applicable, prior to the offering.]

 

SF-1

Exhibit (s)(4)

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

[FORM OF PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO BE USED IN

CONJUNCTION WITH FUTURE RETAIL NOTES OFFERINGS] 1

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

(to Prospectus dated                     , 20    )

                       , 20    

$                    

GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.

% [Subordinated] [Secured] Notes due

We are an externally managed specialty finance company that is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). We are focused on lending to “middle-market companies,” a term we generally use to refer to companies with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of between $5 million and $75 million annually. Our investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation through direct originations of secured debt, including first lien, first lien/last-out unitranche and second lien debt, unsecured debt, including mezzanine debt as well as through select equity investments.

We are managed by our investment adviser, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM” or “Investment Adviser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“Group Inc.”). Group Inc., together with Goldman, Sachs & Co., GSAM and its other subsidiaries and affiliates, is referred to herein as “Goldman Sachs.”

The Notes will mature on            ,            . We will pay interest on the Notes on            .            . and of each year, beginning on            ,            . We may redeem the Notes in whole or in part at any time or from time to time on or after    ,    at the redemption prices set forth under “Specific Terms of Our Notes” in this prospectus supplement. The Notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $            and integral multiples of $            in excess thereof.

The Notes will be our direct [subordinated] [secured/unsecured] obligations and rank pari passu with all outstanding and future [secured/unsecured] [subordinated/unsubordinated] indebtedness.

We intend to list the Notes on            ,            and we expect trading in the Notes to begin within    days of the original issue date. The notes are expected to trade “flat,” which means that purchasers will not pay, and sellers will not receive, any accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes that is not reflected in the trading price. Currently, there is no public market for the Notes.

 

1   In addition to the sections outlined in this form of prospectus supplement, each prospectus supplement used in connection with an offering conducted pursuant to the registration statement to which this form of prospectus supplement is attached or incorporated by reference will include such other information as may then be required to be disclosed therein pursuant to applicable law or regulation as in effect as of the date of each such prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, information particular to the terms of each security offered thereby and any related risk factors or tax considerations pertaining thereto. This form of prospectus supplement is intended only to provide an indication of the nature and type of disclosure that may appear in any actual prospectus supplement, and it is not intended to and does not contain all of the information that would appear in any such actual prospectus supplement, and should not be used or relied upon in connection with any offer or sale of securities.


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

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain important information you should know before investing in our Notes. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information about us with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You may obtain this information or make stockholder inquiries by written or oral request and free of charge by contacting us at 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, on our website at www.goldmansachsbdc.com, or by calling us collect at (212) 902-0300. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and you should not consider that information to be a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. 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, that are listed on an exchange frequently trade at a discount to their NAV per share. If our shares trade at a discount to our NAV, it may increase the risk of loss for purchasers in any offering.] Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk, including credit risk and the risk of the use of leverage, and is highly speculative. Before buying any securities, you should read the discussion of the material risks of investing in our Notes in “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-[ ] of this prospectus supplement and on page [ ] of the accompanying prospectus.

The securities in which we invest are generally not rated by any rating agency, and if they were rated, they would be below investment grade (rated lower than “Baa3” by Moody’s Investors Service and lower than “BBB-” by Fitch Ratings or Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”)). These securities, which may be referred to as “junk bonds,” “high yield bonds” or “leveraged loans,” have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

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

 

     Per Note      Total  

Public offering price

   $         $     

Sales load (underwriting discounts and commissions)

   $         $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. (1)

   $         $     

 

 

(1) We estimate that we will incur offering expenses of approximately $    in connection with this offering.

[The underwriters may exercise their over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional                Notes from us, at the public offering price, less the sales load, for                  days after the date of this prospectus supplement. If the underwriters exercise this over-allotment option in full, the total sales load will be $                , and total proceeds to us, before expenses, will be $                .]

The underwriters are offering the                Notes as set forth in “Underwriting.” Delivery of the Notes will be made on or about                 ,    .

The date of this prospectus supplement is                ,


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information or to make any representations not contained in this prospectus. 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 appearing in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as applicable.] Our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects may have changed since that date. We will update these documents to reflect material changes only as required by law.

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information and disclosure. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs from the information contained in the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement controls. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together with the additional information described under the heading, “Available Information” before investing in our Notes.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

     Page  

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

     S-1   

THE OFFERING

     S-6   

RISK FACTORS

     S-9   

USE OF PROCEEDS

     S-11   

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

     S-12   

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA AND OTHER INFORMATION

     S-13   

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     S-15   

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

     S-17   

CAPITALIZATION

     S-18   

UNDERWRITING

     S-19   

UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

     S-22   

LEGAL MATTERS

     S-23   

EXPERTS

     S-23   

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     S-23   

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     SF-1   

PROSPECTUS

 

     Page  

[Insert table of contents from base prospectus.]

  


PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights some of the information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the securities offered by this prospectus supplement. You should review the more detailed information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, especially the information set forth under the heading “Risk Factors.”

Unless indicated otherwise in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, or the context requires otherwise, the terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc., or for periods prior to our conversion from a limited liability company to a corporation (the “Conversion”), Goldman Sachs Liberty Harbor Capital, LLC.

Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

We are a specialty finance company focused on lending to middle-market companies. We are a closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act. In addition, we have elected to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“the Code”), commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. From our formation in 2012 through             ,             , we have originated more than $                billion in aggregate principal amount of debt and equity investments prior to any subsequent exits and repayments. We seek to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation primarily through direct originations of secured debt, including first lien, unitranche, including last out portions of such loans, and second lien debt, and unsecured debt, including mezzanine debt, as well as through select equity investments. Unitranche loans are first lien loans that may extend deeper in a company’s capital structure than traditional first lien debt and may provide for a waterfall of cash flow priority between different lenders in the unitranche loan. In a number of instances, we may find another lender to provide the “first out” portion of such loan and retain the “last out” portion of such loan, in which case, the “first out” portion of the loan would generally receive priority with respect to payment of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder over the “last out” portion that we would continue to hold. In exchange for the greater risk of loss, the “last out” portion earns a higher interest rate. We use the term “mezzanine” to refer to debt that ranks senior only to a borrower’s equity securities and ranks junior in right of payment to all of such borrower’s other indebtedness. We may make multiple investments in the same portfolio company.

We invest primarily in U.S. middle-market companies, which we believe are underserved by traditional providers of capital such as banks and the public debt markets. In describing our business, we generally use the term “middle market companies” to refer to companies with EBITDA of between $5 million and $75 million annually. However, we may from time to time invest in larger or smaller companies. We generate revenues primarily through receipt of interest income from the investments we hold. In addition, we generate income from various loan origination and other fees, dividends on direct equity investments and capital gains on the sales of investments. Fees received from portfolio companies (directors’ fees, consulting fees, administrative fees, tax advisory fees and other similar compensation) are paid to us, unless, to the extent required by applicable law or exemptive relief, if any, therefrom, we only receive our allocable portion of such fees when invested in the same portfolio company as another account managed by Goldman Sachs. The companies in which we invest use our capital for a variety of purposes, including to support organic growth, fund acquisitions, make capital investments or refinance indebtedness.

Investment Strategy

Our origination strategy focuses on leading the negotiation and structuring of the loans or securities in which we invest and holding the investments in our portfolio to maturity. In many cases, we are the sole investor in the loan or security in our portfolio. Where there are multiple investors, we generally seek to control or obtain significant influence over the rights of investors in the loan or security. Our investments typically have maturities

 



 

S-1


between three and ten years and generally range in size between $10 million and $75 million, although we may make larger or smaller investments on occasion. In addition, part of our strategy involves an investment in a joint venture, Senior Credit Fund, LLC (the “Senior Credit Fund”), with the Regents of the University of California (“Cal Regents”). The Senior Credit Fund’s principal purpose is to make investments, either directly or indirectly through its wholly owned subsidiary, Senior Credit Fund SPV I, LLC (“SPV I”), primarily in senior secured loans to middle-market companies.

Investment Portfolio

[Insert description of portfolio as of most recent quarter end.]

Corporate Structure

We were formed as a private fund in September 2012 and commenced operations in November 2012, using seed capital contributions we received from Group Inc. In March 2013, we elected to be treated as a BDC. We have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. On March 18, 2015, our common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “GSBD”. On March 23, 2015, we closed our initial public offering (“IPO”), issuing 6,000,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $20.00 per share. Net of offering and underwriting costs, we received cash proceeds of $114.57 million. On April 21, 2015, we issued an additional 900,000 shares of our common stock pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option in connection with the IPO. Net of underwriting costs, we received additional cash proceeds of $17.27 million. As a result of the Conversion, subsequent share repurchases and the IPO [and subsequent offerings], as of             ,             , Group Inc. owned approximately % of our common stock. See “Business—Formation Transactions and Initial Public Offering” in the accompanying prospectus.

Our Investment Adviser

GSAM serves as our investment adviser and has been registered as an investment adviser with the SEC since 1990. Subject to the supervision of our Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”), a majority of which is made up of independent directors (including an independent Chairman), GSAM manages our day-to-day operations and provides us with investment advisory and management services and certain administrative services. GSAM is a subsidiary of Group Inc., a public company that is a bank holding company, financial holding company and a world-wide, full-service financial services organization. Group Inc. is the general partner and owner of GSAM. GSAM has been providing financial solutions for investors since 1988 and had over $            trillion of assets under supervision as of             ,             .

The Private Credit Group of GSAM (the “GSAM Private Credit Group”) is responsible for identifying investment opportunities, conducting research and due diligence on prospective investments, negotiating and structuring our investments and monitoring and servicing our investments. The GSAM Private Credit Group was comprised of      investment professionals, as of             ,             , all of whom are dedicated to the Company’s investment strategy and other funds that share a similar investment strategy with the Company. These professionals are supported by an additional    investment professionals, as of             ,             , who are primarily focused on investment strategies in syndicated, liquid credit (together with the GSAM Private Credit Group, “GSAM Credit Alternatives”). These individuals may have additional responsibilities other than those relating to us, but generally allocate a portion of their time in support of our business and our investment objective as a whole. In addition, GSAM has risk management, legal, accounting, tax, information technology and compliance personnel, among others, who provide services to us. We benefit from the expertise provided by these personnel in our operations.

The GSAM Private Credit Group is dedicated primarily to private corporate credit investment opportunities in North America, and utilizes a bottom-up, fundamental research approach to lending. The senior members of the GSAM Private Credit Group have been working together since 2006 and have an average of over    years of experience in leveraged finance and private transactions.

 



 

S-2


All investment decisions are made by the Investment Committee of GSAM’s Private Credit Group (the “Investment Committee”), which currently consists of five voting members: Brendan McGovern, Salvatore Lentini, Jon Yoder, David Yu and Scott Turco, as well as three non-voting members with operational and/or legal expertise. For biographical information about the voting members of the Investment Committee, see “Management—Biographical Information” in the accompanying prospectus. The Investment Committee is responsible for approving all of our investments. The Investment Committee also monitors investments in our portfolio and approves all asset dispositions. We expect to benefit from the extensive and varied relevant experience of the investment professionals serving on the Investment Committee, which includes expertise in privately originated and publicly traded leveraged credit, stressed and distressed debt, bankruptcy, mergers and acquisitions and private equity. The voting members of the Investment Committee collectively have over 50 years of experience in middle-market investment and activities related to middle-market investing. The membership of the Investment Committee may change from time to time.

Allocation of Opportunities

Our investment objectives and investment strategies are similar to those of other client accounts managed by our Investment Adviser (including Goldman Sachs Private Middle Market Credit LLC (“GS PMMC”) a privately offered BDC, and Goldman Sachs Middle Market Lending LLC (“GS MMLC”), a closed-end investment company that intends to elect to be treated as a BDC, collectively, the “Accounts”), and an investment appropriate for us may also be appropriate for those Accounts. This creates potential conflicts in allocating investment opportunities among us and such other Accounts, particularly in circumstances where the availability of such investment opportunities is limited, where the liquidity of such investment opportunities is limited or where co-investments by us and other Accounts are not permitted under applicable law. For a further explanation of the allocation of opportunities and other conflicts and the risks related thereto, see “Business – Allocation of Opportunities” and “Potential Conflicts of Interest” in the accompanying prospectus.

Market Opportunity

According to the National Center for the Middle Market and the CIA World Fact Book, the U.S. middle market is comprised of approximately             companies that collectively generate revenues of approximately $ trillion annually. 2 Comparing revenues to gross domestic product, this makes the U.S. middle market equivalent to the world’s third largest global economy on a stand-alone basis. The GSAM Private Credit Group believes that existing market conditions and regulatory changes have combined to create an attractive investment environment for non-bank lenders such as us to provide loans to U.S. middle market companies. For a further discussion of the market opportunities associated with the Company’s focus on middle market companies, see “Business – Market Opportunities” in the accompanying prospectus.

Competitive Advantages

The Goldman Sachs Platform: Goldman Sachs is a leading global financial institution that provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base, including companies and high net worth individuals, among others. The firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices across the United States and in all major financial centers around the world. Group Inc.’s asset management subsidiary, GSAM, is one of the world’s leading investment managers with over              investment professionals and over $            trillion of assets under supervision, in each case as of             ,             . GSAM’s investment teams, including the GSAM Private Credit Group, capitalize on the relationships, market insights, risk management expertise, technology and infrastructure of Goldman Sachs. We believe the Goldman Sachs platform delivers a meaningful competitive advantage to us. For a detailed discussion of the Company’s competitive advantages, see “Business – Competitive Advantages” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

2   Estimate for              by the National Center for the Middle Market, which defined middle market as companies with annual revenue of $10 million-$1 billion. See [insert appropriate citation].

 



 

S-3


Operating and Regulatory Structure

We have elected to be treated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act. As a BDC, 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 investment. Under the rules of the Investment Company Act, “eligible portfolio companies” include (i) private U.S. operating companies, (ii) public U.S. operating companies whose securities are not listed on a national securities exchange (e.g., the NYSE) or registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and (iii) 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 OTC Markets Group Inc. are not listed on a national securities exchange and therefore are eligible portfolio companies. [In addition, we currently are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act.] See “Regulation” in the accompanying prospectus.

We have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. As a RIC, we generally will not be required 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 if we meet certain source of income, distribution and asset diversification requirements. We intend to timely distribute to our stockholders substantially all of our annual taxable income for each year, except that we may retain certain net capital gains for reinvestment and, depending upon the level of taxable income earned in a year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income for distribution in the following year and pay any applicable U.S. federal excise tax. In addition, the distributions we pay to our stockholders in a year may exceed our net ordinary income and capital gains for that year and, accordingly, a portion of such distributions may constitute a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “Price Range of Common Stock and Distributions” in the accompanying prospectus.

Use of Leverage

Our senior secured revolving credit agreement (as amended, the “Revolving Credit Facility”) with                , as administrative agent, and                 , as syndication agent, allows us to borrow money and lever our investment portfolio, subject to the limitations of the Investment Company Act, with the objective of increasing our yield. This is known as “leverage” and could increase or decrease returns to our stockholders. The use of leverage involves significant risks. As a BDC, with certain limited exceptions, we are only permitted to borrow amounts such that our asset coverage ratio, as defined in the Investment Company Act, equals at least 2 to 1 after such borrowing. Certain trading practices and investments, such as reverse repurchase agreements, may be considered borrowings or involve leverage and thus may be subject to Investment Company Act restrictions. In accordance with applicable SEC staff guidance and interpretations, when we engage in such transactions, instead of maintaining an asset coverage ratio of at least 2 to 1, we will segregate or earmark liquid assets, or enter into an offsetting position, in an amount at least equal to our exposure, on a mark-to-market basis, to such transactions (as calculated pursuant to requirements of the SEC). Short-term credits necessary for the settlement of securities transactions and arrangements with respect to securities lending will not be considered borrowings for these purposes. Practices and investments that may involve leverage but are not considered borrowings are not subject to the Investment Company Act’s asset coverage requirement and we will not otherwise segregate or earmark liquid assets or enter into offsetting positions for such transactions. The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on our Investment Adviser’s and our Board of Directors’ assessment of market conditions and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing.

Risk Factors

The value of our assets, as well as the market price of our securities, will fluctuate. Our investments may be risky, and you may lose all or part of your investment in us. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page                of this prospectus supplement and on page                of the accompanying prospectus, and the other information included in the accompanying prospectus, for additional discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our securities.

 



 

S-4


Corporate Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282 and our telephone number is (212) 902-0300. We maintain a website located at www.goldmansachsbdc.com. Information on our website is not incorporated into or a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

Recent Developments

[Insert description of recent developments at the time of the offering.]

 



 

S-5


THE OFFERING

This prospectus supplement sets forth certain terms of the Notes that we are offering pursuant to this prospectus supplement and supplements the accompanying prospectus that is attached to the back of this prospectus supplement. This section outlines the specific legal and financial terms of the Notes. You should read this section together with the more general description of the Notes in the accompanying prospectus under the heading “Description of Our Debt Securities” before investing in the Notes. Capitalized terms used in this prospectus supplement and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the accompanying prospectus or in the indenture governing the Notes.

 

Issuer

   Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

Title of the securities

   % [Subordinated] [Secured] Notes due

Initial aggregate principal amount

   $

[Over-allotment option

   The underwriters may purchase from us up to an additional $             aggregate principal amount of Notes to cover over-allotments, if any, within days of the date of this prospectus supplement.]

Initial public offering price

   % of the aggregate principal amount

Principal payable at maturity

   % of the aggregate principal amount; the principal amount of each Note will be payable on its stated maturity date at the office of the Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent for the Notes or at such other office as we may designate.

Type of Note

   [Fixed/Floating] rate note

Interest rate

   % per year

Day count basis

   360-day year of twelve 30-day months

Original issue date

  

Stated maturity date

  

Date interest starts accruing

  

Interest payment dates

   Each , , and , commencing , . If an interest payment date falls on a non-business day, the applicable interest payment will be made on the next business day and no additional interest will accrue as a result of such delayed payment.

Interest periods

   The initial interest period will be the period from and including , to, but excluding, the initial interest payment date, and the subsequent interest periods will be the periods from and including an interest payment date to, but excluding, the next interest payment date or the stated maturity date, as the case may be.

Record dates for interest

   Each     ,     ,     and     ,     commencing     ,

[Additional Amount Payable

   List any additional amounts payable in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge.]

 

S-6


[Conversion/Exchange

   List any provisions for convertibility or exchangeability of the debt securities into or for any other securities.]

Specified currency

   U.S. Dollars

Place of payment

   New York City

Ranking of Notes

  

The Notes will be our direct [un]secured obligations and will rank:

 

•      pari passu with our other outstanding and future senior [un]secured indebtedness, including [ ];

 

•      senior to any of our future indebtedness that expressly provides it is subordinated to the Notes;

 

•      [effectively subordinated to all of our existing and future secured indebtedness (including indebtedness that is initially unsecured to which we subsequently grant security), to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, including [ ]]; and

 

•      structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of any of our subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities[, including ].

[Collateral

   Our obligations with respect to the Notes and the performance of all of our other obligations under the indenture governing the Notes will be secured equally and ratably with our obligations under any other pari passu debt by a [first/second] priority security interest over [describe assets over which security is being granted].]

Denominations

   We will issue the Notes in denominations of $             and integral multiples of $             in excess thereof.

Business day

   Each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

[Optional redemption

  

The Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at our option on or after , , upon not less than days nor more than days written notice by mail prior to the date fixed for redemption thereof, at a redemption price of $ per Note plus accrued and unpaid interest payments otherwise payable for the then-current quarterly interest period accrued to but not including the date fixed for redemption.

 

You may be prevented from exchanging or transferring the Notes when they are subject to redemption. In case any Notes are to be redeemed in part only, the redemption notice will provide that, upon surrender of such Note, you will receive, without a charge, a new Note or Notes of authorized denominations representing the principal amount of your remaining unredeemed Notes.

 

Any exercise of our option to redeem the Notes will be done in compliance with the 1940 Act, to the extent applicable.

 

S-7


   If we redeem only some of the Notes, the Trustee will determine the method for selection of the particular Notes to be redeemed, in accordance with the 1940 Act, to the extent applicable. Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the date of redemption, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes called for redemption.]

Sinking fund

   The Notes will not be subject to any sinking fund.

Repayment at option of Holders

   Holders will not have the option to have the Notes repaid prior to the stated maturity date.

Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrant and Transfer Agent

   Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

Listing

   We intend to apply to list the Notes on                . If the application is approved, we expect trading in the Notes to begin within    days of the original issue date.

 

S-8


RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves certain risks relating to our structure and investment objective. You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before you decide whether to make an investment in our securities. The risks set forth below are not the only risks we face, and we may face other risks that we have not yet identified, which we do not currently deem material or which are not yet predictable. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such case, our NAV and the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

[The Notes will be unsecured and therefore will be effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness that we currently have or that we may incur in the future.

The Notes will not be secured by any of our assets or any of the assets of our subsidiaries. As a result, the Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness we or our subsidiaries have currently incurred and may incur in the future (or any indebtedness that is initially unsecured to which we subsequently grant security) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. In any liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy or other similar proceeding, the holders of any of our existing or future secured indebtedness and the secured indebtedness of our subsidiaries may assert rights against the assets pledged to secure that indebtedness in order to receive full payment of their indebtedness before the assets may be used to pay other creditors, including the holders of the Notes. As of [ ], we had $[ ] million in outstanding indebtedness that is senior to the Notes. Certain amounts of this indebtedness are secured by certain of our assets and the indebtedness thereunder is therefore effectively senior to the Notes to the extent of the value of such assets.]

The Notes will be structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries.

The Notes are obligations exclusively of Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. and not of any of our subsidiaries, and our future subsidiaries are not required to guarantee the Notes. The assets of any such subsidiary, including any financing vehicle we may create in the future to hold indebtedness, will not be directly available to satisfy the claims of our creditors, including holders of the Notes.

Except to the extent we are a creditor with recognized claims against our subsidiaries, all claims of creditors (including trade creditors) and holders of preferred stock, if any, of our subsidiaries will have priority over our equity interests in such subsidiaries (and therefore the claims of our creditors, including holders of the Notes) with respect to the assets of such subsidiaries. Even if we were recognized as a creditor of one or more of our subsidiaries, our claims would still be effectively subordinated to any security interests in the assets of any such subsidiary and to any indebtedness or other liabilities of any such subsidiary senior to our claims. Consequently, the Notes will be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of any subsidiaries that we may in the future acquire or establish as financing vehicles or otherwise. Our future subsidiaries may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, all of which would be structurally senior to the Notes.

The indenture governing the Notes that will be issued will contain limited protection for holders of the Notes.

The indenture governing the Notes that will be issued offers limited protection to holders of the Notes. The terms of the indenture and the Notes do not restrict our or any of our subsidiaries’ ability to engage in, or otherwise be a party to, a variety of corporate transactions, circumstances or events that could have an adverse impact on your investment in the Notes. In particular, the terms of the indenture and the Notes will not place any restrictions on our or our subsidiaries’ ability to:

 

   

[issue securities or otherwise incur additional indebtedness or other obligations, including (1) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be equal in right of payment to the Notes, (2) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be secured and [therefore] rank [effectively] senior in right of payment to the Notes to the extent of the values of the assets securing such debt, (3)

 

S-9


 

indebtedness of ours that is guaranteed by one or more of our subsidiaries and [which therefore] is structurally senior to the Notes and (4) securities, indebtedness or obligations issued or incurred by our subsidiaries that would be senior to our equity interests in our subsidiaries and therefore rank structurally senior to the Notes with respect to the assets of our subsidiaries, in each case other than an incurrence of indebtedness or other obligation that would cause a violation of Section 18(a)(1)(A) as modified by Section 61 (a)(1) of the 1940 Act or any successor provisions;

 

    pay dividends on, or purchase or redeem or make any payments in respect of, capital stock or other securities ranking junior in right of payment to the Notes (unless there is an event of default on senior indebtedness);

 

    sell assets (other than certain limited restrictions on our ability to consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets);

 

    enter into transactions with affiliates;

 

    create liens (including liens on the shares of our subsidiaries) or enter into sale and leaseback transactions;

 

    make investments; or create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to us from our subsidiaries.]

In addition, the terms of the indenture and the Notes do not protect holders of the Notes in the event that we experience changes (including significant adverse changes) in our financial condition, results of operations or credit ratings, as they do not require that we or our subsidiaries adhere to any financial tests or ratios or specified levels of net worth, revenues, income, cash flow or liquidity except as required by the 1940 Act.

Our ability to recapitalize, incur additional debt and take a number of other actions that are not limited by the terms of the Notes may have important consequences for you as a holder of the Notes, including making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the Notes or negatively affecting the trading value of the Notes.

Certain of our current debt instruments include more protections for their holders than the indenture and the Notes. In addition, other debt we issue or incur in the future could contain more protections for its holders than the indenture and the Notes, including additional covenants and events of default. The issuance or incurrence of any such debt with incremental protections could affect the market for and trading levels and prices of the Notes.

We cannot assure you that an active trading market will develop for the Notes.

The Notes are a new issue of securities and there is no existing trading market for the Notes. [Although we expect the Notes to be listed on , we cannot provide any assurances that an active trading market will develop for the Notes or that you will be able to sell your Notes. If the Notes are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, our credit ratings, general economic conditions, our financial condition, performance and prospects and other factors.] [We do not intend to apply to list the notes on any securities exchange or to arrange for quotation on any automated dealer quotation system.] We have been informed by the underwriters that they intend to make a market in the Notes, but they are not obligated to do so. The underwriters may discontinue any market-making in the Notes at any time at their sole discretion. In addition, any market-making activity will be subject to limits imposed by law. In addition, the liquidity of the trading market in the Notes, and the market price quoted for the Notes, may be adversely affected by changes in the overall market for this type of security and by changes in our financial performance or prospects or in the prospects for companies in our industry generally.

As a result, we cannot assure you that an active trading market will develop for the Notes. If an active trading market does not develop or is not maintained, the market price and liquidity of the Notes may be adversely affected. In that case you may not be able to sell your Notes at a particular time or you may not be able to sell your Notes at a favorable price.

[Insert any additional relevant risk factors not included in base prospectus.]

 

S-10


USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds we will receive from the sale of $            million aggregate principal amount of Notes in this offering will be approximately $            million [(or approximately $ million if the underwriters fully exercise their over-allotment option), in each case] assuming a public offering price of    % of par, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions of $            million [(or approximately $            million if the underwriters fully exercise their over-allotment option)] payable by us and estimated offering expenses of approximately $ million payable by us.

[Describe use of proceeds and include any other relevant information to the extent required to be disclosed by applicable law or regulation.]

 

S-11


RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

[Insert information required by Item 503(d) of Regulation S-K at time of offering.]

 

S-12


SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA AND OTHER INFORMATION

The selected financial and other information below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and our financial statements and the related notes thereto. Financial information as of and for the years ended December 31, 20 , 20    and 20    [and as of and for the period from November 15, 2012 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2012] has been derived from the audited financial statements of Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. [(formerly, Goldman Sachs Liberty Harbor Capital, LLC)]. The audited financial statements included in the accompanying prospectus were audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. Interim financial information for the    months ended             ,             and             has been derived from the unaudited interim financial statements of Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc., which are included elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus. Our unaudited interim financial statements were prepared on a basis consistent with our audited financial statements and, in our opinion, include all adjustments necessary for the fair statement of the results for the periods presented. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of future results, and our results for the    months ended             ,             are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full             fiscal year.

The selected financial data in this section is not intended to replace the financial statements and is qualified in its entirety by the financial statements and related notes included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

    For the Months
Ended        ,        
    For the Months
Ended        ,        
    For the Year
Ended
December 31,

2015
    For the Year
Ended
December 31,
2014
    For the Year
Ended
December 31,

2013
    For the period
from November 15,
2012
(commencement
of operations)
through
December 31,
2012
 

Consolidated statements of operations data (in thousands):

           

Total investment income

  $        $        $ 118,436      $ 73,279      $ 22,835      $ 162   

Net expenses

        43,338        20,422        6,899        346   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) before taxes

        75,098        52,857        15,936        (184

Excise tax expense

        518        119        —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) after taxes

        74,580        52,738        15,936        (184

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

        (27,952     (15,816     3,118        1,046   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations before tax

  $        $        $ 46,628      $ 36,922      $ 19,054      $ 862   

Income tax expense

    —          —          —          —          (1,070     (351
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations after tax

  $        $        $ 46,628      $ 36,922      $ 17,984      $ 511   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per share data

           

Net Asset Value

  $        $
 
  
  $ 18.97      $ 19.56      $ 20.00      $ 19.37   

Net investment income (loss)
(basic and diluted)

  $        $        $ 2.14      $ 1.77      $ 0.67      $ (0.09

Earnings (basic and diluted)

  $        $        $ 1.34      $ 1.24      $ 0.76      $ 0.26   

Distributions declared

  $        $        $ 1.80      $ 1.69      $ 0.50      $ —     

 

S-13


     As of
        ,        
     As of
        ,        
     As of
December 31,
2015
     As of
December 31,
2014
     As of
December 31,
2013
 

Consolidated statements of asset and liabilities data (at period end) (in thousands):

              

Total assets

   $         $         $ 1,132,759       $ 967,492       $ 630,222   

Total investments, at fair value

           1,091,181         943,515         613,935   

Total liabilities

           444,109         392,910         22,437   

Total debt

           419,000         350,000         —     

Total net assets

   $         $         $ 688,650       $ 574,582       $ 607,785   

 

S-14


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “target,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue” or “believe” or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our plans, strategies, prospects and expectations concerning our business, operating results, financial condition and other similar matters. We believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations to our investors. Our forward-looking statements include information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus regarding general domestic and global economic conditions, our future financing plans, our ability to operate as a BDC and the expected performance of, and the yield on, our portfolio companies. There may be events in the future, however, that we are not able to predict accurately or control. The factors listed under “Risk Factors,” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as well as any cautionary language in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our forward-looking statements. The occurrence of the events described in these risk factors and elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus speaks only as of the date on which we make it. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. You are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we have filed or in the future may file with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, registration statements on Form N-2, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Under Section 27A(b)(2)(B) and (D) of the Securities Act and Section 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 any offering of securities pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or in the periodic reports we file under the Exchange Act.

The following factors are among those that may cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements:

 

    our future operating results;

 

    changes in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment or conditions affecting the financial and capital markets;

 

    uncertainty surrounding the financial stability of the U.S., the EU and China;

 

    our business prospects and the prospects of our 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;

 

    the use of borrowed money to finance a portion of our investments;

 

    our ability to make distributions;

 

    the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital;

 

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

 

    the impact of future acquisitions and divestitures;

 

    the effect of changes in tax laws and regulations and interpretations thereof;

 

    our ability to maintain our status as a BDC and a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code;

 

    actual and potential conflicts of interest with GSAM and its affiliates;

 

S-15


    general price and volume fluctuations in the stock market;

 

    the ability of GSAM to attract and retain highly talented professionals;

 

    the impact on our business from new or amended legislation or regulations; and

 

    the availability of credit and/or our ability to access the equity markets.

 

S-16


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and other parts of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. The discussion and analysis contained in this section refers to our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Please see “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 “Forward-Looking Statements” appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

[Insert Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations from most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Annual Report on Form 10-K, as applicable, prior to the offering.]

 

S-17


CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth:

 

    our actual capitalization as of                 ,     ; and

 

    our pro forma capitalization to give effect to the sale of Notes in this offering based on the public offering price of $            per Note, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions of $            million payable by us and estimated offering expenses of approximately $            payable by us. You should read this table in conjunction with “Use of Proceeds” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

     As of                    , 20       
     Actual      Pro Forma  
     (in thousands)      (in thousands)  

Assets:

  

Cash

   $         $     

Investments, at fair value

     

Other assets

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

     

Debt

     

Other liabilities

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets:

     

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

     

Paid in capital in excess of par

     

Capital distributions in excess of net investment income

     

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

     

Total stockholders’ equity

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value per share

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

S-18


UNDERWRITING

We are offering the Notes described in this prospectus supplement through a number of underwriters.                 and                are acting as representatives of each of the underwriters named below for this offering. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting 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 to purchase from us, the amount of Notes set forth opposite its name below.

 

Underwriter

   Amount of
Notes
 

Total

  

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have severally agreed to purchase all of the Notes offered by us if they purchase any Notes. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

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

[Overallotment Option

The underwriters have an option to buy up to an additional $             aggregate principal amount of the Notes from us to cover sales of Notes by the underwriters which exceed the amount of Notes specified in the table above. The underwriters have                days from the date of this prospectus supplement to exercise this overallotment option. If any Notes are purchased with this overallotment option, the underwriters will purchase Notes in approximately the same proportion as shown in the table above. If any additional Notes are purchased, the underwriters will offer the additional Notes on the same terms as those on which the shares are being offered.]

Commissions and Discounts

The representatives have advised us that the underwriters propose initially to offer the underwritten Notes to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $             per Note. The underwriters may allow, and the dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of $             per Note 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, sales load and proceeds before expenses to us. The information assumes both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional Notes.

 

     Per Note      Without
Option
     With Option  

Public offering price

   $         $         $     

Sales load (underwriting discounts and commissions)

   $         $         $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

   $         $         $     

 

S-19


We estimate that the total expenses of this offering, including registration, filing and listing fees, printing fees and legal and accounting expenses, but excluding the underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $                , or approximately $                per Note excluding the overallotment options and approximately $                per Note including the overallotment option.

[No Sales of Similar Securities

We have agreed, with exceptions, not to sell or transfer any Notes or [type of security] for days after the date of this prospectus supplement without first obtaining the written consent of             .]

Price Stabilizations, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

In connection with this offering,                and                , on behalf of the underwriters, may purchase and sell Notes in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve sales by the underwriters of a securities in excess of the number of securities required to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering. “Covered” short sales are sales of securities made in an amount up to the number of securities represented by the underwriters’ overallotment option. Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short involve either purchases of such securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the overallotment option. In determining the source of securities to close out the covered syndicate short position, the underwriters may consider the price of securities available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase securities through the overallotment option. The underwriters may also make “naked” short sales, or sales in excess of the overallotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of securities in the open market while this offering is in progress for the purpose of fixing or maintaining the price of the securities.

The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from an underwriter or syndicate member when the underwriters repurchase securities originally sold by that underwriter or syndicate member in order to cover syndicate short positions or make stabilizing purchases.

Any of these activities may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of the securities or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities. As a result, the price of the securities may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on                or otherwise. Neither we nor any of the underwriters makes 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 securities. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation that the underwriters will engage in these transactions. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

[Sales Outside the United States

No action has been taken in any jurisdiction (except in the United States) that would permit a public offering of our Notes, or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus supplement or accompanying prospectus or any other material relating to us or the Notes in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, our Notes may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and none of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with our Notes may be distributed or published, in or from any country or jurisdiction except in compliance with any applicable rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.

 

S-20


Each of the underwriters may arrange to sell our Notes offered hereby in certain jurisdictions outside the United States, either directly or through affiliates, where it is permitted to do so.

[Insert applicable legends for jurisdictions in which offers and sales may be made.]]

Electronic Delivery

The underwriters may make prospectus supplements and accompanying prospectuses available in an electronic (PDF) format. A prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus in electronic (PDF) format may be made available on a website maintained by any of the underwriters, and the underwriters may distribute such documents electronically. The underwriters may [agree with us to] allocate a limited number of securities for sale to their online brokerage customers.

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.

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.

[Describe any other specific transactions and compensation related thereto to the extent required to be disclosed by applicable law or regulation.]

[Describe if underwriters receiving proceeds of offering, if required by FINRA.]

Principal Business Address

The addresses of the underwriters are:

 

S-21


UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSENQUECES

[Insert disclosure regarding federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Notes to the extent required to be disclosed by applicable law or regulation.]

 

S-22


LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters regarding the securities offered by this prospectus supplement will be passed upon for Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP. In addition, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has advised the Company in connection with certain matters under the Investment Company Act. Dechert LLP serves as counsel to the Company and to the Independent Directors. Certain legal matters in connection with the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for the underwriters by     .

EXPERTS

The financial statements as of December 31,                and                and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,                have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 101 Seaport Boulevard, Suite 500, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

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

We file with or submit to the SEC periodic and current 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 registration statements and related exhibits and schedules, at the Public SEC’s Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090 or (800) SEC-0330. We maintain a website at www.goldmansachsbdc.com and 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. You may also obtain such information by contacting us, in writing at: 200 West Street New York, New York 10282, or by telephone (collect) at (212) 902-0300. 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.

 

S-23


INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

[Insert index to financial statements followed by financial statements and notes thereto from most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Annual Report on Form 10-K, as applicable, prior to the offering.]

 

SF-1

Exhibit (s)(5)

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

[FORM OF PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO BE USED IN

CONJUNCTION WITH FUTURE INSTITUTIONAL NOTES OFFERINGS] 1

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

(to Prospectus dated                     , 20    )

                       , 20    

$                    

GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.

% [Subordinated] [Secured] Notes due

We are an externally managed specialty finance company that is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). We are focused on lending to “middle-market companies,” a term we generally use to refer to companies with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of between $5 million and $75 million annually. Our investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation through direct originations of secured debt, including first lien, first lien/last-out unitranche and second lien debt, unsecured debt, including mezzanine debt as well as through select equity investments.

We are managed by our investment adviser, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM” or “Investment Adviser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“Group Inc.”). Group Inc., together with Goldman, Sachs & Co., GSAM and its other subsidiaries and affiliates, is referred to herein as “Goldman Sachs.”

The Notes will mature on            ,            . We will pay interest on the Notes on            .            . and of each year, beginning on            ,            . We may redeem the Notes in whole or in part at any time or from time to time on or after    ,    at the redemption prices set forth under “Specific Terms of Our Notes” in this prospectus supplement. The Notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $            and integral multiples of $            in excess thereof.

The Notes will be our direct [subordinated] [secured/unsecured] obligations and rank pari passu with all outstanding and future [secured/unsecured] [subordinated/unsubordinated] indebtedness.

 

1   In addition to the sections outlined in this form of prospectus supplement, each prospectus supplement used in connection with an offering conducted pursuant to the registration statement to which this form of prospectus supplement is attached or incorporated by reference will include such other information as may then be required to be disclosed therein pursuant to applicable law or regulation as in effect as of the date of each such prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, information particular to the terms of each security offered thereby and any related risk factors or tax considerations pertaining thereto. This form of prospectus supplement is intended only to provide an indication of the nature and type of disclosure that may appear in any actual prospectus supplement, and it is not intended to and does not contain all of the information that would appear in any such actual prospectus supplement, and should not be used or relied upon in connection with any offer or sale of securities.


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

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain important information you should know before investing in our Notes. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information about us with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You may obtain this information or make stockholder inquiries by written or oral request and free of charge by contacting us at 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, on our website at www.goldmansachsbdc.com, or by calling us collect at (212) 902-0300. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and you should not consider that information to be a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. 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, that are listed on an exchange frequently trade at a discount to their NAV per share. If our shares trade at a discount to our NAV, it may increase the risk of loss for purchasers in any offering.] Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk, including credit risk and the risk of the use of leverage, and is highly speculative. Before buying any securities, you should read the discussion of the material risks of investing in our Notes in “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-[ ] of this prospectus supplement and on page [ ] of the accompanying prospectus.

The securities in which we invest are generally not rated by any rating agency, and if they were rated, they would be below investment grade (rated lower than “Baa3” by Moody’s Investors Service and lower than “BBB-” by Fitch Ratings or Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”)). These securities, which may be referred to as “junk bonds,” “high yield bonds” or “leveraged loans,” have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

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

 

     Per Note      Total  

Public offering price

   $         $     

Sales load (underwriting discounts and commissions)

   $         $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. (1)

   $         $     

 

 

(1) We estimate that we will incur offering expenses of approximately $    in connection with this offering.

The underwriters are offering the                Notes as set forth in “Underwriting.” Delivery of the Notes will be made on or about                 ,    .

The date of this prospectus supplement is                ,


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information or to make any representations not contained in this prospectus. 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 appearing in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as applicable.] Our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects may have changed since that date. We will update these documents to reflect material changes only as required by law.

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information and disclosure. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs from the information contained in the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement controls. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together with the additional information described under the heading, “Available Information” before investing in our Notes.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

     Page  

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

     S-1   

THE OFFERING

     S-6   

RISK FACTORS

     S-9   

USE OF PROCEEDS

     S-11   

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

     S-12   

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA AND OTHER INFORMATION

     S-13   

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     S-15   

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

     S-17   

CAPITALIZATION

     S-18   

DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

     S-19   

UNDERWRITING

     S-20   

UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

     S-23   

LEGAL MATTERS

     S-24   

EXPERTS

     S-24   

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     S-24   

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     SF-1   

PROSPECTUS

 

     Page  

[Insert table of contents from base prospectus.]

  


PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights some of the information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the securities offered by this prospectus supplement. You should review the more detailed information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, especially the information set forth under the heading “Risk Factors.”

Unless indicated otherwise in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, or the context requires otherwise, the terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc., or for periods prior to our conversion from a limited liability company to a corporation (the “Conversion”), Goldman Sachs Liberty Harbor Capital, LLC.

Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

We are a specialty finance company focused on lending to middle-market companies. We are a closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act. In addition, we have elected to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“the Code”), commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. From our formation in 2012 through             ,             , we have originated more than $                billion in aggregate principal amount of debt and equity investments prior to any subsequent exits and repayments. We seek to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation primarily through direct originations of secured debt, including first lien, unitranche, including last out portions of such loans, and second lien debt, and unsecured debt, including mezzanine debt, as well as through select equity investments. Unitranche loans are first lien loans that may extend deeper in a company’s capital structure than traditional first lien debt and may provide for a waterfall of cash flow priority between different lenders in the unitranche loan. In a number of instances, we may find another lender to provide the “first out” portion of such loan and retain the “last out” portion of such loan, in which case, the “first out” portion of the loan would generally receive priority with respect to payment of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder over the “last out” portion that we would continue to hold. In exchange for the greater risk of loss, the “last out” portion earns a higher interest rate. We use the term “mezzanine” to refer to debt that ranks senior only to a borrower’s equity securities and ranks junior in right of payment to all of such borrower’s other indebtedness. We may make multiple investments in the same portfolio company.

We invest primarily in U.S. middle-market companies, which we believe are underserved by traditional providers of capital such as banks and the public debt markets. In describing our business, we generally use the term “middle market companies” to refer to companies with EBITDA of between $5 million and $75 million annually. However, we may from time to time invest in larger or smaller companies. We generate revenues primarily through receipt of interest income from the investments we hold. In addition, we generate income from various loan origination and other fees, dividends on direct equity investments and capital gains on the sales of investments. Fees received from portfolio companies (directors’ fees, consulting fees, administrative fees, tax advisory fees and other similar compensation) are paid to us, unless, to the extent required by applicable law or exemptive relief, if any, therefrom, we only receive our allocable portion of such fees when invested in the same portfolio company as another account managed by Goldman Sachs. The companies in which we invest use our capital for a variety of purposes, including to support organic growth, fund acquisitions, make capital investments or refinance indebtedness.

Investment Strategy

Our origination strategy focuses on leading the negotiation and structuring of the loans or securities in which we invest and holding the investments in our portfolio to maturity. In many cases, we are the sole investor in the loan or security in our portfolio. Where there are multiple investors, we generally seek to control or obtain significant influence over the rights of investors in the loan or security. Our investments typically have maturities

 



 

S-1


between three and ten years and generally range in size between $10 million and $75 million, although we may make larger or smaller investments on occasion. In addition, part of our strategy involves an investment in a joint venture, Senior Credit Fund, LLC (the “Senior Credit Fund”), with the Regents of the University of California (“Cal Regents”). The Senior Credit Fund’s principal purpose is to make investments, either directly or indirectly through its wholly owned subsidiary, Senior Credit Fund SPV I, LLC (“SPV I”), primarily in senior secured loans to middle-market companies.

Investment Portfolio

[Insert description of portfolio as of most recent quarter end.]

Corporate Structure

We were formed as a private fund in September 2012 and commenced operations in November 2012, using seed capital contributions we received from Group Inc. In March 2013, we elected to be treated as a BDC. We have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. On March 18, 2015, our common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “GSBD”. On March 23, 2015, we closed our initial public offering (“IPO”), issuing 6,000,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $20.00 per share. Net of offering and underwriting costs, we received cash proceeds of $114.57 million. On April 21, 2015, we issued an additional 900,000 shares of our common stock pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option in connection with the IPO. Net of underwriting costs, we received additional cash proceeds of $17.27 million. As a result of the Conversion, subsequent share repurchases and the IPO [and subsequent offerings], as of             ,             , Group Inc. owned approximately % of our common stock. See “Business—Formation Transactions and Initial Public Offering” in the accompanying prospectus.

Our Investment Adviser

GSAM serves as our investment adviser and has been registered as an investment adviser with the SEC since 1990. Subject to the supervision of our Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”), a majority of which is made up of independent directors (including an independent Chairman), GSAM manages our day-to-day operations and provides us with investment advisory and management services and certain administrative services. GSAM is a subsidiary of Group Inc., a public company that is a bank holding company, financial holding company and a world-wide, full-service financial services organization. Group Inc. is the general partner and owner of GSAM. GSAM has been providing financial solutions for investors since 1988 and had over $            trillion of assets under supervision as of             ,             .

The Private Credit Group of GSAM (the “GSAM Private Credit Group”) is responsible for identifying investment opportunities, conducting research and due diligence on prospective investments, negotiating and structuring our investments and monitoring and servicing our investments. The GSAM Private Credit Group was comprised of      investment professionals, as of             ,             , all of whom are dedicated to the Company’s investment strategy and other funds that share a similar investment strategy with the Company. These professionals are supported by an additional    investment professionals, as of             ,             , who are primarily focused on investment strategies in syndicated, liquid credit (together with the GSAM Private Credit Group, “GSAM Credit Alternatives”). These individuals may have additional responsibilities other than those relating to us, but generally allocate a portion of their time in support of our business and our investment objective as a whole. In addition, GSAM has risk management, legal, accounting, tax, information technology and compliance personnel, among others, who provide services to us. We benefit from the expertise provided by these personnel in our operations.

The GSAM Private Credit Group is dedicated primarily to private corporate credit investment opportunities in North America, and utilizes a bottom-up, fundamental research approach to lending. The senior members of the GSAM Private Credit Group have been working together since 2006 and have an average of over    years of experience in leveraged finance and private transactions.

 



 

S-2


All investment decisions are made by the Investment Committee of GSAM’s Private Credit Group (the “Investment Committee”), which currently consists of five voting members: Brendan McGovern, Salvatore Lentini, Jon Yoder, David Yu and Scott Turco, as well as three non-voting members with operational and/or legal expertise. For biographical information about the voting members of the Investment Committee, see “Management—Biographical Information” in the accompanying prospectus. The Investment Committee is responsible for approving all of our investments. The Investment Committee also monitors investments in our portfolio and approves all asset dispositions. We expect to benefit from the extensive and varied relevant experience of the investment professionals serving on the Investment Committee, which includes expertise in privately originated and publicly traded leveraged credit, stressed and distressed debt, bankruptcy, mergers and acquisitions and private equity. The voting members of the Investment Committee collectively have over 50 years of experience in middle-market investment and activities related to middle-market investing. The membership of the Investment Committee may change from time to time.

Allocation of Opportunities

Our investment objectives and investment strategies are similar to those of other client accounts managed by our Investment Adviser (including Goldman Sachs Private Middle Market Credit LLC (“GS PMMC”) a privately offered BDC, and Goldman Sachs Middle Market Lending LLC (“GS MMLC”), a closed-end investment company that intends to elect to be treated as a BDC, collectively, the “Accounts”), and an investment appropriate for us may also be appropriate for those Accounts. This creates potential conflicts in allocating investment opportunities among us and such other Accounts, particularly in circumstances where the availability of such investment opportunities is limited, where the liquidity of such investment opportunities is limited or where co-investments by us and other Accounts are not permitted under applicable law. For a further explanation of the allocation of opportunities and other conflicts and the risks related thereto, see “Business – Allocation of Opportunities” and “Potential Conflicts of Interest” in the accompanying prospectus.

Market Opportunity

According to the National Center for the Middle Market and the CIA World Fact Book, the U.S. middle market is comprised of approximately             companies that collectively generate revenues of approximately $ trillion annually. 2 Comparing revenues to gross domestic product, this makes the U.S. middle market equivalent to the world’s third largest global economy on a stand-alone basis. The GSAM Private Credit Group believes that existing market conditions and regulatory changes have combined to create an attractive investment environment for non-bank lenders such as us to provide loans to U.S. middle market companies. For a further discussion of the market opportunities associated with the Company’s focus on middle market companies, see “Business – Market Opportunities” in the accompanying prospectus.

Competitive Advantages

The Goldman Sachs Platform: Goldman Sachs is a leading global financial institution that provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base, including companies and high net worth individuals, among others. The firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices across the United States and in all major financial centers around the world. Group Inc.’s asset management subsidiary, GSAM, is one of the world’s leading investment managers with over              investment professionals and over $            trillion of assets under supervision, in each case as of             ,             . GSAM’s investment teams, including the GSAM Private Credit Group, capitalize on the relationships, market insights, risk management expertise, technology and infrastructure of Goldman Sachs. We believe the Goldman Sachs platform delivers a meaningful competitive advantage to us. For a detailed discussion of the Company’s competitive advantages, see “Business – Competitive Advantages” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

2   Estimate for              by the National Center for the Middle Market, which defined middle market as companies with annual revenue of $10 million-$1 billion. See [insert appropriate citation].

 



 

S-3


Operating and Regulatory Structure

We have elected to be treated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act. As a BDC, 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 investment. Under the rules of the Investment Company Act, “eligible portfolio companies” include (i) private U.S. operating companies, (ii) public U.S. operating companies whose securities are not listed on a national securities exchange (e.g., the NYSE) or registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and (iii) 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 OTC Markets Group Inc. are not listed on a national securities exchange and therefore are eligible portfolio companies. [In addition, we currently are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act.] See “Regulation” in the accompanying prospectus.

We have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. As a RIC, we generally will not be required 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 if we meet certain source of income, distribution and asset diversification requirements. We intend to timely distribute to our stockholders substantially all of our annual taxable income for each year, except that we may retain certain net capital gains for reinvestment and, depending upon the level of taxable income earned in a year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income for distribution in the following year and pay any applicable U.S. federal excise tax. In addition, the distributions we pay to our stockholders in a year may exceed our net ordinary income and capital gains for that year and, accordingly, a portion of such distributions may constitute a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “Price Range of Common Stock and Distributions” in the accompanying prospectus.

Use of Leverage

Our senior secured revolving credit agreement (as amended, the “Revolving Credit Facility”) with                , as administrative agent, and                 , as syndication agent, allows us to borrow money and lever our investment portfolio, subject to the limitations of the Investment Company Act, with the objective of increasing our yield. This is known as “leverage” and could increase or decrease returns to our stockholders. The use of leverage involves significant risks. As a BDC, with certain limited exceptions, we are only permitted to borrow amounts such that our asset coverage ratio, as defined in the Investment Company Act, equals at least 2 to 1 after such borrowing. Certain trading practices and investments, such as reverse repurchase agreements, may be considered borrowings or involve leverage and thus may be subject to Investment Company Act restrictions. In accordance with applicable SEC staff guidance and interpretations, when we engage in such transactions, instead of maintaining an asset coverage ratio of at least 2 to 1, we will segregate or earmark liquid assets, or enter into an offsetting position, in an amount at least equal to our exposure, on a mark-to-market basis, to such transactions (as calculated pursuant to requirements of the SEC). Short-term credits necessary for the settlement of securities transactions and arrangements with respect to securities lending will not be considered borrowings for these purposes. Practices and investments that may involve leverage but are not considered borrowings are not subject to the Investment Company Act’s asset coverage requirement and we will not otherwise segregate or earmark liquid assets or enter into offsetting positions for such transactions. The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on our Investment Adviser’s and our Board of Directors’ assessment of market conditions and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing.

Risk Factors

The value of our assets, as well as the market price of our securities, will fluctuate. Our investments may be risky, and you may lose all or part of your investment in us. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page                of this prospectus supplement and on page                of the accompanying prospectus, and the other information included in the accompanying prospectus, for additional discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our securities.

 



 

S-4


Corporate Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282 and our telephone number is (212) 902-0300. We maintain a website located at www.goldmansachsbdc.com. Information on our website is not incorporated into or a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

Recent Developments

[Insert description of recent developments at the time of the offering.]

 



 

S-5


THE OFFERING

This prospectus supplement sets forth certain terms of the Notes that we are offering pursuant to this prospectus supplement and supplements the accompanying prospectus that is attached to the back of this prospectus supplement. This section outlines the specific legal and financial terms of the Notes. You should read this section together with the more general description of the Notes in the accompanying prospectus under the heading “Description of Our Debt Securities” before investing in the Notes. Capitalized terms used in this prospectus supplement and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the accompanying prospectus or in the indenture governing the Notes.

 

Issuer

   Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

Title of the securities

   % [Subordinated] [Secured] Notes due

Initial aggregate principal amount

   $

Initial public offering price

   % of the aggregate principal amount

Principal payable at maturity

   % of the aggregate principal amount; the principal amount of each Note will be payable on its stated maturity date at the office of the Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent for the Notes or at such other office as we may designate.

Type of Note

   [Fixed/Floating] rate note

Interest rate

   % per year

Day count basis

   360-day year of twelve 30-day months

Original issue date

  

Stated maturity date

  

Date interest starts accruing

  

Interest payment dates

   Each , , and , commencing , . If an interest payment date falls on a non-business day, the applicable interest payment will be made on the next business day and no additional interest will accrue as a result of such delayed payment.

Interest periods

   The initial interest period will be the period from and including , to, but excluding, the initial interest payment date, and the subsequent interest periods will be the periods from and including an interest payment date to, but excluding, the next interest payment date or the stated maturity date, as the case may be.

Record dates for interest

   Each     ,     ,     and     ,     commencing     ,

[Additional Amount Payable

   List any additional amounts payable in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge.]

 

S-6


[Conversion/Exchange

   List any provisions for convertibility or exchangeability of the debt securities into or for any other securities.]

Specified currency

   U.S. Dollars

Place of payment

   New York City

Ranking of Notes

  

The Notes will be our direct [un]secured obligations and will rank:

 

•       pari passu with our other outstanding and future senior [un]secured indebtedness, including [ ];

 

•       senior to any of our future indebtedness that expressly provides it is subordinated to the Notes;

 

•       [effectively subordinated to all of our existing and future secured indebtedness (including indebtedness that is initially unsecured to which we subsequently grant security), to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, including [ ]]; and

 

•       structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of any of our subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities[, including ].

[Collateral

   Our obligations with respect to the Notes and the performance of all of our other obligations under the indenture governing the Notes will be secured equally and ratably with our obligations under any other pari passu debt by a [first/second] priority security interest over [describe assets over which security is being granted].]

Denominations

   We will issue the Notes in denominations of $             and integral multiples of $             in excess thereof.

Business day

   Each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

[Optional redemption

  

The Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at our option on or after , , upon not less than days nor more than days written notice by mail prior to the date fixed for redemption thereof, at a redemption price of $ per Note plus accrued and unpaid interest payments otherwise payable for the then-current quarterly interest period accrued to but not including the date fixed for redemption.

 

You may be prevented from exchanging or transferring the Notes when they are subject to redemption. In case any Notes are to be redeemed in part only, the redemption notice will provide that, upon surrender of such Note, you will receive, without a charge, a new Note or Notes of authorized denominations representing the principal amount of your remaining unredeemed Notes.

 

Any exercise of our option to redeem the Notes will be done in compliance with the 1940 Act, to the extent applicable.

 

S-7


   If we redeem only some of the Notes, the Trustee will determine the method for selection of the particular Notes to be redeemed, in accordance with the 1940 Act, to the extent applicable. Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the date of redemption, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes called for redemption.]

Sinking fund

   The Notes will not be subject to any sinking fund.

Repayment at option of Holders

   Holders will not have the option to have the Notes repaid prior to the stated maturity date.

Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrant and Transfer Agent

   Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

 

S-8


RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves certain risks relating to our structure and investment objective. You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before you decide whether to make an investment in our securities. The risks set forth below are not the only risks we face, and we may face other risks that we have not yet identified, which we do not currently deem material or which are not yet predictable. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such case, our NAV and the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

[The Notes will be unsecured and therefore will be effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness that we currently have or that we may incur in the future.

The Notes will not be secured by any of our assets or any of the assets of our subsidiaries. As a result, the Notes are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness we or our subsidiaries have currently incurred and may incur in the future (or any indebtedness that is initially unsecured to which we subsequently grant security) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. In any liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy or other similar proceeding, the holders of any of our existing or future secured indebtedness and the secured indebtedness of our subsidiaries may assert rights against the assets pledged to secure that indebtedness in order to receive full payment of their indebtedness before the assets may be used to pay other creditors, including the holders of the Notes. As of [ ], we had $[ ] million in outstanding indebtedness that is senior to the Notes. Certain amounts of this indebtedness are secured by certain of our assets and the indebtedness thereunder is therefore effectively senior to the Notes to the extent of the value of such assets.]

The Notes will be structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries.

The Notes are obligations exclusively of Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. and not of any of our subsidiaries, and our future subsidiaries are not required to guarantee the Notes. The assets of any such subsidiary, including any financing vehicle we may create in the future to hold indebtedness, will not be directly available to satisfy the claims of our creditors, including holders of the Notes.

Except to the extent we are a creditor with recognized claims against our subsidiaries, all claims of creditors (including trade creditors) and holders of preferred stock, if any, of our subsidiaries will have priority over our equity interests in such subsidiaries (and therefore the claims of our creditors, including holders of the Notes) with respect to the assets of such subsidiaries. Even if we were recognized as a creditor of one or more of our subsidiaries, our claims would still be effectively subordinated to any security interests in the assets of any such subsidiary and to any indebtedness or other liabilities of any such subsidiary senior to our claims. Consequently, the Notes will be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of any subsidiaries that we may in the future acquire or establish as financing vehicles or otherwise. Our future subsidiaries may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, all of which would be structurally senior to the Notes.

The indenture governing the Notes that will be issued will contain limited protection for holders of the Notes.

The indenture governing the Notes that will be issued offers limited protection to holders of the Notes. The terms of the indenture and the Notes do not restrict our or any of our subsidiaries’ ability to engage in, or otherwise be a party to, a variety of corporate transactions, circumstances or events that could have an adverse impact on your investment in the Notes. In particular, the terms of the indenture and the Notes will not place any restrictions on our or our subsidiaries’ ability to:

 

   

[issue securities or otherwise incur additional indebtedness or other obligations, including (1) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be equal in right of payment to the Notes, (2) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be secured and [therefore] rank [effectively] senior in right of payment to the Notes to the extent of the values of the assets securing such debt, (3)

 

S-9


 

indebtedness of ours that is guaranteed by one or more of our subsidiaries and [which therefore] is structurally senior to the Notes and (4) securities, indebtedness or obligations issued or incurred by our subsidiaries that would be senior to our equity interests in our subsidiaries and therefore rank structurally senior to the Notes with respect to the assets of our subsidiaries, in each case other than an incurrence of indebtedness or other obligation that would cause a violation of Section 18(a)(1)(A) as modified by Section 61 (a)(1) of the 1940 Act or any successor provisions;

 

    pay dividends on, or purchase or redeem or make any payments in respect of, capital stock or other securities ranking junior in right of payment to the Notes (unless there is an event of default on senior indebtedness);

 

    sell assets (other than certain limited restrictions on our ability to consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets);

 

    enter into transactions with affiliates;

 

    create liens (including liens on the shares of our subsidiaries) or enter into sale and leaseback transactions;

 

    make investments; or create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to us from our subsidiaries.]

In addition, the terms of the indenture and the Notes do not protect holders of the Notes in the event that we experience changes (including significant adverse changes) in our financial condition, results of operations or credit ratings, as they do not require that we or our subsidiaries adhere to any financial tests or ratios or specified levels of net worth, revenues, income, cash flow or liquidity except as required by the 1940 Act.

Our ability to recapitalize, incur additional debt and take a number of other actions that are not limited by the terms of the Notes may have important consequences for you as a holder of the Notes, including making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the Notes or negatively affecting the trading value of the Notes.

Certain of our current debt instruments include more protections for their holders than the indenture and the Notes. In addition, other debt we issue or incur in the future could contain more protections for its holders than the indenture and the Notes, including additional covenants and events of default. The issuance or incurrence of any such debt with incremental protections could affect the market for and trading levels and prices of the Notes.

If an active trading market does not develop for the Notes, you may not be able to resell them.

The Notes are a new issue of securities and there is no existing trading market for the Notes. We do not intend to apply to list the notes on any securities exchange or to arrange for quotation on any automated dealer quotation system. We have been informed by the underwriters that they intend to make a market in the Notes, but they are not obligated to do so. The underwriters may discontinue any market-making in the Notes at any time at their sole discretion. In addition, any market-making activity will be subject to limits imposed by law. In addition, the liquidity of the trading market in the Notes, and the market price quoted for the Notes, may be adversely affected by changes in the overall market for this type of security and by changes in our financial performance or prospects or in the prospects for companies in our industry generally.

If an active trading market does not develop or is not maintained, you may not be able to sell your Notes at their fair market value or at all.

[Insert any additional relevant risk factors not included in base prospectus.]

 

S-10


USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds we will receive from the sale of $            million aggregate principal amount of Notes in this offering will be approximately $            million assuming a public offering price of    % of par, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions of $            million payable by us and estimated offering expenses of approximately $ million payable by us.

[Describe use of proceeds and include any other relevant information to the extent required to be disclosed by applicable law or regulation.]

 

S-11


RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

[Insert information required by Item 503(d) of Regulation S-K at time of offering.]

 

S-12


SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA AND OTHER INFORMATION

The selected financial and other information below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and our financial statements and the related notes thereto. Financial information as of and for the years ended December 31, 20 , 20    and 20    [and as of and for the period from November 15, 2012 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2012] has been derived from the audited financial statements of Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. [(formerly, Goldman Sachs Liberty Harbor Capital, LLC)]. The audited financial statements included in the accompanying prospectus were audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. Interim financial information for the    months ended             ,             and             has been derived from the unaudited interim financial statements of Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc., which are included elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus. Our unaudited interim financial statements were prepared on a basis consistent with our audited financial statements and, in our opinion, include all adjustments necessary for the fair statement of the results for the periods presented. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of future results, and our results for the    months ended             ,             are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full             fiscal year.

The selected financial data in this section is not intended to replace the financial statements and is qualified in its entirety by the financial statements and related notes included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

    For the Months
Ended        ,        
    For the Months
Ended        ,        
    For the Year
Ended
December 31,

2015
    For the Year
Ended
December 31,
2014
    For the Year
Ended
December 31,

2013
    For the period
from November 15,
2012
(commencement
of operations)
through
December 31,
2012
 

Consolidated statements of operations data (in thousands):

           

Total investment income

  $        $        $ 118,436      $ 73,279      $ 22,835      $ 162   

Net expenses

        43,338        20,422        6,899        346   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) before taxes

        75,098        52,857        15,936        (184

Excise tax expense

        518        119        —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) after taxes

        74,580        52,738        15,936        (184

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

        (27,952     (15,816     3,118        1,046   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations before tax

  $        $        $ 46,628      $ 36,922      $ 19,054      $ 862   

Income tax expense

    —          —          —          —          (1,070     (351
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations after tax

  $        $        $ 46,628      $ 36,922      $ 17,984      $ 511   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per share data

           

Net Asset Value

  $        $
 
  
  $ 18.97      $ 19.56      $ 20.00      $ 19.37   

Net investment income (loss)
(basic and diluted)

  $        $        $ 2.14      $ 1.77      $ 0.67      $ (0.09

Earnings (basic and diluted)

  $        $        $ 1.34      $ 1.24      $ 0.76      $ 0.26   

Distributions declared

  $        $        $ 1.80      $ 1.69      $ 0.50      $ —     

 

S-13


     As of
        ,        
     As of
        ,        
     As of
December 31,
2015
     As of
December 31,
2014
     As of
December 31,
2013
 

Consolidated statements of asset and liabilities data (at period end) (in thousands):

              

Total assets

   $         $         $ 1,132,759       $ 967,492       $ 630,222   

Total investments, at fair value

           1,091,181         943,515         613,935   

Total liabilities

           444,109         392,910         22,437   

Total debt

           419,000         350,000         —     

Total net assets

   $         $         $ 688,650       $ 574,582       $ 607,785   

 

S-14


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “target,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue” or “believe” or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our plans, strategies, prospects and expectations concerning our business, operating results, financial condition and other similar matters. We believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations to our investors. Our forward-looking statements include information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus regarding general domestic and global economic conditions, our future financing plans, our ability to operate as a BDC and the expected performance of, and the yield on, our portfolio companies. There may be events in the future, however, that we are not able to predict accurately or control. The factors listed under “Risk Factors,” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as well as any cautionary language in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our forward-looking statements. The occurrence of the events described in these risk factors and elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus speaks only as of the date on which we make it. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. You are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we have filed or in the future may file with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, registration statements on Form N-2, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Under Section 27A(b)(2)(B) and (D) of the Securities Act and Section 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 any offering of securities pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or in the periodic reports we file under the Exchange Act.

The following factors are among those that may cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements:

 

    our future operating results;

 

    changes in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment or conditions affecting the financial and capital markets;

 

    uncertainty surrounding the financial stability of the U.S., the EU and China;

 

    our business prospects and the prospects of our 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;

 

    the use of borrowed money to finance a portion of our investments;

 

    our ability to make distributions;

 

    the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital;

 

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

 

    the impact of future acquisitions and divestitures;

 

    the effect of changes in tax laws and regulations and interpretations thereof;

 

    our ability to maintain our status as a BDC and a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code;

 

    actual and potential conflicts of interest with GSAM and its affiliates;

 

S-15


    general price and volume fluctuations in the stock market;

 

    the ability of GSAM to attract and retain highly talented professionals;

 

    the impact on our business from new or amended legislation or regulations; and

 

    the availability of credit and/or our ability to access the equity markets.

 

S-16


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and other parts of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. The discussion and analysis contained in this section refers to our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Please see “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 “Forward-Looking Statements” appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

[Insert Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations from most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Annual Report on Form 10-K, as applicable, prior to the offering.]

 

S-17


CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth:

 

    our actual capitalization as of                 ,     ; and

 

    our pro forma capitalization to give effect to the sale of Notes in this offering based on the public offering price of $            per Note, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions of $            million payable by us and estimated offering expenses of approximately $            payable by us. You should read this table in conjunction with “Use of Proceeds” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

     As of                    , 20       
     Actual      Pro Forma  
     (in thousands)      (in thousands)  

Assets:

  

Cash

   $         $     

Investments, at fair value

     

Other assets

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

     

Debt

     

Other liabilities

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets:

     

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

     

Paid in capital in excess of par

     

Capital distributions in excess of net investment income

     

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

     

Total stockholders’ equity

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value per share

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

S-18


DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

The following description of the particular terms of the         % [Subordinated] [Secured] Notes          due supplements and, to the extent inconsistent with, replaces the description of the general terms and provisions of the debt securities set forth in the accompanying prospectus.

[Describe material terms and provisions of the Notes.]

 

S-19


UNDERWRITING

We are offering the Notes described in this prospectus supplement through a number of underwriters.                 and                are acting as representatives of each of the underwriters named below for this offering. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting 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 to purchase from us, the amount of Notes set forth opposite its name below.

 

Underwriter

   Amount of
Notes
 

Total

  

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have severally agreed to purchase all of the Notes offered by us if they purchase any Notes. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make 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 underwriting 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 Notes to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $             per Note. The underwriters may allow, and the dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of $             per Note 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, sales load and proceeds before expenses to us. The information assumes both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional Notes.

 

     Per Note      Without
Option
     With Option  

Public offering price

   $         $         $     

Sales load (underwriting discounts and commissions)

   $         $         $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

   $         $         $     

 

S-20


We estimate that the total expenses of this offering, including registration, filing and listing fees, printing fees and legal and accounting expenses, but excluding the underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $                , or approximately $                per Note.

[No Sales of Similar Securities

We have agreed, with exceptions, not to sell or transfer any Notes or [type of security] for days after the date of this prospectus supplement without first obtaining the written consent of             .]

Price Stabilizations, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

In connection with this offering,                and                , on behalf of the underwriters, may purchase and sell Notes in the open market. These transactions may include short sales and purchases on the open market to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve sales by the underwriters of a securities in excess of the number of securities required to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering. The underwriters must close out any short position by purchasing securities in the open market. A short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of securities in the open market while this offering is in progress for the purpose of fixing or maintaining the price of the securities.

The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from an underwriter or syndicate member when the underwriters repurchase securities originally sold by that underwriter or syndicate member in order to cover syndicate short positions or make stabilizing purchases.

Any of these activities may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of the securities or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities. As a result, the price of the securities may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on                or otherwise. Neither we nor any of the underwriters makes 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 securities. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation that the underwriters will engage in these transactions. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

[Sales Outside the United States

No action has been taken in any jurisdiction (except in the United States) that would permit a public offering of our Notes, or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus supplement or accompanying prospectus or any other material relating to us or the Notes in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, our Notes may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and none of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with our Notes may be distributed or published, in or from any country or jurisdiction except in compliance with any applicable rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.

 

S-21


Each of the underwriters may arrange to sell our Notes offered hereby in certain jurisdictions outside the United States, either directly or through affiliates, where it is permitted to do so.

[Insert applicable legends for jurisdictions in which offers and sales may be made.]]

Electronic Delivery

The underwriters may make prospectus supplements and accompanying prospectuses available in an electronic (PDF) format. A prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus in electronic (PDF) format may be made available on a website maintained by any of the underwriters, and the underwriters may distribute such documents electronically. The underwriters may [agree with us to] allocate a limited number of securities for sale to their online brokerage customers.

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.

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.

[Describe any other specific transactions and compensation related thereto to the extent required to be disclosed by applicable law or regulation.]

[Describe if underwriters receiving proceeds of offering, if required by FINRA.]

Principal Business Address

The addresses of the underwriters are:

 

S-22


UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

[Insert disclosure regarding federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Notes to the extent required to be disclosed by applicable law or regulation.]

 

S-23


LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters regarding the securities offered by this prospectus supplement will be passed upon for Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP. In addition, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has advised the Company in connection with certain matters under the Investment Company Act. Dechert LLP serves as counsel to the Company and to the Independent Directors. Certain legal matters in connection with the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for the underwriters by     .

EXPERTS

The financial statements as of December 31,                and                and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,                have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 101 Seaport Boulevard, Suite 500, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

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

We file with or submit to the SEC periodic and current 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 registration statements and related exhibits and schedules, at the Public SEC’s Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090 or (800) SEC-0330. We maintain a website at www.goldmansachsbdc.com and 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. You may also obtain such information by contacting us, in writing at: 200 West Street New York, New York 10282, or by telephone (collect) at (212) 902-0300. 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.

 

S-24


INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

[Insert index to financial statements followed by financial statements and notes thereto from most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Annual Report on Form 10-K, as applicable, prior to the offering.]

 

SF-1

Exhibit (s)(6)

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

[FORM OF PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO BE USED IN

CONJUNCTION WITH FUTURE RIGHTS OFFERINGS] 1

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

(to Prospectus dated                     , 20     )

                       , 20    

GOLDMAN SACHS BDC, INC.

Up to        Shares of Common Stock

Issuable Upon Exercise of Rights

To Subscribe for Such Shares

We are issuing [transferable/non-transferable] subscription rights to our stockholders of record as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on            .    (the “Record Date Shareholders”), entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for an aggregate of             shares of our common stock. Record Date Shareholders will receive one right for each outstanding share of common stock owned on the record date. The rights entitle the holders to purchase one new share of common stock for every right held, which we refer to as the subscription right. [In addition, Record Date Shareholders who fully exercise their rights will be entitled to subscribe, subject to the limitations described in this prospectus supplement and subject to allotment, for additional shares that remain unsubscribed as a result of any unexercised rights.] [In addition, any non-record date stockholder who exercises rights is entitled to subscribe for remaining shares that are not otherwise subscribed for by Record Date Shareholders, subject to the limitations described in this prospectus supplement and subject to allotment.]

We are an externally managed specialty finance company that is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). We are focused on lending to “middle-market companies,” a term we generally use to refer to companies with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of between $5 million and $75 million annually. Our investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation through direct originations of secured debt, including first lien, unitranche, including last out portions of such loans, and second lien debt, unsecured debt, including mezzanine debt as well as through select equity investments.

We are managed by our investment adviser, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM” or “Investment Adviser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“Group Inc.”). Group Inc., together with Goldman, Sachs & Co., GSAM and its other subsidiaries and affiliates, is referred to herein as “Goldman Sachs.”

 

 

1   In addition to the sections outlined in this form of prospectus supplement, each prospectus supplement used in connection with an offering conducted pursuant to the registration statement to which this form of prospectus supplement is attached or incorporated by reference will include such other information as may then be required to be disclosed therein pursuant to applicable law or regulation as in effect as of the date of each such prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, information particular to the terms of each security offered thereby and any related risk factors or tax considerations pertaining thereto. This form of prospectus supplement is intended only to provide an indication of the nature and type of disclosure that may appear in any actual prospectus supplement, and it is not intended to and does not contain all of the information that would appear in any such actual prospectus supplement, and should not be used or relied upon in connection with any offer or sale of securities.


Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GSBD”. On             , 20    , the last reported sales price for our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $            per share. The net asset value (“NAV”) of our common stock as of             , 20    (the last date prior to the date of this prospectus supplement as of which we determined NAV) was $            . [The rights are transferable and will be listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ ” during the course of this offer.]

The subscription price will be [describe means of computing subscription price]. The offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on    ,            , unless extended as described in this prospectus supplement. We, in our sole discretion, may extend the period for exercising the subscription rights. You will have no right to rescind your subscriptions after receipt of your payment of the estimated subscription price except as described in this prospectus supplement.

This will dilute the ownership interest and voting power of the common stock owned by stockholders who do not fully exercise their subscription rights. Stockholders who do not fully exercise their subscription rights should expect, upon completion of the offering, to own a smaller proportional interest in us than before the offering. Further, if the net proceeds per share from the offering are at a discount to our NAV per share, this offering will reduce our NAV per share.

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

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain important information you should know before investing in our common stock. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information about us with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You may obtain this information or make stockholder inquiries by written or oral request and free of charge by contacting us at 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, on our website at www.goldmansachsbdc.com, or by calling us collect at (212) 902-0300. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and you should not consider that information to be a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. The SEC also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains this information.

Shares of common stock of closed-end investment companies, including business development companies, that are listed on an exchange frequently trade at a discount to their NAV per share. If our shares of our common stock trade at a discount to our NAV, it may increase the risk of loss for purchasers in any offering. Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk, including credit risk and the risk of the use of leverage, and is highly speculative. Before buying any securities, you should read the discussion of the material risks of investing in our common stock in “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-[ ] of this prospectus supplement and on page [ ] of the accompanying prospectus.  

The securities in which we invest are generally not rated by any rating agency, and if they were rated, they would be below investment grade (rated lower than “Baa3” by Moody’s Investors Service and lower than “BBB-” by Fitch Ratings or Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”)). These securities, which may be referred to as “junk bonds,” “high yield bonds” or “leveraged loans,” have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

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

 

     Per Share      Total (4)  

Estimated Subscription price (1)

   $         $     

Sales load (underwriting discounts and commissions) (2)(3)

   $         $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. (1)(3)

   $         $     

 


(1) Estimated on the basis of [describe means of computing subscription price.] See “The Offer-Subscription Price.”
(2) In connection with this offering,         , the dealer manager for this offering, will receive a fee for its financial advisory, marketing and soliciting services equal to    % of the subscription price per share for each share issued pursuant to the exercise of rights [including pursuant to the over-subscription privilege].]
(3) We estimate that we will incur offering expenses of approximately $            in connection with this offering. We estimate that net proceeds to us after expenses will be $            assuming all of the rights are exercised at the estimated subscription price.
(4) Assumes all rights are exercised at the estimated subscription price.

The date of this prospectus supplement is                    ,


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the dealer manager has not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information or to make any representations not contained in this prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. [We are not, and the dealer manager is not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as applicable.] Our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects may have changed since that date. We will update these documents to reflect material changes only as required by law.

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information and disclosure. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs from the information contained in the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement controls. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together with the additional information described under the heading, “Available Information” before investing in our common stock.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

     Page  

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

     S-1   

THE RIGHTS OFFERING

     S-6   

FEES AND EXPENSES

     S-9   

RISK FACTORS

     S-13   

USE OF PROCEEDS

     S-14   

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DISTRIBUTIONS

     S-15   

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA AND OTHER INFORMATION

     S-17   

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     S-19   

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

     S-21   

CAPITALIZATION

     S-22   

DILUTION

     S-23   

LEGAL MATTERS

     S-24   

EXPERTS

     S-24   

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     S-24   

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     SF-1   

PROSPECTUS

 

     Page  

[Insert table of contents from base prospectus.]

  


PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights some of the information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the securities offered by this prospectus supplement. You should review the more detailed information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, especially the information set forth under the heading “Risk Factors.”

Unless indicated otherwise in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, or the context requires otherwise, the terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc, or for periods prior to our conversion from a limited liability company to a corporation (the “Conversion”), Goldman Sachs Liberty Harbor Capital, LLC.

Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

We are a specialty finance company focused on lending to middle-market companies. We are a closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act. In addition, we have elected to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“the Code”), commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. From our formation in 2012 through     ,            , we have originated more than $            billion in aggregate principal amount of debt and equity investments prior to any subsequent exits and repayments. We seek to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation primarily through direct originations of secured debt, including first lien, unitranche, including last out portions of such loans, and second lien debt, and unsecured debt, including mezzanine debt, as well as through select equity investments. Unitranche loans are first lien loans that may extend deeper in a company’s capital structure than traditional first lien debt and may provide for a waterfall of cash flow priority between different lenders in the unitranche loan. In a number of instances, we may find another lender to provide the “first out” portion of such loan and retain the “last out” portion of such loan, in which case, the “first out” portion of the loan would generally receive priority with respect to payment of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder over the “last out” portion that we would continue to hold. In exchange for the greater risk of loss, the “last out” portion earns a higher interest rate. We use the term “mezzanine” to refer to debt that ranks senior only to a borrower’s equity securities and ranks junior in right of payment to all of such borrower’s other indebtedness. We may make multiple investments in the same portfolio company.

We invest primarily in U.S. middle-market companies, which we believe are underserved by traditional providers of capital such as banks and the public debt markets. In describing our business, we generally use the term “middle market companies” to refer to companies with EBITDA of between $5 million and $75 million annually. However, we may from time to time invest in larger or smaller companies. We generate revenues primarily through receipt of interest income from the investments we hold. In addition, we generate income from various loan origination and other fees, dividends on direct equity investments and capital gains on the sales of investments. Fees received from portfolio companies (directors’ fees, consulting fees, administrative fees, tax advisory fees and other similar compensation) are paid to us, unless, to the extent required by applicable law or exemptive relief, if any, therefrom, we only receive our allocable portion of such fees when invested in the same portfolio company as another account managed by Goldman Sachs. The companies in which we invest use our capital for a variety of purposes, including to support organic growth, fund acquisitions, make capital investments or refinance indebtedness.

 



 

S-1


Investment Strategy

Our origination strategy focuses on leading the negotiation and structuring of the loans or securities in which we invest and holding the investments in our portfolio to maturity. In many cases, we are the sole investor in the loan or security in our portfolio. Where there are multiple investors, we generally seek to control or obtain significant influence over the rights of investors in the loan or security. Our investments typically have maturities between three and ten years and generally range in size between $10 million and $75 million, although we may make larger or smaller investments on occasion. In addition, part of our strategy involves an investment in a joint venture, Senior Credit Fund, LLC (the “Senior Credit Fund”), with the Regents of the University of California (“Cal Regents”). The Senior Credit Fund’s principal purpose is to make investments, either directly or indirectly through its wholly owned subsidiary, Senior Credit Fund SPV I, LLC (“SPV I”), primarily in senior secured loans to middle-market companies.

Investment Portfolio

[Insert description of portfolio as of most recent quarter end.]

Corporate Structure

We were formed as a private fund in September 2012 and commenced operations in November 2012, using seed capital contributions we received from Group Inc. In March 2013, we elected to be treated as a BDC. We have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. On March 18, 2015, our common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “GSBD”. On March 23, 2015, we closed our initial public offering (“IPO”), issuing 6,000,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $20.00 per share. Net of offering and underwriting costs, we received cash proceeds of $114.57 million. On April 21, 2015, we issued an additional 900,000 shares of our common stock pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option in connection with the IPO. Net of underwriting costs, we received additional cash proceeds of $17.27 million. As a result of the Conversion, subsequent share repurchases and the IPO [and subsequent offerings], as of             ,             , Group Inc. owned approximately    % of our common stock. See “Business—Formation Transactions and Initial Public Offering” in the accompanying prospectus.

Our Investment Adviser

GSAM serves as our investment adviser and has been registered as an investment adviser with the SEC since 1990. Subject to the supervision of our Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”), a majority of which is made up of independent directors (including an independent Chairman), GSAM manages our day-to-day operations and provides us with investment advisory and management services and certain administrative services. GSAM is a subsidiary of Group Inc., a public company that is a bank holding company, financial holding company and a world-wide, full-service financial services organization. Group Inc. is the general partner and owner of GSAM. GSAM has been providing financial solutions for investors since 1988 and had over $            trillion of assets under supervision as of            ,     .

The Private Credit Group of GSAM (the “GSAM Private Credit Group”) is responsible for identifying investment opportunities, conducting research and due diligence on prospective investments, negotiating and structuring our investments and monitoring and servicing our investments. The GSAM Private Credit Group was comprised of      investment professionals, as of             ,             , all of whom are dedicated to the Company’s investment strategy and other funds that share a similar investment strategy with the Company. These professionals are supported by an additional    investment professionals, as of             ,             , who are primarily focused on investment strategies in syndicated, liquid credit (together with the GSAM Private Credit Group, “GSAM Credit Alternatives”). These individuals may have additional responsibilities other than those relating to us, but generally allocate a portion of their time in support of our business and our investment objective as a whole. In addition, GSAM has risk management, legal, accounting, tax, information technology and compliance personnel, among others, who provide services to us. We benefit from the expertise provided by these personnel in our operations.

The GSAM Private Credit Group is dedicated primarily to private corporate credit investment opportunities in North America, and utilizes a bottom-up, fundamental research approach to lending. The senior members of the GSAM Private Credit Group have been working together since 2006 and have an average of over                 years of experience in leveraged finance and private transactions.

 



 

S-2


All investment decisions are made by the Investment Committee of GSAM’s Private Credit Group (the “Investment Committee”), which currently consists of five voting members: Brendan McGovern, Salvatore Lentini, Jon Yoder, David Yu and Scott Turco, as well as three non-voting members with operational and/or legal expertise. For biographical information about the voting members of the Investment Committee, see “Management—Biographical Information” in the accompanying prospectus. The Investment Committee is responsible for approving all of our investments. The Investment Committee also monitors investments in our portfolio and approves all asset dispositions. We expect to benefit from the extensive and varied relevant experience of the investment professionals serving on the Investment Committee, which includes expertise in privately originated and publicly traded leveraged credit, stressed and distressed debt, bankruptcy, mergers and acquisitions and private equity. The voting members of the Investment Committee collectively have over 50 years of experience in middle-market investment and activities related to middle-market investing. The membership of the Investment Committee may change from time to time.

Allocation of Opportunities

Our investment objectives and investment strategies are similar to those of other client accounts managed by our Investment Adviser (including Goldman Sachs Private Middle Market Credit LLC (“GS PMMC”) a privately offered BDC, and Goldman Sachs Middle Market Lending LLC (“GS MMLC”), a closed-end investment company that intends to elect to be treated as a BDC, collectively, the “Accounts”), and an investment appropriate for us may also be appropriate for those Accounts. This creates potential conflicts in allocating investment opportunities among us and such other Accounts, particularly in circumstances where the availability of such investment opportunities is limited, where the liquidity of such investment opportunities is limited or where co-investments by us and other Accounts are not permitted under applicable law. For a further explanation of the allocation of opportunities and other conflicts and the risks related thereto, see “Business – Allocation of Opportunities” and “Potential Conflicts of Interest” in the accompanying prospectus.

Market Opportunity

According to the National Center for the Middle Market and the CIA World Fact Book, the U.S. middle market is comprised of approximately             companies that collectively generate revenues of approximately $             trillion annually. 3 Comparing revenues to gross domestic product, this makes the U.S. middle market equivalent to the world’s third largest global economy on a stand-alone basis. The GSAM Private Credit Group believes that existing market conditions and regulatory changes have combined to create an attractive investment environment for non-bank lenders such as us to provide loans to U.S. middle market companies. For a further discussion of the market opportunities associated with the Company’s focus on middle market companies, see “Business – Market Opportunities” in the accompanying prospectus.

Competitive Advantages

The Goldman Sachs Platform: Goldman Sachs is a leading global financial institution that provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base, including companies and high net worth individuals, among others. The firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices across the United States and in all major financial centers around the world. Group Inc.’s asset management subsidiary, GSAM, is one of the world’s leading investment managers with over      investment professionals and over $            trillion of assets under supervision, in each case as of            ,    . GSAM’s investment teams, including the GSAM Private Credit Group, capitalize on the relationships, market insights, risk management expertise, technology and infrastructure of Goldman Sachs. We believe the Goldman Sachs platform delivers a meaningful competitive advantage to us. For a detailed discussion of the Company’s competitive advantages, see “Business – Competitive Advantages” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

 

3   Estimate for              by the National Center for the Middle Market, which defined middle market as companies with annual revenue of $10 million-$1 billion. See [insert appropriate citation].

 



 

S-3


Operating and Regulatory Structure

We have elected to be treated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act. As a BDC, 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 investment. Under the rules of the Investment Company Act, “eligible portfolio companies” include (i) private U.S. operating companies, (ii) public U.S. operating companies whose securities are not listed on a national securities exchange (e.g., the NYSE) or registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and (iii) 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 OTC Markets Group Inc. are not listed on a national securities exchange and therefore are eligible portfolio companies. [In addition, we currently are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act.] See “Regulation” in the accompanying prospectus.

We have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. As a RIC, we generally will not be required 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 if we meet certain source of income, distribution and asset diversification requirements. We intend to timely distribute to our stockholders substantially all of our annual taxable income for each year, except that we may retain certain net capital gains for reinvestment and, depending upon the level of taxable income earned in a year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income for distribution in the following year and pay any applicable U.S. federal excise tax. In addition, the distributions we pay to our stockholders in a year may exceed our net ordinary income and capital gains for that year and, accordingly, a portion of such distributions may constitute a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “Price Range of Common Stock and Distributions” in the accompanying prospectus.

Use of Leverage

Our senior secured revolving credit agreement (as amended, the “Revolving Credit Facility”) with                 , as administrative agent, and                 ., as syndication agent, allows us to borrow money and lever our investment portfolio, subject to the limitations of the Investment Company Act, with the objective of increasing our yield. This is known as “leverage” and could increase or decrease returns to our stockholders. The use of leverage involves significant risks. As a BDC, with certain limited exceptions, we are only permitted to borrow amounts such that our asset coverage ratio, as defined in the Investment Company Act, equals at least 2 to 1 after such borrowing. Certain trading practices and investments, such as reverse repurchase agreements, may be considered borrowings or involve leverage and thus may be subject to Investment Company Act restrictions. In accordance with applicable SEC staff guidance and interpretations, when we engage in such transactions, instead of maintaining an asset coverage ratio of at least 2 to 1, we will segregate or earmark liquid assets, or enter into an offsetting position, in an amount at least equal to our exposure, on a mark-to-market basis, to such transactions (as calculated pursuant to requirements of the SEC). Short-term credits necessary for the settlement of securities transactions and arrangements with respect to securities lending will not be considered borrowings for these purposes. Practices and investments that may involve leverage but are not considered borrowings are not subject to the Investment Company Act’s asset coverage requirement and we will not otherwise segregate or earmark liquid assets or enter into offsetting positions for such transactions. The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on our Investment Adviser’s and our Board of Directors’ assessment of market conditions and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing.

Risk Factors

The value of our assets, as well as the market price of our securities, will fluctuate. Our investments may be risky, and you may lose all or part of your investment in us. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page                of this prospectus supplement and on page                of the accompanying prospectus, and the other information included in the accompanying prospectus, for additional discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our securities.

 



 

S-4


Corporate Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282 and our telephone number is (212) 902-0300. We maintain a website located at www.goldmansachsbdc.com. Information on our website is not incorporated into or a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

Recent Developments

[Insert description of recent developments at the time of the offering.]

 



 

S-5


THE RIGHTS OFFERING

The Offer

We are issuing to Record Date Shareholders [transferable/non-transferable] rights to subscribe for an aggregate of up to                 shares of our common stock. Each Record Date Shareholder is being issued one [non-] transferable right for each share of our common stock held on the record date. The rights entitle each holder to acquire at the subscription price one share of our common stock for every right held [, which we refer to as the primary subscription right]. We will not issue fractional shares of our common stock upon the exercise of rights; accordingly, rights may be exercised only in multiples of                 .

[The rights are transferable and will be listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “                ” during the course of this offer.]

Subscription Price

The subscription price per share will be [describe means of computing subscription price]. [Because the subscription price will be determined on the expiration date, rights holders who decide to acquire shares pursuant to the primary subscription right [or pursuant to the over-subscription privilege] will not know the actual purchase price of those shares when they make that decision. Rights holders who exercise their rights will have no right to rescind a purchase after receipt of their completed subscription certificates together with payment for shares or a notice of guaranteed delivery by the subscription agent.]

[ Over-Subscription Privilege

Record Date Shareholders who fully exercise all rights issued to them (other than those rights which cannot be exercised because they represent the right to acquire less than one share) are entitled to subscribe for additional shares of our common stock which were not subscribed for by other stockholders, which we refer to as the remaining shares. If sufficient remaining shares of our common stock are available, all Record Date Shareholders’ over-subscription requests will be honored in full. In addition, any non-record date stockholder who exercises rights is entitled to subscribe for remaining shares that are not otherwise subscribed for by Record Date Shareholders. Shares acquired pursuant to the over-subscription privilege are subject to certain limitations and pro rata allocations.

[There is no minimum number of rights that must be exercised in order for the offering to close.]]

Purpose of the Offer

Our board of directors, or Board, has determined in good faith that the offering would result in a net benefit to the existing stockholders because [describe reasons]. The offering gives existing stockholders the right to purchase additional shares at a price that is expected to be below the then-current trading price without paying any commission or sales charges (although, if you exercise your rights through a financial institution, you will be responsible for paying any fees that such institution may charge). In connection with the approval of the offering, our Board considered, among other things, the following factors:

[Describe factors]

There can be no assurance of the amount of dilution that a stockholder will experience or that the rights offering will be successful.

[The purpose of setting the determination of the subscription price upon the expiration of the offer is to attract the maximum participation of stockholders in the offer, with minimum dilution to non-participating stockholders.]

 

S-6


[The transferable feature of the rights will afford non-participating stockholders the potential of receiving cash payment upon the sale of the rights, receipt of which may be viewed as partial compensation for the dilution of their interests.]

We cannot assure you that the current offering will be successful, or that by increasing the amount of our available capital, our aggregate expenses and, correspondingly, our expense ratio will be lowered. In addition, the management fee we pay to GSAM is based upon our gross assets, which include any cash or cash equivalents that we have not yet invested in the securities of portfolio companies.

[In determining that this offer is in our best interest and in the best interests of our stockholders, we have retained                 , the dealer manager for this offer, to provide us with financial advisory, marketing and soliciting services relating to this offer, including advice with respect to the structure, timing and terms of the offer. In this regard, our board of directors considered, among other things, using a fixed pricing versus variable pricing mechanism, the benefits and drawbacks of conducting a non-transferable versus a transferable rights offering, the effect on us if this offer is not fully subscribed and the experience of the dealer manager in conducting rights offerings.]

[Although we have no present intention to do so, we may, in the future and in our discretion, choose to make additional rights offerings from time to time for a number of shares and on terms which may or may not be similar to this offer, provided that our board of directors must determine that each subsequent rights offering is in the best interest of our stockholders. Any such future rights offering will be made in accordance with the 1940 Act.]

Expiration Of The Offering

The offering will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                 , 20     , unless extended by us in our sole discretion. The rights will expire on the expiration date of the offering and may not be exercised thereafter.

Any extension of the offering will be followed as promptly as practicable by announcement thereof, and in no event later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day following the previously scheduled expiration date. Without limiting the manner in which we may choose to make such announcement, we will not, unless otherwise required by law, have any obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any such announcement other than by issuing a press release or such other means of announcement as we deem appropriate.

[Sale of Rights

The rights are evidenced by a subscription certificate and are transferable until                 , (or if the offer is extended, until the extended expiration date). The rights will be listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “                ”. We and the dealer manager will use our best efforts to ensure that an adequate trading market for the rights will exist. However, no assurance can be given that a market for the rights will develop. Trading in the rights on the New York Stock Exchange may be conducted until close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on                 , (or, if the offer is extended, until the extended expiration date).]

How to Obtain Subscription Information

 

    Contact your broker-dealer, trust company, bank or other nominee where your rights are held, or

 

    Contact the information agent,                 , at                 . Broker-dealers and nominees may call                 .

How to Subscribe

 

    Deliver a completed subscription certificate and payment to the subscription agent by the expiration date of the rights offering, or

 

    If your shares are held in an account with your broker-dealer, trust company, bank or other nominee, which qualifies as an Eligible Guarantor Institution under Rule 17Ad-15 of the Exchange Act, have your Eligible Guarantor Institution deliver a notice of guaranteed delivery to the subscription agent by the expiration date of the rights offering.

 

S-7


Subscription Agent

will act as the subscription agent in connection with this offer.

Information Agent

will act as the information agent in connection with this offer. You may contact toll-free with questions at . Broker-dealers and nominees may call .

[ Distribution Arrangements

will act as dealer manager for the offer. Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the dealer manager agreement, the dealer manager will provide financial advisory services and marketing assistance in connection with the offer [and will solicit the exercise of rights and participation in the over-subscription privilege by our stockholders]. The dealer manager may use this prospectus for any or all of such activities. The offer is not contingent upon any number of rights being exercised. We have agreed to pay the dealer manager a fee for its financial advisory, marketing and soliciting services equal to % of the subscription price per share for shares issued pursuant to the exercise of rights[, including pursuant to the over-subscription privilege]. The dealer manager may reallow a portion of its fees to other broker-dealers that have assisted in soliciting the exercise of rights.]

[Insert principal business addresses of dealer manager.]

Important Dates to Remember

 

Record Date

  

Subscription Period

     (1 )  

Measurement Period for Subscription Price (2)

     (1 )  

Expiration Date

     (1 )  

Deadline for Delivery of Subscription Certificates and Payment for Shares (3)

     (1 )  

Deadline for Delivery of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (3)

     (1 )  

Deadline for Delivery of Subscription Certificates and Payment for Shares pursuant to Notice of Guaranteed Delivery

     (1 )  

Confirmations Mailed to Participants

     (1 )  

Final Payment for Shares

     (1 )  

 

(1) Unless the offer is extended.
(2) The subscription price will be [describe means of computing subscription price].
(3) Participating rights holders must, by the expiration date of the offer (unless the offer is extended), either (1) deliver a subscription certificate and payment for shares or (2) cause to be delivered on their behalf a notice of guaranteed delivery.

 

S-8


FEES AND EXPENSES

The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the fees and expenses that an investor in our common stock will bear directly or indirectly, based on the assumptions set forth below. We caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. The expenses shown in the table under “annual expenses” are based on estimated amounts for our current fiscal year. 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 supplement contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by “us” or that “we” will pay fees or expenses, the holders of our common stock will indirectly bear such fees or expenses.

 

Stockholder transaction expenses (as a percentage of offering price):

  

[Sales load

     % (1) ]

Offering expenses

     % (2)  

Dividend reinvestment plan expenses

     None (3)  

Total stockholder transaction expenses

     %   

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

  

Base management fee

     % (4)  

Incentive fees payable under the Investment Management Agreement (20% of investment income and capital gains)

     % (5)  

Interest payments on borrowed funds

     % (6)  

Other expenses

     % (7)  

Acquired fund fees and 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 dealer manager, is the only sales load paid in connection with this offering.
(2) Amount reflects estimated offering expenses of approximately $    and is based on the offering of shares at the public offering price of $    per share.
(3) The expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan are included in “other expenses” in the table above. For additional information, see “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus.
(4) Our management fee (the “Management Fee”) is calculated at an annual rate of 1.50% (0.375% per quarter) of the average value of our gross assets (excluding cash or cash equivalents (such as investments in money market funds), but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) at the end of each of the two most recently completed calendar quarters). See “Management—Investment Management Agreement” in the accompanying prospectus. The Management Fee referenced in the table above is based on actual amounts incurred during the    months ended                ,                , annualized for a full year.
(5) The incentive fee (the “Incentive Fee”) payable to our Investment Adviser is based on our performance and is not paid unless we achieve certain goals. It consists of two components, one based on income and the other based on capital gains, that are determined independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not. The Incentive Fee referenced in the table above is based on actual amounts incurred during the    months ended                ,                , annualized for a full year.

The Incentive Fee based on income is determined and paid quarterly in arrears at the end of each calendar quarter by reference to our aggregate net investment income, as adjusted as described below, from the calendar quarter then ending and the eleven preceding calendar quarters (or if shorter, the number of quarters that have occurred since January 1, 2015) (in either case, the “Trailing Twelve Quarters”). The hurdle amount for the Incentive Fee based on income is determined on a quarterly basis, and is equal to 1.75% multiplied by our NAV at the beginning of each applicable calendar quarter comprising the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters. The hurdle amount is calculated after making appropriate adjustments for subscriptions (which includes all issuances by us of shares of our common stock, including issuances pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan) and distributions that occurred during the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters.

 

S-9


For the portion of the Incentive Fee based on income, we pay our Investment Adviser a quarterly Incentive Fee based on the amount by which (A) aggregate net investment income (“Ordinary Income”) in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters exceeds (B) the hurdle amount for such Trailing Twelve Quarters. The amount of the excess of (A) over (B) described in this paragraph for such Trailing Twelve Quarters is referred to as the “Excess Income Amount.” For the avoidance of doubt, Ordinary Income is net of all fees and expenses, including the Management Fee but excluding any Incentive Fee.

The Incentive Fee based on income for each quarter is determined as follows:

 

    No Incentive Fee based on income is payable to our Investment Adviser for any calendar quarter for which there is no Excess Income Amount.

 

    100% of the Ordinary Income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle amount, but is less than or equal to an amount, which we refer to as the “Catch-up Amount,” determined as the sum of 2.1875% multiplied by our NAV at the beginning of each applicable calendar quarter comprising the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters is included in the calculation of the Incentive Fee based on income; and

 

    20% of the Ordinary Income that exceeds the Catch-up Amount is included in the calculation of the Incentive Fee based on income.

The amount of the Incentive Fee based on income that will be paid to our Investment Adviser for a particular quarter will equal the excess of the Incentive Fee so calculated minus the aggregate Incentive Fees based on income that were paid in respect of the first eleven calendar quarters (or the portion thereof) included in the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters but not in excess of the Incentive Fee Cap (as described below).

The Incentive Fee based on income that is paid to our Investment Adviser for a particular quarter is subject to a cap (the “Incentive Fee Cap”). The Incentive Fee Cap for any quarter is an amount equal to (a) 20% of the Cumulative Net Return (as defined below) during the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters minus (b) the aggregate Incentive Fees based on income that were paid in respect of the first eleven calendar quarters (or the portion thereof) included in the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters.

“Cumulative Net Return” means (x) the Ordinary Income in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters minus (y) any Net Capital Loss, as defined below, if any, in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value, we will pay no Incentive Fee based on income to our Investment Adviser for such quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is a positive value but is less than the Incentive Fee based on income that is payable to our Investment Adviser for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap) calculated as described above, we will pay an Incentive Fee based on income to our Investment Adviser equal to the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is equal to or greater than the Incentive Fee based on income that is payable to our Investment Adviser for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap) calculated as described above, we will pay an Incentive Fee based on income to our Investment Adviser equal to the Incentive Fee calculated as described above for such quarter without regard to the Incentive Fee Cap.

“Net Capital Loss” in respect of a particular period means the difference, if positive, between (i) aggregate capital losses, whether realized or unrealized, in such period and (ii) aggregate capital gains, whether realized or unrealized, in such period.

The portion of the Incentive Fee based on capital gains is calculated on an annual basis. For each period beginning on January 1 of each calendar year and ending on December 31 of the calendar year or, in the case of our first and last year, the appropriate portion thereof (each, an “Annual Period”), we pay our Investment Adviser an Incentive Fee equal to (A) 20% of the difference, if positive, of the sum of our aggregate realized capital gains, if any, computed net of our aggregate realized capital losses, if any, and our aggregate unrealized capital depreciation, if any, in each case from April 1, 2013 until the end of such Annual Period minus (B) the cumulative amount of Incentive Fees based on capital gains previously paid to our Investment Adviser from April 1, 2013. For the avoidance of doubt, unrealized capital gains are excluded from the calculation in clause (A), above.

 

S-10


We accrue, but not pay, a portion of the Incentive Fee based on capital gains with respect to net unrealized appreciation. For more detailed information about the Incentive Fee, see “Management—Investment Management Agreement” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

(6) Interest payments on borrowed funds represents our annualized interest expense based on borrowings as of                , 20     , with a weighted average interest rate of    %. For the    months ended             , 20     , the Revolving Credit Facility bore a weighted average interest rate of     %, and the Convertible Notes bore interest at an annual rate of 4.50%. We may borrow additional funds from time to time to make investments to the extent we determine that the economic situation is conducive to doing so. We may also issue additional debt securities or preferred stock, subject to our compliance with applicable requirements under the Investment Company Act. [We do not currently anticipate issuing additional debt securities or preferred stock in the next 12 months.]
(7) “Other Expenses” includes overhead expenses, including payments under the administration agreement with our administrator (the “Administration Agreement”), and is estimated for the current fiscal year. See “Management—Administration Agreement” in the accompanying prospectus.
(8) Our stockholders indirectly bear the expenses of underlying funds or other investment vehicles in which we invest that (1) are investment companies or (2) would be investment companies under section 3(a) of the Investment Company Act but for the exceptions to that definition provided for in sections 3(c)(1) and 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act (“Acquired Funds”). This amount includes the estimated annual fees and expenses of the Senior Credit Fund and a money market fund managed by an affiliate of Group Inc., which are our only Acquired Funds as of                ,    .

Although not reflected above, the Investment Adviser expects to continue to waive a portion of its management fee payable by the Company in an amount equal to any management fees it earns as an investment adviser for any affiliated money market funds in which the Company invests.

Example

The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in our common stock. In calculating the following expense amounts, we have assumed that our annual operating expenses remain at the levels set forth in the table above, except for the Incentive Fee based on income and that investors pay transaction expenses of                 % with respect to the rights sold by us in this offering.

 

     1 year      3 years      5 years      10 years  

You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 common stock investment, assuming a 5% annual return (none of which is subject to the Incentive Fee based on capital gains) (1)

   $         $         $         $     

You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 common stock investment, assuming a 5% annual return resulting entirely from net realized capital gains (all of which is subject to the Incentive Fee based on capital gains) (2)

   $         $         $         $     

 

(1) Assumes that we will not realize any capital gains computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation.
(2) Assumes no unrealized capital depreciation and a 5% annual return resulting entirely from net realized capital gains and not otherwise deferrable under the terms of the Investment Management Agreement and therefore subject to the Incentive Fee based on capital gains. Because our investment strategy involves investments that generate primarily current income, we believe that a 5% annual return resulting entirely from net realized capital gains is unlikely.

The foregoing table is to assist you in understanding the various costs and expenses that an investor in our common stock will bear directly or indirectly. 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 our Investment Management Agreement, which, assuming a 5% annual return, would either not be payable or would have an insignificant impact on the expense amounts shown above, is not included in the example. In addition, while

 

S-11


the example assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at NAV, under certain circumstances, reinvestment of dividends and other distributions under our dividend reinvestment plan may occur at a price per share that differs from NAV. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus for additional information regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.

This example and the expenses in the table above 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.

 

 

S-12


RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves certain risks relating to our structure and investment objective. You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before you decide whether to make an investment in our securities. The risks set forth below are not the only risks we face, and we may face other risks that we have not yet identified, which we do not currently deem material or which are not yet predictable. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such case, our NAV and the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

[The rights are non-transferable and there is no public market for the rights.

Other than in very limited circumstances, you may not sell, give away or otherwise transfer your rights. Because the rights are non-transferable, there is no market or other means for you to directly realize any value associated with the rights. You must exercise the rights and acquire additional shares of our common stock to realize any value. We cannot assure you that an active public market will develop for our rights after this offering or, if one develops, that such trading market can be sustained. In addition we cannot predict the prices at which our rights will trade.]

[If you do not fully exercise your subscription rights in any rights offering of our common stock, your interest in us may be diluted and, if the subscription price is less than our NAV per share, you may experience an immediate dilution of the aggregate NAV of your shares.

Stockholders who do not fully exercise their subscription rights should expect that they will, at the completion of the rights offering, own a smaller proportional interest in us than would be the case if they fully exercised their rights. We would not be able to state the amount of any such dilution prior to knowing the proportion of the shares that will be purchased as a result of the offer. Such dilution could be substantial.

In addition, if the subscription price is less than the NAV per share of our common stock, a stockholder who does not fully exercise its subscription rights may experience an immediate dilution of the aggregate NAV of its shares as a result of the offering.]

[We may terminate the rights offering at any time prior to delivery of the shares of our common stock offered hereby, and neither we nor the subscription agent will have any obligation to you except to return your subscription payments, without interest.

We may, in our sole discretion, terminate the rights offering at any time prior to delivery of the shares of our common stock offered hereby, if the subscription price is less than [ ]% of the NAV attributable to a share of common stock disclosed in the most recent periodic report we filed with the SEC. If the rights offering is terminated, all rights will expire without value and the subscription agent will return as soon as practicable all exercise payments, without interest. [No amounts paid to acquire rights on [insert name of any applicable exchange on which rights are listed] or otherwise will be returned.]]

[Insert any additional relevant risk factors not included in the base prospectus.]

 

S-13


USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that net proceeds we will receive from this offering will be approximately $            million assuming all of the rights are exercised at the estimated subscription price and after deducting payments to the dealer manager of    % of the subscription price for each share issued pursuant to exercise of the rights and estimated offering expenses of approximately $            payable by us. There can be no assurance that all of the rights will be exercised in full, and the subscription price will not be determined until the close of business on the expiration date.

[Describe use of proceeds and include any other relevant information to the extent required to be disclosed by applicable law or regulation.]

 

S-14


PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “GSBD”. Our common stock has historically traded at prices both above and below our NAV per share. It is not possible to predict whether our common stock will trade at, above or below NAV in the future. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Securities” in the accompanying prospectus.

The following table sets forth, for each fiscal quarter since [our IPO], the NAV per share of our common stock, the range of high and low closing sales prices of our common stock reported on the NYSE, the closing sales price as a premium (discount) to NAV and distributions declared by us. On     , , the last reported closing sales price of our common stock on the NYSE was $[ ] per share, which represented a [premium/discount] of approximately [ ]% to the NAV per share reported by us as of        ,        .

 

            Closing Sales
Price
    Premium
or
Discount
of
High
Sales
Price to
    Premium
or
Discount
of
Low
Sales
Price to
   

Declared

 
   NAV (1)      High     Low     NAV (2)     NAV (2)     Distribution (3)  

Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2017

             

First Fiscal Quarter

     *         [         [         *        *        [    

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2016

             

Fourth Fiscal Quarter

     *       $ 23.61      $ 20.77        *        *      $ 0.45   

Third Fiscal Quarter

   $ 18.58       $ 22.26      $ 19.98        19.8     7.5   $ 0.45   

Second Fiscal Quarter

   $ 18.41       $ 20.02      $ 19.34        8.7     5.1   $ 0.45   

First Fiscal Quarter

   $ 18.67       $ 20.00      $ 17.41        7.1     (6.7 )%    $ 0.45   

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2015

             

Fourth Fiscal Quarter

   $ 18.97       $ 20.37      $ 18.40        7.4     (3.0 )%    $ 0.45   

Third Fiscal Quarter

   $ 19.38       $ 25.19      $ 17.91        30.0     (7.6 )%    $ 0.45   

Second Fiscal Quarter

   $ 19.46       $ 23.65      $ 20.33        21.5     4.5   $ 0.45   

First Fiscal Quarter (from March 18, 2015 through March 31, 2015)

   $ 19.43       $ 21.31      $ 20.05        9.7     3.2   $ 0.45   

 

(1) NAV per share is determined as of the last day in the relevant quarter and therefore may not reflect the NAV per share on the date of the high and low closing sales prices. The NAVs shown are based on outstanding shares at the end of the relevant quarter.
(2) Calculated as the respective high or low closing sales price less NAV divided by NAV as of the last day in the relevant quarter.
(3) Represents the dividend or distribution declared in the relevant quarter.
* NAV has not yet been calculated for this period.

We intend to continue to pay quarterly distributions to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. Future quarterly distributions, if any, will be determined by our Board of Directors. All future distributions will be subject to lawfully available funds therefor, and no assurance can be given that we will be able to declare such distributions in future periods.

We have elected to be treated, and expect to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013. To maintain our RIC status, we must, among other things, timely distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our investment company taxable income for each taxable year. We intend to timely distribute to our stockholders substantially all of our annual taxable income for each year, except that we may retain certain net capital gains (i.e., realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) for reinvestment and, depending upon the level of taxable income earned in a year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income for distribution in the following year and pay any applicable U.S.

 

S-15


federal excise tax. We generally will be required to pay such U.S. federal excise tax if our distributions during a calendar year do not exceed the sum of (1) 98.0% of our net ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) 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 net ordinary income and capital gains in excess of capital losses for preceding years that were not distributed during such years. If we retain net capital gains, we may treat such amounts as deemed distributions to our stockholders. In that case, you will be treated as if you had received an actual distribution of the capital gains we retained and then you reinvested the net after-tax proceeds in our common stock. In general, you also will be eligible to claim a tax credit (or, in certain circumstances, obtain a tax refund) equal to your allocable share of the tax we paid on the capital gains deemed distributed to you. Stockholders should read carefully any written disclosure accompanying a distribution from us and should not assume that the source of any distribution is our net ordinary income or capital gains. The distributions we pay to our stockholders in a year may exceed our net ordinary income and capital gains for that year and, accordingly, a portion of such distributions may constitute a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The specific tax characteristics of our distributions will be reported to stockholders after the end of the calendar year. Please refer to “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus for further information regarding the tax treatment of our distributions and the tax consequences of our retention of net capital gains. See also “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Securities—We may not be able to pay you distributions on our common stock or preferred stock, our distributions to you may not grow over time and a portion of our distributions to you may be a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes” in the accompanying prospectus.

Unless our stockholders elect to receive their distributions in cash, we intend to make such distributions in additional shares of our common stock under our dividend reinvestment plan. Distributions paid in the form of additional shares of our common stock will generally be subject to U.S. federal, state and local taxes in the same manner as cash distributions; however, investors participating in our dividend reinvestment plan will not receive any corresponding cash with which to pay any such applicable taxes. If you hold shares of our common stock through a broker or financial intermediary, you may elect to receive distributions in cash by notifying your broker or financial intermediary of your election to receive distributions in cash in lieu of shares of our common stock. Any distributions reinvested through the issuance of shares through our dividend reinvestment plan will increase our assets on which the Management Fee and the Incentive Fee are determined and paid to the Investment Adviser. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus.

The following table lists the quarterly distributions that we have declared per share of our common stock since January 1, [2014].

 

Period

   Payment Date      Declared
Distributions
 

First Quarter 2014

     April 30, 2014       $ 0.33   

Second Quarter 2014

     July 31, 2014       $ 0.41   

Third Quarter 2014

     October 31, 2014       $ 0.42   

Fourth Quarter 2014

     January 30, 2015       $ 0.53   
     

 

 

 

Total Declared for 2014

      $ 1.69   
     

 

 

 

First Quarter 2015

     April 30, 2015       $ 0.45   

Second Quarter 2015

     July 15, 2015       $ 0.45   

Third Quarter 2015

     October 15, 2015       $ 0.45   

Fourth Quarter 2015

     January 28, 2016       $ 0.45   
     

 

 

 

Total Declared for 2015

      $ 1.80   
     

 

 

 

First Quarter 2016

     April 15, 2016       $ 0.45   

Second Quarter 2016

     July 15, 2016       $ 0.45   

Third Quarter 2016

     October 17, 2016       $ 0.45   

Fourth Quarter 2016

     January 17, 2017       $ 0.45   
     

 

 

 

Total Declared for 2016

      $ 1.80   
     

 

 

 

 

S-16


SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA AND OTHER INFORMATION

The selected financial and other information below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and our financial statements and the related notes thereto. Financial information as of and for the years ended December 31, 20     , 20    and 20    [and as of and for the period from November 15, 2012 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2012] has been derived from the audited financial statements of Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. [(formerly, Goldman Sachs Liberty Harbor Capital, LLC)]. The audited financial statements included in the accompanying prospectus were audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. Interim financial information for the    months ended             ,             and has been derived from the unaudited interim financial statements of Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc., which are included elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus. Our unaudited interim financial statements were prepared on a basis consistent with our audited financial statements and, in our opinion, include all adjustments necessary for the fair statement of the results for the periods presented. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of future results, and our results for the    months ended             ,             are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full             fiscal year.

The selected financial data in this section is not intended to replace the financial statements and is qualified in its entirety by the financial statements and related notes included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

     For the
Months
Ended    ,
     For the
Months
Ended    ,
     For the Year
Ended
December 31,

2015
    For the Year
Ended
December 31,
2014
    For the Year
Ended
December 31,

2013
    For the period
from
November 15,
2012
(commencement of
operations)
through
December 31,
2012
 

Consolidated statements of operations data (in thousands):

              

Total investment income

   $         $         $ 118,436      $ 73,279      $ 22,835      $ 162   

Net expenses

           43,338        20,422        6,899        346   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) before taxes

           75,098        52,857        15,936        (184

Excise tax expense

           518        119        —          —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) after

taxes

           74,580        52,738        15,936        (184

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

           (27,952     (15,816     3,118        1,046   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations before tax

   $         $         $ 46,628      $ 36,922      $ 19,054      $ 862   

Income tax expense

     —           —           —          —          (1,070     (351
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations after tax

   $         $         $ 46,628      $ 36,922      $ 17,984      $ 511   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per share data

              

Net Asset Value

   $         $         $ 18.97      $ 19.56      $ 20.00      $ 19.37   

Net investment income (loss) (basic and diluted)

   $         $         $ 2.14      $ 1.77      $ 0.67      $ (0.09

Earnings (basic and diluted)

   $         $         $ 1.34      $ 1.24      $ 0.76      $ 0.26   

Distributions declared

   $         $         $ 1.80      $ 1.69      $ 0.50      $ —     

 

S-17


     As of
        ,
     As of
        ,
     As of
December 31,
2015
     As of
December 31,
2014
     As of
December 31,
2013
 

Consolidated statements of asset and liabilities data (at period end) (in thousands):

              

Total assets

   $         $         $ 1,132,759       $ 967,492       $ 630,222   

Total investments, at fair value

           1,091,181         943,515         613,935   

Total liabilities

           444,109         392,910         22,437   

Total debt

           419,000         350,000         —     

Total net assets

   $         $         $ 688,650       $ 574,582       $ 607,785   

 

S-18


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “target,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue” or “believe” or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our plans, strategies, prospects and expectations concerning our business, operating results, financial condition and other similar matters. We believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations to our investors. Our forward-looking statements include information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus regarding general domestic and global economic conditions, our future financing plans, our ability to operate as a BDC and the expected performance of, and the yield on, our portfolio companies. There may be events in the future, however, that we are not able to predict accurately or control. The factors listed under “Risk Factors,” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as well as any cautionary language in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our forward-looking statements. The occurrence of the events described in these risk factors and elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus speaks only as of the date on which we make it. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. You are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we have filed or in the future may file with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, registration statements on Form N-2, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Under Section 27A(b)(2)(B) and (D) of the Securities Act and Section 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 any offering of securities pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or in the periodic reports we file under the Exchange Act.

The following factors are among those that may cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements:

 

    our future operating results;

 

    changes in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment or conditions affecting the financial and capital markets;

 

    uncertainty surrounding the financial stability of the U.S., the EU and China;

 

    our business prospects and the prospects of our 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;

 

    the use of borrowed money to finance a portion of our investments;

 

    our ability to make distributions;

 

    the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital;

 

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

 

    the impact of future acquisitions and divestitures;

 

    the effect of changes in tax laws and regulations and interpretations thereof;

 

    our ability to maintain our status as a BDC and a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code;

 

    actual and potential conflicts of interest with GSAM and its affiliates;

 

S-19


    general price and volume fluctuations in the stock market;

 

    the ability of GSAM to attract and retain highly talented professionals;

 

    the impact on our business from new or amended legislation or regulations; and

 

    the availability of credit and/or our ability to access the equity markets.

 

S-20


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and other parts of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. The discussion and analysis contained in this section refers to our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Please see “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 “Forward-Looking Statements” appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

[Insert Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations from most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Annual Report on Form 10-K, as applicable, prior to the offering.]

 

S-21


CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth:

 

    our actual capitalization as of                 ,     ; and

 

    our pro forma capitalization to give effect to the sale of shares of our common stock, assuming all rights are exercised at the estimated subscription price of $    and our receipt of the estimated net proceeds from that sale.

 

     As of                 , 20  
     Actual      Pro Forma  
     (in thousands)      (in thousands)  

Assets:

  

Cash

   $         $     

Investment, at fair value

     

Other assets

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

     

Debt

     

Other liabilities

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets:

     

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

     

Paid-in-capital in excess of par

     

Capital distributions in excess of net investment income

     

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

     

Total stockholders’ equity

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value per share

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

S-22


DILUTION

As of                ,    , we had                shares of common stock outstanding and as of                ,    , our NAV was $    million, or approximately $    per share. After giving effect to the sale of the shares of common stock to be sold in this offering, assuming all rights are exercised at the estimated subscription price of $    per share, and the deduction of discounts and estimated offering expenses, our as-adjusted NAV as of    ,    would be approximately $    million, or $    per share, representing an immediate dilution of $    per share, or    % to shares sold in this offering.

 

     As of    ,      
     Actual     Pro Forma  

Net asset value per common share

   $        $     
     Months Ended    ,      
     Actual     Pro Forma  

Net increase in assets resulting from net investment income per common share

   $   (1)     $   (2)  

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations per common share

   $   (1)     $   (2)  

Distributions per common share

   $        $   (3)  

 

(1) Basic and diluted, weighted average number of shares outstanding is    .
(2) Assumes that on    ,    , the beginning of the indicated period, (i) all rights were exercised at the estimated subscription price of $    per share and (ii)            shares of our common stock were issued upon the exercise of such rights.
(3) Assumes that actual cash distributions divided by adjusted shares, including shares issued upon exercise of rights.

 

S-23


LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters regarding the securities offered by this prospectus supplement will be passed upon for Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP. In addition, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has advised the Company in connection with certain matters under the Investment Company Act. Dechert LLP serves as counsel to the Company and to the Independent Directors. Certain legal matters in connection with the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for the dealer manager by     .

EXPERTS

The financial statements as of December 31,                and                and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,                have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 101 Seaport Boulevard, Suite 500, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

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

We file with or submit to the SEC periodic and current 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 registration statements and related exhibits and schedules, at the Public SEC’s Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090 or (800) SEC-0330. We maintain a website at www.goldmansachsbdc.com and 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. You may also obtain such information by contacting us, in writing at: 200 West Street New York, New York 10282, or by telephone (collect) at (212) 902-0300. 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.

 

S-24


INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

[Insert index to financial statements followed by financial statements and notes thereto from most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Annual Report on Form 10-K, as applicable, prior to the offering.]

 

SF-1