As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 25, 2017
Securities Act File No. 333-214767
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-2
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
Pre-Effective Amendment No.
Post-Effective Amendment No. 2
Hercules Capital, Inc.
(formerly known as Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.)
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)
400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 310
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrants Telephone Number, including Area Code: (650) 289-3060
Manuel A. Henriquez
Chief Executive Officer
Hercules Capital, Inc.
400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 310
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(Name and address of agent for service)
COPIES TO:
William Bielefeld
Ian Hartman
Jay Alicandri
Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box. ☒
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box): ☒ when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c).
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-214767) of Hercules Capital, Inc. (the Registration Statement) is being filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), solely for the purpose of filing exhibits to the Registration Statement. Accordingly, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 consists only of a facing page, this explanatory note and Part C of the Registration Statement on Form N-2 setting forth the exhibits to the Registration Statement. This Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 does not modify any other part of the Registration Statement. Pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 shall become effective immediately upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The contents of the Registration Statement are hereby incorporated by reference.
PART COTHER INFORMATION
Item 25. Financial Statements and Exhibits
1. Financial Statements
The following financial statements of Hercules Capital, Inc. (the Company or the Registrant) are included in this registration statement in Part AInformation Required in a Prospectus:
AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
||||
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
F-2 | |||
Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 |
F-3 | |||
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three years ended December 31, 2016 |
F-5 | |||
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the three years ended December 31, 2016 |
F-6 | |||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three years ended December 31, 2016 |
F-7 | |||
Consolidated Schedule of Investments as of December 31, 2016 |
F-8 | |||
Consolidated Schedule of Investments as of December 31, 2015 |
F-25 | |||
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
F-40 | |||
Consolidated Schedule of Investments In and Advances to Affiliates as of December 31, 2016 |
F-84 | |||
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
||||
Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (unaudited) |
F-85 | |||
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (unaudited) |
F-87 | |||
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (unaudited) |
F-88 | |||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (unaudited) |
F-89 | |||
Consolidated Schedule of Investments as of June 30, 2017 (unaudited) |
F-90 | |||
Consolidated Schedule of Investments as of December 31, 2016 (unaudited) |
F-106 | |||
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) |
F-123 | |||
Consolidated Schedule of Investments In and Advances to Affiliates as of June 30, 2017 |
F-161 |
2. Exhibits
Exhibit
|
Description |
|
a.1 | Articles of Amendment and Restatement. (2) | |
a.2 | Articles of Amendment, dated March 6, 2007. (10) | |
a.3 | Articles of Amendment, dated April 5, 2011. (17) | |
a.4 | Articles of Amendment, dated April 3, 2015. (29) | |
a.5 | Articles of Amendment, dated February 25, 2016. (34) | |
b | Amended and Restated Bylaws of Hercules Capital, Inc. (34) | |
d.1 | Specimen certificate of the Companys common stock, par value $.001 per share. (3) | |
d.2 | Form of Indenture and related exhibits. (18) | |
d.3 | Form of Warrant Agreement. (18) | |
d.4 | Form of Subscription Agent Agreement. (18) |
C-1
Exhibit
|
Description |
|
d.5 | Form of Subscription Certificate. (18) | |
d.6 | Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1. (47) | |
d.7 | Indenture, dated March 6, 2012 between the Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association. (19) | |
d.8 | First Supplemental Indenture, dated April 17, 2012 between the Registrant and U.S. Bank, National Association. (19) | |
d.9 | Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 24, 2012, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank, National Association. (21) | |
d.10 | Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 14, 2014, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank, National Association. (26) | |
d.11 | Form of 7.00% Senior Note due 2019, dated as of April 17, 2012 (Existing April 2019 Note) (included as part of Exhibit (d)(8)). (19) | |
d.12 | Form of 7.00% Senior Note due 2019, dated as of July 6, 2012 (Additional April 2019 Note). (20) | |
d.13 | Form of 7.00% Senior Note due 2019, dated as of July 12, 2012 (Over-Allotment April 2019 Note). (23) | |
d.14 | Form of 7.00% Senior Note due 2019, dated as of September 24, 2012 (September 2019 Note) (included as part of Exhibit (d)(9)). (21) | |
d.15 | Form of 7.00% Senior Note due 2019, dated as of October 2, 2012 (Over-Allotment September 2019 Note). (22) | |
d.16 | Form of 7.00% Senior Note due 2019, dated as of October 17, 2012 (Over-Allotment II September 2019 Note). (24) | |
d.17 | Form of 6.25% Note due 2024, dated July 14, 2014 (July 2024 Note) (included as part of Exhibit (d)(10)). (26) | |
d.18 | Form of 6.25% Note due 2024, dated August 11, 2014 (Over-Allotment July 2024 Note). (27) | |
d.19 | Form of 6.25% Note due 2024, dated May 2, 2016 (Additional July 2024 Note). (38) | |
d.20 | Form of 6.25% Note due 2024, June 27, 2016 (Additional July 2024 Note). (39) | |
d.21 | Form of 6.25% Note due 2024, July 5, 2016 (Additional July 2024 Note). (40) | |
d.22 | Form of 6.25% Note due 2024, October 11, 2016 (Additional July 2024 Note). (43) | |
d.23 | Indenture, dated January 25, 2017, between Hercules Capital, Inc. and U.S. Bank, National Association, as Trustee (45) | |
d.24 | Form of 4.375% Convertible Note Due 2022 (included as part of Exhibit d.23) (45) | |
d.25* | Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 23, 2017, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank, National Association. | |
d.26* | Form of 4.625% Note due 2022, dated October 23, 2017 (included as part of Exhibit (d)(25)). | |
e | Form of Dividend Reinvestment Plan. (4) | |
f.1 | Loan Sale Agreement between Hercules Funding LLC and Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. dated as of August 1, 2005. (5) | |
f.2 | Indenture between Hercules Funding Trust I and U.S. Bank National Association dated as of August 1, 2005. (5) |
C-2
Exhibit
|
Description |
|
f.3 | Note Purchase Agreement among Hercules Funding Trust I, Hercules Funding I LLC, Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp. dated as of August 1, 2005. (5) | |
f.4 | First Omnibus Amendment by and among Hercules Funding Trust I, Hercules Funding I, LLC, Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc., U.S. Bank National Association, Lyon Financial Services, Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp. dated March 6, 2006. (6) | |
f.5 | Intercreditor Agreement among Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc., Alcmene Funding, L.L.C. and Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp. dated as of March 6, 2006. (6) | |
f.6 | Warrant Participation Agreement between the Company and Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp. dated as of August 1, 2005. (7) | |
f.7 | Second Amendment to Warrant Participation Agreement dated as of October 16, 2006. (7) | |
f.8 | Second Omnibus Amendment by and among Hercules Funding Trust I, Hercules Funding I, LLC, Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc., U.S. Bank National Association, Lyon Financial Services, Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp. dated December 6, 2006. (8) | |
f.9 | Amended and Restated Sale and Servicing Agreement by and among Hercules Funding Trust I, Hercules Funding I LLC, the Company, U.S. Bank National Association, Lyon Financial Services, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., and Deutsche Bank AG dated as of May 2, 2007. (11) | |
f.10 | Fourth Amendment to the Warrant Participation Agreement by and among Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Realty Corp., dated as of May 2, 2007. (12) | |
f.11 | Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement by and among Hercules Funding Trust I, Hercules Funding I LLC, Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. dated as of May 2, 2007. (12) | |
f.12 | First Amendment to Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement by and among Hercules Funding Trust I, Hercules Funding I LLC, Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. dated as of May 7, 2008. (14) | |
f.13 | Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Sale and Servicing Agreement by and among Hercules Funding Trust I, Hercules Funding I LLC, Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc., U.S. Bank National Association, Lyon Financial Services, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., and Deutsche Bank AG dated as of May 7, 2008. (14) | |
f.14 | Form of SBA Debenture. (15) | |
f.15 | Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement by and among Hercules Funding II, LLC, the Lenders thereto and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, dated as of June 29, 2015. (31) | |
f.16 | Amended and Restated Sales and Servicing Agreement among Hercules Funding II, LLC, Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, dated as of June 29, 2015. (31) | |
f.17 | Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement by and between Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. and Union Bank, N.A. dated November 2, 2011. (16) | |
f.18 | Indenture by and between Hercules Capital Funding Trust 2012-1 and U.S. Bank National Association, dated as of December 19, 2012. (25) | |
f.19 | Amended and Restated Trust Agreement by and between Hercules Capital Funding 2012-1 LLC and Wilmington Trust, National Association, dated as of December 19, 2012. (25) |
C-3
Exhibit
|
Description |
|
f.20 | Sale and Servicing Agreement by and between Hercules Capital Funding 2012-1 LLC, Hercules Capital Funding Trust 2012-1 LLC, Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, dated as of December 19, 2012. (25) | |
f.21 | Sale and Contribution Agreement by and between Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. and Hercules Capital Funding 2012-1 LLC, dated as of December 19, 2012. (25) | |
f.22 | Note Purchase Agreement by and between the Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc., Hercules Capital Funding 2012-1 LLC, as Trust Depositor, Hercules Capital Funding Trust 2012-1, as Issuer, and Guggenheim Securities, LLC, as Initial Purchaser, dated as of December 12, 2012. (25) | |
f.23 | Administration Agreement by and between Hercules Capital Funding Trust 2012-1LLC, Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc, Wilmington Trust, National Association, and U.S. Bank National Association, dated as of December 19, 2012. (25) | |
f.24 | Indenture by and among Hercules Capital Funding Trust 2014-1 and U.S. Bank National Association, dated as of November 13, 2014. (28) | |
f.25 | Amended and Restated Trust Agreement by and among Hercules Capital Funding 2014-1 LLC and Wilmington Trust, National Association, dated as of November 13, 2014. (28) | |
f.26 | Sale and Servicing Agreement by and among Hercules Capital Funding Trust 2014-1, Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc., Hercules Capital Funding 2014-1 LLC and U.S. Bank National Association, dated as of November 13, 2014. (28) | |
f.27 | Sale and Contribution Agreement by and among Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. and Hercules Capital Funding 2014-1 LLC, dated as of November 13, 2014. (28) | |
f.28 | Note Purchase Agreement among Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc., Hercules Capital Funding 2014-1 LLC, Hercules Capital Funding Trust 2014-1 and Guggenheim Securities, LLC, dated as of November 4, 2014. (28) | |
f.29 | Administration Agreement among Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc., Hercules Capital Funding Trust 2014-1, Wilmington Trust National Association and U.S. Bank National Association, dated November 13, 2014. (28) | |
f.30 | First Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement by and among Hercules Funding II LLC and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC (f/k/a Wells Fargo Foothill, LLC), dated as of December 16, 2015. (33) | |
f.31 | First Amendment and Waiver to Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement by and among Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. and MUFG Union Bank, N.A., dated as of November 3, 2015. (32) | |
f.32 | Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement by and among Hercules Funding II LLC and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC (f/k/a Wells Fargo Foothill, LLC), dated as of March 8, 2016. (35) | |
f.33 | Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement by and among Hercules Funding II LLC and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC (f/k/a Wells Fargo Foothill, LLC), dated as of April 7, 2016. (36) | |
f.34 | Loan and Security Agreement by and among Hercules Funding III, LLC, as borrower, MUFG Union Bank, N.A., as the arranger and administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto from time to time, dated as of May 5, 2016. (37) | |
f.35 | Sale and Servicing Agreement by and among Hercules Funding III LLC, as borrower, Hercules Capital, Inc., as originator and servicer, and MUFG Union Bank, N.A., as agent, dated as of May 5, 2016. (37) |
C-4
Exhibit
|
Description |
|
f.36 | First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement by and among Hercules Funding III LLC, as borrower, MUFG Union Bank, N.A., as the arranger and administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto from time to time, dated as of July 14, 2016. (41) | |
f.37 | Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement by and among Hercules Funding II LLC and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC (f/k/a Wells Fargo Foothill, LLC), dated as of April 3, 2017. (46) | |
h.1 | Form of Equity Underwriting Agreement. (30) | |
h.2 | Form of Debt Underwriting Agreement. (30) | |
h.3 | Equity Distribution Agreement, dated as of September 8, 2017, by and among the Registrant and JMP Securities LLC. (48) | |
h.4 | Underwriting Agreement, dated as of June 22, 2016, by and among the Registrant and the Underwriters named therein. (39) | |
h.5 | Debt Distribution Agreement, dated as of October 11, 2016, by and among the Registrant and FBR Capital Markets & Co. (43) | |
h.6* | Underwriting Agreement, dated as of October 18, 2017, by and among the Registrant and the Underwriters named therein. | |
i.1 | Hercules Capital, Inc. Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan. (44) | |
i.2 | Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. 2006 Non-Employee Director Plan (2007 Amendment and Restatement). (13) | |
i.3 | Form of Incentive Stock Option Award under the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan. (2) | |
i.4 | Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Award under the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan. (2) | |
i.5 | Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement. (44) | |
i.6 | Form of Performance Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement. (44) | |
j | Form of Custody Agreement between the Company and Union Bank of California. (2) | |
k.1 | Form of Registrar Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company. (2) | |
k.2 | Warrant Agreement dated June 22, 2004 between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent. (1) | |
k.3 | Lease Agreement dated June 13, 2006 between the Company and 400 Hamilton Associates. (9) | |
k.4 | Form of Indemnification Agreement. (42) | |
l.1 | Opinion of Dechert LLP. (47) | |
l.2 | Opinion of Dechert LLP. (48) | |
l.3* | Opinion of Dechert LLP. | |
n.1 | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. (47) | |
n.2 | Report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. (47) | |
n.3 | Consent of Dechert LLP (included in Exhibit l). (47) | |
p | Subscription Agreement dated February 2, 2004 between the Company and the subscribers named therein. (2) |
C-5
* | Filed herewith. |
(1) | Previously filed as part of the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company, as filed on February 22, 2005. |
(2) | Previously filed as part of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1, as filed on May 17, 2005 (File No. 333-122950) to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company. |
(3) | Previously filed as part of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2, as filed on June 8, 2005 (File No. 333-122950) to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company. |
(4) | Previously filed as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1, as filed on June 10, 2005 (File No. 333-122950) to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company. |
(5) | Previously filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, as filed on August 5, 2005. |
(6) | Previously filed as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3, as filed on March 9, 2006 (File No. 333-126604) to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company. |
(7) | Previously filed as part of the Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1, as filed on October 17, 2006 (File No. 333-136918) to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company. |
(8) | Previously filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, as filed on December 6, 2006. |
(9) | Previously filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, as filed on August 1, 2006. |
(10) | Previously filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, as filed March 9, 2007. |
(11) | Previously filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, as filed May 4, 2007. |
(12) | Previously filed as part of the Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1, as filed May 15, 2007 (File No. 333-141828), to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company. |
(13) | Previously filed as part of the Securities to be Offered to Employees in Employee Benefit Plans on Form S-8, as filed October 2, 2007. |
(14) | Previously filed as part of the Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2, as filed June 5, 2008 (File No. 333-150403), to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company. |
(15) | Previously filed as part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company, as filed on March 16, 2009. |
(16) | Previously filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, as filed on November 4, 2011. |
(17) | Previously filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, as filed on April 11, 2011. |
(18) | Previously filed as part of the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company, as filed on February 8, 2012 (File No. 333-179431). |
(19) | Previously filed as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1, as filed on April 17, 2012 (File No. 333-179431), to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company. |
(20) | Previously filed as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2, as filed on July 6, 2012 (File No. 333-179431), to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company. |
(21) | Previously filed as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 5, as filed on September 24, 2012 (File No. 333-179431), to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company. |
(22) | Previously filed as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 7, as filed on October 2, 2012 (File No. 333-179431), to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company. |
(23) | Previously filed as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3, as filed on July 12, 2012 (File No. 333-179431), to the Registration Statement of the Company. |
(24) | Previously filed as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 8, as filed on October 17, 2012 (File No. 333-179431), to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company. |
(25) | Previously filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, as filed on December 20, 2012. |
(26) | Previously filed as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 5, as filed on July 14, 2014 (File No. 333-187447), to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company. |
(27) | Previously filed as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 6, as filed on August 11, 2014 (File No. 333-187447), to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company. |
(28) | Previously filed as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 8, as filed on March 25, 2015 (File No. 333-187447), to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company. |
C-6
(29) | Previously filed as part of the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company, as filed on April 20, 2015 (File No. 333-203511). |
(30) | Previously filed as part of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1, as filed on June 8, 2015 (File No 333-203511), to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company. |
(31) | Previously filed as part of the current report on Form 8-K of the Company, as filed on June 30, 2015. |
(32) | Previously filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, as filed on November 13, 2015. |
(33) | Previously filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, as filed on December 18, 2015. |
(34) | Previously filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, as filed on February 25, 2016. |
(35) | Previously filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, as filed on March 8, 2016 |
(36) | Previously filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, as filed on April 11, 2016 |
(37) | Previously filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, as filed on May 10, 2016. |
(38) | Previously filed as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3, as filed on May 2, 2016 (File No. 333-203511), to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company. |
(39) | Previously filed as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 6, as filed on June 27, 2016 (File No. 333-203511), to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company. |
(40) | Previously filed as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 7, as filed on July 5, 2016 (File No. 333-203511), to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company. |
(41) | Previously filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, as filed on July 19, 2016. |
(42) | Previously filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, as filed on July 22, 2016. |
(43) | Previously filed as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 10, as filed on October 14, 2016 (File No. 333-203511), to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company. |
(44) | Previously filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, as filed on January 5, 2017. |
(45) | Previously filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, as filed on January 25, 2017. |
(46) | Previously filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, as filed on April 7, 2017. |
(47) | Previously filed as part of the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company, as filed on September 5, 2017 (File No. 333-214767). |
(48) | Previously filed as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1, as filed on September 13, 2017 (File No. 333-214767), to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of the Company. |
Item 26. Marketing Arrangements
The information contained under the heading Plan of Distribution of the prospectus is incorporated herein by reference, and any information concerning any underwriters will be contained in any prospectus supplement if any, accompanying this prospectus.
Item 27. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth the estimated expenses payable by us in connection with the offering (excluding placement fees):
Amount | ||||
SEC registration fee |
$ | 69,540 | * | |
FINRA filing fee |
90,500 | |||
NYSE listing fee |
182,778 | |||
Accounting fees and expenses |
108,000 | |||
Legal fees and expenses |
310,000 | |||
Printing expenses |
65,000 | |||
Miscellaneous |
7,000 | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | 832,818 | ||
|
|
Note: Except the SEC registration fee and the FINRA filing fee, all listed amounts are estimates.
* | This amount has been offset against filing fees associated with unsold securities registered under a previous registration statement. |
C-7
Item 28. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control
Hercules Technology SBIC Management, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Hercules Technology SBIC Management, LLC is the general partner of Hercules Technology II, L.P., Hercules Technology III, LP and Hercules Technology IV, LP and the Company owns substantially all of the limited partnership interests in Hercules Technology II, L.P. Hercules Technology III, L.P. and Hercules Funding II, LLC, Hercules Funding III, LLC, Hercules Technology Management Co. II, Inc., Hercules Technology Management Co. III, Inc., Hercules Technology Management Co. V, Inc., Hercules Technology II, LLC, Hercules Capital Funding Trust 2014-1, Hercules Capital Funding 2014-1 LLC, Achilles Technology Management Co., Inc., Achilles Technology Management Co I, Inc., Achilles Technology Management Co II, Inc. HercGamma, Inc., HercGamma I, LLC and Deuteros I, LLC are wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. Accordingly, the Company may be deemed to control, directly or indirectly, the following entities:
Name |
Jurisdiction of Organization | |
Hercules Technology II, L.P. |
Delaware | |
Hercules Technology III, L.P. |
Delaware | |
Hercules Technology IV, L.P. |
Delaware | |
Hercules Technology SBIC Management, LLC |
Delaware | |
Hercules Funding II, LLC |
Delaware | |
Hercules Funding III, LLC |
Delaware | |
Hercules Technology Management Co II, Inc. |
Delaware | |
Hercules Technology Management Co III, Inc. |
Delaware | |
Hercules Technology Management Co V, Inc. |
Delaware | |
Hercules Technology II LLC |
Delaware | |
Hercules Capital Funding Trust 2014-1 |
Delaware | |
Hercules Capital Funding 2014-1 LLC |
Delaware | |
Achilles Technology Management Co., Inc. |
Delaware | |
Achilles Technology Management Co I, Inc. |
Delaware | |
Achilles Technology Management Co II, Inc. |
Delaware | |
HercGamma, Inc. |
Delaware | |
HercGamma I, LLC. |
Delaware | |
Deuteros I, LLC. |
Delaware |
All of the entities are included in the Companys consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2017 except Achilles Technology Management Co II, Inc. and HercGamma, Inc. The Companys investments in Achilles Technology Management Co II, Inc. and HercGamma, Inc. are carried on the consolidated statement of assets and liabilities at fair value and are classified as control investments.
Item 29. Number of Holder of Securities
The following table sets forth the approximate number of shareholders of the Companys common stock as of August 10, 2017:
Title of Class |
Number of
Record Holders |
|||
Common stock, par value $.001 per share |
55,800 |
Item 30. Indemnification
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action. The Registrants charter
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contains such a provision which eliminates directors and officers liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act.
The Registrants charter authorizes the Registrant, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, to obligate itself to indemnify any present or former director or officer or any individual who, while a director or officer of the Registrant and at its request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee, from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her service in any such capacity and, under certain circumstances and provided certain conditions have been met, to pay or reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. The Registrants bylaws obligate the Registrant, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, to indemnify any present or former director or officer or any individual who, while a director or officer of the Registrant and at its request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee and who is made, or threatened to be made, a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in any such capacity from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her service in any such capacity and, under certain circumstances and provided certain conditions have been met, to pay or reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. The charter and bylaws also permit the Registrant to indemnify and, under certain circumstances and provided certain conditions have been met, advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of the Registrant in any of the capacities described above and any of the Registrants employees or agents or any employees or agents of its predecessor. In accordance with the 1940 Act, the Registrant will not indemnify any person for any liability to which such person would be subject by reason of such persons willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office. Additionally, the Registrant will not indemnify any person with respect to any matter as to which such person shall have been finally adjudicated in any proceeding not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that their action was in the best interests of the Registrant.
Maryland law requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which the Registrants charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. Maryland law permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporations receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Company pursuant to the provisions described above, or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is
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against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Company of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person in the successful defense of an action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by a director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Company 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 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The Company carries liability insurance for the benefit of its directors and officers (other than with respect to claims resulting from the willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office) on a claims-made basis of up to $3,000,000, subject to a $250,000 retention and the other terms thereof.
The Company has agreed to indemnify the underwriters against specified liabilities for actions taken in their capacities as such, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisor
Not applicable.
Item 32. Location of Accounts and Records
The Company maintains at its principal office, 400 Hamilton Avenue Suite 310 Palo Alto, CA 94301, physical possession of each account, book or other document required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder.
Item 33. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 34. Undertakings
The Registrant undertakes:
1. | to suspend the offering of shares until the prospectus is amended if (a) subsequent to the effective date of its registration statement, the NAV declines more than ten percent from its NAV as of the effective date of the registration statement or (b) the NAV increases to an amount greater than the net proceeds (if applicable) as stated in the prospectus. |
2. | Not applicable. |
3. | Not applicable. |
4. |
a. | to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
i. | to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; |
ii. | to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising 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 |
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iii. | 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 the 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 prospectus 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; |
e. | that for the purpose of determining liability of the 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 undersigned 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: |
i. | 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; |
ii. | 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 |
iii. | any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser. |
f. | to file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement, and to suspend any offers or sales pursuant the registration statement until such post-effective amendment has been declared effective under the Securities Act, in the event the shares of the Registrant are trading below its NAV per share and either (a) the Registrant receives, or has been advised by its independent registered accounting firm that it will receive, an audit report reflecting substantial doubt regarding the Registrants ability to continue as a going concern or (b) the Registrant has concluded that a fundamental change has occurred in its financial position or results of operations; |
5. | Not applicable. |
6. | Not applicable. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Palo Alto, and State of California, on the 25th day of October, 2017.
H ERCULES C APITAL , I NC . |
/S/ M ANUEL A. H ENRIQUEZ |
Manuel A. Henriquez Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature |
Title |
Date |
||
/S/ M ANUEL A. H ENRIQUEZ Manuel A. Henriquez |
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) |
October 25, 2017 | ||
/S/ M ARK R. H ARRIS Mark R. Harris |
Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer) |
October 25, 2017 | ||
* Allyn C. Woodward, Jr. |
Director |
October 25, 2017 | ||
* Robert P. Badavas |
Director |
October 25, 2017 | ||
* Thomas J. Fallon |
Director |
October 25, 2017 | ||
* Susanne D. Lyons |
Director |
October 25, 2017 | ||
* Joseph F. Hoffman |
Director |
October 25, 2017 | ||
* Doreen Woo Ho |
Director |
October 25, 2017 |
*By: |
/S/ M ANUEL A. H ENRIQUEZ |
|
Name: Manuel A. Henriquez |
||
Title: Attorney-in-fact |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number |
Description |
|
d.25* | Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 23, 2017, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank, National Association. | |
d.26* | Form of 4.625% Note due 2022, dated October 23, 2017 (included as part of Exhibit (d)(25)). | |
h.6* | Underwriting Agreement, dated as of October 18, 2017, by and among the Registrant and the Underwriters named therein. | |
l.3* | Opinion of Dechert LLP. |
* | Filed herewith. |
Exhibit d.25
FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
between
HERCULES CAPITAL, INC.
and
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee
Dated as of October 23, 2017
FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
THIS FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this Fourth Supplemental Indenture), dated as of October 23, 2017, is between Hercules Capital, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the Trustee). All capitalized terms used herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Base Indenture (as defined below).
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
The Company and the Trustee executed and delivered an Indenture, dated as of March 6, 2012 (the Base Indenture and, as amended and supplemented by this Fourth Supplemental Indenture, the Indenture), to provide for the issuance by the Company from time to time of the Companys unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (the Securities), to be issued in one or more series as provided in the Indenture.
The Company previously entered into the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 17, 2012 (the First Supplemental Indenture), the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 24, 2012 (the Second Supplemental Indenture) and the Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 14, 2014 (the Third Supplemental Indenture), each of which amended and supplemented the Base Indenture. The First Supplemental Indenture, the Second Supplemental Indenture and the Third Supplemental Indenture are not applicable to the Notes (as defined below).
The Company desires to issue and sell $150,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Companys 4.625% Notes due 2022 (the Notes).
Sections 9.01 (ii), 9.01 (iii), 9.01 (iv) and 9.01(vi) of the Base Indenture provide that without the consent of Holders of the Securities of any series issued under the Indenture, 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 to the Base Indenture to (i) add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of the Securities, (ii) add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of the Securities, (iii) change or eliminate any of the provisions of the Indenture when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of the supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision and (iv) establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.01 and Section 3.01 of the Base Indenture.
The Company desires to establish the form and terms of the Notes and to modify, alter, supplement and change certain provisions of the Base Indenture for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes (except as may be provided in a future supplemental indenture to the Indenture (each, a Future Supplemental Indenture)).
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture to provide for the issuance of the Notes and amendment of certain provisions of the Base Indenture as herein provided and all acts and things necessary to make this Fourth Supplemental Indenture a valid, binding, and legal obligation of the Company and to constitute a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done and performed.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Notes by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Notes, as follows:
ARTICLE I
TERMS OF THE NOTES
Section 1.01 Terms of the Notes . The following terms relating to the Notes are hereby established:
(a) The Notes shall constitute a series of Senior Securities having the title 4.625% Notes due 2022. The Notes shall bear a CUSIP number of 427096 AG7 and an ISIN number of US427096AG77.
(b) The aggregate principal amount of the Notes that may be initially authenticated and delivered under the Indenture (except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of, transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Notes pursuant to Sections 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 9.06, 11.07 or 13.05 of the Base Indenture, and except for any Securities that, pursuant to Section 3.03 of the Base Indenture, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered under the Indenture) shall be $150,000,000. Under a Board Resolution, Officers Certificate pursuant to Board Resolutions or an indenture supplement, the Company may from time to time, without the consent of the Holders of Notes, issue additional Notes (in any such case Additional Notes) having the same terms (except for the issue date, public offering price and, if applicable, the initial interest payment date) and with the same CUSIP numbers as the existing Notes in an unlimited aggregate principal amount; provided that if such Additional Notes are not fungible with the existing Notes (or any other tranche of Additional Notes) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then such Additional Notes will have different CUSIP numbers from the existing Notes (and any such other tranche of Additional Notes). Any Additional Notes and the existing Notes will constitute a single series under the Indenture and all references to the relevant Notes herein shall include the Additional Notes unless the context otherwise requires.
(c) The entire Outstanding principal amount of the Notes shall be payable on October 23, 2022, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased in accordance with the provisions of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture.
(d) The rate at which the Notes shall bear interest shall be 4.625% per annum (the Applicable Interest Rate). The date from which interest shall accrue on the Notes shall be October 23, 2017, or the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or provided for; the Interest Payment Dates for the Notes shall be April 23, and October 23 of each year, commencing April 23, 2018 (if an Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, then the applicable interest payment will be made on the next succeeding Business Day and no additional interest will accrue as a result of such delayed payment); the initial interest period will be the period from and including October 23, 2017, 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, as the case may be; the interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date, will be paid to the Person in whose name the Note (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be April 8 or October 8 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Payment of principal of (and premium, if any, on) and any such interest on the Notes will be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register; provided, further, however, that so long as the Notes are registered to Cede & Co., such payment will be made by wire transfer in accordance with the procedures established by The Depository Trust Company and the Trustee. Interest on the Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
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(e) The Notes shall be initially issuable in global form (each such Note, a Global Note). The Global Notes and the Trustees certificate of authentication thereon shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A to this Fourth Supplemental Indenture. Each Global Note shall represent the amount of the Outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Security Registrar, in accordance with Sections 2.03 and 3.05 of the Base Indenture.
(f) The depositary for such Global Notes (the Depositary) shall be The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York. The Security Registrar with respect to the Global Notes shall be the Trustee.
(g) The Notes shall be defeasible pursuant to Section 14.02 or Section 14.03 of the Base Indenture. Covenant defeasance contained in Section 14.03 of the Base Indenture shall apply to the covenants contained in Sections 10.06, 10.08 and 10.09 of the Indenture.
(h) The Notes shall be redeemable pursuant to Section 11.01 of the Base Indenture and as follows:
(i) The Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time, or from time to time, at the option of the Company, at a Redemption Price equal to the greater of the following amounts, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date:
(1) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, or
(2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest (exclusive of accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date) on the Notes to be redeemed, discounted to the Redemption Date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) using the applicable Treasury Rate plus 45 basis points;
provided, however, that if the Company redeems any Notes on or after September 23, 2022, the Redemption Price for the Notes will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.
For purposes of calculating the Redemption Price in connection with the redemption of the Notes, on any Redemption Date, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:
Treasury Rate means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield-to-maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue (computed as of the third Business Day immediately preceding the redemption), assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date. The Redemption Price and the Treasury Rate will be determined by the Company.
Comparable Treasury Issue means the United States Treasury security selected by the Reference Treasury Dealer as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financing practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the Notes being redeemed.
Comparable Treasury Price means (1) the average of the remaining Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for the Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Quotation Agent obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.
Quotation Agent means a Reference Treasury Dealer selected by the Company.
Reference Treasury Dealer means each of (1) Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and (2) Jefferies LLC, or their respective affiliates which are primary U.S. government securities dealers and their respective successors; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing or their affiliates shall cease to be a primary U.S. government securities dealer in the United States (a Primary Treasury Dealer), the Company shall select another Primary Treasury Dealer.
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Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Quotation Agent, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Quotation Agent by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m. New York time on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.
All determinations made by any Reference Treasury Dealer, including the Quotation Agent, with respect to determining the Redemption Price will be final and binding absent manifest error.
(ii) Notice of redemption shall be given in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid or by overnight courier guaranteeing next-day delivery, provided that so long as the Notes are registered to Cede & Co., such notice shall be given in accordance with the Trustees and the Depositarys standard practices and procedures, to each Holder of the Notes to be redeemed, not less than thirty (30) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the Redemption Date, at the Holders address appearing in the Security Register. All notices of redemption shall contain the information set forth in Section 11.04 of the Base Indenture.
(iii) Any exercise of the Companys option to redeem the Notes will be done in compliance with the Indenture and the Investment Company Act, to the extent applicable.
(iv) If the Company elects to redeem only a portion of the Notes, the particular Notes to be redeemed will be selected in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Trustee and, so long as the Notes are registered to the Depositary or its nominee, the Depositary; provided , however , that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Note not redeemed to less than $2,000.
(v) Unless the Company defaults in payment of the Redemption Price, on and after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions of the Notes called for redemption hereunder.
(i) The Notes shall not be subject to any sinking fund pursuant to Section 12.01 of the Base Indenture.
(j) The Notes shall be issuable in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
(k) Holders of the Notes will not have the option to have the Notes repaid prior to the Stated Maturity other than in accordance with Article Thirteen of the Indenture.
(l) The Notes are hereby designated as Senior Securities under the Indenture.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 2.01 Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Article One of the Base Indenture shall be amended by adding the following defined terms to Section 1.01 in appropriate alphabetical sequence, as follows:
Below Investment Grade Rating Event means the Notes are downgraded below Investment Grade by the Rating Agency on any date from the date of the public notice of an arrangement that results in a Change of Control until the end of the 60-day period following public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control (which period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by the Rating Agency); provided that a Below Investment Grade Rating Event otherwise arising by
4
virtue of a particular reduction in rating shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus shall not be deemed a Below Investment Grade Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Repurchase Event hereunder) if the Rating Agency making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply does not announce or publicly confirm or inform the Trustee in writing at its request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control shall have occurred at the time of the Below Investment Grade Rating Event).
Change of Control means the occurrence of any of the following:
(1) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation) in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Controlled Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any person or group (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than to any Permitted Holders; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, a pledge of assets pursuant to any secured debt instrument of the Company or its Controlled Subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be any such sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or disposition;
(2) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any person or group (as those terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) (other than any Permitted Holders) becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company, measured by voting power rather than number of shares; or
(3) the approval by the Companys stockholders of any plan or proposal relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
Change of Control Repurchase Event means the occurrence of a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event.
Controlled Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of the Company, 50% or more of the outstanding equity interests of which are owned by the Company and its direct or indirect Subsidiaries and of which the Company possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies, whether through the ownership of voting equity interests, by agreement or otherwise.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any statute successor thereto.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the opinions and pronouncements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, which are in effect from time to time.
Investment Company Act means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules, regulations and interpretations promulgated thereunder, to the extent applicable, and any statute successor thereto.
Investment Grade means a rating of BBB- or better by S&P (or its equivalent under any successor rating categories of S&P) or the equivalent of any other Rating Agency, as applicable, or in each case, the equivalent under any successor category of such Rating Agency.
Kroll means Kroll Bond Rating Agency, Inc., or any successor thereto.
Permitted Holders means (i) the Company or (ii) one or more of the Companys Controlled Subsidiaries
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Rating Agency means (1) S&P; and (2) if S&P ceases to rate the Notes or fails to make a rating of the Notes publicly available for reasons outside of the Companys control, a nationally recognized statistical rating organization as defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act selected by the Company as a replacement agency for S&P which may include Kroll.
S&P means Standard & Poors Ratings Services, a Standard & Poors Financial Services LLC business, or any successor thereto.
Significant Subsidiary means any Subsidiary that would be a significant subsidiary as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act (but excluding any Subsidiary which is (a) a non-recourse or limited recourse Subsidiary, (b) a bankruptcy remote special purpose vehicle or (c) is not consolidated with the Company for purposes of GAAP).
Voting Stock as applied to stock of any Person, means shares, interests, participations or other equivalents in the equity interest (however designated) in such Person having ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of the directors (or the equivalent) of such Person, other than shares, interests, participations or other equivalents having such power only by reason of the occurrence of a contingency.
ARTICLE III
SECURITIES FORMS
Section 3.01 Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Article Two of the Base Indenture shall be amended by adding the following new Section 2.04 thereto, as set forth below:
Section 2.04. Certificated Notes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Indenture, Notes in physical, certificated form will be issued and delivered to each person that the Depositary identifies as a beneficial owner of the related Notes only if:
(a) the Depositary notifies the Company at any time that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Notes in global form and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days;
(b) the Depositary ceases to be registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days; or
(c) an Event of Default with respect to the Notes has occurred and is continuing and such beneficial owner requests that its Notes be issued in physical, certificated form.
ARTICLE IV
EXECUTION OF SECURITIES
Section 4.01 Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 3.03 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by replacing the first paragraph thereof with the following:
The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by any one of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or one of its Co-Presidents and attested by its Secretary. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized officer and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities.
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ARTICLE V
REMEDIES
Section 5.01 Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 5.01 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by replacing clauses (ii) and (iv) thereof with the following:
(ii) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Note when it becomes due and payable at its Maturity, including upon any Redemption Date or required repurchase date; or
(iv) the Companys failure for 60 consecutive days after written notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes then Outstanding has been received to comply with any of the Companys other agreements contained in the Notes or this Indenture; or
Section 5.02 Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 5.01 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by adding the following language as clause (ix):
default by the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, with respect to any mortgage, agreement or other instrument under which there may be outstanding, or by which there may be secured or evidenced, any indebtedness for money borrowed in excess of $50 million in the aggregate of the Company and/or any such Significant Subsidiary, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created (i) resulting in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable or (ii) constituting a failure to pay the principal or interest of any such debt when due and payable at its stated maturity, upon required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise, unless, in either case, such indebtedness is discharged, or such acceleration is rescinded, stayed or annulled, within a period of 30 calendar days after written notice of such failure is given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then Outstanding.
Section 5.03 Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 5.02 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by replacing the first paragraph of Section 5.02 with the following:
If an Event of Default with respect to the Notes occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(v) or 5.01(vi)), the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes may declare the principal amount of all the Outstanding Notes to be due and immediately payable, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal shall become immediately due and payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of the events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization described in Section 5.01(v) or 5.01(vi) hereof, 100% of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes will automatically become due and payable.
Section 5.04 Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Section 5.12 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by replacing clause (iii) thereof with the following:
the Trustee need not take any action that it determines in good faith may involve it in personal liability or be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders of Notes not consenting.
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ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS
Section 6.01 Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Article Ten of the Base Indenture shall be amended by adding the following new Sections 10.08 and 10.09 thereto, each as set forth below:
Section 10.08 Section 18(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act .
The Company hereby agrees that for the period of time during which Notes are Outstanding, the Company will not violate, whether or not it is subject to, Section 18(a)(1)(A) as modified by Section 61(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act or any successor provisions, giving effect to any exemptive relief granted to the Company by the Commission (even if the Company is no longer subject to the Investment Company Act).
Section 10.09 Commission Reports and Reports to Holders .
If, at any time, the Company is not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act to file any periodic reports with the Commission, the Company agrees to furnish to the Holders of Notes and the Trustee, for the period of time during which the Notes are Outstanding, the Companys audited annual consolidated financial statements, within 90 days of its fiscal year end, and unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, within 45 days of its fiscal quarter end (other than its fourth fiscal quarter). All such financial statements shall be prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP, as applicable.
ARTICLE VII
SUCESSOR COMPANIES
Section 7.01 Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Article Eight of the Base Indenture shall be amended by replacing Sections 8.01 and 8.02 with the following:
Section 8.01. Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets .
The Company shall not merge or consolidate with or into any other Person (other than a merger of a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company into the Company) or sell, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its property (provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, a pledge of assets pursuant to any secured debt instrument of the Company or its Controlled Subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be any such sale, transfer, lease, conveyance or disposition) in any one transaction or series of related transactions unless:
(a) the Company shall be the surviving Person (the Surviving Person) or the Surviving Person (if other than the Company) formed by such merger or consolidation or to which such sale, transfer, lease, conveyance or disposition is made shall be a corporation or limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state or territory thereof;
(b) the Surviving Person (if other than the Company) expressly assumes, by supplemental indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such Surviving Person, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, all the Notes Outstanding, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Company;
(c) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of related transactions, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
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(d) the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee, an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such transaction and the supplemental indenture, if any, in respect thereto comply with this Section 8.01 and that all conditions precedent in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.
For the purposes of this Section 8.01, the sale, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all the property of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company, which property, if held by the Company instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the Company property on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the Company property.
Section 8.02. 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 8.01, the successor corporation or limited liability company 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 VIII
OFFER TO REPURCHASE UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL REPURCHASE EVENT
Section 8.01 Except as may be provided in a Future Supplemental Indenture, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes but no other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding, Article Thirteen of the Base Indenture shall be amended by replacing Sections 13.01 to 13.05 with the following:
Section 13.01 Change of Control .
If a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurs, unless the Company shall have exercised its right to redeem the Notes in full, the Company shall make an offer to each Holder of the Notes to repurchase all or any part (in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holders Notes at a repurchase price in cash equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes repurchased to, but not including, the date of purchase. Within 30 days following any Change of Control Repurchase Event or, at the Companys option, prior to any Change of Control, but after the public announcement of the Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control Repurchase Event and offering to repurchase Notes on the payment date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed. The notice shall, if mailed prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the offer to purchase is conditioned on the Change of Control Repurchase Event occurring on or prior to the payment date specified in the notice. The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Repurchase Event.
To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section 13.01, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 13.01 by virtue of such conflict.
On the Change of Control Repurchase Event payment date, subject to extension if necessary to comply with the provisions of the Investment Company Act, the Company shall, to the extent lawful:
(1) | accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to its offer; |
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(2) | deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the aggregate purchase price in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and |
(3) | deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted, together with an Officers Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes being purchased by the Company. |
The Paying Agent will promptly remit to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the purchase price for the Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of any Notes surrendered; provided that each new Note will be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
If any Repayment Date upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event falls on a day that is not a Business Day, then the required payment will be made on the next succeeding Business Day and no additional interest will accrue as a result of such delayed payment.
The Company will not be required to make an offer to repurchase the Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event if a third party makes an offer in respect of the Notes in the manner, at the time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company and such third party purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.01 This Fourth Supplemental Indenture and the Notes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws. This Fourth Supplemental Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of the Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions. If any provision of the Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Section 318(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, the imposed duties will control.
Section 9.02 In case any provision in this Fourth Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes 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 9.03 This Fourth Supplemental Indenture may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be an original, but such counterparts will together constitute but one and the same Fourth Supplemental Indenture. The exchange of copies of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile, .pdf transmission, email or other electronic means shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile, .pdf transmission, email or other electronic means shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
Section 9.04 The Base Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this Fourth Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and the Base Indenture and this Fourth Supplemental Indenture shall be read, taken and construed as one and the same instrument with respect to the Notes. All provisions included in this Fourth Supplemental Indenture supersede any conflicting provisions included in the Base Indenture with respect to the Notes, unless not permitted by law. The Trustee accepts the trusts created by the Base Indenture, as supplemented by this Fourth Supplemental Indenture, and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions of the Base Indenture, as supplemented by this Fourth Supplemental Indenture.
Section 9.05 The provisions of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture shall become effective as of the date hereof.
Section 9.06 Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary herein, the terms and provisions of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture shall apply only to the Notes and shall not apply to any other series of Securities under the Indenture and this Fourth Supplemental Indenture shall not and does not otherwise affect, modify, alter, supplement or change the terms and provisions of any other series of Securities under the Indenture, whether now or hereafter issued and Outstanding.
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Section 9.07 The recitals contained herein and in the Notes shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture, the Notes or any Additional Notes, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Fourth Supplemental Indenture, authenticate the Notes and any Additional Notes and perform its obligations hereunder. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of the Notes or any Additional Notes or the proceeds thereof.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Fourth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
HERCULES CAPITAL, INC. | ||
By: |
/ S / Mark Harris |
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Name: | Mark Harris | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee |
||
By: |
/ S / K AREN R. B EARD |
|
Name: | Karen R. Beard | |
Title: | Vice President |
Exhibit A Form of Global Note
This Security is a Global Note within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company or a nominee thereof. This Security may not be exchanged in whole or in part for a Security registered, and no transfer of this Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than The Depository Trust Company or a nominee thereof, except in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture.
Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment and such certificate issued in exchange for this certificate is registered in the name of Cede & Co., or such other name as requested by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, any transfer, pledge or other use hereof for value or otherwise by or to any person is wrongful, as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.
Hercules Capital, Inc.
No. 1 | $150,000,000 | |
CUSIP No. 427096 AG7 | ||
ISIN No. US427096AG77 |
4.625% Notes due 2022
Hercules Capital, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of Maryland (herein called the Company, which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILLION U.S. DOLLARS (U.S.$150,000,000) on October 23, 2022, and to pay interest thereon from October 23, 2017 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semiannually on April 23 and October 23 in each year, commencing April 23, 2018, at the rate of 4.625% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be April 8 and October 8 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture. This Security may be issued as part of a series.
Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest on this Security will be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register; provided, further, however, that so long as this Security is registered to Cede & Co., such payment will be made by wire transfer in accordance with the procedures established by The Depository Trust Company and the Trustee.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
Dated: October 23, 2017
HERCULES CAPITAL, INC. | ||
By: |
|
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Name: Mark Harris | ||
Title: Chief Financial Officer |
Attest
By: |
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Name: Melanie Grace | ||
Title: General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary |
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Dated: October 23, 2017
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION as Trustee |
||
By: |
|
|
Authorized Signatory |
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Hercules Capital, Inc.
4.625% Notes due 2022
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of Senior Securities of the Company (herein called the Securities), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of March 6, 2012 (herein called the Base Indenture, which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (herein called the Trustee, which term includes any successor trustee under the Base Indenture), and reference is hereby made to the Base Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee, and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered, as amended and supplemented by the Fourth Supplemental Indenture relating to the Securities, dated as of October 23, 2017, by and between the Company and the Trustee (herein called the Fourth Supplemental Indenture; and together with the Base Indenture, the Indenture). In the event of any conflict between the Base Indenture and the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, the Fourth Supplemental Indenture shall govern and control.
This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof, which series is initially limited in aggregate principal amount to $150,000,000. Under a Board Resolution, Officers Certificate pursuant to Board Resolutions or an indenture supplement, the Company may from time to time, without the consent of the Holders of Securities, issue additional Securities of this series (in any such case Additional Securities) having the same terms (except for the issue date, public offering price and, if applicable, the initial interest payment date) and with the same CUSIP numbers as the existing Securities in an unlimited aggregate principal amount; provided that if such Additional Securities are not fungible with the existing Securities (or any other tranche of Additional Securities) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then such Additional Securities will have different CUSIP numbers from the existing Securities (and any such other tranche of Additional Securities). Any Additional Securities and the existing Securities will constitute a single series under the Indenture and all references to the relevant Securities herein shall include the Additional Securities unless the context otherwise requires. The aggregate amount of outstanding Securities represented hereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions.
The Securities of this series are subject to redemption in whole or in part at any time or from time to time, at the option of the Company, at a Redemption Price equal to the greater of the following amounts, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date:
(a) | 100% of the principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed, or |
(b) | the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest (exclusive of accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date) on the Securities to be redeemed, discounted to the Redemption Date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) using the applicable Treasury Rate plus 45 basis points; |
provided, however, that if the Company redeems any Securities on or after September 23, 2022, the Redemption Price for the Securities will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.
For purposes of calculating the Redemption Price in connection with the redemption of the Securities, on any Redemption Date, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:
Treasury Rate means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield-to-maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue (computed as of the third Business Day immediately preceding the redemption), assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date. The Redemption Price and the Treasury Rate will be determined by the Company.
Comparable Treasury Issue means the United States Treasury security selected by the Reference Treasury Dealer as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Securities to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financing practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the Securities being redeemed.
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Comparable Treasury Price means (1) the average of the remaining Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for the Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Quotation Agent obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.
Quotation Agent means a Reference Treasury Dealer selected by the Company.
Reference Treasury Dealer means each of (1) Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and (2) Jefferies LLC, or their respective affiliates which are primary U.S. government securities dealers and their respective successors; provided , however , that if any of the foregoing or their affiliates shall cease to be a primary U.S. government securities dealer in the United States (a Primary Treasury Dealer), the Company shall select another Primary Treasury Dealer.
Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Quotation Agent, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Quotation Agent by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m. New York time on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.
All determinations made by any Reference Treasury Dealer, including the Quotation Agent, with respect to determining the Redemption Price will be final and binding absent manifest error.
Notice of redemption shall be given in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid or by overnight courier guaranteeing next-day delivery, to each Holder of the Securities to be redeemed, not less than thirty (30) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the Redemption Date, at the Holders address appearing in the Security Register. All notices of redemption shall contain the information set forth in Section 11.04 of the Base Indenture.
Any exercise of the Companys option to redeem the Securities will be done in compliance with the Indenture and the Investment Company Act, to the extent applicable.
If the Company elects to redeem only a portion of the Securities, the Trustee or, with respect to Global Notes, the Depositary will determine the method for selecting the particular Securities to be redeemed, in accordance with the Indenture and the Investment Company Act, to the extent applicable. In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof; provided, however , that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Security not redeemed to less than $2,000.
Unless the Company defaults in payment of the Redemption Price, on and after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Securities or portions of the Securities called for redemption.
Holders will have the right to require the Company to repurchase their Securities upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Repurchase Event as set forth in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire indebtedness of this Security or certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing (other than Events of Default related to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization as set forth in the Indenture), the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. In the case of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization described in the Indenture, 100% of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities will automatically become due and payable.
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The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for sixty (60) days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company or Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment of this 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 this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
To the extent any provision of this Security conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
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The Indenture and this Security shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.
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Exhibit h.6
$150,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount 4.625% Notes Due 2022
Hercules Capital, Inc.
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
October 18, 2017
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Jefferies LLC
As Representatives of the several Underwriters
c/o | Citigroup Global Markets Inc. |
388 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10013
c/o | Jefferies LLC |
520 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Hercules Capital, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company ), proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto (each, an Underwriter and, collectively the Underwriters ), for whom Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Jefferies LLC are acting as the representatives (in such capacity, the Representatives ) $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.625% Notes due 2022 (the Securities ) of the Company set forth in Schedule A hereto.
The Securities will be issued under an indenture dated as of March 6, 2012 (the Base Indenture ), as supplemented by the Fourth Supplemental Indenture to be dated October 23, 2017 (the Fourth Supplemental Indenture , and together with the Base Indenture, the Indenture ) by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the Trustee ). The Securities will be issued to Cede & Co. as nominee of the Depository Trust Company ( DTC ) pursuant to a blanket letter of representations (the DTC Agreement ), to be dated on or prior to the Closing Date (as defined herein), between the Company and DTC.
The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission ) a registration statement on Form N-2 (No. 333-214767), as amended, and a related prospectus for the registration of the Securities and certain of the Companys other securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act ), and the related rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (the Securities Act Rules and Regulations ). The registration statement, as it may have heretofore been amended at the time it became effective, including, all documents filed as a part thereof, and including the information (if any) deemed to be part of the registration statement at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430C and Rule 497 under the Securities Act, and any post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act is hereinafter referred to as the Registration Statement ; the prospectus, dated as of September 5, 2017, included in the Registration Statement at the time it became effective on September 7, 2017, (including the information, if any, deemed to be part of the Registration Statement at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430C and Rule 497 under the Securities Act) is hereinafter referred to as the Base Prospectus ; the preliminary prospectus supplement dated October 10, 2017, filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 497 under the Securities Act, is hereinafter referred to as the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement (and together with the Base Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus ); the prospectus supplement to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 497 under the Securities Act after the execution and delivery of this Agreement is hereinafter referred to as the Prospectus Supplement (and together with the Base Prospectus, the Prospectus ).
The Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the 1939 Act ).
As used in this Agreement, the term Applicable Time means 1:15 p.m. (New York City time) on the date hereof or such other time as agreed by the Company and the Representatives.
1. Representations and Warranties.
(a) The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Underwriters that:
(i) The Company meets the requirements for use of Form N-2 under the Securities Act and the Securities Act Rules and Regulations. At the time the Registration Statement became effective, the Registration Statement complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Act Rules and Regulations and did not include 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 not misleading; the Preliminary Prospectus together with the pricing terms and other information set forth on Schedule B and Schedule C hereto, all considered together (collectively, the General Disclosure Package ), complied, as of its date, in all material respects, with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Act Rules and Regulations, and the General Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time, did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; the Prospectus, as of the date of the Prospectus Supplement, will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Act Rules and Regulations, and the Prospectus, as of the date of the Prospectus Supplement and the Closing Date, did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however , that the representations and warranties in this subsection shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by any Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or Prospectus, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the following information in the Prospectus Supplement furnished on behalf of each Underwriter: the first and second sentences in the first paragraph under the caption UnderwritingPrice Stabilizations, Short Positions and the first sentence in the second paragraph under the caption UnderwritingPrice Stabilizations, Short Positions.
(ii) The Registration Statement has become effective; the Commission has not issued, and is not, to the knowledge of the Company, threatening to issue, any stop order under the Securities Act or other order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement (as amended or supplemented).
(iii) The Company has elected to be regulated by the Commission as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Investment Company Act ), and has not withdrawn that election, and the Commission has not ordered that such election be withdrawn nor to the best of the Companys knowledge have proceedings to effectuate such withdrawal been initiated or threatened by the Commission. All required action has or will have been taken under the Securities Act and the Securities Act Rules and Regulations, the Investment Company Act and any state securities laws and regulations to make the public offering and the issuance and sale of the Securities by the Company, and the provisions of the Companys articles of incorporation and bylaws comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Investment Company Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(iv) Intentionally Omitted.
(v) To the Companys knowledge, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the accounting firm that audited the financial statements of the Company set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and Prospectus, is an independent registered accounting firm as required by the Securities Act and the Securities Act Rules and Regulations and the rules and regulations of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
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(vi) The financial statements, together with the related schedules and notes thereto, of the Company set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus fairly present in all material respects the results of operations and financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries (as defined below) as of the dates indicated and the results of their operations for the respective periods specified, and are prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and the selected financial information and data included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus have been prepared on a basis consistent with that of the books and records of the Company.
(vii) The Company (A) has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland, has full corporate power and authority to conduct its business as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; (B) has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, the Indenture, the Securities and the DTC Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; and (C) is duly licensed or qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and in good standing in the States of Connecticut, California, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, District of Columbia and New York and these are the only jurisdictions where the Company is required to be qualified or licensed or in good standing except where the failure to be so qualified or licensed or to be in good standing would not result in a material adverse effect upon the financial condition, prospects, business or results of operations of the Company ( Material Adverse Effect ).
(viii) All of the Companys wholly owned subsidiaries are set forth in Schedule I hereto (the Subsidiaries ) and each entity listed on Schedule I has been duly formed under the laws of, is licensed or qualified to do business, and is in good standing in, each jurisdiction listed respectively on Schedule I. The jurisdictions listed on Schedule I are the only jurisdictions where such Subsidiaries are required to be licensed or qualified to do business or in good standing except where the failure of the Subsidiaries to be so qualified or licensed or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(ix) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is, or with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would be, in default or violation with respect to its respective charter or bylaws or governing documents. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is, or with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would be, in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, or in violation of any statutes, laws, ordinances or governmental rules or regulations or any orders or decrees to which it is subject (collectively, the Agreements and Instruments ) except for such defaults that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(x) The Companys authorized capitalization is as set forth in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; the outstanding shares of the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share (the Common Stock ) have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and conform in all material respects to the description thereof in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the heading Description of Our Capital Stock.
(xi) The stockholders of the Company have no preemptive rights with respect to the Securities and none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been issued in violation of any preemptive rights of any security holder. The Securities have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company for the issuance and sale of the Securities to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement and, when the Securities are issued and delivered by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and the Indenture relating thereto, against payment of the consideration set forth in this Agreement, on the Closing Date such Securities will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be subject to the effect of (i)
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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, and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture relating thereto; and the Securities and the Indenture conform in all material respects to the statements thereto contained in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
(xii) Except as set forth in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (A) the Company and its Subsidiaries have not incurred any liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, or entered into any transactions, other than in the ordinary course of business, that are material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (B) there has not been any material change in the capital stock of the Company, or any material adverse change, or, to the Companys knowledge, any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in the condition (financial or otherwise), business, net worth, property or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (excluding changes due to investment activities in the ordinary course of business), (C) there has been no dividend or distribution declared or paid in respect of the Companys capital stock and (D) the Company and its Subsidiaries have not incurred any short-term debt or long-term debt that is, in either case, material with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (excluding debt resulting from a draw down on the Companys credit facilities).
(xiii) There is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit or proceeding, legal or governmental, to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, before or by any court or governmental agency or body, that is required to be described in the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus and is not so described.
(xiv) There are no contracts, agreements or understandings of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that are required to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement by the Securities Act or by the Securities Act Rules and Regulations that have not been so filed or incorporated by reference therein as permitted by the Securities Act Rules and Regulations.
(xv) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.
(xvi) The Base Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a valid and binding agreement 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 hereafter in effect relating to creditors rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding thereof may be brought; the Fourth Supplemental Indenture has been duly authorized, and on the Closing Date, will be executed and delivered by the Company and when executed and delivered by the Trustee, will constitute 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 hereafter in effect relating to creditors rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding thereof may be brought.
(xviii) The DTC 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.
(xix) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Indenture, the Securities and the DTC Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and therein and in 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 in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the caption Use of Proceeds) and compliance by the Company with its obligations hereunder and thereunder do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms and
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provisions of, constitute a default or Repayment Events (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 its Subsidiaries pursuant to, the Agreements and Instruments, except for such conflicts, breaches, defaults or Repayment Events that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect, nor will such action result in any violation of the Companys or any of its Subsidiaries charter, bylaws or other organizational documents, or any order, law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets, properties or operations. 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 holders 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.
(xx) No consent, approval, authorization, notification or order of, or filing with, any court or governmental agency or body is required for the consummation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except such as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states, the rules and regulations of the FINRA (as defined below) or the securities laws of any jurisdiction outside of the United States in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities.
(xxi) This Agreement complies as to form in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act.
(xxii) Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person granting such person the right to require the Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any securities of the Company or to require the Company to include such securities with the Securities registered pursuant to the Registration Statement.
(xxiii) There are no material restrictions, limitations or regulations with respect to the ability of the Company or its Subsidiaries to invest its assets as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, other than as described therein.
(xxiv) Any third-party 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.
(xxv) Except as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries have all necessary licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals and have made all necessary filings required under any federal, state or local law, regulation or rule, and have obtained all necessary licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals from other persons, required in order to conduct their business as described under the heading Business in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except to the extent that any failure to have any such licenses, authorizations, consents or approvals, to make any such filings or to obtain any such authorizations, consents or approvals is not, alone or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect; neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of, or in default under, any such license, authorization, consent or approval of any federal, state or local law, regulation or rule or any decree, order or judgment applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the effect of which is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notification or communication from any agency or department of federal, state, or local government or any regulatory authority or the staff thereof threatening to revoke or modify any license, authorization, consent or approval, which alone or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would be reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(xxvii) Except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the caption Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, the Company and its Subsidiaries have not entered into any transaction with any person which would be required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.
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(xxviii) Except as otherwise disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, as of the date thereof, no extension of credit has been made by the Company to an executive officer or director of the Company in violation of Section 402 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 ( SOX ).
(xxix) Except with respect to the Underwriters or as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company has not incurred any liability for any finders fees or similar payments in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities.
(xxx) The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or to result in, or that has constituted or which might reasonably be expected to constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the price or any security of the Company to facilitate the issuance or the sale or resale of the Securities.
(xxxi) Except as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, since January 1, 2006, the Company has been organized and operated, and currently is organized and operated, in conformance with the requirements to be taxed as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ( Subchapter M of the Code ).
(xxxii) The Company has been organized and operated as, and currently is organized and operated, in material conformance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder applicable to business development companies.
(xxxiii) The provisions of the corporate charter and by-laws of the Company and the investment objective, policies and restrictions described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are not inconsistent with the requirements of the Investment Company Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder applicable to a business development company, and the provisions of the organizational documents of each of the Subsidiaries and the operations of each of the Subsidiaries allow the Company to be in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of the Investment Company Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder applicable to a business development company.
(xxxiv) The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with managements general or specific authorization; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets; (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with managements general or specific authorization; and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Since the Companys most recent audited fiscal year, there have been, to the Companys knowledge, no changes in the Companys internal controls over financial reporting that could significantly affect internal controls over financial reporting, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
(xxxv) The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act )) designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commissions rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to the Companys management, including its principal executive officers or officers and principal financial officer or officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.
(xxxvi) The Company and its officers and directors, in their capacities as such, are in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the SOX and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(xxxvii) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor, to the Companys knowledge, any director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company or any Subsidiary has used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity, made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds, violated or is in violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (the FCPA ), made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment,
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kickback or other unlawful payment, or received or retained any funds in violation of any law, rule or regulation. The Company and its Subsidiaries have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with the FCPA. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiaries will, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the offering of the Securities hereunder in violation of the FCPA.
(xxxviii) Neither the Company nor the Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or the Subsidiaries is currently the subject of any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury ( OFAC ) (a Sanctioned Person ); and neither the Company nor the Subsidiaries will, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the offering of the Securities hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any Sanctioned Person or in any country or territory currently the subject of any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC (a Sanctioned Country ) or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any person (including any party to this agreement) of any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC. Neither the Company nor the Subsidiaries has engaged in any dealings or transactions with or for the benefit of a Sanctioned Person, or with or in a Sanctioned Country, in the preceding 3 years, nor do the Company or the Subsidiaries have any plans to engage in dealings or transactions with or for the benefit of a Sanctioned Person, or with or in a Sanctioned Country, in each case in a manner that would result in a violation of U.S. sanctions.
(xxxix) 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 money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the Money Laundering Laws), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or the Subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the Companys knowledge, after due inquiry, threatened.
(xl) The Companys wholly-owned, small business investment company subsidiaries, Hercules Technology II, L.P. and Hercules Technology III, L.P. have been organized and operated as, and currently are organized and operated, in material conformance with the requirements of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder applicable to small business investment companies.
(xli) The Subsidiaries of the Company do not have employees or employ personnel.
(b) Any certificate required by this Agreement that is signed by any officer of the Company and delivered to the Underwriters or counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the Underwriters, as to the matters covered thereby.
2. Agreements to Sell and Purchase. The Company hereby agrees to sell to the Underwriters, and each Underwriter, upon the basis of the representations, warranties and covenants herein contained, but subject to the conditions hereinafter stated, agrees to purchase, severally and not jointly, from the Company, the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth opposite the name of each Underwriter on Schedule A hereof, at a price of 98.799% of the aggregate principal amount thereof ( Purchase Price ).
3. Public Offering of Securities. The Underwriters advise the Company that they propose to make a public offering of their respective portions of the Securities as soon after this Agreement has been executed and delivered as in its judgment is advisable.
The Company is further advised by you that the Securities are to be offered to the public initially at 99.449% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued interest, if any, from the date of issuance (the Public Offering Price ) and to certain dealers selected by the Representatives at a price that represents a concession not in excess of 0.400% under the Public Offering Price, and the Underwriters may allow, and the dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of 0.250% under the Public Offering Price.
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4. Payment and Delivery. Payment for the Securities shall be made to the Company by the wire transfer of immediately available funds to the order of the Company against delivery of such Securities through the facilities of DTC for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on October 23, 2017, or at such other time on the same or such other date, no later than three (3) business days after the date of this Agreement as the Underwriters and the Company may agree upon in writing. The time and date of such payment are hereinafter referred to as the Closing Date .
The Securities shall be transferred electronically and registered in such names and in such denominations as the Representatives shall request in writing not later than one full business day prior to the Closing Date. The Securities shall be delivered through the facilities of DTC.
5. Covenants of the Company . The Company covenants with each Underwriter as follows:
(a) To notify the Underwriters promptly following the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, and the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction. The Company will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order described in this subsection hereunder and, if any such stop order is issued, to use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment, and to advise the Underwriters promptly of any examination pursuant to Section 8(e) of the Securities Act or of the Company becoming the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of the Securities Act in connection with any offering of the Securities.
(b) To give the Underwriters notice of any intention to file any amendment to the Registration Statement (including any post-effective amendment) or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus (including any revised prospectus proposed for use by the Underwriters in connection with the offering, which differs from the prospectus on file at the Commission at the time the Registration Statement becomes effective, whether such revised prospectus is required to be filed pursuant to Rule 497(b) or Rule 497(h) of the Securities Act Rules and Regulations), whether required to be filed pursuant to the Investment Company Act, the Securities Act or otherwise, and to furnish the Underwriters with copies of any such amendment or supplement a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case may be, and to not file any such amendment or supplement to which the Underwriters or counsel for the Underwriters shall reasonably object, except as may be required by applicable law; provided, however, in the event of any such objection, the Underwriters agree to cooperate with the Company to ensure that an acceptable filing can be promptly made.
(c) To furnish, upon request and without charge, to the Underwriters a signed copy of the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto) and for delivery to each other Underwriter a conformed copy of the Registration Statement (without exhibits thereto) and to furnish to you in New York City, without charge, prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement and during the period mentioned in Section 5(d) below, as many copies of the Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus and any supplements and amendments thereto or to the Registration Statement as you may reasonably request.
(d) Before amending or supplementing the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, to furnish to you a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement and not to file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which you reasonably object in writing within two business days after receipt, and to file with the Commission within the applicable period specified in Rule 497 under the Securities Act any prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 497 under the Securities Act.
(e) If any event shall occur or a condition exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Company in consultation with counsel for the Underwriters, to amend or supplement the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, to forthwith amend or supplement the Registration Statement or Prospectus by preparing and filing with the Commission (and furnishing to the Underwriters a reasonable number of copies of) an amendment or amendments of the Registration Statement or an amendment or amendments of or a supplement or supplements to, the Prospectus (in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters), at the Companys expense, which will amend or supplement the Registration Statement or the Prospectus so that the statements in the Prospectus, as so amended or supplemented, will not, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, be misleading when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, and the Underwriters and their counsel agree to cooperate with the Company to ensure that an acceptable filing can be promptly made.
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(f) To endeavor, in cooperation with the Underwriters and their counsel, to assist such counsel to qualify the Securities for offer and sale under the applicable securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions of the United States as the Underwriters may designate; 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 now so qualified. The Company will file such statements and reports as may be required to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby by the laws of each jurisdiction in which the Securities have been qualified as above provided.
(g) For a period of 30 days from the date of this Agreement, to not, without the prior consent of the Representatives, directly or indirectly sell, offer to sell, enter into any agreement to sell, or otherwise dispose of, any debt securities of the Company which are substantially similar to the Securities or securities convertible into such debt securities which are substantially similar to the Securities.
(h) To apply the net proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the Securities sold by it as set forth under Use of Proceeds in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
(i) To use its best efforts to maintain its status as a business development company under the Investment Company Act, except unless authorized by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company as defined by the Investment Company Act.
(j) To use its best efforts to conform with the applicable requirements to be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code for so long as the Company is a business development company under the Investment Company Act.
(k) Except for the authorization of actions permitted to be taken by the Underwriters as contemplated herein or in the Prospectus, not to take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or to result in, or which might reasonably be expected to constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the issuance of the sale or resale of the Securities.
(l) Whether or not the transactions contemplated in this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, to pay or cause to be paid all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel for the Company and the Companys accountants in connection with the registration and delivery of the Securities under the Securities Act and all other fees or expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, and any amendments and supplements to any of the foregoing, including all printing costs associated therewith, and the mailing and delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriters, in the quantities hereinabove specified, (ii) the printing and delivery to the Underwriters of this Agreement, the Indenture, the DTC Agreement and such other documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale, issuance and delivery of the certificates for the Securities (iii) all costs and expenses related to the transfer and delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters, including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon, (iv) the cost of printing or producing any Blue Sky memo in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities under state securities laws and all expenses in connection with the qualification of the Securities for offer and sale under state securities laws, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky memorandum, (v) all filing fees, reasonable disbursements and up to $10,000 in reimbursement of Underwriters counsel fees incurred in connection with the review and qualification of the offering of the Securities by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ( FINRA ), if any, (vi) any fees charged by the rating agencies for the rating of the Securities, (vii) the fees and expenses of the trustee and any transfer agent, registrar or depositary in connection with the issuance of the Securities, (viii) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any road show undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Securities, including, without limitation, 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 with the prior approval of the Company, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives and officers of the Company and any such consultants, and, with the prior approval of the
9
Company, the cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with the road show and (ix) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company hereunder for which provision is not otherwise made in this Section. It is understood, however, that except as provided in this Section and in Section 7, entitled Indemnification and Contribution, the Underwriters will pay all of their costs and expenses, including fees and disbursements of their counsel, stock transfer taxes payable on resale of any of the Securities by them and any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make.
(m) To make generally available to the Companys security holders and to you, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement for the purposes of and to provide the benefits contemplated by Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the Securities Act Rules and Regulations.
(n) To cooperate with the Representatives and use its commercially reasonable efforts to permit the Securities to be eligible for clearance and settlement through the facilities of DTC.
6. Conditions of the Underwriters Obligations; Additional Covenants . The obligations of the Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein, to the accuracy of the statements of the Companys officers made in each certificate furnished pursuant to the provisions hereof and to the performance and observance by the Company of all covenants and agreements herein or its part to be performed and observed, and to the following further conditions:
(a) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date, there shall not have occurred any change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company, taken as a whole, from that set forth in the Prospectus that, in your judgment, is material and adverse and that makes it, in your judgment, impracticable to market the Securities as contemplated hereby.
(b) On the Closing Date, the Underwriters shall have received:
(i) The opinion, dated the Closing Date, of Dechert LLP, counsel for the Company, in the form reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, and their negative assurance letter dated the Closing Date, in the form reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters. In rendering such opinion, Dechert LLP may rely as to matters of fact, to the extent they deem proper, on certificates of responsible officers of the Company and public officials;
(ii) Such opinion or opinions, dated the Closing Date, of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they reasonably request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.
(c) The Company shall have furnished to the Underwriters on the Closing Date, a certificate of the Company, signed by the President or other senior officer of the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect set forth in Section 6(a) above and to the effect that the signer of such certificate has carefully examined the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, any supplement to the Prospectus and this Agreement and that, to the best of his knowledge:
(i) the representations, warranties and covenants of the Company contained in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects as of the date of the Agreement (except to the extent that any of such representations and warranties are already qualified as to materiality herein, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct without further qualification) and the Closing Date, and the Company has complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied in all material respects hereunder on or before the Closing Date;
(ii) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or, to his knowledge, threatened; and
(iii) since the date of the most recent balance sheet included in the Prospectus, there has been no material adverse change in the condition (financial or other), earnings, business, net worth, results of operations or prospects of, the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (excluding changes due to investment activities in the ordinary course of business), except as set forth in or contemplated in the Prospectus.
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The officer signing and delivering such certificate may rely upon the best of his or her knowledge as to proceedings threatened.
(d) On each of the date hereof and the Closing Date, the Underwriters shall have received from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a letter, dated hereof and the Closing Date, in the form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, and stating the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus ordinarily covered by accountants comfort letters in connection with registered public offerings; provided, however, that the letter delivered on the Closing Date shall use a cut-off date not earlier than the date hereof.
(e) Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there shall not have been (i) any change or decrease specified in the letter or letters referred to in paragraph (d) of this Section 6, or (ii) any change in or affecting the business or properties of the Company, the effect of which, in any case referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above, is, in the judgment of the Representatives, so material and adverse as to make it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
(f) Prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives such further appropriate information, certificates and documents as the Representatives may reasonably request.
(g) All filings with the Commission required by Rule 497 of the Securities Act to have been filed by the Closing Date, shall have been made within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by Rule 497 of the Securities Act.
(h) On the Closing Date, the Company and the Trustee shall have executed and delivered the Indenture (including the Fourth Supplemental Indenture), which shall be in full force and effect on the Closing Date.
(i) On the Closing Date, the Securities shall have been issued by the Company.
(j) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have executed and delivered the DTC Agreement.
(k) Between the Applicable Time and the Closing Date, there shall not have been any decrease in the rating of any debt of the Company or any Subsidiaries by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act), or any notice given of any intended or potential decrease in any such rating or of a possible change in any such rating that does not indicate the direction of the possible change, and no such organization shall have publicly announced it has under surveillance or review any such rating.
(l) The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to the Underwriters on the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, dated the date hereof and the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to Underwriters.
If any of the conditions specified in this Section 6 shall not have been fulfilled when and as provided in this Agreement, or if any of the opinions and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall not be satisfactory in the form and substance to the Representatives and counsel to the Underwriters, this Agreement and all obligations of the Representatives hereunder may be canceled at, or at any time prior to, the Closing Date by the Representatives. Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the Company in writing or by telephone or telegraph and confirmed in writing.
7. Indemnification and Contribution .
(a) The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its partners, members, directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each, an Indemnified Party ), against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which such Indemnified Party may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, other Federal or state statutory law or regulation or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any part of the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the General
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Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse each Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending against any loss, claim, damage, liability, action, litigation, investigation or proceeding whatsoever (whether or not such Indemnified Party is a party thereto), whether threatened or commenced, and in connection with the enforcement of this provision with respect to any of the above as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, damage or liability arises out or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement in or omission or alleged omission from any of such documents in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by an Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), the part of the Registration Statement that constitutes the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the 1939 Act (Form T-1) of the Trustee under the Indenture, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in subsection (b) below.
(b) Each Underwriter will severally and not jointly indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors and each of its officers who signs a Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each, an Underwriter Indemnified Party ), against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which such Underwriter Indemnified Party may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, other Federal or state statutory law or regulation or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any part of the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omissions or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use therein, and will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter Indemnified Party in connection with investigation or defending against any such loss, claim, damage, liability, action, litigation, investigation or proceeding whatsoever (whether or not such Underwriter Indemnified Party is a party thereto), whether threatened or commenced, based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission as such expenses are incurred, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the following information in the Prospectus Supplement furnished on behalf of each Underwriter: the first and second sentences in the first paragraph under the caption UnderwritingPrice Stabilizations, Short Positions and the first sentence in the second paragraph under the caption UnderwritingPrice Stabilizations, Short Positions.
(c) Actions against Parties; Notification. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under subsection (a) or (b) above, notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof; but the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under subsection (a) or (b) above, except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided further that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an indemnified party otherwise than under subsection (a) or (b) above. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and it notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened action in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder
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by such indemnified party unless such settlement (i) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on any claims that are the subject matter of such action 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 an indemnified party.
(d) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Section is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in subsection (a) or (b) above (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above 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 on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or the Underwriters and the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The amount paid by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in the first sentence of this Section 7(d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim which is the subject of this Section 7(d). Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7(d), no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters obligations in this Section 7(d) to contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7(d) 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 in this Section 7(d).
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 7, no party shall be entitled to indemnification and contribution under this Agreement in violation of Section 17(i) of the Investment Company Act.
8. Termination of Agreement.
(a) The obligations of the Underwriters under this Agreement may be terminated at any time on or prior to the Closing Date, by notice given to the Company if, prior to the delivery and payment for the Securities there shall have occurred (i) any change, or any development or event involving a prospective change, in the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, earnings, business, net worth, or properties of the Company which, in the judgment of the Representatives, is material and adverse and makes it impractical or inadvisable to market the Securities; (ii) any change in U.S. or international financial, political or economic conditions or currency exchange rates or exchange controls the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impractical to market or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities, whether in the primary market or in respect of dealings in the secondary market; (iii) any suspension or material limitation of trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE MKT LLC or the Nasdaq, or any setting of minimum or maximum prices for trading on such exchange; (iv) any suspension of trading of any securities of the Company on any securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market; (v) any banking moratorium declared by any U.S. federal or New York authorities; (vi) any major disruption of settlements of securities, payment, or clearance services in the United States; or (vii) any attack on, outbreak or escalation of hostilities or act of terrorism involving the United States, any declaration of war by the United States Congress or any other national or international calamity or emergency if, in the judgment of the Representatives, the effect of any such attack, outbreak, escalation, act, declaration, calamity or emergency is such as to make it impractical or inadvisable to market the Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities.
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9. Default of Underwriters.
(a) If any Underwriter or Underwriters default in their obligations to purchase Securities hereunder on the Closing Date, and the aggregate principal amount of Securities that such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase does not exceed 10.0% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities the Underwriters are obligated to purchase on such Closing Date, the Representatives may make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the purchase of such Securities by other persons, including any of the Underwriters, but if no such arrangements are made by such Closing Date, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated severally, and not jointly, in proportion to their respective commitments hereunder, to purchase the Securities that such defaulting Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase on such Closing Date. If any Underwriter or Underwriters so default and the aggregate principal amount of Securities with respect to which such default or defaults occur exceeds 10.0% of the aggregate Principal amount of Securities that the Underwriters are obligated to purchase on such Closing Date, and arrangements satisfactory to the Representatives and the Company for the purchase of such Securities by other persons are not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement will terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company, except as provided in Section 10 (provided that if such default occurs with respect to Securities after the Closing Date, this Agreement will not terminate as to the Securities purchased prior to termination). As used in this Agreement, the term Underwriter also includes any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section. Nothing herein will relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.
10. Survival of Certain Representations and Obligations.
(a) The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company or its officers and of the several Underwriters set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation or statement as to the results thereof, made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, the Company or any of their respective representatives, officers or directors or any controlling person, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Securities. If the purchase of the Securities by the Underwriters is not consummated for any reason other than solely because of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9 hereof, Section 8(a)(ii), Section 8(a)(iii), Section 8(a)(v), Section 8(a)(vi) or Section 8(a)(vii), the Company will reimburse the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) reasonably incurred by them in connection with the offering of the Securities, and the respective obligations of the Company and the Underwriters pursuant to Section 7 hereof shall also remain in effect. In addition, if any Securities have been purchased hereunder, the representations and warranties in Section 1 and all obligations under Section 5 shall remain in effect.
11. Notices . All communications hereunder will be in writing and effective only on receipt, and, if sent to the Underwriters, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to:
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
388 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10013
Facsimile: +1(646) 291-1469
Attn: General Counsel
Jefferies LLC
520 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attention: General Counsel
as Representatives of the Several Underwriters
with a copy, which shall not constitute notice to:
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
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One New York Plaza
New York, New York 10004
Attention: Stuart Gelfond, Esq.
and if sent to the Company:
Hercules Capital, Inc.
400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 310
Palo Alto, California 94301
Attention: Melanie Grace
12. Successors . This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and will inure to the benefit of the officers and directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 7 hereof, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder. The term successors and assigns as used in this Agreement shall not include a purchaser, as such purchaser, of Securities from the Underwriters.
13. Absence of Fiduciary Relationship . The Company acknowledges and agrees that:
(a) No Other Relationship . The Underwriters have been retained solely to act as underwriters in connection with the sale of the Securities and that no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Company and the Underwriters has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Prospectus, irrespective of whether the Underwriter has advised or is advising the Company on other matters;
(b) Arms Length Negotiations . The price of the Securities set forth in this Agreement was established by the Company following discussions and arms-length negotiations with the Underwriters and the Company is capable of evaluating and understanding and understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(c) Absence of Obligation to Disclose . The Company has been advised that the Underwriters and their affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions which may involve interests that differ from those of the Company and that the Underwriters have no obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Company by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship; and
(d) Waiver . The Company waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims it may have against the Underwriters for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agrees that the Representatives shall have no liability (whether direct or indirect) to the Company in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on behalf of or in right of the Company, including stockholders, employees or creditors of the Company. If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding agreement between the Company and the Underwriters.
14. Governing Law; Construction . This Agreement and any claim, counterclaim or dispute of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of or in any way relating to this Agreement ( Claim ), directly or indirectly, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflict of law provisions thereof to the extent such principles or rules would require or permit the application of the laws of another jurisdiction. The Section headings in this Agreement have been inserted as a matter of convenience of reference and are not a part of this Agreement.
15. Submission to Jurisdiction . Except as set forth below, no Claim may be commenced, prosecuted or continued in any court other than the courts of the State of New York located in the City and County of New York or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, which courts shall have jurisdiction over the adjudication of such matters, and the Company consents to the jurisdiction of such courts and personal service with respect thereto. The Company hereby consents to personal jurisdiction, service and venue in any court in which any Claim arising out of or in any way relating to this Agreement is brought by any third party against the Underwriter or any indemnified party. Each of the Underwriters and the Company (on its behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its stockholders and affiliates) waives 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. The Company agrees that a final judgment in any such action, proceeding or counterclaim brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon the Company and may be enforced in any other courts to the jurisdiction of which the Company is or may be subject, by suit upon such judgment.
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16. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
17. Severability . In case any provision in this Agreement 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.
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding agreement between the Company and the Underwriters.
[ Signature Pages Follow ]
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Very truly yours, | ||
HERCULES CAPITAL, INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ Mark Harris |
|
Name: Mark Harris | ||
Title: Chief Financial Officer |
[ Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement ]
The foregoing Agreement is hereby
confirmed and accepted as of the date first
above written by
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
JEFFERIES LLC
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
By: |
/s/ Jack D. McSpadden, Jr. |
|
Name: Jack D. McSpadden, Jr. Title: Managing Director |
||
JEFFERIES LLC | ||
By: |
/s/ Matthew Casey |
|
Name: Matthew Casey | ||
Title: Managing Director |
[ Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement ]
SCHEDULE A
Underwriter |
Aggregate Principal
Amount of Securities to be Purchased |
|||
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. |
$ | 60,000,000 | ||
Jefferies LLC |
$ | 60,000,000 | ||
JMP Securities LLC |
$ | 6,750,000 | ||
Janney Montgomery Scott LLC |
$ | 6,750,000 | ||
FBR Capital Markets & Co. |
$ | 6,750,000 | ||
Compass Point Research & Trading, LLC |
$ | 6,750,000 | ||
MUFG Securities Americas Inc. |
$ | 3,000,000 | ||
|
|
|||
Total: |
$ | 150,000,000 | ||
|
|
SCHEDULE B
$150,000,000
HERCULES CAPITAL, INC.
4.625% Notes due 2022
1. The aggregate principal amount of the Securities is $150,000,000.
2. The purchase price for the Securities shall be 99.449% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities plus accrued interest, if any, from the date of issuance.
3. The purchase price for the Securities to be paid by the several Underwriters shall be 98.799% of the aggregate principal amount thereof.
4. The interest rate is 4.625%.
SCHEDULE C
Term Sheet
SCHEDULE I
HERCULES CAPITAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Exhibit l.3
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1095 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10036-6797 +1 212 698 3500 Main +1 212 698 3599 Fax www.dechert.com |
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|
October 25, 2017
Hercules Capital, Inc.
400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 310
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Re: Registration Statement on Form N-2
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Hercules Capital, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company ), in connection with the preparation and filing of a Registration Statement on Form N-2, originally filed on November 22, 2016 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission ) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act ) and as subsequently amended on September 13, 2017 and October 25, 2017 (as amended, the Registration Statement ) and the final prospectus supplement, dated October 18, 2017 (including the base prospectus filed therewith, the Prospectus Supplement ), filed with the Commission on October 19, 2017 pursuant to Rule 497 under the Securities Act, relating to the proposed issuance by the Company of $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.625% notes due 2022 (the Notes ), to be sold to underwriters pursuant to an underwriting agreement substantially in the form filed as Exhibit (h)(6) to the Registration Statement (the Underwriting Agreement ). This opinion letter is being furnished to the Company in accordance with the requirements of Item 25 of Form N-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and we express no opinion herein as to any matter other than as to the legality of the Notes.
The Notes are to be issued pursuant to the indenture dated as of March 6, 2012 (the Base Indenture ), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the Trustee ), as supplemented by the fourth supplemental indenture dated as of October 23, 2017 (the Fourth Supplemental Indenture and together with the Base Indenture, the Indenture ), between the Company and the Trustee.
In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have examined and relied on originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records and other instruments and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions set forth below, including the following documents:
(i) | the Registration Statement; |
(ii) | the Prospectus Supplement; |
(iii) | the Underwriting Agreement; |
(iv) | the Indenture; |
(v) | a specimen copy of the form of the Notes to be issued pursuant to the Indenture; |
(vi) | the Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company, dated as of June 8, 2005 (the Articles of Amendment and Restatement ); |
|
Hercules Capital, Inc. October 25, 2017 Page 2 |
(vii) | the Articles of Amendment of the Company dated as of March 8, 2007 ( Amendment 1 ); |
(viii) | the Articles of Amendment of the Company dated as of April 6, 2011 ( Amendment 2 ); |
(ix) | the Articles of Amendment of the Company dated as of April 6, 2015 ( Amendment 3 ); |
(x) | the Articles of Amendment of the Company dated as of February 23, 2016 ( Amendment 4 , collectively, with Amendment 1, Amendment 2, Amendment 3 and the Articles of Amendment and Restatement, the Articles ); |
(xi) | the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company dated as of February 25, 2016; |
(xii) | a certificate of good standing with respect to the Company issued by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland as of a recent date; and |
(xiii) | resolutions approved by the Companys board of directors (the Board ) as of September 20, 2017 and September 23, 2017 and resolutions approved by the pricing committee of the Board dated October 18, 2017. |
As to the facts upon which this opinion is based, we have relied upon certificates of public officials and certificates and written statements of agents, officers, directors and representatives of the Company without having independently verified such factual matters.
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as original documents, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies, the legal capacity of natural persons who are signatories to the documents examined by us and the legal power and authority of all persons signing on behalf of the parties to such documents.
On the basis of the foregoing and subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in this letter, we are of the opinion that:
1. | The Base Indenture constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms. |
2. | The Fourth Supplemental Indenture is duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms. |
3. | When duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and delivered to the underwriters against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, the Notes will constitute the legal and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms. |
The opinions set forth herein are subject to the following assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions being true and correct at or before the time of the Notes:
(i) | the Company is duly incorporated and validly existing in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland; |
(ii) | the Indenture and the Notes have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each party thereto (other than the Company); |
(iii) | the final terms of the Notes have been duly established and approved by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company; |
(iv) | the terms of the Notes as established comply with the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; and |
(v) | the Notes have been duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the purchasers thereof. |
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Hercules Capital, Inc. October 25, 2017 Page 3 |
The opinions set forth herein as to enforceability of obligations of the Company are subject to: (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or similar laws now or hereinafter in effect affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally, and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and the discretion of the court or other body before which any proceeding may be brought; (ii) 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; (iii) provisions of law which may require that a judgment for money damages rendered by a court in the United States be expressed only in U.S. dollars; (iv) requirements that a claim with respect to any debt securities denominated other than in U.S. dollars (or a judgment denominated other than in U.S. dollars in respect of such claim) be converted into U.S. dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law; and (v) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside the United States or in foreign currency or composite currency.
We express no opinion as to the validity, legally binding effect or enforceability of any provision in any agreement or instrument that (i) requires or relates to payment of any interest at a rate or in an amount which a court may determine in the circumstances under applicable law to be commercially unreasonable or a penalty or forfeiture or (ii) relates to governing law and submission by the parties to the jurisdiction of one or more particular courts.
The opinions expressed herein are limited to the laws of the State of New York.
This opinion letter has been prepared for your use solely in connection with the Registration Statement. We assume no obligation to advise you of any changes in the foregoing subsequent to the date of this opinion.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the caption Legal Matters in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus Supplement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Dechert LLP